What's a deed?

A deed is a document that transfers title of real estate. It contains an implied promise that the person transferring the property actually owns the title and that it is not encumbered in any way, except as described in the deed. In the United States, deeds are officially recorded at the county level. Some special types of deeds include quit claim deeds and warranty deeds.

Quit Claim Deeds: A quit claim deed transfers whatever ownership interest the transferring party has in a particular property. The deed makes no guarantees about anything that is being transferred.

Warranty Deeds: A warranty deed contains express assurances about the legal validity of the title being transferred.

What's a land patent?

A patent is a type of deed by which the U.S. government, transfers public property to private individuals. When a person satisfies the obligation of a homestead claim, the federal government transfers the property's title to the individual using a patent. Like deeds, patents are filed with the county recording office where the land is located. Therefore, although homestead records are federal in origin, it is possible to research a completed homestead claim using patents.

Introduction

Easements may exist in different forms: as a separately recorded document; for example, as text that's included in or attached to a deed; as a figure drawn on a recorded plat map because they serve different purposes (access, drainage, utilities, slope, etc.).

Definition

Right granted by a property owner to specifically named parties or to the public for the use of certain private land for specified purposes, that may include, but are not limited to, access roads, pedestrian or bicycle pathways, minerals, utility lines, storm drainage pipes and ditches, erosion control slopes abutting a right-of way, and open space.

Search Strategies

One strategy is to:

• Collect as many recording numbers that relate to your property.
• Then review documents recorded under those numbers to see how the records may apply to your property.

How to Find Recording Numbers

Locate the property's legal description: This can be located on the County Assessor's Office eReal Property site or on the online platform Parcel Viewer. The legal description may state if the property is subject to easement. If it does, the easement recording number(s) may be stated.

Locate the purchase deedL The deed should state, either on its face or as attachments, if the property was subject to any easements at the time of sale and list relevant recording numbers. Note that this list may not be current or complete.

• If you don't have your deed, and you purchased your property in 1991 or later, you can search for an image of the deed through the County Recorder's Office online portal Landmark. If you purchased your property between 1976 and 1991, you can search for information about your deed through the Recorder, but viewing the deed or obtaining a copy can only be done at the County Archives.
• To trace deeds to a property before 1976, both the year of the transaction (as close as can be determined) and the names of at least one party; in other words, to create an ownership history. You must look for references to earlier easements that might be referenced in the deeds.

Locate PUD or condominium records: For residential or planned unit developments, and condominium developments which might have easements, try to locate recent deeds for unit sales within your development. You can find these on Landmark.

How to Search for Easements Online

Search Landmark by Name if you know the name of the property owner when the easement was recorded. You can also search by elements of the legal description by choosing the Legal icon. Only easements specifically recorded as a separate document will be returned when limiting a search to Easement in the Document Type field.

For land platted by a developer, some condominium developments, and planned unit developments, easements may be shown on the recorded maps for these types of subdivisions. Digitized recorded maps are available online on Landmark. To retrieve these documents:

1. Choose the Book and Page icon.
2. In the Book Type dropdown, select the Plat option.
3. If the plat is for a Condominium or Planned Unit Development, select that option in the Book Typedropdown instead of Plat.
4. Enter book (volume) and page number. These numbers are usually referenced on the deed.
5. Then click Submit.

The County Road Services online Map Vault features a small number of easement maps, which are mostly drainage easements.

Introduction

An excise tax affidavit is generally the only document that provides the purchase price for each real estate transaction.

Definition

Record of one percent excise tax paid by the seller on the sale of real property. Washington state law requires that a Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit be completed and signed prior to the recording of a deed to transfer ownership of real property. The affidavit can also be used to establish the gross sales prices for properties.

Affidavits 1951-1952; 1961-1991

King County Archives holds excise tax affidavits on microfilm that were recorded between between May 1951 and February 1952 as well as January 1, 1961 and July 31, 1991. Either the recording number of the deed or the year of the purchase are needed to locate affidavits from this period.

Affidavits prior to 1961

The Real Property Record Cards at Puget Sound Regional Archives in Bellevue infrequently include purchase prices for transactions between between 1937 and 1961.

For transactions between 1935 and 1960, it is usually possible to extrapolate the purchase price using the conveyance or excise tax stamps on the face of the deed.

