Search Edmonds Deed Records
Edmonds deed records are maintained by the Snohomish County Auditor's Office Recording Division in Everett. Every property transfer in Edmonds, whether a sale, gift, or other conveyance, results in a recorded deed that becomes a permanent part of the county's public property records. You can search Edmonds deed records online through the Snohomish County recorded documents portal. This page explains how the system works, what document types are available, and how to request copies.
Edmonds Overview
Snohomish County Recording Division for Edmonds
The Snohomish County Auditor's Office Recording Division is the official custodian of deed records for Edmonds. Under Washington State law, the county auditor serves as the designated records custodian responsible for receiving documents, reviewing them for compliance, indexing them for retrieval, recording and preserving them permanently, and making them available for public inspection. The Recording Division is located in Everett at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue. Phone contact is available at 425-388-3483.
Edmonds is situated along the Puget Sound shoreline at the south end of Snohomish County, bordered by King County to the south. The Snohomish County Recording Division maintains deed records for all of the county, including Edmonds. Their online recorded documents search portal covers most records from July 1976 forward. That makes the Snohomish County system one of the deeper online archives in Washington State. In-person viewing hours at the office are 9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.
| Office | Snohomish County Auditor's Office - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 Rockefeller Avenue Everett, WA 98201 |
| Phone | (425) 388-3483 |
| Hours (In-Person) | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | snohomishcountywa.gov |
| Records Available Online | Most records from July 1976 to present |
Note: The Snohomish County Recording Division notes that property records are deemed "public" by statute under RCW 65.04.140. This statutory designation ensures consistent public access to all recorded deed documents.
How to Search Edmonds Deed Records
The Snohomish County Recorded Documents Search portal at snohomishcountywa.gov is the primary tool for Edmonds deed research. You can search by party name using the format "Last Name, First Name," or by parcel ID using the first ten digits of the parcel number. The system also allows searches by document type and recording date range. Results include index data and links to watermarked unofficial copies that you can view and print online. Official certified copies require a separate order from the Recording Division.
The Edmonds City Clerk's Office is a service department that manages city council meetings, official city records, and public records requests for administrative documents. The Clerk maintains an open and impartial approach to city governance and keeps accurate city history. However, deed records are a county function and are not maintained at the city level. For building permits and land use records specific to Edmonds, the city provides a permit record search at edmondswa.gov covering permits from 1990 forward.
The Edmonds City Clerk manages official city records, council documents, and public records requests for city-level documents.
If you need a building permit history for an Edmonds address, the city's permit search covers records from 1990 to present. Select "Development Services" in the file folder system to find older records. Earlier permits may require direct contact with the city archives. Certificate of Occupancy records are also maintained through the permit system, along with GIS utility mapping information.
Deed Record Types for Edmonds Properties
Snohomish County records a wide range of property documents affecting Edmonds real estate. The three main deed types under Washington law are the foundation of most property title chains. Statutory Warranty Deeds under RCW 64.04.030 are used in most arms-length residential sales. They carry the full set of seller covenants, including guarantees of ownership, freedom from encumbrances, and the seller's promise to defend the title. Bargain and Sale Deeds under RCW 64.04.040 are commonly used by lenders after foreclosure and carry more limited warranties. Quitclaim Deeds under RCW 64.04.050 carry no warranties and are used for family transfers, divorce settlements, and corrections to prior deeds.
Deeds of trust are the standard mortgage instrument in Washington and are recorded at the time of a real estate loan. A Full Reconveyance is recorded once the loan is paid off, clearing the deed of trust from the title record. Easements for utilities or neighboring property access are also recorded and run with the land, binding all future owners. Liens from contractors, courts, or government agencies are recorded as claims against the property. All of these documents are indexed and searchable through the Snohomish County recording system and can appear in a title search for an Edmonds property.
Recording Fees in Snohomish County
Washington State recording fees are set by the Legislature and are uniform across all 39 counties under RCW Chapters 36.18 and 36.22. The fee schedule effective July 27, 2025 sets deed recording at $303.50 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page. Deed of trust recording costs $304.50 for the first page. These fees include a $183 housing affordability surcharge and a $100 Covenant Homeownership surcharge.
Snohomish County also charges an additional $1.00 for each owner's name beyond the first on certain documents under Snohomish County Code Chapter 4.32.010. A $50 emergency non-standard fee applies when an emergency cover sheet is used due to document formatting non-compliance. Research fees for pre-1976 documents or staff-intensive searches run $8.00 per hour. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Recorded map copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page of the same plat or survey.
Online Access to Edmonds Property Records
The Edmonds city website connects residents to permit searches, city records, and links to Snohomish County tools for property and deed record research.
The Snohomish County public records portal at snohomishcountywa.gov/1704 provides an overview of how the Recording Division works and what types of documents are available for public search. The site confirms that deed and real property records are deemed public by statute under RCW 65.04.140. This makes Edmonds deed records freely accessible to anyone who needs them, whether for research, title verification, or other purposes.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical land records and property collections for Snohomish County. The Archives contains real property record cards with building photographs from the 1930s and 1940s, land records, and plat and survey documents. For older Edmonds property ownership histories, the Digital Archives can supplement the county's online system and provide documentation not available through the county portal.
The Washington State Association of County Auditors at wsaca.org represents all 39 county auditors, including Snohomish County, and maintains standards for recording practices across the state. Their recording manual provides detailed guidance on document formatting requirements, which can be useful if you are preparing documents for recording in Snohomish County.
Public Access to Edmonds Deed Records
Edmonds deed records are public under RCW Chapter 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. Anyone can inspect and view recorded documents. No reason is needed. The Recording Division must respond to requests within five business days. Online access to document images is available at no charge for most records in the system.
Walk-in access at the Snohomish County Auditor's Office in Everett is available during in-person viewing hours. Public computers provide on-site access to the recording index and document images. Staff can help with searches and copy requests. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. For documents containing personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, those elements are redacted from online images. Full unredacted copies may be available upon request at the office.
Snohomish County Deed Records
Edmonds is in Snohomish County, and all deed records for Edmonds properties are maintained by the Snohomish County Auditor's Office Recording Division. The county page covers the full recording system, document search, and resources available across Snohomish County.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also file deed records through their respective county recording offices.