Washington is an ideal place to purchase a property. The state has various geographical features, from forests and mountains to rivers and coastlines. With such a diverse landscape, it's no wonder that people are attracted to the Evergreen State.
If you're thinking of purchasing property in Washington, it's essential to do your research. One way to learn more about a property is to request Washington property records.
Property records can provide valuable information about a property, such as its owner, ownership history, square footage, and more.
The state of Washington does not have a central repository for property records. However, you can request property records from the county where the property is located.
Each county has its process for requesting records, so it's important to contact the county directly to learn how to request records.
Before requesting Washington property records, you must understand what type of information you're looking for. This will help you determine which type of record to request.
For example, if you want to learn more about a property owner, you would request a deed. If you're interested in the history of property ownership, you would order a title search.
Instead of searching for property records, you can use a third-party website. These websites typically charge a fee to access records. InfoTracer is one such website that offers Washington property records.
The information available in Washington property records varies depending on the type of record you request.
However, the below types of information are typically available in property records:
These documents help research a property you're interested in purchasing. Having as much information as possible is important before making such a large purchase.
While property records can provide valuable information, it's important to remember that they aren't always accurate. If you have any questions about the accuracy of a property record, you should contact the county directly.
The Evergreen State's property tax rate is below the national average. The state's effective property tax rate is 0.93%, while the national average is 1.07%.
The median property tax in Washington is $3,600 per year for a home, a bit higher since homes here have high values.
While King County has a low property tax rate of 0.93%, it has the highest median property tax in the state at $4,611 per year. In contrast, Lincoln County has a property tax rate of 0.83% but the lowest median property tax in the state of $1,273 per year.
To search for Washington property tax records, the County Assessor's Office is the place to start. The assessor's office is responsible for calculating and collecting property taxes.
Washington has 39 counties, and each county has a Registry of Deeds Office. The Registry of Deeds Office is responsible for maintaining property records for the county.
Clark County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 5000
Vancouver, Washington, 98666
Phone: 360-397-2208
Fax: 360-397-2137
https://clark.wa.gov/auditor/recording-overview
Grays Harbor County Recorder of Deeds
100 West Broadway Avenue
Montesano, Washington, 98563
Phone: 360-249-4232
Fax: 360-249-3330
https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/Auditors/Recordings.php
King County Recorder of Deeds
500 4th Avenue
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone: 206-477-6620
Fax: 206-205-8396
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/records-licensing/recorders-office.aspx
Kitsap County Recorder of Deeds
614 Division Street
Port Orchard, Washington, 98366
Phone: 360-337-4935
Fax: 360-337-4645
https://www.kitsapgov.com/auditor/Pages/recording.aspx
Pierce County Recorder of Deeds
2401 South 35th Street
Tacoma, Washington, 98409
Phone: 253-798-3189
Fax: 253-798-3182
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/359/Recorded-Documents
Snohomish County Recorder of Deeds
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Everett, Washington, 98201
Phone: 425-388-3483
Fax: 425-259-2777
https://snohomishcountywa.gov/278/Recording
Spokane County Recorder of Deeds
PO Box 2353
Spokane, Washington, 99210
Phone: 509-477-2270
Fax: 509-477-6304
https://www.spokanecounty.org/299/Recording
Stevens County Recorder of Deeds
215 South Oak Street
Colville, Washington, 99114
Phone: 509-684-7512
Fax: 509-684-7568
https://vote.stevenscountywa.gov/pview.aspx?id=20913&catid=0
Thurston County Recorder of Deeds
2000 Lakeridge Drive Southwest
Olympia, Washington, 98502
Phone: 360-786-5405
Fax: 360-786-5223
https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/auditor/Pages/recording-home.aspx
Whatcom County Recorder of Deeds
311 Grand Avenue
Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Phone: 360-676-6740
Fax: 360-738-4556
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/227/Recording
To find out who owns a property in Washington, you can search the county assessor's office or the registry of deeds office for the county where the property is located.
InfoTracer, a public record search website, can also be used to find Washington property records.
Since some counties in Washington do not have an online database, you will need to contact the county office to request information.
Otherwise, InfoTracer offers a more convenient way to search for Washington property records. You can access a comprehensive report that includes the property owner's name and contact information, tax assessment history, mortgage records, and more.
Deeds are recorded in the county where the property is located. Each county has a Registry of Deeds Office responsible for maintaining property records.
To record a deed, you first have to know the specific requirements of the county where the property is located. After the deed is prepared, it must be signed by the grantor and notarized. The original deed should be brought to the Registry of Deeds Office to be recorded.
There may be a recording fee, and you must provide proof of identification.
The Department of Revenue in Washington is the office responsible for managing unclaimed property. You can search for unclaimed property by contacting the office or visiting the website.
InfoTracer can also help you search for unclaimed property in Washington. With just a few clicks, you can access a comprehensive report that includes the owner's name and contact information, the property type, and the property value.