WASHINGTON.STATERECORDS.ORG IS A PRIVATELY OWNED WEBSITE THAT IS NOT OWNED OR OPERATED BY ANY STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
close banner

King County Property Records

state records colored logo
LOGIN
CONTACT
Instant Accessto State, County and Municipal Public Records
search includes Arrest Records
Arrest Records
search includes Vital Records
Vital Records
search includes Criminal Records
Criminal Records
search includes Contact Details
Contact Details
search includes Jail & Inmate Records
Jail & Inmate Records
search includes Property Records
Property Records
search includes Traffic Violations
Traffic Violations
search includes Business Ownership
Business Ownership
search includes Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies
search includes Unclaimed Assets
Unclaimed Assets
search includes Liens & Judgments
Liens & Judgments
search includes Registered Licenses
Registered Licenses
search includes Arrest Records
Arrest Records
search includes Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies
search includes Property Records
Property Records
search includes Criminal Records
Criminal Records
search includes Liens & Judgments
Liens & Judgments
search includes Business Ownership
Business Ownership
search includes Jail & Inmate Records
Jail & Inmate Records
search includes Vital Records
Vital Records
search includes Unclaimed Assets
Unclaimed Assets
search includes Traffic Violations
Traffic Violations
search includes Contact Details
Contact Details
search includes Registered Licenses
Registered Licenses
Washington.StateRecords.org is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”). You understand and acknowledge that these reports are NOT “consumer reports” as defined by the FCRA. Your access and use of a report is subject to our Terms of Service and you expressly acknowledge that you are prohibited from using this service and this report to determine an individual’s eligibility for credit, insurance, employment or any other purpose regulated by the FCRA.

King County Property Search

Property records are legal documents with detailed information about real estate situated in a particular county or municipality. In King County, these records provide information on the description, location, and value of real properties within the county.

King County property records are created by citizens and filed at the county recorder's office, a division of the Department of Executive Services. Individuals may record their documents in person, via mail, or online, provided they follow the state-approved recording standards and pay the recording fee. The recorder's office ensures county property records are appropriately stored and available for public inspection alongside other King County Public Records.

Property records protect a real estate owner's rights during legal disputes arising from boundary lines, liens, inheritance, ownership, easements, and other real estate transactions. Further, carrying out property record searches in King County allows a buyer or seller to find out the history and characteristics of a piece or property. It also helps interested parties validate information regarding real estate assets and prevent fraud.

Are King County Property Records Public?

Yes, King County property records are considered public records under the Washington Public Records Act, which mandates public access to many state and local government records.

However, the same law also authorizes King County property records custodians to restrict public access to certain records when:

  • An exemption serves the public interest
  • A federal or state law limits disclosure to the public
  • Disclosing a record will constitute a violation of personal privacy or governmental interests

If the county recorder's office declines a request for inspection in whole or part, the agency must inform the requester and include a statement of the specific exemption that permits the nondisclosure and a short explanation of how the exemption applies to the withheld record.

What Do King County Property Records Contain?

A variety of records are often created in relation to property existing in King County, and government agencies maintain these documents. The information contained in a King County property record depends on the record type and the office maintaining the record.

For instance, at the King County Recorder's office, documents accessible include property deeds, liens, mortgages, etc. At the county assessor's office, one can expect to find records on property valuation and ownership history. Meanwhile, at the King County GIS Center, an individual can obtain information on the maps, parcel-related information, aerial imagery, and plats.

Nonetheless, a property record provides information on the following:

  • Owner of the property: The current property owner's name and address and the property's ownership (the names and addresses of past owners).
  • Property type, location, and year built.
  • Physical characteristics of the property, including boundary line, lot size, square footage, number of rooms, etc.
  • Assessment and tax information: The property's assessed value (usually includes values of the previous and current year), tax exemptions, etc.
  • A property document's recording date.
  • Grantee and grantor names.

Where to Perform a King County Property Lookup

Interested persons can perform a property lookup online or in person in King County.

Online search: Government agencies that maintain property records in King County offer different search tools for accessing the records. For instance, the county recorder's office provides an online search portal for looking up property records. The platform, known as the King County Official Records Search, allows users to obtain property records (including mortgages, deeds, liens, and real estate agreements) and document images for free and in real time. Meanwhile, the county assessor's eReal Property tool provides access to property information like legal description, square footage, and assessed value.

In-person search: Individuals can conduct a property search by visiting the county recorder's office. The office, located in Seattle, is accessible to all visitors on weekdays. At the office, requesters can engage officials to help them locate and view the relevant property records. Per state statutes, individuals may be required to pay fees before obtaining copies of property records.

King County property records generated on or after August 1, 1991, are accessible online. However, documents recorded before August 1, 1991, may be accessible at the county recorder's office or the King County Archives. See the addresses below.

County Recorder's Office
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Suite 204
Seattle, WA 98104

King County Archives
1215 East Fir Street
Seattle, WA 98122

How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in King County

Individuals can look up property ownership information on the county recorder's website or stop by the office during business hours. To look up property ownership information online, a requester should visit the county recorder's Official Records Search site. The platform provides different search options: property address, document type, or parcel identification number (a unique identifier assigned to each property in King County). Requesters can fill out any search field and click submit to view the results.

The results appear in a tabular format that displays additional information to enable inquirers to find the correct record. The owner field is in two rows (Grantee and Grantor). The grantee represents the new/current owner, while the grantor indicates the past owner of the property.

Another option to look up a property owner in King County is to use the county assessor's eReal Property tool. Information on the present and previous property owners is available after a search query.

Where one cannot find ownership information online, the individual may contact or visit the King County recorder or assessor's office.

How to Find King County Property Records Online

Individuals can look up King County property records on the official website of the King County government, as explained earlier. However, aside from the official databases, several non-governmental organizations provide property records search services online. While one can search for property records with similar criteria (e.g., a property owner's name), these sites may require the requester to pay a fee or subscribe before they can access a record.

How to Find Property Owner by Address Free

Members of the public can find a property owner by address for free in King County using the county's online parcel viewer tool (maintained by the King County GIS Center) or the eReal Property tool (managed by the County Department of Assessments). To use either application, an individual must visit the relevant web pages and enter the property address where indicated. Search results include the current property owner's name.

King County Property Tax Lookup

Conducting a property tax search allows individuals to know the tax implications of buying, selling, or managing a piece of real property in King County. One can perform a property tax lookup in King County through the county treasury operations office, the department that collects taxes in the region. The treasurer provides for online searches and in-person inquiries. More information about property tax lookup can be obtained from the agency's FAQ page.

One may also lookup certain property tax information online through the assessor's eReal Property portal or contact/visit the King County Assessor's Office.

How to Find King County Property Appraiser

Property appraisers in King County are professionals who determine the fair market value of real estate. The market value information is important in determining the sales amount and tax value of real property.

Property appraisers work with the Department of Assessments in King County to estimate property values for taxation purposes. Thus, one way to find a property appraiser in King County is to ask the department for a referral. Still, real estate appraisers are professionals who provide services to private individuals (including property valuations before purchase/sale) and are licensed by the Washington Department of Licensing. Hence, a person can use the DOL's License Lookup tool to find property appraisers in King County.

King County Property Assessor

The Department of Assessments in King County is the county assessor's office. This department is responsible for determining the taxable value of all properties in King County, including residential, commercial, and personal properties. Below are the office's contact details.

King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street, Room 708
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 296-7300
Fax: (206) 296-0107
Email: assessor.info@kingcounty.gov