Puyallup Deed Records Search

Puyallup deed records are filed and maintained by the Pierce County Auditor's Office, which serves as the official recorder of real property documents for all of Pierce County. When property in Puyallup is sold, refinanced, or transferred, the deed must be recorded with the Auditor to take legal effect. You can search those records online through the county's portal or access parcel and property information through city and county tools. This page explains how the deed recording system works for Puyallup, what types of documents are filed, and how to get copies of what you need.

Pierce County Auditor for Puyallup Deed Records

All deed records for Puyallup properties are maintained by the Pierce County Auditor's Office. The Auditor is the statutory custodian of real property documents under Washington law. When a Puyallup property changes hands or a lender records a deed of trust, that document is filed with the Auditor and permanently indexed. The Auditor's recording system covers all deed types, liens, easements, plats, and surveys for the entire county including Puyallup.

Puyallup is one of the larger cities in Pierce County and sits southeast of Tacoma. The Pierce County Auditor's office handles a high volume of recordings and maintains both an online search system and an in-office public access area. Staff can assist with searches and copy requests. For recorded documents, the Auditor is the primary resource. The Assessor-Treasurer handles property value and sales data as a companion resource. The two offices together cover most of what you need for thorough Puyallup property research.

Note: The Pierce County Auditor is in Tacoma, about 12 miles from central Puyallup. Online searches are available anytime. In-person visits should be planned during business hours.

Searching Puyallup Property and Deed Records

The City of Puyallup provides a helpful Parcel and Property Information page that links directly to the key resources for Puyallup property research. The Assessor-Treasurer's website provides property value and sales information. The Pierce County Auditor's website provides access to recorded documents including plats and easements. Zoning information is available through a request for a Zoning Verification Letter. Interactive web maps let you search by address or parcel number and show zoning, critical areas, and other relevant overlays.

The Puyallup Parcel and Property Information page links to county deed records, Assessor data, zoning resources, and interactive maps useful for researching Puyallup properties.

For direct deed record searches, use the Pierce County online recorded documents system. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date range. The system shows index data and links to document images for many document types. For documents where images are restricted, you will need to visit the Auditor's office in Tacoma or submit a copy request by mail or phone.

The official Puyallup city website provides links to city-level permits, public records requests, and the parcel information tools that connect Puyallup residents to county deed record systems.

Historical Puyallup Deed Records at State Archives

For Puyallup properties with older ownership histories, the Washington State Digital Archives holds Pierce County land records indexes from 1984 to 2014. These records relate primarily to property transactions and include the full range of deed types recorded with the Pierce County Auditor during that period. Document types covered include deeds, deeds of trust, easements, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, quitclaim deeds, and many other instruments. The collection is searchable by party name and is free to access online.

This archive is useful when you need to trace a property's chain of title further back than the county's current online system covers. It can also fill gaps in records that may not be indexed in the county's primary portal. For Puyallup properties that changed hands in the late 1980s through early 2000s, the Digital Archives collection is a valuable complement to the county's main recording system.

Note: The Digital Archives collection covers indexes only. Full document images may require ordering from the Pierce County Auditor or visiting the State Archives in person.

Types of Deed Records for Puyallup Properties

Washington recognizes several deed types for property transfers in Puyallup. 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 against all future claims. Most buyers in normal Puyallup property transactions receive this type of deed.

The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 carries no warranties and is used in family transfers, divorce situations, and trust conveyances. Deeds of trust are the mortgage instruments recorded when a lender finances a Puyallup property purchase. When the loan is paid off, a reconveyance releases the deed of trust from the title. Easements record use rights to neighboring land or utilities. All of these document types are indexed in the Pierce County system and searchable by party name or document type.

Recording Fees for Puyallup Properties

Washington recording fees are established under RCW Chapter 36.18. Recording a deed in Pierce 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. Documents not meeting formatting standards under RCW 65.04 may face a $50 non-standard surcharge. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.

Pierce County Deed Records

Puyallup is located in Pierce County. All deed records for Puyallup properties are maintained at the Pierce County Auditor's Office in Tacoma. The county page has more detail on the recording office, online search tools, and resources available across the full Pierce County system.

View Pierce County Deed Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Puyallup and also file deed records through Pierce County or neighboring county recording offices.