Clark County Property Search
Clark County property records are official documents that hold important details about a piece of land, building, or any real estate in Clark County, Washington. People who request these records generally seek information on the property owner, taxes, boundaries, legal description, sales history, transfers, and any claims on the property.
The Recording Department of the County Auditor is the custodian of property records in Clark County. The agency handles the critical task of recording, managing, and providing official documents for all the real estate dealings that happen in the county. These include documents like deeds (which prove ownership), mortgages (which are loans for buying property), liens, and other related Clark County Public Records. Besides the Auditor’s Office, the Treasurer and Assessor’s Office also handles specific property-related records, like property tax and property assessment records.
A Clark County property records search is helpful for various reasons, such as finding out the ownership history of a property, doing proper research before buying a property, determining the value of a property, and checking for any debts or claims on a property.
Are Clark County Property Records Public?
Yes. Per the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56.070), property documents filed with the County Auditor are public records and are available for public review. This means that anyone, including the general public, can look at or obtain copies of property records in Clark County.
However, pursuant to RCW 42.56.210 of the Public Records Act, certain property record information may be kept confidential or restricted from being shared publicly. For instance, any information that could violate someone's personal privacy may be redacted or removed from property records. Additionally, any disclosure that could potentially violate or obstruct vital government interests may also be deleted or restricted from public access.
What Do Clark County Property Records Contain?
A property record in Clark County is typically made up of the following types of documents, which together offer a comprehensive view of a property's history and current status:
- Property Deeds: These are legal documents that transfer ownership of real estate. They include details like buyer and seller names, property descriptions, and sale conditions.
- Mortgages: These are documents for property loans. They list borrower and lender names, loan amounts, and terms.
- Liens: This document is a legal claim on a property to ensure debt payment, like tax or judgment liens. They detail the lienholder's name, debt amount, and lien filing date.
- Easements: These are documents of agreement that allow others to use a property or part of a property for specific purposes, such as utilities or access.
- Property Tax Records: These show property tax owed and payments made. They include the owner's name, address, tax assessment, and amount due.
- Building Permits: These document property changes or improvements. They mention the owner, contractor, work type, and project cost.
Where to Perform a Clark County Property Lookup
Interested individuals who wish to lookup property records in Clark County may do so through the various available means stated below:
- In-Person Request: Individuals can visit and obtain copies of property records at:
Clark County Public Service Center
1300 Franklin Street
2nd Floor Joint Lobby
Vancouver, WA 98660
In-person visit services are available Monday through Thursday during office hours. Fees for certified copies of documents may be by cash, check, or debit/credit card. - Online: Requests to inspect or download property records can be made online through Clark County’s Official Property Records Search Portal. This official records portal maintained by the County Auditor provides convenient remote access to property documents that have been recorded in the county since September 1998. The portal is available 24/7, and users can search for property documents using criteria like document title, recorded dates, parcel number, legal descriptions, or property owner's name. Payment for copies of documents, whether certified or non-certified, is by credit or debit card. Additionally, requests for copies of Clark County property records can be made online from the Washington State Digital Archives.
- By Mail: Requesting individuals can mail their completed Request for Certified Copy form with a check or money and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Clark County Auditor's Office
Recording Department
P.O. Box 5000
Vancouver WA 98666
The time required for a property record lookup depends on the chosen method and the type of information sought. Online searches are typically the quickest, taking only a few minutes. In-person searches may take longer, contingent on the number of records requested.
To enhance the efficiency of a property record lookup, requesting persons should provide information like document title, property owner's name, legal description, or property address to facilitate a lookup. This ensures the fast retrieval of the records and that the correct record is found.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Clark County
Property owner information is one of the types of information available on Clark County property records, and this information is typically open to the public. To initiate a search for property ownership details, the inquirer is expected to have and furnish the query source with certain information related to the property, such as the parcel number or property address.
A lookup search conducted either in-person, by mail, or online with the property address or parcel number will generally reveal property documents that contain information on the property owner, including names and contact information.
Alternatively, using the property address or parcel number, inquirers can seek out property information from the offices of the county assessor or treasurer.
