About the Office of the City Clerk
Central to open government, the Office of the City Clerk works in partnership with City agencies and stakeholders, advancing principles of inclusive access, to ensure transparency and accessibility. The City Clerk serves as the Administrative Head of the Legislative Department and Clerk of the Council and provides fundamental integrity to the structure of our democracy by ensuring preservation and access to municipal records.
Services and programs include access to local laws, policies, and regulations. Primary functions include:
- Legislative Management and Operations
- Seattle Municipal Archives
- City Records Management
- Legislative Public Records Disclosure
- Reference and Research Services
- Required Filings
- Boards & Commissions Registry
Please contact us for assistance.
Monica Martinez Simmons
Seattle City Clerk
Historical Perspective
Seattle's first City Charter allowed for a Clerk of the Common Council to be elected by the Council. In 1875, the position of City Clerk became elective and remained so until 1896, when the new Charter designated the Comptroller ex-officio City Clerk. The Comptroller served as City Clerk through 1992. A 1991 City Charter amendment transferred the Comptroller's function to the Department of Finance. The Office of the City Clerk became an appointed office as a division of the Legislative Department, effective in 1993. In 2010, the City Clerk assumed the additional role of administrative head of the Legislative Department.
For more history on the City Clerk and other Seattle officials, please visit the Municipal Archives' history of City Officials.