Otherwise, it may be possible to use alternate documentation to establish an approximate purchase price for purchases before 1961. One option is to locate the initial mortgage on the property and use that figure. Another option would be to utilize an assessment value from a year around the time of the sale. Please contact a tax advisor for more in-depth assistance.

Deed of Trust

A deed of trust is not the same thing as a deed and is actually similar to a mortgage, a security instrument whereby real property is given as security for a debt. However, in a deed of trust there are three parties to the instrument: the borrower, the trustee, and the lender (or beneficiary). In such a transaction, the borrower transfers the legal title for the property to the trustee who holds the property in trust as security for the payment of the debt to the lender or beneficiary. If the borrower pays the debt as agreed, the deed of trust becomes void. If, however, he defaults in the payment of the debt, the trustee may sell the property at a public sale, under the terms of the deed of trust. In most jurisdictions where the deed of trust is in force, the borrower is subject to having his property sold without benefit of legal proceedings. Many states, including Washington, treats the deed of trust like a mortgage.

Mortgage

A lien or claim against real property given by the buyer to the lender as security for money borrowed. Washington State treats the similar deed of trust like a mortgage.

Record of Marginal Satisfaction

A marginal satisfaction is an older way of noting that a mortgage has been satisfied. It occurred when the holder of a mortgage physically went to the recording office and entered a satisfaction on the face (literally in the margin) of the recorded mortgage, which was attested by the recording clerk.

Definition

A boundary line adjustment, also called a lot line adjustment, accommodates a transfer of land between adjacent separate lots. Boundary line adjustments are granted by local government authorities such as the King County Permitting Division (for unincorporated King County only) and municipalities, such as Seattle City Planning.

These issuing authorities give each boundary line adjustment a unique numerical identifier. If the adjustment is recorded, the County Recorder’s Office assigns it a recording number.

Search by Recording Number

The easiest way to find a recorded boundary or lot line adjustment document is by the Instrument (Recording) number. Using the recording number, you can search for boundary line adjustments (1976-present) on the Recorder's Office online portal Landmark. For boundary line adjustments dated prior to 1976, you can use the recording number to search the microfilmed documents (1853-1975) at the County Archives.

Search Without a Recording Number

You will not always be able to locate the recording number for a boundary / lot line adjustment document. If you can't, there are additional ways to search, but they are more time-consuming and less accurate.

Search by Boundary / Lot Line Adjustment Number

You can sometimes locate a boundary / lot line adjustment that was recorded after 1976 by searching the adjustment number in online portal Landmark. However, you must enter the number the same way that the Recorder’s Office staff entered it into the database.

1. On Landmark, choose the Legal icon.
2. In the Legal field, type the adjustment number as you know it. Example: Sub. 05-007. Make sure the dropdown selection is Starts with.
3. In the Document Category dropdown, select Map.
4. Then click Submit.

If the adjustment number you entered didn't bring up any search results, try entering the number a different way. Leave off the leading zeros or remove punctuation such as periods or dashes.

Recorded documents were not organized by adjustment number, so you can't search for a boundary line or lot line adjustment document on microfilm (pre-1976).

Search by Keyword

Another way to search for an boundary / lot line adjustment is by keyword, then refining your search by date range.

1. On Landmark, choose the Legal icon.
2. In the Legal field, type the words boundary line. Make sure the dropdown selection is Starts with.
3. Type the date range that you think the adjustment was recorded into the Begin Date and End Date fields.
4. Then click Submit.
5. You can organize the search results list by clicking on the column headings. That will sort them by the specific heading.
6. Try sorting by document type, record date, or legal description.

Search by Name

One more way to search for a boundary / lot line adjustment is by the name of one of the parties associated with the adjustment, preferably connected with a date. To search by name and date in Landmark:

1. Choose the Name icon.
2. Enter the name of one of the parties in the Name field: format as last name, then first name. Example: Smith, Jo.
3. Type the date range that you think the adjustment was recorded into the Begin Date and End Date fields.
4. You can also refine your search by selecting Map in the Document Category dropdown. Remember that refining your search may limit your search results too much.
5. Then click Submit.
6. You can organize the search results list by clicking on the column headings. That will sort them by the specific heading.
7. Try sorting by document type, record date, or legal description.

