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

Yakima County's housing market is moderately competitive, with most homes going under contract in about 20 to 26 days. Single‑family detached houses make up the majority of available listings, so this style of home is common year‑round.

If you are researching property in Yakima County, three county offices hold the information you need. The Auditor records deeds, deeds of trust, and plats. The Assessor determines the value of every parcel, while the Treasurer issues tax bills and collects payments. Together, these offices oversee more than 106,000 parcels across the county’s 4,400 square miles, ensuring that property records are maintained and accessible to the public.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $214,500 and median rent of $959, alongside a median household income of $59,956.5 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.84 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Yakima Property Records

You can access Yakima County's specific property records through any of the resources listed below.

Who Keeps Yakima County Property Records

The state’s Public Records Act governs access to property records in Yakima County. You may contact the following offices to view and copy property records in Yakima County:

• The Yakima County Auditor's Office (Recording Department) is the custodian of all recorded documents, including, but not limited to, deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and easements.

• The Yakima County Assessor's Office maintains valuation and assessment records of every parcel in the county.

• The Yakima County Treasurer's Office maintains tax records. The office also collects real property tax on every parcel in the county.

How to Search Yakima County Property Records Online

A comprehensive property record search in Yakima County typically involves visiting more than one property records database. Each database holds a specific property record type, and combining information about the property from these different databases will give you a complete record. Follow the steps below to complete a property records search in Yakima County:

1. Start your search at the Parcel Search portal. This portal, maintained by the Assessor's Office, gives you access to property ownership and valuation records, characteristics, and sale history. You can search by address or owner name.
2. After that, go to the Auditor's Public Records portal to view deeds linked to the property owner's name. Search by grantor and grantee name to build a full chain of titles.
3. Check the most recent deed to confirm the current owner, then work backward through earlier deeds. This step ensures each grantor matches the grantee on the prior deed.
4. Review 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

The Yakima County Auditor’s Office (Recording Department) is responsible for recording all documents about property ownership and transfer in the county. Once recorded, a document becomes part of Yakima County's official records and is considered permanent. You can find these documents on the Auditor's Public Records portal.

County Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Yakima County Assessor's Office determines the fair market value of property and ensures assessments are fair and uniform across the county. The Washington State Constitution requires uniform taxation within each class of property, while state law requires property to be assessed at 100% of its fair market value.

County Treasurer: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

The Yakima County Treasurer's Office handles the billing and collection of tax on every property in the county. Yakima County annual property tax statements are mailed every February. However, homeowners may pay their taxes in two equal installments. The first payment is due on April 30, and the second is due on October 31. Delinquent payments are subject to interest and penalties as recommended by Washington state law.

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

Property taxes in Yakima County are determined by dividing a parcel’s assessed value by 1,000 and applying the levy rates established by taxing districts.

How the 1 Percent Levy Limit Works

Washington’s Constitution limits regular property tax levies to 1% of a property’s assessed value, equal to $10 for every $1,000. Voters may approve additional levies for schools and other districts, which are added on top. A separate cap also limits the total revenue a district can collect each year. This cap applies to revenue, not to assessed value. If your property value rises faster than the district average, your share of the levy may increase.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Assessment

If you disagree with your property’s assessed value, you can file an appeal with the county's Board of Equalization (BOE). If the Board rejects your appeal, you can take the issue to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

In Yakima County, you can view a parcel’s physical characteristics, ownership and assessment records, as well as boundary lines using interactive maps. 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

This foreclosure process is used when a homeowner becomes delinquent on mortgage payments. After default, the trustee named in the deed of trust can hold a public sale under the Deed of Trust Act without going to court. The sale is advertised in advance, 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 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 outlines the rules for recording any document that conveys an interest in real estate. The process follows four basic 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 Yakima County Property Records Checklist

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

Key Contacts and Official Portals