Washington Property Records

Washington is called the Evergreen State because more than half of the land is covered by coniferous trees! The state also has the most extensive U.S. ferry fleet and the country's only green flag. Home to 7.786 million residents, Washington produces vast amounts of property records to document homes in the area and their owners.

Property records are used liberally to legally verify information about a piece of real property and its owner(s). They come in handy when buying or selling property in Washington and provide functionality such as deeds to transfer ownership of property. The vast information contained in property records can be beneficial to attorneys, title companies, realtors, appraisers, surveyors, inspectors, and others.

Keep reading to learn all about Washington property records, what they are, what information they contain, how they are used, how they affect real estate sales, and how to find and amend them.

What Are Property Records in Washington?

Property records in Washington are similar to those in other states, except that different offices create, store, and maintain them. Property records are legal documents that verify land ownership, transfer property ownership, evaluate or provide an opinion of value for the land, and provide detailed information about the property itself or its owner.

Components of Property Records in Washington

Washington property records contain vast amounts of information. Some pertain to the land and buildings, and others are about the owner. Individuals, agencies, offices, and government officials create property records, but they must be filed with the correct entity to become legal.

Some of the information you can find in property records includes:

Property Address
Detailed Legal Property Description
Current Owner's Name and Address
Historical Owners
Property Inspections
Appraisals / Property Value
Deeds
Liens
Tax Records
Mortgage Records
Bankruptcies
Foreclosures
Plat Maps
Surveys
Easements / Conveyances
Property Details
Lot Size
Zoning
Boundary Lines

The above is only a partial list. You may find much more information, including related records about the owner(s).

Sources of Property Records in Washington

Property records in Washington originate from various sources but are then filed and stored by the proper office. Each county in Washington is responsible for property records like deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, surveys, registered land (Torrens system), and real estate excise taxes. The office in charge of these items is the county recorder's office. The county assessor handles property taxes and issues annual bills. The Washington Department of Revenue oversees these offices. You can find a complete list of all the county tax assessors' offices here with their websites.

What Are Property Records Recorder's Office

The county recorder's office is responsible for filing, maintaining, and issuing public property records for its jurisdiction. For example, any new deeds in King County are filed with that recorder's office. Some offices like Douglas County allow eFiling through third-party services. If that is not an option, you can file them in person when the office is open.

How Property Records are Maintained in Washington

As soon as you file your paperwork and the office indexes it, it becomes a legal document. It is also made public for anyone to review and request copies. You can visit the recorder's office or use the eFiling option to file records. You may need to show up in person if you need to change them. You must contact the proper county tax assessor if you have issues with other records like tax documents.

How to Access Property Records at the Recorder's Office in Washington

Each individual county files and stores its records according to its own system. There is no consolidated state-wide resource. Therefore, you must contact the local county office where the records were filed to access them.

Some county websites to get you started include:

Recorder's Office Locations in Washington

The key to finding the correct information is knowing the right office to get it from. You can use this list to find each county and all the pertinent information pertaining to record-keeping and access.

Types of Property Records

Property records in Washington consist of many different types. Some are just informational, and some serve a purpose. Tax records may include bills that are due each year and assessments that help set tax rates. Others, like deeds, help transfer ownership of real property.

Deeds and Conveyance Records

Deeds in Washington state transfer ownership of property, and they are the most common type of property record. This may occur during a real estate deal or when someone gifts property to their heirs before they die. Deeds contain a lot of information, including conveyance language that clearly dictates the transfer of ownership. Deeds must be signed and notarized to become legal. Washington currently has 3,202,241 housing units.

Some of the information on deeds will include:

Name of the Seller/Grantor and Buyer/Grantee.
A detailed description of the property.
Maps and plats along with boundaries and sometimes surveys showing the acreage and edges of the property.
Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
Notarization and execution are at the bottom, where everyone signs to make it legal.