Unrecorded Boundary and Lot Line Adjustments

Not all line adjustments are recorded. The King County Permitting Division maintains a substantial number of unrecorded line adjustments dating from 1981 and later.

Introduction

The most effective way to find a complete list of all recorded documents related to a condominium, homeowner association, or planned unit development is to search online at the County Recorder’s Office online portal Landmark for a recorded deed of a recent sale of one of the units in your development. A deed often lists the recording numbers (although not the title or subject) of the documents that govern your development. The easiest way to retrieve recorded documents is by the recording number.

What is a condominium?

A common interest development comprising one or more multiple-unit buildings. Each unit owner has sole title to the interior of his or her individual unit while all owners together share common title to the common areas. Condominiums are created and regulated under Washington State law.

As used by the County Recorder's Office, the word "condominium" refers specifically to the condominium's survey plan and map (sometimes called the condominium plat). The survey plan and map show the site plan with the placement of the building(s) upon it. They also show the boundaries of each unit and of the common areas.

What is a planned unit development (PUD)?

A planned community of separate single family residences in which there are common elements owned and maintained by a corporation whose board of directors is elected by the residential owners. The planned unit development is formed under a special agreement with local government authorities. This agreement is required because of the need for zoning variances or other special accommodation from the local government.

Records at the County Archives

• Condominium records, 1964-July 31, 1991
• Planned unit development records, 1981-July 31, 1991

Specific Document Types

Condominium site plan and survey (condominium plats)

You can search for condo plats on Landmark.

1. Choose the Document icon.
2. In the Document Type field, click the Select button.
3. Checkmark Condominium, then click Select.
4. If you are looking for condominium plats between 1964 and 1975, change the year in the Begin Date field (it defaults to 1976).
5. Then click Submit.

The condominium was usually indexed under the name of the developer or the development company, with the condominium name appearing in the legal description. Online images are present back to 1964, the year after Washington State legislation established condominiums as a form of property ownership.

Condominium declarations (conditions, covenants and restrictions [CCRs]

Because this text record is originally part of the initial establishing documents for a condominium, the Recorder’s Office usually has filed it along with the condominium site plan and survey. You can search for condo declarations on Landmark.

1. Choose the Document icon.
2. In the Document Type field, click the Select button.
3. Checkmark Declaration of Condo, then click Select.
4. Then click Submit.

Like the site plan and survey, the first declaration was probably filed under the name of the developer or the development company, but checking the condominium name as well is a good idea. If you do not find the original declaration here, try searching Landmark by Name.

1. On the Landmark homepage, choose the Name icon.
2. Enter the condominium name in the Name field.
3. Don't specify a book or document types, or it might limit the search results too much.
4. Then click Submit.

Condominium amended declarations

Amendments to the original declarations may be found one of two ways on Landmark.

1. Choose the Document icon.
2. In the Document Type field, click the Select button.
3. Checkmark Amended Declaration of Condo, then click Select.
4. Then click Submit.

If you can't find the declaration amendment this way, try searching Landmark by the development name.

1. On the Landmark homepage, choose the Name icon.
2. Enter the condominium name in the Name field.
3. Don't specify a book or document types, or it might limit the search results too much.
4. Then click Submit.

Homeowners' associations (non-condominium) or planned unit development documents

To locate text documents for HOAs or PUDs on Landmark, search under the association name rather than document type as association records may be filed in different ways.

1. On the Landmark homepage, choose the Name icon.
2. Enter the HOA or PUD name in the Name field.
3. Then click Submit.

Planned unit development site plans and surveys

Search for PUD plans and surveys on Landmark.

1. Choose the Document icon.
2. In the Document Typefield, click the Select button.
3. Checkmark Planned Unit Development, then click Select.
4. Then click Submit.

Bylaws

Bylaws are not required to be recorded, although they frequently are. To search for bylaws on Landmark:

1. Choose the Legal icon.
2. In the Legal field, type the term bylaws. Make sure the dropdown selection is Starts with.
3. Then click Submit.

Condominium declarations (see above) may also contain language about association procedures that would otherwise be found in bylaws.

Plat covenants

Old plat covenants may appear in connection with (non-condominium) plat maps, usually dating from the first half of the 20th century. These covenants were established by the developer when a plat was laid out. Many have since been determined to be unlawful and unenforceable.

