Find Deed Records in Olympia
Olympia deed records are filed with the Thurston County Auditor's Office, the official custodian of real property documents for all land in Thurston County. When property in Olympia is sold, refinanced, or transferred, the deed must be recorded with the Auditor to have legal effect under Washington law. You can search those records online using the county's document search portal, or visit the office in person on Pacific Avenue. This page explains the process, what fees apply, how to get copies, and what other resources are available for searching Olympia property records.
Olympia Overview
Thurston County Auditor for Olympia Deed Records
All deed records for Olympia properties are maintained by the Thurston County Auditor's Office. Olympia is both the county seat of Thurston County and the state capital of Washington, so the Auditor's office is conveniently located for residents of the city. The office records and indexes all real property instruments including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and surveys. Every document is permanently archived and publicly accessible.
The Thurston County Auditor provides both online index access and in-office copy services. Due to privacy concerns, only certain documents are viewable online, though the index data for all recorded documents is available through the online system. Staff at the office can provide photo copies and certified copies of any recorded document. The Auditor accepts phone orders, mail requests, and walk-in copy requests during regular business hours.
| Office | Thurston County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 Pacific Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98501 |
| Phone | (360) 786-5405 |
| Website | Thurston County Property Records Lookup |
| Copy Fees | Photo copies: $1.00 per page Certified copies: $3.00 first page, $1.00 each additional |
Note: Written copy requests can be mailed to Thurston County Auditor, Attn: Copy Request, 3000 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Include the document number and payment with your request.
How to Search Olympia Deed Records Online
The Thurston County Auditor offers an online document search system for researching Olympia deed records. The Thurston County Recorder's document search lets you look up indexed information for all recorded documents. Indexing information is available for all documents through this system. Because of privacy rules, the Auditor only publishes images for certain document types online. For documents where images are restricted, you will need to visit the office or submit a copy request to get the full document.
The online search at the county portal is free to use. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date range. Results show the document number, recording date, document type, and parties involved. You can then use that information to order a copy by phone at 360.786.5405 or by mail. For documents where images are available, you may be able to view them directly online without placing an order.
The City of Olympia's official website provides links to city-level permit records, public records requests, and information on how city departments connect to county deed record systems.
Phone orders are accepted at 360.786.5405 if you know the document number and want to request a copy without visiting the office. Staff can confirm what documents they have and provide cost estimates before you submit payment. This option works well if you already found a document in the online index but need a physical or certified copy for legal purposes.
Deed Record Types in Thurston County
Washington recognizes several types of deeds used in Olympia property transactions. The Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the standard form for residential sales. It gives the buyer full covenants, meaning the seller warrants clear title and promises to defend against future claims from any source. This is the type most buyers receive in a normal arms-length transaction.
The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 limits the seller's warranty to claims arising during their period of ownership. Government agencies and lenders often use this form. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 carries no warranties at all. It simply transfers whatever interest the grantor holds. Common uses include family transfers, divorce settlements, and adding or removing a person from title. All three types are indexed in the Thurston County system and accessible to the public.
Other documents recorded alongside deeds in Thurston County include deeds of trust for mortgage loans, reconveyances when loans are paid off, easements for utility or access rights, and liens of various kinds. The Thurston County Auditor indexes all of these instruments so they can be retrieved by party name or document number.
Recording Fees for Olympia Property Transactions
Washington State sets recording fees by statute under RCW Chapter 36.18. Recording a deed in Thurston County costs $303.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. A deed of trust runs $304.50 for the first page. These fees include state housing surcharges that fund affordable housing programs statewide. Documents that do not meet the formatting requirements in RCW 65.04 may be returned or assessed a $50 non-standard fee on top of the regular recording charge.
Copy fees at the Thurston County Auditor's office are $1.00 per page for standard photo copies and $3.00 for the first page of a certified copy, with $1.00 for each additional page. These rates apply whether you order in person, by phone, or by mail. Real estate excise tax affidavits must accompany all deeds at the time of recording. They become part of the permanent record and state the sale price or basis for any claimed exemption.
Public Access to Olympia Property Records
Deed records are public under RCW Chapter 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. Anyone can search and inspect these documents without providing a reason. The Thurston County Auditor cannot ask why you want to see a deed or what you plan to do with the information. This open access applies equally to homeowners, attorneys, journalists, investors, and any member of the public.
Walk-in access is available during business hours at 3000 Pacific Avenue SE in Olympia. Public terminals in the office let you search the index and view available documents. Staff can assist with the search tools. For documents not available online, you can request copies in person, by phone, or by mail. Social Security numbers and other sensitive identifiers are typically redacted from documents available online.
The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical Thurston County land records. For Olympia properties with older histories, this free resource allows name-based searches across land records, plats, surveys, and property card collections. It is especially useful when tracing ownership on properties that changed hands decades ago before the county's current digital system began.
Thurston County Deed Records
Olympia is the county seat of Thurston County. All deed records for Olympia properties are maintained at the Thurston County Auditor's Office. The county page has more detail on the recording office, online search tools, and resources available across the full Thurston County system.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Olympia and file deed records through their respective county recording offices.