Property Tax Records

Property tax records in Washington include tax bills and assessments. Each county sets its own tax rate and bills residents their fair share. The average tax rate for the state is 0.84%, and the median tax payment is $4,061. Tax bills go out on February 1st and must be paid in two installments (April 30th and October 31st).

The documents contain the following information:

Name of the Taxpayer - The document will provide the name of the property owner or taxpayer, plus their phone number or address.
Calculations of Taxes - The statement may contain a breakdown of the taxes levied on the property. At the bottom of the calculations, the record should provide the total amount of taxes.
Assessed Value - The document will show the assessed value of the property.
Levy Rate - The record should show the total tax rate applying to the assessed value.
Delinquency Information - The statement may note if the taxpayer is delinquent in their payments.
Payment Methods - The document should show the accepted payment methods, such as checks and postage addresses.

How Often is Property Tax in Washington Assessed?

The state requires assessors to value real property annually and physically inspect them at least once every six years. The assessment determines the property's value, which is then used to calculate property taxes. Assessors value properties within their jurisdiction using the following steps:

Valuation - The first step is determining the value of the property. It may involve visiting the property for a physical inspection that notes any changes or improvements to the property. Assessors also note the size, location, and amenities on the property. They may use approved methods of determining the fair market value, such as income or sales approaches. After accounting for differences, the assessor determines the fair market value and prepares the notice.
Noticing - Assessors must send a notice to the property owner informing them of the change in their assessed value. The notice may include information about the methods they used, a description of the property, and the applicable tax levies. In addition, the notice may provide the total amount of taxes the owner must pay based on the levies.
Appealing - If the property owner does not agree with their assessed value, they may contact the local county assessor's office for the appeals process. Disagreements with assessments are usually settled within the office. The property owner may request copies of comparable sales information the assessor used during the valuation. If the county assessor does not reach a favorable agreement with the property owner, they may appeal to the County Board of Equalization. Depending on the county, the individual must send the board's appeal within 30 to 60 days of the notice day. If the property owner or assessor disagrees with the board's decision, either may appeal to the State Board of Tax Appeal. This board's decision may be appealed in the Superior Court if formal.

Easements and Covenants

Easements appear in deeds and are special rights for someone other than the owner to access the property. An example would be a wireless or utility company with towers/poles on private property. The company could enter the property to maintain its equipment without asking the owner.

Covenants are strict rules about how a property can be used. They are most often used in condo developments and gated communities. For example, when living in a condo, much of the land is a "common area", meaning everyone must follow the rules, and no one person owns it. Some areas are off-limits to dog walkers.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are types of maps that show the boundaries of a piece of real property. Plats show boundaries from several neighboring properties, whereas surveys only show the boundaries of a single property. Surveys come into play whenever there is a boundary issue with new construction, utilities, or neighbor disputes.

However, standard details include the following:

Measurements - The document may include the exact measurement between markers and the lengths of boundary lines.
Corner Markers - The record may show any monuments and physical markers that define the boundary lines.
Encroachments - The document may indicate any structures or improvements extending into or out of the property.
Date of the Survey - The record will contain the date of the study.
Physical Features - Property surveys may show man-made or natural features on the property, such as utility lines, rivers, buildings, and fences.
Surveyor's Information - The document may show the surveyor's license number, name, and contact information.

Historical Property Records

Many states move older property records to an archive site. Washington is one such state. The Washington State Archives houses historical property records.

How Can I Search for Property Records?

Washington property records contain a lot of useful information, and there are many instances when it makes sense to search them for data. For example, if you needed to check whose name was on a deed, you could do so by looking up property records. There are a few ways you can search; try the methods below.

Online Property Record Search

The first place to start is with a broad online search. Try typing the address into a Google search bar and see what comes up. You may find a lot of information, or you may not find much at all. It's a coin toss.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can visit any of the recorder's offices in Washington to find records. You may have to wait while they locate your specific records, and they may charge you a fee for each copy.

