Within King County, there are three different programs organized within the Department of Executive Services, Records and Licensing Services (RALS) that provide services related to county records:

• Records Management
• Records Center
• Archives

Records Management The countywide program that provides resources on how to manage public records over time. The Records Management Program provides guidance on records retention, provides training and guidance on records topics, and supports Content Manager (the countywide records management system).

Records Center The warehouse facility where physical county records are stored while they are still within their retention period and still owned by their initiating agency.

Archives The Archives holds and provides access to historical county records (both physical and electronic) that are designated archival on a retention schedule. Records at the Archives have met their retention and the legal custody has transferred to the Archives.

For more information, visit the county’s Records Management Program website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov.  The Records Management Program, in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s public records according to state and local legal requirements and best practices.