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Visit the Archives
Celebrate Archives Month 2026 with King County Archives by choosing your own mini‑tour through our collections. We’ve put together a menu of topics featuring some of our most unique and fascinating historical records. Whether you're curious about how King County has grown or you’re just looking for a fun way to explore local history, this is an easy way to get started. Can't wait to see you!
Participation is simple:
- Pick your topic from the menu below
- Go to the registration form
- Sign up by selecting your date and time
- Visit the Archives during your reserved time slot and explore your chosen records up close
Archives à la Carte Menu
Picnic in the Park(s)
Get outside with a visit inside the County Archives. Discover the history of King County parks and recreation programs through photographs, oral histories, and annual reports. Learn how our parks were created and how they’ve served communities over the years.Keep King County Wild
Hike mountains, dive into immaculate coastlines, and explore wetlands—in County records. Photographs, pamphlets, legislation, and other materials show the County’s environmental protection efforts to conserve forests, shorelines, wetlands, and natural habitats.A Taste of King County
Get a taste of how King County works to keep our food safe, fresh, and local. This collection includes photos, reports, and clippings from the Seattle-King County Department of Public Health and the Farmland Preservation Program, highlighting decades of food safety and agricultural stewardship.Bridges, Wharves, and Ferries
Take a trip through King County’s transportation history with photos, engineering drawings, and other records documenting the construction and maintenance of bridges, wharfs, and ferries. Great for anyone curious about infrastructure or local waterways.Come Fly with Us
At King County Archives, we're grounded in primary sources, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have our heads in clouds. Learn about the County's aviation history through photographs, scrapbooks, and planning documents from King County International Airport and the Sand Point Naval Air Station.Public Safety in King County
Take a thoughtful, educational look at the history of public safety through photographs, documents, and yearbooks created by the King County Sheriff’s Office. Learn how local law enforcement has operated and evolved over time.Fit for a Kingdome
Relive the story of the Kingdome—one of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks—and get nostalgic for a time when Seattle had an NBA team. Browse photographs, planning documents, and promotional materials that show what made the Kingdome central to sports, entertainment, and civic life for decades.Move with King County Metro
The history of public transit in King County is truly moving. Explore how King County Metro Department of Transit has kept our community on the go with photographs, publicity materials, and records tracing decades of transit innovation and service.Dying to Meet You
Explore the history of the King County Coroner’s Office and how coroners investigate unexplained or violent deaths. Records include scrapbooks, annual reports, and court transcripts that shed light on how coroner work supports public health and safety.Looking for recorded property documents?
No appointment required
You don't need an appointment to access recorded property documents on microfilm. We are open to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm.
Please note:
- Recorded documents at the Archives are only available on microfilm.
- Recorded document research is self-service. Archives staff will show you how to use the microfilm scanners so you can look up documents.
- We only provide access to recorded documents from 1853 to July 31, 1991.
- Recorded documents on microfilm are organized 1.) by the year the document was recorded and 2.) by the last name of the buyer / seller.
- Recorded documents on microfilm aren't organized by property address, parcel number, or document type.
- We don't provide access to recorded plats, surveys, and condo drawings.
- Permitting records, construction / floor plans, and architectural drawings aren't recorded documents.
Where to find other recorded documents
- Recorded documents dated after July 31, 1991, are available online through the County Recorder's Office.
- All recorded plats, surveys, and condo drawings (any year) are available online through the County Recorder's Office.
Looking for other records?
Schedule an appointment
We ask that you schedule an appointment to view original documents.
Please note:
- Email us at least 2 business days in advance to request an appointment.
- Scheduling an appointment gives Archives staff time to identify and retrieve records that you wish to see.
- If the Archives doesn't have the records or information you want, we will try to refer you to the correct agency.
Before you schedule
Make your research more productive with these helpful tips.
- Consider your topic. What kind of information are you trying to find? The more specific you are, the better we can help you.
- Check the FAQs and research guides on our website to see if there's information about your topic.
- Review the Records at other agencies page to see if the information you want is available somewhere else.
- Request a research consultation with an Archives staff member.
Before you arrive
Once you've scheduled and confirmed your research appointment, do the following to prepare.
- Gather your research materials and notes.
- Review the Archives Reading Room Guidelines.
- Plan to bring a mobile device or digital camera to take pictures of records.
What to expect
King County Archives is charged with the preservation of irreplaceable, unique county records. We hold them in trust for all King County residents and provide access. To protect these records for future generations and out of respect for your fellow researchers, we ask that you abide by the following policies.
- Check in at the lobby desk. An Archives staff member is there to assist you.
- The Archives provides lockers and coat racks for safe storage of your personal belongings.
- Keep archival materials safe by storing food and drinks in the lockers near the desk.
- Use a pencil to take notes. Pens or other permanent marking tools can deface historical materials.
- Turn off your mobile device or put it on vibrate to avoid disturbing other patrons. If you need to take a call, please do so in the lobby or outside.
- Ask for assistance when scanning archival materials.
Do you need accommodations when visiting?
Please let us know if you require assistive technology or accessibility accommodations. King County Archives is committed to making sure our spaces and materials are accessible for all patrons.
Duplication and Copy Fees
King County Archives duplicates the records in its holdings on behalf of patrons. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about these services.
Hours
Walk-in lobby hours
Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Phone / Email hours
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Research Room hours
By appointment only