Using Property Record Indexes

Another option is to search using property records indexes. You may find many of them online. Realty sites, third-party records indexes, and archive sites may yield a bounty of records. Be careful; you never know how current or updated those records are.

Utilizing Commercial Services

The best way to find current property records is to use PropertyChecker, which allows you to run unlimited searches nationwide and find millions of records. You could find everything from deeds, liens, and foreclosures to mortgages, property tax info, building permits, and assessments.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The best way to search is to use the property address. Type the address into a search bar and review the results.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, you can search by the property owner's name, but not always. Give it a try and see how it works out.

Understanding Property Ownership in Washington

Property ownership is exciting and rewarding. However, it can also come with some challenges. You must keep up with mortgage payments and taxes, or you could end up losing your home. Once you purchase a property, your information becomes public, and people can link you to your address.

Washington Titles

In Washington, the property title relates to legal ownership of the property and is represented by a document known as a title certificate. The property title confirms ownership and that the identified individual or entity has legal rights to the property. Property titles in Washington may contain information such as:

Liens - These include mortgages, tax liens, and easements that may affect the property.
Ownership Information - The document may outline the type of ownership with the owner's details.
Covenants - These are any restrictions or covenants that affect the use of the property.
Ownership History - Prior ownership transfers may be documented in the title.

Identifying Property Owners

Situations arise where you need to find the owner of a piece of property. Perhaps you damaged something on their property and want to contact them to make amends. You can do so easily if you have the full property address. Perform a search using one of the methods above to find out who owns it, and then you can contact them.

What is a Chain of Title?

The chain of title is the complete list of everyone who has ever owned the property. The chain must remain unbroken. Before a real estate closing, the title company will perform a thorough property title search, looking for any title defects, including breaks in the chain of title.

Ownership History and Transfers

Property doesn't change hands just through real estate sales. Sometimes, the property is given away, designated in a will for a specific beneficiary, or bartered. All of these transfers must have a deed to be legal.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Washington

One piece of information you probably don't even think about is the property description. Every property has a legal description. It is detailed with landmarks and other defining characteristics so that anyone reading it can identify the property easily. The property description may appear on deeds, mortgages, appraisals, foreclosures, liens, and other documents.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys measure the land and provide concrete boundaries. Surveys are used in new construction, installing utilities, and with neighbor disputes. Surveyors use specialized equipment (you have probably seen them on the side of the road measuring) to locate proper boundaries.

How to Find Property Survey Records

Property survey records are available from the county recorder's office. The office may also have other accompanying documents to fill in any blanks.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Surveys can help resolve boundary disputes when one person thinks another is trespassing on their land. Sometimes, these issues end up in court, and a judge must decide. The judge may enlist the help of a surveyor to work out the solution.

Liens, Encumbrances, and Property Records in Washington

Encumbrances can drastically affect how the public perceives a property. Liens are one type of encumbrance that can destroy real estate deals. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those that you approve, for example, when taking out a mortgage or home improvement loan. You agree to them willingly.

Mortgage Liens

Mortgage liens are placed on your home when you take out a mortgage. They guarantee the lender that they will get their money back if you default on the loan. The lien gives them the right to seize and sell your home in foreclosure if you fail to repay the money you owe.

Mortgage contracts contain the following information:

Names - The borrower's (mortgagor's) and lender's (mortgagee's) names.
Property Details - The legal description of the mortgaged property.
Loan Details - The loan's principal amount and interest rate.
Loan Terms - Repayment terms, including payment duration and frequency.
Loan Provisions - Late fees and penalties in the event of a default.

Involuntary Liens

You do not approve involuntary liens. They are imposed when you fail to pay a debt, and the creditor or lienholder has no other option to get paid.

Mechanic's Liens

Whenever someone like a contractor works on your property, and you don't pay them, they can place a lien on the property to force you to pay. They must follow a strict set of rules and timelines, and mechanic's liens don't last forever. But if the house is sold, they will get paid from the proceeds.

