Moses Lake Deed Records
Moses Lake deed records are filed with the Grant County Auditor's Office, which serves as the official custodian of real property documents for all land in Grant County. When a property in Moses Lake is sold, transferred, or used as loan collateral, the deed gets recorded there and enters the public record. You can search those records online or by visiting the office in person. This page covers how to find deeds, what types are recorded, how to get copies, and what other resources are available for property research in Moses Lake.
Moses Lake Overview
Grant County Auditor for Moses Lake Deed Records
All deed records for Moses Lake properties are maintained by the Grant County Auditor's Office. The Auditor is the primary statutory authority for recording real property documents in Grant County. When a property in Moses Lake changes hands or a lender secures a loan against real estate, the deed or deed of trust must be recorded with the Grant County Auditor to be valid against third parties under Washington law. The office indexes and permanently stores these documents so anyone can look up ownership history or verify a property's chain of title.
The Grant County Auditor's core duties cover document recording, financial services, licensing, voter registration, and elections. Within recording, the Auditor handles deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, easements, and other real property instruments. Moses Lake is the county seat and largest city in Grant County, which means a large share of property transactions in the county flow through this office. Staff can guide you through the mail process for title transfers and help you locate specific recorded documents.
| Office | Grant County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 C Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823 |
| Phone | (509) 754-2011 |
| Website | grantcountywa.gov/Auditor |
Note: The Grant County Auditor's office is located in Ephrata, the county seat, about 18 miles from Moses Lake. Call ahead to confirm hours before making the trip.
Searching Moses Lake Deed Records
The Grant County Auditor provides online access to recorded documents so you can search Moses Lake deed records without leaving home. You can search by party name, document type, or recording date range. The index shows document type, recording date, and document number. From there you can pull up images for documents within the online date range. For older records that predate the digital system, you may need to visit the office in person or contact the Washington State Archives.
The Moses Lake City Clerk's Office is a separate office that handles city-generated records. The City Clerk serves as the Public Records Officer and manages records requests under state law. The Clerk also facilitates the recording of Annexations with Grant County and Washington State. That office does not maintain deed records for private property. All real property conveyance documents go to Grant County. If you need city permits, ordinances, or council records, the City Clerk is the right place to start.
The Moses Lake city website is a good starting point for city-level records, permit information, and contact details for the City Clerk and Public Records Officer.
For public records requests with the city, the Moses Lake Public Records Request portal encourages use of official forms. The city must respond in writing within five business days. There is no fee for inspecting public records. Printed copies run $0.15 per page for black and white. If you are searching deed records specifically, direct your request to Grant County, not the city.
Types of Deed Records in Moses Lake
Several deed types are used when property in Moses Lake is transferred. Each type carries a different level of protection for the buyer. The most common is the Statutory Warranty Deed, governed by RCW 64.04.030. This deed gives the buyer full covenants: the seller guarantees clear ownership and agrees to defend the title against all future claims. Most standard home sales in Moses Lake use this type.
The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 offers more limited warranties. The seller only guarantees against claims arising during their time of ownership. Banks and government agencies often use this deed after foreclosure. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 carries no warranties at all. It transfers whatever interest the grantor holds at the time of signing. This type is common in family transfers, divorce settlements, and situations where ownership needs clarification without a full sale.
Other recorded documents tied to Moses Lake properties include deeds of trust, which lenders record when a loan is secured by real estate. When the loan is paid off, a release or reconveyance is filed. Easements grant use rights to neighboring owners or utility companies. Liens record unpaid debts, contractor claims, or court judgments against a property. All of these are indexed and searchable through the Grant County system.
Recording and Copy Fees for Moses Lake Properties
Washington State sets recording fees under RCW Chapter 36.18 and related statutes. Recording a deed in Grant County costs $303.50 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page. A deed of trust runs $304.50 for the first page. These fees include state-mandated housing surcharges that fund affordable housing programs across Washington.
Documents that do not meet formatting standards under RCW 65.04 may be returned or assessed a $50 non-standard surcharge on top of regular fees. Copy fees for recorded documents run $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. You can request copies by mail, in person, or by phone depending on the county's current procedures.
Note: Real estate excise tax affidavits must accompany deeds at the time of recording. These documents declare the sale price or basis for any exemption claimed.
Public Access to Moses Lake Property Records
Deed records are public records under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. Anyone can search and view these documents without giving a reason. The Grant County Auditor cannot ask why you want to see a deed. This open access is a core feature of Washington's recording system and applies to all property documents filed in Grant County.
Walk-in access is available at the Grant County Auditor's office in Ephrata during business hours. Public computers let you search and view documents without needing to request copies in advance. Staff can help with the search tools and locate specific documents. Mail-in copy requests are accepted. Include the document number, your name and return address, and payment when you write in.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical land records that may go back further than the county's online system. For Moses Lake properties with older ownership histories, this is a useful backup. The Digital Archives allows free name-based searches across multiple record sets including land records, plats and surveys, and real property record cards from earlier eras.
The Washington State Digital Archives provides free online access to historical county-level land records, including older Grant County recordings that may not appear in the county's current digital system.
Grant County Deed Records
Moses Lake is located in Grant County. All deed records for Moses Lake properties are maintained at the Grant County Auditor's Office. The county page covers the recording office in more detail, including search tools and resources available across the full county system.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Moses Lake and also file deed records through their respective county recorders.