Covenants that were recorded before 1976 are searchable on microfilm by the name of the developer and the year the document was recorded.

Covenants that were recorded between 1976 and July 31, 1991, are indexed on Landmark, so you can find the Instrument (Recording) number. To view the actual document, you may visit the Archives and search the microfilm by recording number.

Sometimes covenants are listed on the plat map. All recorded plats are available to view on Landmark. If you know the name of the developer:

1. On the Landmark homepage, choose the Name icon.
2. Enter the developer name in the Name field.
3. In the Document Type field, click the Select button.
4. Checkmark Plat, then click Select.
5. Then click Submit.

If you know the plat map volume (book) and page number:

1. On the Landmark homepage, choose the Book and Page icon.
2. In the Book Type dropdown, select Plat.
3. Enter book (volume) and page number. These numbers are usually referenced on the deed.
4. Then Click Submit.

What is a plat?

A plat is a map of a developer's proposal, subject to King County approval, for subdividing a large piece of property into parcels, blocks, lots, streets, etc. A plat may or may not actually be built as mapped, proposed, and approved. If the property was never part of a developer's plat, the parcel's legal description will identify it in relation to its section-township-range coordinates.

A map or chart of a lot, subdivision or community drawn by a surveyor and showing boundary lines, improvements on the land, and sometimes easements and buildings. A "condominium plat" refers to a different kind of document: the survey plan and map of a specific condominium.

How do I find for plats?

The legal description on a deed or on the County Assessor's Office Parcel Viewer record for a property will include:

• The name of the plat; and
• The volume and page number where the plat was originally recorded.

All King County recorded plat are digitized and available on the County Recorder's Office online platform Landmark. To search for and view a plat on Landmark:

1. Choose the Book and Page icon.
2. In the Book Type dropdown, select the Plat option.
3. If the plat is for a Condominium or Planned Unit Development, select that option in the Book Type dropdown instead of Plat.
4. Enter book (volume) and page number. The deed usually references the plat book and page numbers.
5. Then click Submit.

Clicking on a specific record in the search results list will open a watermarked version that you download and print. You may also purchase an unwatermarked copy on Landmark.

What are unrecorded plats?

Some plats were never recorded, and the County Department of Assessments maintains these records. Please contact the County Archives for assistance in identifying and accessing unrecorded plat maps.

Additional Resources

To see a current map outline of a property with its boundaries marked and dimensions noted, search the County Assessor's Office eMap site.

• Enter the parcel number and click Submit.

This map is also linked from the "Property Detail" page of the Parcel Viewer record for a given property.

If you need to accurately measure these dimensions against the actual property, or to determine where the property line is on the ground, it is usually necessary to hire a licensed surveyor.

What is a short plat?

Short plats are a simplified way of subdividing property. The main condition placed on short plats is that no more than four new properties can be made out of any one parcel. Short plats were not officially recorded until 1972, when King County adopted its first short subdivision code. Washington State did not require the recording of short plats until 1974 with the adoption of RCW 58.17. However, tax assessment records may show evidence of short-platting for years prior to 1972. More information about plat records is available on the Historical Building, Property, and Land Use research guide.

Short plats prior to 1961

Information relating to the division of a property into 2-4 parcels between 1937 and 1972 can sometimes be found on the County Assessor's property record cards, held at Puget Sound Regional Archives and accessed by tax parcel number.

Short plats, 1961-1982

King County Permitting Division hold microfilmed short plat records from 1961 to 1982 for properties within unincorporated King County. Contact the Permitting Division directly for access.

Original short plats from incorporated areas may be held by the corresponding municipalities.

Short plats after 1972

Beginning in September 1972, short plats were recorded with the County Recorder's Office, and they are filed and indexed by the recording number. They were also given a short plat number.

How do I find short plats?

Short plats recorded from 1976 to the present are indexed on the County Recorder's Office online portal Landmark.

1. Choose the Document icon.
2. In the Document Type field, click the Select button.
3. Checkmark Short Plat and Short Plat - Map, then click the Select button.
4. You can refine your search by date, but that may limit the search results too much.
5. Then click Submit.
6. You can organize the search results list by clicking on the column headings. That will sort them by the specific heading.

You can click on the specific record in the search results. If the short plat was recorded after July 31, 1991, you will see a watermarked version of it that you download and print. If you want to purchase an unwatermarked copy, you may do so on Landmark.

