Public Records Request

If you would like to request a public record, please CLICK HERE. If you would like to search for more common records, please go to the Search Online Records page.

Overview

The City Recorder’s office manages records for the City of Warrenton. Warrenton’s City Recorder’s Office consists of the City Recorder and Deputy City Recorder. The City Recorder’s Office preserves and maintains all public records relating to the conduct of the public's business. 

As the city records manager, the Office of the City Recorder stewards all administrative, historical, legal and financial records in accordance with state-mandated record retention schedules for city governments.

To achieve the city's goals and comply with State Public Records Laws (ORS 192.001), the Office of the City Recorder:

• Administers the city's record management program and participation in the cloud-based Oregon Records Management Solution (ORMS)
• Coordinates records and information management projects
• Conducts periodic staff records management training
• Coordinates public records requests

How to Make a Public Records Request:

Anyone may request to view public records by submitting a records request from the Public Records Request Center. The City will provide an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to request an alternative form. 

Online Records (Available 24/7):

To access the City’s database of online records, please visit the Web Drawer. Additional records are in the process of being uploaded to the database. Searching here first can save time and money before going through the records request process!

Who Has the Right to Inspect Public Records?

Under Oregon’s Public Records Law, “every person” has a right to inspect any nonexempt public record of a public body in Oregon. What records are exempt from disclosure?

Who is Subject to the Public Records Law?

Any public body in the State of Oregon is subject to the public records law (ORS 192.314). In the City of Warrenton this includes the City Commission, boards and committees, officers or agents, and departments. This also applies to a private contractor that is the “functional equivalent” of a public body as “records of a private entity that has contracted with a public body may be obtained under the Public Records Law from the public body if the public body has custody of copies of the records. In addition, the public body by rule or contract may require private bodies with which it deals to make pertinent records available for public inspection.”

What Records Are Covered by the Law?

“Public record” includes any writing that contains information relating to the conduct of the public's business, including but not limited to court records, mortgages, and deed records, prepared, owned, used or retained by the public body, regardless of physical form or characteristics. Not included is any writing that does not relate to the conduct of the public's business and that is contained on a privately-owned computer. 

The City is not required to create a record in response to a public records request.

What to Expect When a Request is Made:

After submitting a public records request through the Public Records Request Center, you will receive an automated email that your request has been received. Complete details on the public records request procedures and process are available in the attached City of Warrenton Public Records Request Policy. 

Although the City needs to respond to a request under the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Oregon public bodies are covered by the Oregon Public Records Law, and are not bound by the timeframes or other requirements of the federal act.

To make a Public Records Request, please go to the PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST CENTER, or contact us by phone at 503-861-0823 or by e-mail at cityrecorder@warrentonoregon.us.