Spokane Deed Records Search
Spokane deed records are filed with the Spokane County Recording Department, the official custodian of real property documents in Spokane County. When property in Spokane is sold, refinanced, or otherwise transferred, the deed gets recorded there and becomes part of the public record. You can search those records online through the county's index portal, visit the office in person, or request copies by mail or phone. This page explains how the system works, what to expect, and where to go for Spokane deed records.
Spokane Overview
Spokane County Recording Department
The Spokane County Recording Department is the official office for all Spokane deed records and property document filings. The department records real estate documents, liens, military discharges, maps, and surveys. It also issues marriage licenses, county business licenses, and process server licenses. For Spokane property research, the Recording Department is your primary source for deeds, deeds of trust, easements, and related instruments.
The office is located at 1116 West Broadway Ave. in Spokane. The phone number is (509) 477-2270. Walk-in access is available. Public computers in the office let you search the index and view documents without paying for copies first. Staff can assist with searches and copy requests. For documents that contain sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, images are not viewable online. You need to visit the office or make a written request to see those records.
| Office | Spokane County Recording Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 1116 West Broadway Ave. Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Phone | (509) 477-2270 |
| Online Index | recording.spokanecounty.org |
| County Website | spokanecounty.gov/Recording |
Searching Spokane Deed Records Online
The Spokane County Auditor's Public Record Index at recording.spokanecounty.org provides online access to the county's recorded document index. You can look up indexing information for all documents recorded in Spokane County. Due to privacy concerns, the number of published images is limited. Deeds of trust, for example, are not publicly viewable online because they often contain Social Security numbers. The index information is available for all documents, but images may require an in-person or mail request for certain document types.
Documents recorded before June 3, 1996 have a ten-digit recording number format. Documents after that date use a different numbering system. This is worth knowing when you are searching for older Spokane properties. If your search pulls up older records, the format of the document number can help you understand the approximate timeframe. For documents prior to the online system, you may need to request microfilm copies or visit the office in person to review the physical index books.
Maps, plats, and surveys are also available online through the county's system. These can be useful when researching lot boundaries or subdivision history for a Spokane parcel.
Spokane City Public Records
The City of Spokane maintains its own public records separate from deed records. The city uses an online Public Records portal powered by GovQA. Requests can also be emailed to clerks@spokanecity.org. The City Clerk acts as City Records Officer and is responsible for all city-level records. All records held by the city are available unless specifically exempted by law. The city responds to requests within five business days under RCW 42.56.
The Spokane city public records portal handles requests for city-generated documents such as permits, ordinances, and council records, separate from the county's deed recording system.
The City Clerk's office handles permits, ordinances, resolutions, and council actions. If you need city-level records about a Spokane property such as code enforcement history, permits, or zoning decisions, the city's public records system is the right place. Deed records are strictly a county function. The city does not record or maintain deeds.
Types of Deed Records in Spokane
Washington recognizes several deed types used in Spokane property transactions. Each one provides a different level of title protection for the buyer.
The Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the standard in most Spokane home sales. The seller makes full covenants and promises to defend the title. The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 limits the warranty to the seller's period of ownership. This form is common in REO and bank-owned sales. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 transfers whatever the grantor holds with no guarantees. People use this for family transfers, adding or removing a co-owner, and clearing title disputes.
Other recorded documents include deeds of trust (lender security instruments), reconveyances (filed when a loan is paid off), mechanic's liens (contractor claims), and easements (use rights granted to others). All of these are indexed in the Spokane County system. Copies are $1.00 per page for regular copies and $2.00 additional for certified copies.
Getting Copies of Spokane Deed Records
The City of Spokane's official website provides links to city services and directs users to the appropriate county resources for deed and property records.
Copies of Spokane County deed records are available in person, by mail, or by phone. The fee is $1.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies require an additional $2.00 charge. To request copies by mail, send the document number, your return address, and a check made payable to the Spokane County Auditor to the Recording Department at 1116 West Broadway Ave., Spokane, WA 99260. Phone requests can be placed by calling (509) 477-2270.
Walk-in visitors can use the public computers at the office to search the index and then request specific documents. For documents that are not viewable online due to privacy restrictions, staff can provide copies after reviewing the request. Recording fees for new documents are set by state statute under RCW 36.18. Fees vary by document type.
Note: Real estate excise tax is collected at time of recording and must accompany every deed before the Recording Department will accept it.
Spokane County Deed Records
Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County. All deed records for Spokane properties are maintained at the Spokane County Recording Department. The county page has more detail on the recording office, online search tools, fees, and resources available across the full Spokane County system.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Spokane and file deed records through their respective county recorders.