Camas Deed Records Search
Camas deed records are maintained by the Clark County Auditor's Office, which serves as the official custodian of all real property documents in Clark County. When property in Camas changes ownership through a sale, gift, or other transfer, the deed is recorded with the Clark County Auditor and becomes a permanent public record. This page explains how to search those Camas deed records, what types of documents you will find, and how the Clark County recording system works.
Camas Overview
Clark County Auditor's Office for Camas
The Clark County Auditor's Office maintains all deed records for Camas properties. Clark County sits in the southwest corner of Washington, directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. The Auditor's Office is located in Vancouver, the county seat. Under Washington State law, the county auditor serves as the custodian of recorded documents and is responsible for indexing, preserving, and providing public access to all recorded real property instruments.
The Clark County official records search portal covers a wide range of document types for Camas properties. The system allows searches by name, document type, and recording date. Historical deed records in Clark County cover the period from 1911 to 1970 through a separate historical records section. Current records are indexed and available online through the county's main official records portal. The recording office handles court judgments, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, mortgages, plats, and tax deeds, among many other document types.
| Office | Clark County Auditor's Office - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Vancouver, WA |
| Online Search | washingtonclerk.com |
| Historical Records | Property deed records 1911-1970 available |
| Document Types | Deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, judgments, marriage licenses |
Camas is located just east of Vancouver along the Columbia River. The city's growth over the last two decades has generated a high volume of new property recordings. The Clark County Auditor handles all of these filings and provides online access as part of the state's public records system.
Searching Camas Deed Records Online
The Clark County Official Records Search portal at washingtonclerk.com is the main tool for searching Camas deed records online. You can search by party name, document type, and recording date. The portal covers both current records and historical deed records going back to 1911. That long record coverage is helpful for researching Camas properties that have changed hands many times over the decades.
City of Camas Administrative Services at cityofcamas.us handles public records requests for city-generated documents. The office is located at City Hall, 616 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607, and is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM excluding holidays. The City Clerk is the primary contact for document requests. The city maintains community development records, planning and land use files, and development engineering records, all of which are separate from the county deed recording system.
The Camas public records page manages requests for city-level documents including planning records and city permits, separate from the Clark County deed recording system.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov also holds historical land records that may cover Clark County properties predating the county's own online system. This is a valuable secondary resource for older Camas property research, especially for tracing title chains that go back to the early 20th century or earlier.
Deed and Document Types in Camas
Clark County records a comprehensive range of real property documents affecting Camas properties. Washington law provides three main types of conveyance deeds. The Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the standard deed used in most home sales, carrying full covenants from the seller about title quality. The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 provides more limited warranties and is common in bank and foreclosure sales. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 conveys only whatever interest the grantor holds and is often used for family transfers or title cleanup.
Other common recorded documents for Camas properties include deeds of trust, which secure real estate loans. These are recorded by lenders and released by Full Reconveyance when paid off. Easements, liens, notices of trustee's sale, and plats are also recorded and indexed. The Clark County historical records section specifically covers deed records from 1911 to 1970, an important period in Camas's development as a community. Tax deeds and sheriff's deeds, resulting from tax sales or foreclosures, are also part of the county's recorded document index.
Note: Every deed submitted for recording in Washington must meet the formatting requirements under RCW 65.04, including proper margins, legible text, and the correct index fields on the first page. Documents that do not comply may be returned or subject to a non-standard fee.
Recording Fees for Camas Properties
Washington sets recording fees by law under RCW Chapters 36.18 and 36.22. The current fee to record a deed in Clark County is $303.50 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page. Recording a deed of trust costs $304.50 for the first page. These fees include a $183 housing affordability surcharge and a $100 Covenant Homeownership surcharge that fund statewide housing programs.
Real estate excise tax (REET) applies to Camas property sales. Most home sales under $525,000 incur a combined 1.60% rate between state and local shares. The excise tax affidavit must be completed and submitted alongside the deed at recording. Certain transfers, like those made by inheritance, are exempt from REET but still require a filing with the county at the time of recording to document the exemption.
Online Access to Camas Deed Records
The Camas city website provides access to administrative services, planning information, and links to Clark County resources for property research and deed records.
The Clark County Official Records Search covers current deed records for Camas with search by name and document type. The historical records section adds coverage of property deeds back to 1911, which is relatively unusual and valuable for Clark County researchers. The Clark County Auditor's office maintains this database as part of its public duty under the Washington State recording statutes.
The Washington State Archives at sos.wa.gov/archives maintains a Southwest Regional Branch that covers Clark County. The branch holds records transferred from Clark County over the years, including historical land records and property documents that complement the county's own holdings. The Archives also provides imaging services and maintains retention schedules to ensure proper preservation of property records.
Washington real property law is governed primarily by RCW Title 64 (Real Property and Conveyances) and RCW Title 65 (Recording, Registration and Legal Publication). Both titles are available through the Washington State Legislature website. Understanding these statutes can help when interpreting deed language or recording requirements for Camas property transactions.
Public Access to Clark County Deed Records
Clark County deed records are public under RCW Chapter 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. Anyone can search and view recorded documents. No reason is required. The Clark County Auditor must respond to public records requests within five business days. The online search portal provides free access to the document index and images for most recorded instruments.
In-person access to the Clark County Recording Division is available in Vancouver during regular business hours. Public computers provide on-site search access. Walk-in visitors can request paper copies for a per-page fee. Certified copies require a higher fee and can be ordered at the counter or by mail. Include the document number, instrument type, and payment with any mail-in copy request.
Washington's "race to record" rule gives priority to whoever records their deed first in a dispute between two parties claiming the same property. For Camas buyers and lenders, prompt recording after closing is essential to establish legal priority and put the public on notice of the transaction under RCW 65.08.070.
Clark County Deed Records
Camas is in Clark County, and all deed records for Camas properties are maintained by the Clark County Auditor's Office. The county page covers the full recording system, document types, and search tools available across Clark County.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Washington cities also maintain deed records through their county recording offices.