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

King County is located in the west‑central region of Washington and is the most populous county in the state. The county has a very competitive housing market, with homes typically going under contract in 12 to 16 days. Single‑family detached homes dominate sales because they offer more square footage, private yards, and long‑term equity in prestigious neighborhoods surrounding Seattle and Bellevue.

If you are researching property in King County, three county offices hold the information you need. The County Auditor records deeds, deeds of trust, and plats. The County Assessor values every parcel, and the County Treasurer bills and collects taxes. Together, these offices maintain records for more than 700,000 parcels of land.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $783,350 and median rent of $1,917, alongside a median household income of $119,220 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.83 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up King County Property Records

Homeowners and property researchers in King County can look up deeds, ownership history, tax records, and maps using several online portals. Six free county resources cover most of these searches.

Who Keeps King County Property Records

Washington’s Public Records Act governs access to the property records maintained by the King County public offices. These offices include:

• The King County Recorder's Office is the custodian of all real estate documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and easements.

• The King County Assessor's Office keeps property valuation records and oversees tax exemptions. The Assessor also certifies the tax roll to the Treasurer.

• The King County Treasurer maintains property tax records and handles delinquencies. The office also collects the state Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) on sales.

How to Search King County Property Records Online

A complete search usually means checking two or three county sites.

1. Start with the eReal property portal. This portal lets you view a property's valuations, characteristics, levy rates, and sale history. Search by address or owner's name to identify the parcel and copy its number.
2. Take the owner's name to the Recorder's Online Records Search portal. Search by grantor and grantee name to build a full chain of titles.
3. Look up the current owner on the most recent deed and work backward through earlier deeds. This will help you confirm that each grantor matches the grantee on the previous deed.
4. Run the same index for deeds of trust, liens, and easements. On King County's parcels, watch for access easements and shoreline designations that can affect a property.
5. Finally, use the county's property tax portal to confirm the tax status.

County Recorder: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

The King County Recorder's Office is responsible for indexing and recording all official real estate documents in the county. These include deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, easements, and subdivision plats. Most documents recorded on or after August 1, 1991, are available online, while documents recorded before that date are on microfilm and available only at the King County Archives.

County Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The King County Assessor's Office appraises every parcel in the county. It also determines the true and fair market value of all real and business personal property within King County. Homeowners in the county should expect their property to be revalued annually, with a physical inspection every six years. In addition to property appraisals, the office also maintains property ownership records, levy rates, and sale history. You can use the eReal Property portal to find:

• The current owner of record for any parcel

• The parcel number and legal description

• Assessed land value and improvement value

• Property characteristics such as square footage, year built, and acreage

• Any senior, disabled, veteran, or current-use exemption on file

County Treasurer: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

The King County Treasurer bills and collects property taxes within the county. Homeowners in the county must pay property taxes in two installments. The first installment is due on April 30, and the second installment is due October 31. Late payments accrue interest and penalties set by state law.

The Treasurer also collects the state Real Estate Excise Tax when property sells. Before the Recorder's Office can approve a property transfer, the Treasurer must certify that property taxes are not owed and the excise tax affidavit is complete.

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

King County property taxes are calculated by dividing a property's assessed value by 1,000 and multiplying the outcome by the approved levy rate in the taxing district. The total tax bill depends on the annual market value of your property set by the King County Assessor.

How the 1 Percent Levy Limit Works

Washington's Constitution caps regular levies at 1 percent of assessed value, or $10 per $1,000. Voter-approved excess levies for schools and other districts are added on top. A separate limit caps the total revenue a district can raise each year, so this limits revenue, not your assessment. A value that rises faster than the district average can still raise your share of the levy.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Assessment

You can appeal a property assessment in King County by filing a petition with the King County Board of Appeals and Equalization. You can submit your appeal online via eAppeals or by mail within 60 days of the mailing date on your valuation 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

King County residents and property researchers can view parcel ownership history and assessment records using the county's iMap. For records that predate the online systems, the Washington State Digital Archives holds historical documents.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Washington handles the two kinds of foreclosure sales differently, and both matter for property research.

Trustee Foreclosure

Lenders conduct this type of foreclosure when a property owner falls behind on mortgage payments. After default, the trustee named in the deed of trust conducts a public sale under the Deed of Trust Act, without a court order. The sale is advertised in advance, and the process is generally faster than judicial foreclosure.

Judicial Tax Foreclosure

This type of foreclosure is initiated when a property is delinquent for three years. Properties in tax foreclosure are subject to auction sale. State law governs thi s process, and auctions are held each September. To remove a parcel from foreclosure, homeowners must pay all taxes, fees, interest, penalties, and foreclosure costs.

Costs to Access Property Records

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

The state legislature sets recording fees, which apply statewide. Confirm the current schedule with the Recorder before filing, since the first-page fee includes state surcharges that change over time.

How to Record a Document

Washington's recording act governs the form of any instrument that conveys an interest in real property. The four-step process:

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 the price or the basis for an exemption. On a sale, the Treasurer reviews it and confirms taxes are current before recording.
3. Submit to the Recorder in person, by mail, or through an approved e-recording vendor. Pay the recording fee and any excise tax due.
4. Once recorded, the original is returned to the filer, and the document is scanned and indexed for retrieval within a short processing window.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your King County Property Records Checklist

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

Key Contacts and Official Portals