Submit a Request and Create a Public Account

You can create a requester account when you submit a request. If you include an email address in your request an account is created for you automatically. You may be sent emails where you can download your records directly. In some cases though you may need to log in to the portal to access your records.

Submit a Request & Create an Account

1. Locate the agency portal. In general, you can search for public records on the agency's website to find the portal.
   
   Note: Or you can use your preferred search engine to search for "[agency] public records requests" for example "City of Townsville, WA public records requests".
2. Click the Make Request button
   
3. Enter your request in the Request Description box
   
   
   Note: In general, we recommend being as specific as possible to help the agency route and fulfill your request. If the agency makes requests public, the request description will also be public so do not input private information in this section.
   Note: You may see a yellow pop-up message in the request description box. These notices provide information, links to available resources, and other useful information, so we recommend you review these notices before you submit your request.
4. Fill out the remaining fields:
   
   
   • Choose file(s): Upload and attach any supporting files
     
     Note: This option is only available if you are signed in to your account. You can also upload files after submission.
   • Departments: If applicable, assign departments to the request
   • Case or cad number: If applicable, add the case or cad number related to the request
5. Add an Email address in the box provided and fill out your information if you wish to create an account
   
   
   • Email: The contact email address for the requester
     
     • No email address available: Check this option if no email is available for the requester.
   • Name: Enter the requester's name.
   • Phone: A phone number that can be used to contact the requester.
   • Street Address, City, State, Zip: Enter the address for the requester.
   • Company: The requester's company or employer.
6. Check the box to acknowledge the Terms and Conditions
   
   
7. Click the Make Request button to submit
   
8. Create a Password or click the Do This Later link
   
   
   Note: This screen will only display if you entered your email address on the request submission screen.
9. You will receive an email confirmation after your request was submitted. If you created a password you will also receive an email to confirm your email address.
   
10. Once you confirm your account you can log in to the portal at any time to see your request(s) and records in one place.
    
    Note: If you didn’t create a password when you submitted the request, or if you forget your password, you can always follow the steps to reset it.

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Troubleshoot Tips

My request was submitted under an email I don’t have access to, what should I do?

Common cases where this happens are when there was a typo in the email address, the request was submitted by an employee who has since left the organization, or the request was submitted by an assistant on behalf of their boss.

If this has happened you will need to reach out directly to the agency. They will be able to update the email address on the request. In general, agencies will list a contact number or email address either on the front page, make request page, or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of the portal. You can also search on the agency's website directly as the point of contact for public records requests is typically listed there as well. Agency admins can update the request to a different requester or update the email address for the request.

I didn't receive the account confirmation email, what do I do?

The first thing to do is check that you submitted your email on the required page. The password reset process requires you to enter your email address twice - once to confirm that you have an account in the system, and then again to actually request the password reset email. Double-check that you have entered your email address into both pages.

If you have entered your email address on both pages and still haven’t received an email the next step is to check your spam or junk folder. If the email isn’t there, then email NextRequest Support and we can send you the reset link by a different method.

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