How to Find Clark County Property Records Online
All property documents filed with the Recording Department of the County Auditor since September 1998 are publicly available. They can be viewed on the online portal maintained by the County Auditor. Additionally, individuals can access property records linked to Clark County by conducting an online search on the Washington State Digital Archive.
Alternatively, an individual may use third-party aggregate databases to find Clark County property records. Third-party databases are known to aggregate information from various sources. Hence, an individual may benefit from access to a larger repository of information not necessarily available from a single source. One can simply find a third-party database by performing a search on the search engines.
Fees and information required to find a Clark County property record may vary depending on the third-party site used. Some sites may provide basic information for free; others that offer more detailed records may come with a fee. The necessary information required could include the property address, owner's name, or parcel number.
Note that while third-party aggregate databases may prove to be useful, they are not affiliated with the County Auditor, who is the record custodian; therefore, chances are high that any information obtained from them may not be the most accurate or recent.
How to Find Property Owner by Address for Free
The Clark County Property Information Center is free to inspect property records. It enables an individual to find real estate documents that reveal property ownership details. To retrieve property documents on the portal, simply perform a search using the property’s house number and street name. Alternatively, an individual can visit the Clark County Public Service Center to request property owner information using just the property address. While an inspection of property records is generally free, requesting certified or non-certified copies of property documents attracts a fee.
Clark County Property Tax Lookup
The Clark County Treasurer’s Office manages property taxes in the county, which includes recording property tax payments and updating corresponding tax records. These records, which track property tax payments, are public and accessible for lookups. Here are the available avenues by which an individual can conduct a property tax lookup in Clark County:
- In-Person Lookup: Visit the County Treasurer’s Office, open Monday through Friday during work hours, to request a property tax record. To facilitate the lookup, provide the property owner's name, parcel number, street address, or property identification number. In-person visits should be made at:
Clark County Treasurer
1300 Franklin Street
2nd Floor Joint Lobby
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (564) 397-2252
Email: treasoff@clark.wa.gov
- Online Property Tax Statement Lookup: Access property tax statements online through the “Find Tax Statement” search function on the County Treasurer’s website. To successfully retrieve a property tax statement, an individual must supply the ‘property account number,’ otherwise referred to as the ‘property identification number.’ Those who don’t know their property identification are expected to use the property information center to retrieve their property number. The Property Information Center also contains information on property taxes.
A property tax lookup in Clark County serves various purposes, including confirming correct tax payments, estimating future tax payments for potential homebuyers, appealing property tax assessments if a homeowner believes their property has been overvalued, and checking the tax status before selling or refinancing a property.
How to Find Clark County Property Appraiser
Individuals seeking property appraisers in Clark County may find one by using the Accredited Appraiser Search Service provided by the state’s Department of Revenue. On the website, an individual can find an appraiser by conducting a search with names, accreditation numbers, or county names. To find an appraiser for Clark County, set the search criteria to “Clark County” and click search to return a list of all accredited Clark County appraisers and their contact details. Alternatively, the County Assessor website offers a means to find an official Clark County appraiser.
Property appraisal is a crucial tool for determining the fair market value of a property, especially for purposes such as taxation, commercial transactions, or insurance assessments. Appraisers offer a comprehensive range of services, which involve analyzing local real estate trends, studying comparable sales data, and assessing property features to arrive at an accurate market value. Additionally, these professionals inspect the property's condition, identify any necessary repairs or upgrades, and provide written reports on the property, including its valuation.
Clark County Property Assessor
The Clark County Assessor’s Office is responsible for evaluating the value of all taxable properties in the county. The County Assessor offers services that include the evaluation of property value, managing property records (especially for tax), and handling property tax inquiries, appeals, and exemptions.
To get in touch with a Clark County property assessor, either visit in person or send a written inquiry to the county assessor's office at:
Clark County Assessor
P.O. Box 5000
1300 Franklin Street
2nd Floor Joint Lobby
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
Email: assessor@clark.wa.gov
Phone: (564) 397-2391
