Pullman Deed Records
Pullman deed records are filed with the Whitman County Auditor's Office in Colfax, which serves as the official custodian of real property documents for all land in Whitman County. When a Pullman property is sold, refinanced, or transferred, the deed must be recorded with the Auditor to be legally effective under Washington law. You can search those records online through the county's public recording search portal or by visiting the Colfax office in person. This page explains how to find Pullman deed records, what the online system covers, and what options exist for older historical documents.
Pullman Overview
Whitman County Auditor for Pullman Deed Records
All deed records for Pullman properties are maintained by the Whitman County Auditor's Office in Colfax. The Auditor is the statutory custodian of real property documents for Whitman County. Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County and home to Washington State University. Property transactions in Pullman including home sales, deed of trust recordings, and lien filings all go through the Whitman County Auditor. The office maintains a permanent index of all recorded documents dating back many decades.
The Whitman County Auditor's recording office maintains documents for deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, surveys, and other real property instruments. The county's online recording search system provides a public login for searching indexed document summaries. To purchase or view full documents, users must register with the system. For documents filed before 1982, they are not yet available online and must be accessed in digital format at the Auditor's office or physically inspected at the Washington State Archives in Cheney.
| Office | Whitman County Auditor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 N Main Street Colfax, WA 99111 |
| Phone | (509) 397-4622 |
| Website | Whitman County Recording Searches |
| Staff Search Fee | $8.00 per hour for staff search time |
Note: The Whitman County Auditor is in Colfax, about 22 miles from Pullman. If you cannot visit in person, use the online search system or contact the office by phone to arrange a copy request.
How to Search Pullman Deed Records Online
The Whitman County Auditor provides a public website for searching recorded documents. The Whitman County Recording Searches portal offers a Public Login that lets you view a summary of searched documents without registering. To purchase or view full document images, registration is required. The public login is useful for getting index information like document type, recording date, parties, and document number before deciding whether to order a copy.
Historical documents filed before 1982 are not available through the online system. For pre-1982 Pullman deed records, you have two options. The first is visiting the Whitman County Auditor's office in Colfax, where older documents are accessible in digital format on site. The second is visiting the Washington State Archives at the Cheney office, which holds physical copies of older Whitman County recording documents. Both resources are available to the public during normal business hours.
The City of Pullman's official website provides access to city-level services and can direct you to Whitman County resources for deed record searches and property document requests.
For Pullman properties, you can also use the Whitman County Assessor's data alongside deed records for a more complete picture. The Assessor determines the value of all taxable real and personal property in Whitman County and is required by Washington State law to assess at 100% of market value. Annual revaluation means all properties are reviewed each year. The Pullman Tax Code Area 13 has its own levy rate. If you appeal an assessment, the window is 30 days from the date printed on the notice, per the Assessor's office guidelines.
Deed Record Types for Pullman Properties
Washington law recognizes several deed types used in Pullman real estate transactions. The Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the standard in residential sales. It gives the buyer full covenants and maximum title protection. The seller warrants clear ownership and agrees to defend all future claims. This is the deed most buyers in arm's-length transactions receive.
The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 limits the seller's warranty to claims arising during their period of ownership. It is often used after foreclosure sales. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 carries no warranties at all. It passes whatever interest the grantor holds at signing. Family transfers, divorce-related changes, and trust conveyances commonly use quitclaim deeds.
Deeds of trust are the mortgage instruments used in Pullman when a lender secures a loan against real property. Reconveyances release the deed of trust when the loan is paid off. Easements record use rights to neighboring land or utilities. Liens document financial claims against a property. All of these are indexed in the Whitman County system and part of the permanent public record.
Whitman County Assessor for Pullman Property Values
The Whitman County Assessor's Office works alongside the Auditor as a key resource for Pullman property research. The Assessor's primary job is to determine the value of all taxable real and personal property in the county. Washington requires assessed values at 100% of market value. The annual revaluation cycle means all properties are reviewed each year, not just on a periodic schedule.
For Pullman properties, the Assessor assigns values and maintains property characteristic data including lot size, building size, year built, and recent sales. The appeal window is 30 days from the date on the notice if you disagree with an assessed value. Contact the Assessor at (509) 397-6220 for questions about valuation or to request records from that office.
Note: Deed records and assessor records are separate systems. The Auditor holds title and conveyance documents. The Assessor holds valuation and tax-related records. Use both for thorough Pullman property research.
Recording and Copy Fees in Whitman County
Washington recording fees are set under RCW Chapter 36.18. Recording a deed in Whitman 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. Documents not meeting the formatting requirements of RCW 65.04 may face a $50 non-standard surcharge.
For staff-assisted record searches, the Whitman County Auditor charges $8.00 per hour. This fee applies when staff must search for a document on your behalf rather than you using the self-service online system. Copy fees run $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Real estate excise tax affidavits must accompany deeds at recording under Washington law.
Whitman County Deed Records
Pullman is in Whitman County. All deed records for Pullman properties are maintained at the Whitman County Auditor's Office in Colfax. The county page has more detail on the recording office, search tools, and resources available across the full Whitman County system.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Pullman and file deed records through their respective county recording offices.