King County Recorder Information

Land records in King County are recorded by the Recorder's Office. The office is held by Bryon Koecke, Recording Operations Manager.

Most documents recorded on or after August 1, 1991 are available online; documents recorded prior to August 1, 1991 are on microfilm and are only available from the King County Archives. The online search returns unofficial copies of documents recorded since 1976. Phone copy orders are taken Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Checked September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Recorder's Office | King County · Contact us - Records and Licensing Services · Search records | King County

These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.

Added at recording

Other charges

StatewideCertified copies: first page 8.5 x 14 inches or less, $3; each additional page, $1. Multiple transactions in one instrument: each title or transaction requiring separate indexing is charged the first-page fee; additional page fees are collected only once. Plats: 50 cents per lot (cemetery plats 25 cents per lot), plus $1 for each acknowledgment, dedication, and description, minimum $25 per plat. Searching records: $8 per hour. A cover sheet is charged as an additional page.

Assignment of Deed of Trust, Appointment of Successor Trustee, Resignation of Successor Trustee: $301, $1 for each additional page. Death Certificate and Government Liens (State, County, Municipal): $18, $1 for each additional page. Orders Changing Name: $203.50. Form DD 214: no fee. Map copies 18x24 inches: bond $3 uncertified, $5 certified per page; Mylar $5 uncertified, $7 certified per page. Non-recorded, uncertified documents: $0.15 per page. Conformed Copy Label, per instrument: $1. UCC-11R searches: $10. Excise tax affidavits: non-taxable $10; taxable $5 plus excise tax; a minimum of $10 is due in fees and/or tax.

Paying the office

Fees are payable in U.S. dollars only, at the time of the transaction, for the exact amount due. Starter checks are not acceptable. Cash is accepted in person only. Refunds due in excess of $19 are generated automatically.

Transfer tax

Real estate excise tax (state). 1.1 percent of the portion of the selling price that is less than or equal to five hundred thousand dollars; 1.28 percent of the portion greater than five hundred thousand dollars and equal to or less than one million five hundred thousand dollars; 2.75 percent of the portion greater than one million five hundred thousand dollars and equal to or less than three million dollars; three percent of the portion greater than three million dollars. Timberland or agricultural land: 1.28 percent of the selling price. Thresholds are adjusted every fourth year by the Department of Revenue. The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, RCW 82.45.060)

StatewideThe Department of Revenue publishes adjusted selling price thresholds for the state graduated rates: through December 31, 2026, $525,000 or less at 1.10%, $525,000.01 - $1,525,000 at 1.28%, $1,525,000.01 - $3,025,000 at 2.75%, $3,025,000.01 or more at 3%; for sales beginning January 1, 2027, $551,000, $1,551,000, and $3,051,000. REET is due and payable to the county treasurer in the county where the property is located. A $5.00 state technology fee is applied to the total due for every transfer, and an additional $5.00 affidavit processing fee is applied if an exemption is claimed. Counties and cities may add a local real estate excise tax under chapter 82.46 RCW, including a rate not exceeding 0.25 percent of the selling price (RCW 82.46.010(2)) and, in lieu of the tax in RCW 82.14.030(2), an additional rate not exceeding 0.5 percent (RCW 82.46.010(3)).

Checked September 2026 against official publications. Sources: RCW Chapter 36.22 County auditor · RCW 36.18.010 Auditor's fees · RCW 82.45.060 Tax on sale of property · Real estate excise tax | Washington Department of Revenue · Fees and payment information | King County · Request a copy | King County · Record a document | King County

Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.

StatewideAn instrument may be recorded if a minor portion of a notary seal, incidental writing, or minor portion of a signature extends beyond the margins. First page: one-inch margin on the bottom and sides.

StatewideThe first page must show, immediately below the three-inch top margin, the title or titles of the instrument; reference numbers of documents assigned or released; the names of the grantor(s) and grantee(s); and an abbreviated legal description (lot, block, plat, or section, township, range, and quarter/quarter section), each with a page reference where additional information appears. No attachments, except firmly attached bar code or address labels, may be affixed to the pages. Instruments, except those generated by governmental agencies, may not contain a social security number, a date of birth identified with a particular person, or the maiden name of a person's parent so as to be identified with a particular person. Documents that do not meet legibility requirements must not be recorded as a nonstandard recording; an emergency nonstandard recording requires a cover sheet and a signed statement.

Forms filed along with a transfer

• Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit Statewide Washington Department of Revenue (filed with the county treasurer)
  Generally, whenever there is a transfer of ownership or title to real property by conveyance, deed, grant, assignment, quitclaim, or any other document that results in a transfer

Submitting documents

E-recording is available through a third party submitter or directly through a King County Agent Account; contact the Recorder's Office about e-recording. When recording multiple titles in one document, additional recording fees are required for each title, but additional page fees do not apply.

Checked September 2026 against official publications. Sources: Real estate excise tax | Washington Department of Revenue · RCW 65.04.045 Recorded instruments—Requirements · RCW 65.04.047 Recorded instruments—Cover sheet · Record a document | King County