If the short plat was recorded before August 1, 1991, it isn't digitized so you can't view it on Landmark, but you can order a copy from the Archives. Make a note of the Instrument (Recording) number, then fill out our Recorded Property Documents online form and include that number.

The easiest method for searching for a short plat is by entering the recording number. The abbreviated legal description found on the County Assessor's Office Parcel Viewer record often contains the short plat number and / or the recording number. The quarter-section map on the eMap site often provides the short plat or recording number as well.

Additional Resources

Maps and drawings of county engineering projects associated with plat developments in unincorporated or formerly-unincorporated King County can frequently be found on the County Roads Service Map Vault site. Engineering projects for a specific short plat may often be found by entering one of the following into the PROJECT / MAP NAME field.

• Short Plat No [number]
• Short Plat No S[number]
• [Last name of owner, developer, or name of development] Short Plat

What is a survey?

A survey is a graphical representation (map or diagram) of an accurate measurement taken of horizontal distances, elevations, directions and angles on the earth's surface, used to locate real property boundaries, describe construction layout, determine the platting and layout of subdivisions of lands, establish the dimensions and positions of structures on a lot, establish the siting and boundaries of a condominium, etc.

How do I find surveys prior to 1973?

There is no repository of private surveys prior to 1973, but the County Archives holds a few private surveys from the early 20th century.

A historical right-of-way document or survey may exist for a property that was impacted by a county road or other county project. For this kind of survey, check the County Road Services Map Vault or contact the Road Services Division Map and Records Center.

How do I find surveys after 1973?

The County Recorder’s Office began recording private property surveys in 1973. All recorded surveys from 1973 to the present are available on the online portal Landmark.

How do I search for surveys?

There are different ways to search for a survey. The simplest is via the County Assessor's Office Parcel Viewer site.

1. Search for a parcel by entering an address, parcel number, or street intersection.
2. Once the parcel information is displayed, showing owner information and property data, click Property Report at the bottom of the parcel summary window.
3. When the property report opens in a new window, note the legal description of the property and return to the Parcel Viewer search window.
4. In Parcel Viewer, click Districts Report at the bottom of the parcel summary window.
5. When the districts report opens in a new window, scroll to the bottom and click Scanned images of surveys and other map documents. It will return a list of results from the Recorder's Office. The results are not just for the property in Parcel Viewer, but rather for all properties in that quarter-section.
6. Check the list against the legal description from the property report to see if a survey was ever recorded for the property. There may be several pages of results.

You can also search for a recorded survey on Landmark.

1. Choose the Document icon.
2. Next to the Document Type field, click the Selectbutton.
3. Checkmark Survey, then click Select.
4. You can refine your search by date, but that may limit the search results too much.
5. Then click Submit.
6. You can organize the search results list by clicking on the column headings. That will sort them by the specific heading.

You can click on the specific record in the search results. If the survey was recorded after July 31, 1991, you will see a watermarked version of it that you download and print. If you want to purchase an unwatermarked copy, you may do so on Landmark.

If the survey was recorded before August 1, 1991, it isn't digitized so you can't view it on Landmark, but you can order a copy from the Archives. Make a note of the Instrument (Recording) number, then fill out our Recorded Property Documents online form and include that number.

Additional Resources

The outline dimensions of a property can be determined through quarter-section maps available on the Assessor's Office eMap Search.

• Enter the parcel number, then click Submit.

This map is also linked to the Property Detail report for the property that's available on Parcel Viewer.

If you need to accurately measure these dimensions against the actual property, or to determine where the property line is on the ground, it is usually necessary to hire a licensed surveyor.

Public Land Survey System

The Public Land Survey System was established by the U.S. Continental Congress in 1785, under the Articles of Confederation. It covers the entire United States except for the original 13 states, and is still used today to specify locations in legal descriptions. How does the system work?

• Land is surveyed and divided into areas called townships. Townships are for the most part 36 square miles, or 6 miles square.
• Each township is broken down into 36 sections; each section is usually 640 acres.
• Sections in each township are numbered consecutively beginning with number 1 in the northeast corner of the township, and counting right to left then left to right and so on weaving back and forth through the sections of the township, and ending with number 36 in the southeast corner. This numbering allows each section to remain connected to the sections that precede and follow it.
• Property descriptions may further specify half-, quarter-, or smaller sections.

