Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
DAVENPORT — Changes in the Lincoln County Auditor’s Office now allow some business previously required to be in person to be online, Auditor Chandra Schumacher said this week.
Documents that can be released via public records can be searched online via the Auditor’s website and sent electronically via phone payment.
Online records are currently redacted, Schumacher said, because many old recordings contain social security numbers and other private information. But the public can search for the records, make a request and have records emailed or snail mailed after the Auditor’s Office reviews the records.
Public records are required to be released per Chapter 42.56 RCW: Public Records Act.
“We had to keep our documents redacted online because for many years Recording did not apply redactions for public access,” Schumacher said. “I would just hate for someone’s social security number to accidentally get released, even if it’s someone who passed away.”
Credit cards are now an available form of payment for records that carry a charge, such as marriage certificates. A minimum $2 card fee applies, or 3.5%.
Records can still be requested in person, Schumacher clarified.
Those looking forward to wedded bliss can also now begin the marriage license application process online. However, licenses require a physical signature, so that must be done in-person at the Courthouse.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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