Search Longview Deed Records

Longview deed records are filed with the Cowlitz County Auditor's Office, which has served as the official recording authority for property documents in the area since the county's formation in 1854. Any deed, mortgage, lien, easement, or other recorded instrument tied to a Longview property is maintained by that office. To search Longview deed records, you can use the county auditor's online system, visit the office in Kelso, or access historical documents through the Washington State Digital Archives. All deed records are public under Washington law and can be searched and copied by anyone.

Cowlitz County Auditor Recording Office

The Cowlitz County Auditor's Office at 207 4th Avenue North, Room 107, Kelso, WA 98626 maintains the official deed record for Longview and all other areas in the county. The auditor holds property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and surveys. Records date back to Cowlitz County's formation in 1854, making the county's recording archive one of the longer collections in southwest Washington. The auditor's phone number is (360) 577-3002.

Under Washington law, the county auditor's role in recording is carefully defined. Recording staff verify that submitted documents meet formatting requirements, collect required fees, and index instruments for retrieval. Under RCW 65 and RCW 36.22, auditors are prohibited from providing legal advice about documents they receive. The responsibility for preparing a legally sufficient deed rests entirely with the preparer. Recording staff can tell you whether your document meets formatting standards, but not whether the legal terms are correct.

Kelso is the county seat and is adjacent to Longview. The courthouse and county offices are a short drive from the heart of Longview. This proximity makes it practical for Longview property owners and researchers to visit the auditor's office in person when needed.

How to Find Longview Deed Records

Cowlitz County provides online access to recorded documents through its digital search portal. You can search Longview deed records by grantor name, grantee name, document type, and recording date range. Basic document viewing is available online, with additional functionality for purchasing copies. For records not yet in the digital system, contact the auditor's office to request a search by staff.

When searching for a specific Longview property's deed history, start with the current or most recent owner's name as the grantee. That will pull up the deed under which they acquired the property. Look at that deed to identify the prior grantor, then search that name to trace the ownership chain further back. This manual chain-of-title method works well in any county recording system and gives you the full history of who owned a Longview property and when.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical land records for Cowlitz County. Longview has a long property record history, and the Digital Archives is useful for researching deed transactions going back to the county's earliest years. You can search by grantor or grantee name and view digitized images of older recorded instruments at no charge through the online portal.

The Longview City Clerk handles official city records and public disclosure requests under the Washington Public Records Act, while the Cowlitz County Auditor maintains all deed records for Longview properties.

Deed Types in Longview

Longview deed records include the same document types used across Washington State. The three main deed forms are the Statutory Warranty Deed, the Quitclaim Deed, and the Bargain and Sale Deed. Washington law defines each type and the covenants it carries under RCW Title 64.

The Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 provides full title protection. The grantor promises they own the property, have the right to sell, there are no undisclosed encumbrances, and they will defend the title against any challenge from any point in the chain. Standard residential sales in Longview use this deed type. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 transfers only what the grantor holds, without any promise about title quality. These appear in Longview deed records for estate transfers, family gifts, trust-related transactions, and corrective deeds.

Bargain and Sale Deeds under RCW 64.04.040 carry limited warranties covering only the grantor's period of ownership. Banks use these frequently after foreclosure. You will also find deeds of trust in Longview deed records. Washington uses these in place of traditional mortgages to secure home loans. When a loan is paid off, a reconveyance is recorded to release the lien. Both documents are part of every mortgaged property's recorded history at Cowlitz County.

Recording Requirements and Fees in Longview

Deeds submitted for recording in Cowlitz County must comply with Washington State formatting standards under RCW 65.04. The first page requires a three-inch top margin and one-inch margins on all other sides. All text must be in font no smaller than 8 points and dark enough to produce a legible image. The first page must include the document title, grantor and grantee names, a return address, an abbreviated legal description, and the Assessor's parcel number where applicable.

Standard deed recording fees in Washington are $303.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page under RCW Chapter 36.18. These fees apply in Cowlitz County the same as in every other county in the state. Documents that do not meet formatting standards may be returned or assessed a $50 emergency non-standard surcharge plus $1 for a cover sheet page. A Real Estate Excise Tax affidavit must accompany every deed to record. It states the sale price or grounds for any REET exemption.

Longview City Records and Resources

The City of Longview is a non-charter code city operating under Title 35A of the RCW. The City Clerk's office handles official city records including ordinances, resolutions, council meeting minutes, and the Longview Municipal Code. The clerk also responds to public records requests and accepts Tort Claims on behalf of the city. Contact the City Clerk at the Longview City offices or through the website at mylongview.com/587/City-Clerk.

The City of Longview's official website at mylongview.com provides access to city services, permit records, and public information that complements the property deed records at the Cowlitz County Auditor.

For building permits and development records tied to Longview properties, the Community Development department at mylongview.com/152/Community-Development maintains permit histories and project records. These city records are separate from deed records but can be valuable when researching the full history of a Longview property. City records are public under RCW 42.56, and the city responds to requests within five business days.

Cowlitz County Deed Records

Longview is in Cowlitz County, and the county auditor is the official keeper of all deed records for the city. For more about the Cowlitz County recording system and how to access property documents, visit the Cowlitz County deed records page.

View Cowlitz County Deed Records

Nearby Cities

Vancouver and Tacoma are larger Washington cities near Longview with their own county recording systems.