Clerk FAQ

If you don’t see your question addressed here, and are not sure who in the City can help you, contact the Seattle Customer Service Bureau online or by phone at 206-684-2489. The Customer Service Bureau are experts at directing you to the right place.

FAQs for the Office of the City Clerk

Q: What’s the current law about [your topic here]?

A: The Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) is available online through our codifier, the Municipal Code Corporation. We can help you locate specific items or general topics within the Code.

Q: Can I register a domestic partnership with your office?

A: Yes, you can register a domestic partnership with the Office of the City Clerk. Our program is a registry only, and does not create any new or different legal or financial rights or responsibilities.

Q: Is legislation (Council Bills, Ordinances, Resolutions etc.) available online?

A. City of Seattle legislation can be found in one or both of these online tools:

Legislative Information Center: Items currently in the legislative process and all items introduced to Council since February 9, 2015

Online Information Resources: All items approved, rejected, or retired by the City Council from the 19th Century to present

If you're not sure which phase of the legislative process the item is in, contact us at 206‑684‑8344 or cityclerk@seattle.gov and we'll be happy to help you find it.

Q: I found an ordinance in your database that I need to see, but it’s from before 1996 and the text is not online. Is there a way I can see the whole thing?

A: Yes, legislation introduced in 1995 or earlier (all the way back to the 1800s) is kept in our office on microfiche. You can visit our research room to review and scan anything you need (bring a flash drive to save your files on), or you can contact us and ask us to scan it and e-mail it to you. Note that copy fees apply.

Q: Can I file a Claim for Damages at your office?

A: Yes, you can bring in or mail your completed and signed claim form to us. The Risk Management Office oversees the general process, though, and are better able to answer questions about how it all works.

FAQs for other departments or agencies

Q: How do specific Seattle Municipal Code provisions apply to my specific situation / project / property?

A: That’s a question for the department that is in charge of enforcing that specific portion of the Code. Hint: check the definitions for the Title or Chapter you are looking at, and see who is defined as “Director”—that’s the Department you want to contact, or send your question via the City’s Customer Service Bureau so they can direct it to the right people.

Q: Can you send me a birth certificate / death certificate?

A: Vital records can be requested from King County Vital Statistics.

Q: Can you give me my case number / court documents?

A: See the Seattle Municipal Court’s website for court information, or call them at 206-684-5600.

Q: Can you help me with my business license or business tax question?

A: The business licensing and tax staff in the Department of Finance and Administrative Services can help with licensing and tax questions.

Q: Can I get a marriage license from you?

A: Marriage licenses are issued by the King County Recorder’s Office.

Q: Will you send me a copy of my divorce decree?

A: Divorce decrees are issued by the King County Superior Court.

If you don’t see your question addressed here, and are not sure who in the City can help you, contact the Seattle Customer Service Bureau online or by phone at 206-684-2489. The Customer Service Bureau are experts at directing you to the right place.