Clallam County, WA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

Clallam County covers 2,671 square miles on the Olympic Peninsula. With more than 39,000 housing units, the county offers a wide variety of housing options. While single‑family detached houses make up most of the available listings, mobile homes are increasingly popular.

If you are looking for information about any property in Clallam County, you may find such records with the offices of the Auditor, the Assessor, and the Treasurer. The Auditor records deeds, deeds of trust, and plats. The Assessor maintains records of each property's valuation and assessment history, while the Treasurer keeps official tax payment records. These offices are in Port Angeles, and they hold records dating back to 1854.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $237,300 and median rent of $890.5, alongside a median household income of $65,178 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.76 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Clallam Property Records

Clallam County offers free access to property records through several online portals. You can access the county's property records through any of the resources listed below.

Who Keeps Clallam County Property Records

Local county offices keep Clallam County property records. Washington’s Public Records Act governs access to these records. You can contact the offices listed below to get property records:

• The Clallam County Auditor's Office (Recording Department) is the custodian of all recorded real estate documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and easements.

• The Clallam County Assessor's Office maintains records of each property's valuation and assessment history.

• The Clallam County Treasurer's Office keeps all tax records and collects real property taxes for every parcel in the county.

How to Search Clallam County Property Records Online

Clallam County does not keep all property records in one database. You may need to look in several places. Follow the steps below to perform a thorough property search:

1. Begin your search with the county Assessor's Property Search portal. This portal shows the property owner’s name, the full address, the tax parcel ID, and assessed value. You can search by address or owner name.
2. Next, go to the Auditor's Recorded Documents search. Here, you can view deeds linked to the property owner's name. Search by grantor and grantee name to build a full chain of title.
3. Review the most recent deed to confirm the current owner, then work backward through earlier deeds.
4. Cross-check the same index for deeds of trust, liens, and easements. Pay close attention to access easements and shoreline designations, as these can significantly affect a property’s use and value.
5. Finally, use the county's property tax portal to confirm the tax status.

County Auditor: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

Clallam County Auditor’s Office (Recording Division) handles the recording of all real estate documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and easements. Once recorded, these documents become part of the county's permanent records and are available for inspection and copying.

County Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Clallam County Assessor's Office appraises all taxable real and personal properties in the county. This process helps the office establish fair market value for all property in Clallam County for tax purposes. In addition, the office administers tax relief and exemption programs, such as destroyed property claims, home improvement exemptions, and deferral programs for disabled persons.

County Treasurer: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

The Clallam County Treasurer's Office is responsible for the collection of property taxes for every parcel in the county. Property owners in the county may pay their taxes in two equal installments. The first payment is due on April 30, and the second is due on October 31. Failure to pay by the statutory deadlines results in interest and penalties.

Property Tax in Clallam County: Levies, Exemptions, and Appeals

In Clallam County, property tax is determined by multiplying a property’s assessed value by the local levy rates and then dividing the result by 1,000. Tax rates in the county are usually influenced by the county’s budget for the year.

How the 1 Percent Levy Limit Works

Washington’s constitution limits regular property taxes to 1% of a property’s assessed value, which equals $10 for every $1,000. Voters can approve extra taxes for schools and other districts, and those are added on top of the regular levy. A separate cap also limits how much total revenue each district can collect in a year. This cap applies to the money collected, not to property values. If your property value rises faster than the average in your district, you may end up paying a larger share of the levy.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Assessment

If you are not satisfied with your property's valuation, file a petition with the county's Board of Equalization. Your appeal must be filed with the Board of Equalization within 30 days of the postmark of a Change of Value Notice. If the Board rejects your appeal, you can take the issue to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Clallam County maintains GIS interactive maps that provide details of all properties within the county. These include their aerial photos, ownership records, physical description, and boundaries. For records that predate the online systems, the Washington State Digital Archives holds historical documents.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Washington uses two separate processes for foreclosure sales, and it’s important to understand both.

Trustee Foreclosure

When a homeowner fails to pay the mortgage, the trustee named in the deed of trust can sell the property at a public auction under the Deed of Trust Act. This process does not require court action. However, the sale is advertised ahead of time, and the process usually moves faster than a court‑based foreclosure.

Judicial Tax Foreclosure

If a homeowner is delinquent for three years, the county may initiate a tax foreclosure. The process usually takes weeks to complete, as tax foreclosures must be filed with and approved by the Superior Court.

Costs to Access Property Records

Searching online is free. Fees apply when you need a copy or are recording a new document.

How to Record a Document

Washington’s recording act sets the rules for filing documents that transfer an interest in real estate. The process is straightforward and follows four main steps:

1. Confirm that your document meets Washington’s requirements under RCW 65.04. That means it needs a cover sheet, signed originals, a notary stamp, a proper legal description, and the right margins and paper size.
2. Complete a Real Estate Excise Tax affidavit stating either the sale price or the basis for exemption. For a sale, the Treasurer reviews the affidavit and verifies that all taxes are current before recording.
3. Submit to the Auditor in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording vendor. Pay the recording fee and any excise tax due.
4. After recording, the filer gets the original back. The document is then scanned, indexed, and made available shortly after.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Clallam County Property Records Checklist

Match each row to your task to find the fastest path through the system.

Key Contacts and Official Portals