In Oregon and Washington, townships and ranges are referenced to the north-south Willamette Meridian (the vertical line where the survey began) and the east-west Willamette Base Line (the horizontal line where the survey began).

The two lines cross on the Willamette Stone west of Portland, Oregon. Townships (normally 6 miles by 6 miles) are numbered starting with Township 1 North (of the base line) to the Canadian border and Township 1 South to the California border. Ranges are numbered west from the Willamette Meridian to the Pacific Ocean and east to the Idaho border.

Introduction

Veterans have always had the option of having their discharge papers recorded in a county of their choice (usually where they reside). They have often been encouraged to do so, to provide a more convenient option for retrieving copies. Veterans have not been required to record their DD-214 forms, and there is no guarantee that a recorded document will be located.

What are veterans discharge papers (DD-214)?

A Report of Separation is generally issued when a member of the United States Armed Services performs active duty or at least 90 consecutive days of active duty training. The Report of Separation contains information normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans' organizations. The report of separation form issued in most recent years is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

The DD-214 (Veteran’s Discharge Paper or Veteran’s Service Record) is a document issued by the United States Department of Defense upon a military service member’s retirement, separation or discharge from active-duty military.

How do I search for a DD-214?

King County Archives provides access to veterans discharge papers recorded in the county from 1853 to July 31, 1991. DD-214s can only be located by the date they were recorded and not the date of discharge.

Search for a pre-1976 DD-214

DD-214s prior to 1976 are indexed by the Grantor/Grantee Indexes, which is accessible on microfilm at the County Archives. You need the veteran's name and the date that the document was recorded to locate the record. In the index, the veteran is listed as the Grantee, while the United States is usually listed as the Grantor. The index will provide a volume and page number with which to locate the actual document.

Search for a post-1976 DD-214

DD-214s from 1976 to the present are searchable on the County Recorder's Office online portal Landmark.

1. Choose the Name icon.
2. Enter the veteran's name into the Name field: format as last name, then first name. Example: Smith, Jo.
3. In the Document Type field, click the Select button.
4. Checkmark Veteran Separation, the click Select.
5. You can also refine your search by date, but that may limit the search results too much.
6. Then click Submit.
7. You can organize the search results list by clicking on the column headings. That will sort them by the specific heading.

You can click on the specific record in the search results, but the image of the discharge record is not viewable. This is for privacy protection. You can view the Instrument (Recording) number, which is what you need to order a copy of the document.

How do I order copies from the County Archives?

A veteran may request copies of their DD-214 that was recorded in King County. There is no charge for copies of the discharge papers, but the veteran must show identification to Archives staff showing that they are the person listed on the recorded DD-214.

Any relative or representative of a veteran must fill out a Request for Access form and record it with the County Recorder’s Office. Once the form is recorded, they may bring the form to the County Archives to acquire copies of the DD-214.

Additional Resources

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri, is the standard repository for all DD-214 forms and other military service records. They have records of most military personnel discharged since World War I. A DD-214 may be requested online or by mail, following the instructions on their website.

In 1973, a fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16 million military personnel records. According to the website, the records destroyed were 80% of Army discharges between 1912 and 1960, and 75% of Air Force discharges between 1947 and 1964. If a particular record was destroyed, the NPRC can sometimes reconstruct discharge papers using alternate, surviving records. Contact NPRC directly for more information about reconstruction efforts for an individual DD-214.

An ownership history is a compilation of property ownership changes through time, listing names and dates associated with each transfer. Generally, this information will be compiled by locating deedsor other vesting documents. There is not a one-stop search to research this, but there are several methods and resources you can utilize to compile this information. It is easiest to move backward in time, starting with the year that the current owner purchased the property. When you locate the name of the last person to sell the property (as the grantor), you will then search backward until you find when they bought the property (as the grantee), and so on.

Online Resources

King County Parcel Viewer, mid-1980s to present

Locate by: Parcel Number or Address

The County Assessor's Office Parcel Viewer site features a Property Detail Report, which may be accessed with the address or parcel number of the property. At the bottom of the Property Detail Report under Sales History, there may be a list of deeds, with names and dates, showing when the property has changed ownership from the mid-1980s to the present.

