Kent Deed Records Search
Kent deed records are filed and maintained by the King County Recorder's Office, the official custodian of all recorded property documents for the city. Kent sits in King County, so any deed, mortgage, lien, easement, or plat tied to a Kent property runs through that office. The recorder's online search portal covers documents recorded since August 1, 1991, and can be searched by property owner name, document type, or parcel number. For older Kent deed records or certified copies, you can visit the recorder's office in Seattle or request records through the King County Archives and the Washington State Digital Archives.
Kent Overview
King County Recorder's Office
The King County Recorder's Office is the official recording office for Kent deed records. The recorder holds real property documents for all of King County, including deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, and plat maps. Under Washington State law, specifically RCW 65.08.070, recording a deed gives public notice of the transaction and establishes legal priority. The party who records first generally prevails in a dispute involving competing claims to the same Kent property.
King County is the most populous county in Washington. It encompasses Kent and dozens of surrounding cities. The recorder's office is located at the King County Administration Building in downtown Seattle. Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or through an e-recording service. Most title companies and escrow agents use e-recording for same-day or next-day processing.
| Office | King County Recorder's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 Fourth Avenue, Room 311 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| Phone | (206) 296-1570 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | kingcounty.gov/en/dept/records-licensing/recorders-office |
Kent is also home to a regional justice center. The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center at 401 4th Avenue N. in Kent handles King County Superior Court cases for the area. While court records and deed records are separate systems, both are public and can be relevant when researching the full history of a property.
How to Access Kent Deed Records
King County provides online access to recorded documents through its records search system at recordsearch.kingcounty.gov. The system is free to use and covers documents recorded since August 1991. You can search by grantor or grantee name, document type, recording date, or reference number. Document images are viewable at no cost. Printing or downloading unofficial copies is also free through the portal.
When searching Kent deed records online, try the property owner's last name first. The system is indexed by grantor name (the party transferring the property) and grantee name (the party receiving it). If you know the parcel number, that is often the fastest way to pull all recorded documents tied to a specific Kent address. King County assigns a unique parcel ID to every property, and that number stays with the parcel through multiple ownership changes.
The King County Parcel Viewer is a free mapping tool that links to recorded documents, the Assessor's property report, tax information, and GIS data. Search by address to see the parcel boundary, recent sale prices, square footage, and other property details. It also links directly to the deed records in the recording system for that parcel.
The King County Records Search portal allows free online access to Kent deed records going back to 1991, with document images available for viewing and printing.
Types of Deed Records in Kent
Kent deed records include several types of instruments. Most residential and commercial property transfers use one of three main deed types recognized under Washington law. Each type offers a different level of title protection for the buyer, and reviewing the deed type in a property's history can tell you how prior transfers were structured.
Statutory Warranty Deeds under RCW 64.04.030 are the standard for arms-length sales. The seller guarantees they own the property free and clear, have the right to sell, and will defend the title against any claim arising at any point in the ownership history. This is the deed type most Kent home buyers receive in a traditional sale. Quitclaim Deeds under RCW 64.04.050 transfer only what the grantor actually has, with no warranty. Common uses include transfers to a trust, gifts between family members, or removing a spouse's name from title after a divorce.
Bargain and Sale Deeds under RCW 64.04.040 include limited warranties covering only the grantor's period of ownership. Banks and lenders frequently use these in post-foreclosure sales. All three deed types appear in Kent's public deed record at King County. You will also find deeds of trust, reconveyances, and various types of liens among the recorded instruments for Kent properties.
Washington requires that all deeds include a written legal description of the property. A street address or tax parcel number alone does not satisfy this requirement. The deed must contain either a metes and bounds description or a lot, block, and plat reference tied to a recorded subdivision map. Under Washington State law established in the case of Martin v. Seigel, 35 Wn.2d 223, a deed without a proper legal description is unenforceable.
Deed Recording Fees in Kent
Recording fees for Kent deeds are set by the Washington State Legislature under RCW Chapter 36.18 and RCW 36.22. The same fee schedule applies in King County as in every other Washington county. As of January 1, 2024, the standard fee for recording a deed is $303.50 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page. Deeds of trust cost $304.50 for the first page due to an additional archive fee.
The recording fee includes a $184.26 housing affordability surcharge that funds statewide affordable housing and homelessness prevention programs. Before the January 2024 increase, these fees were lower. The state legislature has authority to adjust fee amounts, and parties involved in Kent property transactions should confirm current amounts with the King County Recorder before submitting documents.
Note: If a deed does not meet formatting standards under RCW 65.04, it may be returned or assessed a $50 emergency non-standard surcharge in addition to regular fees.Public Records Access for Kent Properties
Deed records in Kent are public records under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Anyone can search and view recorded deed documents without stating a reason. The King County Recorder's online portal provides free access to document images for records going back to 1991. For records before that date, the King County Archives and the Washington State Digital Archives hold older materials.
Searching online is free. If you need certified copies of Kent deed records, contact the King County Recorder by phone at (206) 296-1570 or visit the downtown Seattle office. Certified copies carry the official seal and are required in legal proceedings, estate transfers, and some real estate transactions. Copy fees are typically $1 per page for uncertified and $3 for certified documents, though you should confirm current amounts with the office.
The Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov also holds Land Records and Real Property Record Cards for King County, including photographs of properties taken during the 1930s and 1940s. These can be useful for researching older Kent properties with long ownership histories before the county's online recording system was in place.
King County Deed Records
Kent is in King County, and all deed filings for the city go through the King County Recorder's Office. For a full overview of the recording system, available documents, and county-level resources, visit the King County deed records page.
Nearby Cities
These neighboring cities are also in King County and use the same recording office for deed filings.