Tax Liens

Tax liens are serious business. The county can impose a tax lien if you don't pay your annual property taxes on time. Once they do, they have the right to foreclose and sell your property out from under you at an auction.

Judgment Liens

Creditors file judgment liens when you fail to pay a debt. First, they must sue you in court. If the judge rules in favor of the creditor, they can also foreclose on your property and sell it to get their money back.

Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in Washington

Property records come into play most often during real estate transactions. Records are used and created when buying or selling property.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

When buying property, you must perform due diligence to find out all you can before laying down your hard-earned money on the house. The more information you find, the better. Property records can help with that.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When you sell a home, you must disclose to the buyer any material defects that you are aware of. If you don't know much about the property, you can consult old property records to get the needed details.

Title Searches and Insurance

Whenever you take out a mortgage, your lender will require that you purchase title insurance. It protects the lender and you from any title defects or legal claims on the property after the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Washington

Foreclosure records are also helpful when buying property. Investors specifically look for foreclosure properties to buy cheap and sell at a profit. Regular buyers may want to shy away from distressed properties with excess liens or foreclosure.

Property Records and Property Values

Property values are very important, especially with real estate deals. They provide helpful information about the area and how the real estate has increased or decreased in value over time. They can also help you make an informed decision before you make a purchase.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are both tools that provide an opinion of value for a specific property. Tax offices use assessments to determine a proper tax rate for the property, while appraisals value the property to support mortgages and estate planning. Your lender will require that you pay for an appraisal before they sign off on the sale.

Property Records and Market Value

Market values can fluctuate quite a bit over time. Therefore, it's crucial to use current property records to see what the property is worth before you make a decision. Recent appraisals or sales of comparable homes in the area can give you a good idea of the fair market value (FMV).

Factors that Determine Property Values in Washington

The following factors can explain the high prices of properties in some parts of Washington:

Infrastructure - Proximity to varied infrastructure networks may shift property values upwards. For example, properties near cities like Kent and Everett may experience higher values as they are near the Sound Transit stations.
Proximity to Employment Opportunities - Employment centers may drive property values higher due to increased demand from those seeking shorter commutes and, thus, convenience. So areas near employment hubs such as South Lake Union may value higher.
Recreation Activities - Proximity to recreational activities can also increase property values. Therefore, areas like Olympia and Bellingham may value higher due to recreational opportunities such as hiking trails and water activities.
School Districts - Areas with good school districts may have higher-valued family homes. For example, areas such as Bellevue and Redmond have highly-rated school districts and thus may value higher.

Privacy and Property Records

If you own property, you will have public property records with your name and address on them. With so much information online, you can bet that your property information will appear in at least a few online databases.

Accessing Public Property Records

You and everyone have the right to access property records. You can request copies in person at the recorder's office for no reason at all. You could also look them up online in the privacy of your own home.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot keep all your information out of public property records. However, you can minimize your exposure. Contact the offices that hold your records and ask that they remove anything personal or sensitive. Your name and address will remain in public records.

Maintaining and Amending Property Records

It's your responsibility to ensure your public property records are correct and remain that way despite any life changes that occur. Thankfully, it's very easy to change records whenever you need to.

Correcting Errors on Property Records

Some records may contain errors. People make mistakes, and your records may contain inaccurate information. To correct any issues, contact the recorder's office and ask them to fix them. You may have to supply source documents to prove the error.

Amending Property Records for Legal Changes

Amending records is also similar. To update property records when someone dies or another type of change, you would visit the recorder's office in person and again bring the death certificate or other paperwork to prove the change and request they update them.

How to Change the Name on Property Records in Washington

You will want to change your records to reflect your new name if you get married or divorced. Bring your marriage certificate or divorce decree with you and visit the recorder's office to request a change.

What Should I Consider When Buying a Property Using Property Records?

There is so much to consider when buying a property in Washington state. Property records can make it much easier to fill in missing information and help you make an informed decision. Rely on PropertyChecker to provide you with everything you need before buying property.

Washington County Property Records