Landmark, 1976 to present

Locate by: Name(s) and Date(s)

The County Recorder's Office online portal Landmark includes an online index of all recorded documents (including deeds) from 1976 to present. Images of most documents (including vesting deeds) are available online from August 1, 1991, to present. To search for recorded documents online, conduct multiple searches by name, parcel number, section-township-range, or other criteria to ensure more relevant results.

The Recorder's Office did not consistently use the parcel number in indexing until about 2002. For best results, type in as little information as possible while still trying to use enough unique information to retrieve manageable search results.

Physical Records at the County Archives

General Recordings Index, 1853-1975

Locate by: Name(s) and Date(s) only

King County Archives provides on-site, in-person access to the General Recordings Index (Grantor / Grantee Indexes) in our microfilm research room. These records are not yet digitized. Recorded documents from this time period are only organized by name or recording number. They are not organized by address or parcel number. Each microfilm reel only covers one or two years of recorded documents.

The most effect way to search these records is to determine the approximate year or year range (5 to 10 is best) to narrow down your research. The broader the date range, the more microfilm you may have to search. The grantor / grantee indexes are the most comprehensive, direct method of locating deeds, but the resources listed below may also help you narrow your search.

Sales Histories, 1973-1981

Locate by: Parcel Number

King County Archives hold sales histories on microfilm. These records index excise tax affidavits by the parcel number. If located, the excise tax affidavit may be used to help track down the deed, or it might be sufficient itself for compiling an ownership history. Copies of the sales histories are also available for research at the County Department of Assessments.

Excise Tax Index, 1961-1997

Locate by: Legal Description

King County Archives holds excise tax indexes on microfilm. These records are searchable by the property's legal description. The indexes will provide an excise tax number. You may then use the excise tax number to locate the excise tax affidavit, which will point you to the corresponding deed.

Because the tax index volumes contain only the legal description, researching them can be time-consuming, especially for large plats or for unplatted properties.

Physical Records at Other Locations

Real Property Record Cards, 1891-1972

Locate by: Parcel Number or Legal Description

If you're trying to locate the name(s) of the previous owner or the date they owned the property, the County Assessor's Office real property record cards may prove useful. The cards are held by Puget Sound Regional Archives in Bellevue, and they document all parcels in King County from 1937 to 1972. Some cards contain the names of property owners or purchasers between 1937 and 1972. The cards are not organized by name or date. You need the parcel number of legal description of the property to search them.

Tax Assessment Rolls, 1891-1941

Locate by: Legal Description

Puget Sound Regional Archives also holds King County Assessor's Office tax assessment rolls, which may only be accessed using the legal description of the property. The tax rolls don't specify when or to whom a property was sold, but they may help you narrow your search by listing who the property taxpayer was during a given year.

Property Abstracts, 1907-1990

Locate by: Legal Description

Property abstracts are only available for properties within Seattle city limits. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Public Resource Center holds microfilmed abstracts (sometimes called "title abstracts" or "abstract books"). The abstracts are organized by legal description and show all ownership changes up to 1990 with names, dates, and recording numbers.

Unlike automobile ownership, there isn't a single document stating that someone has "title" to a piece of property. You may need several documents to prove property ownership, including the following:

• The document showing that you legally acquired the property from someone else at the time of the original purchase or acquisition - most frequently a warranty deed, quitclaim deed, or real estate contract.
• Documents showing that any mortgages (or deeds of trust) have been satisfied and no one has a financial claim to the property. These are usually recorded as a "full reconveyance" or "satisfaction of mortgage."

Note that it is your lender's responsibility to send you the reconveyance and to record it with the County Recorder’s Office.

You can search for and download images of these documents (dated August 1, 1991 and later) using the Recorder's Office online portal Landmark. Documents recorded between 1976 and July 31, 1991 are also indexed (with no images) on Landmark. To search for documents prior to 1976 or retrieve images of documents prior to August 1, 1991, please research them at the County Archives.

For a fee, various companies should be able to search for and provide you with the set of documents establishing that you have title to your property. In order to research and locate title documents, you need to know the approximate date that the property was purchased and the approximate date that all mortgages were satisfied.

To take someone "off title" or put someone "on title" you may need to file a new conveyance document or deed. The County Recorder's Office may be able to provide more information. Consult an attorney for legal advice or a title company for more information.