Washington deed forms
Find the right Washington real estate form
Choose a category below, then select your form type and the county where the property is located.
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- 1Choose a form category and document type.
- 2Select the county where the property is located.
- 3Download the county-specific form package.
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Quitclaim Deed
Transfer whatever interest the grantor may have, without title warranties.
Special Warranty Deed
Transfer property with warranties limited to the grantor's ownership period.
Bargain and Sale Deed
Convey property with implied ownership but without title warranties.
Transfer on Death Deed
Name a beneficiary to receive property after the owner's death.
Transfer on Death Revocation
Revoke a previously recorded transfer on death deed, canceling the beneficiary designation.
Beneficiary Affidavit of Death
Record the owner's death so title passes to the transfer on death beneficiary.
Certificate of Trust
Certify the existence of a trust and the trustee authority to act, in place of recording the full trust. Includes certification of trust and trustee certificate formats.
Personal Representative Deed
Transfer estate property through a court-appointed personal representative.
Affidavit of Surviving Joint Tenant
Document a deceased joint tenant so title vests in the surviving owner. Known in some states as an affidavit of deceased joint tenant or affidavit of death of joint tenant.
Mineral Deed
2 optionsTransfer mineral, oil, gas, or other subsurface rights in real property.
Release of Deed of Trust / Full Reconveyance
Release a paid deed of trust from title by reconveyance, release, satisfaction, or cancellation.
Deed of Trust
Secure a real estate loan with a deed of trust instrument.
Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance
Appoint a new trustee and release a paid deed of trust in one instrument.
Land Contract/Contract for Deed
Document a seller-financed installment purchase arrangement.
Easement Deed
2 optionsGrant or define a right to use another parcel for a specific purpose.
Assignment of Deed of Trust
Transfer a lender's interest in a deed of trust to another party.
Lis Pendens
2 optionsGive public notice of litigation affecting real property title.
Mechanics Lien
Claim payment rights for qualifying construction labor or materials, including lien claims, amendments, assignments, and supporting enforcement documents.
Construction Notice
4 optionsPreliminary, commencement, completion, furnishing, and other statutory notices used in the construction lien process.
Construction Lien Waiver
4 optionsWaive mechanics lien rights in exchange for progress or final payment on construction work.
Power of Attorney
3 optionsAuthorize another person to act in a real estate transaction.
Memorandum of Purchase Agreement
Record notice of a purchase agreement and the equitable interest it creates, without recording the full agreement.
Washington Real Estate Deeds
Ownership and Authority to Convey
Individuals of legal age and corporations with contractual capacity may acquire and convey real property in Washington. Washington permits aliens to acquire, hold, mortgage, and convey real estate on the same basis as citizens (RCW 64.16.005).
Property may be held individually, jointly, or as community property. The form of ownership determines survivorship rights and whether spousal participation may be required in a conveyance.
Form of Conveyance
Washington law broadly requires that every conveyance of real estate and every contract creating or evidencing an encumbrance upon real estate be made by deed (RCW 64.04.010). A deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor, and acknowledged before an authorized officer (RCW 64.04.020).
Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are commonly used. The type of deed selected determines the scope of title warranties conveyed.
Acknowledgment and Recording
A deed must be acknowledged before it may be recorded. Once properly acknowledged, it may be recorded in the office of the county auditor in the county where the property is located (RCW 65.08.070).
If acknowledged outside Washington, additional certification may be required unless the acknowledgment was taken before a notary public with seal, clerk of a court of record, or commissioner authorized under statute (RCW 64.08.020).
Deeds must comply with statutory formatting requirements set forth in RCW 65.04.045 before recording will be accepted.
Recording and Priority
Washington follows a race recording statute. An unrecorded conveyance is void as against a subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith and for valuable consideration whose conveyance is first duly recorded (RCW 65.08.070).
Priority among competing interests is determined by the order of recording. Recording imparts constructive notice of the contents of the instrument.
Because Washington requires that real estate interests and encumbrances be conveyed by deed, and because priority depends strictly on recording with the county auditor, careful execution and prompt recordation are essential to protect property rights.
Important: County-Specific Forms
After selecting your document type, you'll need to choose the specific county where your property is located. Each county in Washington has unique formatting requirements that must be followed for successful recording.
Common Uses
- Transfer property between family members
- Add or remove names from property titles
- Transfer property into or out of trusts
- Correct errors in previously recorded deeds
- Gift property to others
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