Blog · October 13, 2026 · Washington
How to Do a King County, WA Deed Search
A plain guide to the King County deed search: the verified office page, how the indexes work, and what a deed can and can't tell you.
Main page: King County, WA GIS & Parcel Viewer (official map link, King County facts and neighboring maps).
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Doing a king county deed search is mostly about knowing which office to ask and how its index is organized. Below is the verified official link, plus the steps we'd follow to find a deed and connect it to the parcel map.
Where King County deeds are recorded
Washington hands deed recording to the County Auditor. The official county site lists this office as the Recorder's office; its page is Recorder's office. When we verified it on October 13, 2026, the page was public and carried the title “Recorder's Office - King County, Washington.”
Searching King County deed records step by step
Most recorder indexes sort by party name and date, so lead with the owner's name. Every deed has a grantor (the party conveying) and a grantee (the party taking title); search both columns. Once you find the right entry, note the book and page or the instrument number. That reference is what staff will ask for if you order a copy. If the Recorder's office offers online images, you may be able to view an index for free and pay only for certified copies; if it does not, the page above lists how to request copies in person or by mail.
The free parcel map helps
The official parcel viewer, linked from our King County directory page, gives you the parcel ID and owner to bring to this office. For more on using the map itself, see our King County map guide.
Matching a deed to a parcel
A handy routine is to look the property up on the King County parcel viewer, copy the owner's name, and then search that name in the recording index. The newest deed should name that owner as grantee. Its legal description is what actually defines the boundary. In Washington the County Auditor records deeds, and rural land is described off the Willamette Meridian.
Documents you'll find besides deeds
Recording indexes usually hold more than deeds: mortgages and releases, easements, liens, plats, affidavits and powers of attorney show up too. Easements are easy to miss and can limit how you use land, so read entries that share the same parties or legal description.
When to hire help
A self-serve search is great for research, but a lender or buyer will still want a title company's report. For a purchase, a title company or attorney will search back through the chain, check liens and judgments, and issue title insurance.
Warranty, quitclaim and others
Look at the heading. Warranty deeds promise clear title, special warranty deeds limit that promise to the seller's time, and quitclaims transfer only what the grantor actually held. You will see quitclaims used in family transfers and to clear up a cloud on title. Trustee's, executor's and sheriff's deeds show up as well, after a foreclosure, an estate settlement or a tax sale.
Subdivision plats and survey maps
Recorded plats show lot lines, dimensions, easements and road dedications for a subdivision. If a deed says “Lot 4 of Such-and-Such Subdivision,” the plat is what shows where Lot 4 actually is. Older rural land is often described by courses and distances rather than lots, so look for any recorded survey.
The recorder isn't the assessor
Don't confuse the two. The County Assessor keeps the tax roll and the County Auditor keeps the recorded documents. Because the map comes from tax records, a fresh deed may not show there right away. A mismatch between the map and the index usually just means the paperwork is still in transit.
If you go in person
Have names, years and parcel numbers ready. Staff can show you the public terminals but can't give legal advice. For deep history, ask about older index books and film. Online coverage often starts in the 1980s or 1990s, depending on the office. Call ahead for hours and copy prices, since they're set locally.
About King County
Roughly 2,271,380 people lived in King County as of 2023, spread over 2,115 square miles of land. The county seat is Seattle, which is where the main county offices usually sit. Neighboring counties include Chelan County, Kitsap County, and Kittitas County, and each keeps its own records.
Common questions
Where do I search deeds in King County?
Use the Recorder's office page on the county's official site (Recorder's office). The Washington office that records deeds is the County Auditor.
Is a King County deed search free?
Looking at an index is often free, but certified copies usually cost money. The office page explains what it charges.
Can I search by address?
Recording indexes are organized mostly by party name and date. Look up the address on the county parcel map first to get the owner's name, then search that name.
Does the deed show exact property lines?
The deed's legal description defines the land. Only a licensed survey marks the lines on the ground.
What if the property is near the county line?
Check the neighboring county as well. Each county records only the land inside its own borders.
Open the official Recorder's office page King County in the Platbookmapper directory
Not legal advice. Office names, links and procedures change. Confirm details with the office before you rely on them, and use a title professional or licensed surveyor for transactions and boundary questions.