Lakewood Deed Records
Lakewood deed records are filed and maintained by the Pierce County Auditor's Office, which serves as the official recording authority for all property documents in the city. Lakewood is located in Pierce County, so any deed, lien, mortgage, easement, or plat tied to a Lakewood property is on file with the county auditor. Pierce County's recording system covers documents from 1984 forward in its online database, and the auditor's office in Tacoma handles in-person record requests, certified copies, and document submissions. Lacey deed research starts at the county auditor, not the city.
Lakewood Overview
Pierce County Auditor's Office
The Pierce County Auditor's Office is the official custodian of deed records for Lakewood and all other jurisdictions in Pierce County. The recording division receives real property instruments, verifies they meet state formatting standards, indexes them for retrieval, and preserves them as part of the permanent public record. Pierce County maintains records per RCW 65.08.070, which establishes recording priority rules in the event of competing ownership claims.
Lakewood incorporated as a city in 1996, but property records for the area go back much further through the county system. Pierce County is one of the most populous counties in Washington, and its recording division handles a high volume of deed transactions for Lakewood, Tacoma, and dozens of surrounding communities. The auditor's office is located in Tacoma at 2401 S. 35th Street.
| Office | Pierce County Auditor - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 2401 S 35th Street, Room 200 Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Phone | (253) 798-7427 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | piercecountywa.gov/audrec |
Pierce County's Assessor-Treasurer Information Portal allows property searches by parcel number, site address, owner name, plat name, or tax account number. This tool is a good starting point for Lakewood property research because it provides parcel identification numbers you can then use to pull recorded deed documents from the recording system.
How to Search Lakewood Deed Records
Pierce County provides an online recording search that covers documents from 1984 to the present. You can search Lakewood deed records by grantor name, grantee name, document type, recording date, or parcel number. Document images are available for viewing online. Unofficial copies can typically be saved or printed. For certified copies with the official county seal, contact the auditor's office by phone or visit in person.
The Assessor-Treasurer's portal is a useful companion tool for Lakewood deed research. Enter an address or parcel number to get property details including the current owner of record, assessed value, parcel boundary, and other property information. Once you have the parcel number, searching the recording system becomes faster and more precise. All recorded instruments tied to that specific Lakewood parcel will appear in the results.
For older Lakewood deed records that predate the county's online database, the Washington State Digital Archives holds historical land records for Pierce County. The archives are searchable by name through the online portal. They include land records, plat maps, and Real Property Record Cards that can help trace ownership history for Lakewood properties going back many decades.
The Lakewood City Clerk manages official city records and public disclosure requests, while the Pierce County Auditor holds the deed records for all Lakewood properties.
Types of Deed Records in Lakewood
Lakewood deed records in the Pierce County system include several types of recorded instruments. The most common in residential transactions are Statutory Warranty Deeds, Quitclaim Deeds, and Bargain and Sale Deeds. Each type reflects a different relationship between the parties and a different level of title protection.
A Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the strongest deed type available in Washington. The grantor warrants that they own the property, have the legal right to sell, there are no hidden encumbrances, and they will defend the title against any claim that arises from any point in the ownership history. Most standard Lakewood home sales use this deed type. A Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 offers no warranties. It transfers only whatever interest the grantor holds. Common uses include family transfers, trust-related transactions, and corrections to prior recorded deeds.
Bargain and Sale Deeds under RCW 64.04.040 fall in between. The grantor warrants only against claims arising during their period of ownership, not the entire history of the property. Banks selling foreclosed Lakewood properties often use this deed type. Deeds of trust, reconveyances, and liens are also part of the recorded Lakewood deed record. When researching a property's full title history, all of these document types are relevant and can be found in Pierce County's recording system.
Recording Deeds in Lakewood
All deeds for Lakewood properties must meet Washington State formatting standards to be accepted by Pierce County. Under RCW 65.04, documents must be on paper no larger than 8.5 by 14 inches, with a three-inch top margin on the first page and one-inch margins on all sides of every page. Font must be at least 8-point. No seals, stamps, notations, or other marks may appear in any margin area except as specifically permitted by law.
The first page must include the document title, grantor and grantee names, a return address, abbreviated legal description, and Assessor's parcel number. A full legal description must appear somewhere in the deed. Standard recording fees under RCW Chapter 36.18 are $303.50 for the first page plus $1.00 per additional page. These fees apply statewide, including Pierce County. Documents not meeting formatting standards may be returned or assessed a $50 emergency non-standard surcharge.
Note: A Real Estate Excise Tax affidavit is required for all taxable Lakewood property transfers before recording can proceed.Lakewood City Public Records
The City of Lakewood maintains its own public records system under RCW 42.56. The City Clerk at 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, (253) 983-7705, handles public records requests for city-held documents. These include council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, the Lakewood Municipal Code, and permits. City records do not include deed records. Those are at the county auditor.
The City of Lakewood's official website at cityoflakewood.us provides access to building permits, planning records, and city government documents that can be useful alongside the deed records held at Pierce County.
Lakewood's online portal accepts public records requests and allows tracking through the process. Records that are available on the city's website are typically posted for direct access. If records are not online, the city will fulfill requests within the timeframes required by state law. The city does not charge for inspecting records, only for providing copies.
Pierce County Deed Records
Lakewood is part of Pierce County, and the Pierce County Auditor's Office holds all recorded deed documents for the city. For more information about the county recording system, available documents, and how to get certified copies, visit the Pierce County deed records page.
Nearby Cities
Tacoma, University Place, and Puyallup are neighboring cities that also file deed records with Pierce County.