Search Tacoma Deed Records

Tacoma deed records are maintained by the Pierce County Auditor's Office, which is located right in Tacoma since the city serves as the Pierce County seat. When property in Tacoma is sold, financed, or transferred, the deed or deed of trust is recorded there and becomes part of the permanent public record. The Pierce County recording system covers documents from 1984 to present and is searchable online. This page walks through how to find Tacoma deed records, what offices are involved, and how the city's own public records system works alongside the county recorder.

Pierce County Auditor's Office for Tacoma

Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County, and the Pierce County Auditor's Office records all documents affecting Tacoma real property. The Auditor serves as the official recording authority for all property-related documents in Pierce County. When a Tacoma property changes hands, the deed must be recorded here to protect the buyer's ownership rights and create a permanent public record of the transaction.

The Recording Department is located at 2401 S 35th St, Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409, just a few miles from downtown. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office handles a broad range of document types: warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, easements, liens, plats, surveys, and more. The online recording system at piercecountywa.gov/359/Recorded-Documents covers documents from 1984 to the present. Because Tacoma generates a large volume of property transactions as one of Washington's biggest cities, the county's recording system is well-organized and regularly updated.

Note: The Auditor's office is close to Tacoma's core and can be reached by public transit. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting for copy requests or in-person research.

Tacoma Public Records Office

The City of Tacoma has its own public records system that operates separately from the county recording system. The Tacoma Public Records Office ensures transparency by providing access to city records under RCW 42.56. The office runs an Online Public Records Request Center that allows you to submit requests, pay charges, and receive records digitally. This is the fastest way to get city-generated documents such as permits, council records, contracts, and city-owned property files.

The Tacoma Public Records Office manages city-level records requests and can direct you to Pierce County resources when you need deed records and property documents for Tacoma addresses.

Beginning August 1, 2025, the City of Tacoma implements charges for certain public records requests. For the fastest service, use the online portal. You can also mail requests to James Kauffman, Public Disclosure Officer, PO Box 11007, Tacoma, WA 98411, or email publicdisclosure@tacoma.gov. The phone number for public records is (253) 231-0240. City-generated records are different from deed records. For property conveyance documents, ownership histories, and other recorded real property instruments, the Pierce County Auditor is the right source.

The City of Tacoma's official website provides links to city services, public records, and planning resources that can support deed and property research for Tacoma properties.

How to Search Tacoma Deed Records

The main tool for searching Tacoma deed records is the Pierce County Auditor's online recording search. Documents from 1984 to present are in the system. You can search by party name, document type, parcel number, or recording date. The system returns a list of matching records showing the document type, recording date, and document number. From there, you can view index data and, in many cases, a digital image of the document.

For Tacoma properties with older histories, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov holds historical land records for Pierce County that predate the county's current online system. The Digital Archives includes land corner records, plats, surveys, and property documents going back well before the county recorder began digitizing its files. Name-based searches across multiple collections are available. If you are tracing ownership of a Tacoma property back several decades, the Digital Archives is worth checking.

Tacoma Planning and Development Services maintains permit and zoning records that can complement deed records research for Tacoma properties, providing additional context on land use and development history.

Real estate excise tax affidavits are recorded alongside every deed in Pierce County. These documents state the sale price or the reason for exemption when a Tacoma property is transferred. They are part of the public record and provide useful context when tracking a property's sale history. Under Washington law, no deed can be recorded without a completed excise tax affidavit, so these documents are a reliable part of the chain of title for any Tacoma parcel.

Tacoma Property Owner Alert Service

Tacoma property owners can sign up for Pierce County's free Owner Alert service. This service sends email notifications when documents are recorded using your name. It is designed to help detect fraudulent activity early. Deed fraud and home title theft can involve someone recording a fake deed to transfer ownership of your home without your knowledge or consent. The sooner you catch it, the easier it is to resolve.

The Owner Alert service is administered by the Pierce County Auditor's Office and is available at piercecountywa.gov/8573/Owner-Alert-Service. Sign-up is free for all Tacoma property owners. You will receive an email alert any time a document is recorded against your property using your name. The service does not prevent recording, but it gives you notice quickly. If you receive an alert for a document you did not authorize, contact the Pierce County Auditor and consult with a real estate attorney right away.

Note: The Owner Alert service is separate from the county's recorded document search. You can use both. Sign up for Owner Alert to protect your property going forward, and use the online search to review historical records tied to your parcel.

Deed Record Types for Tacoma Properties

Pierce County records a wide range of deed types for Tacoma properties. The type used in any given transaction depends on the circumstances of the transfer.

The Statutory Warranty Deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the standard deed in most Tacoma arm's-length sales. The seller guarantees clear title and promises to defend against future claims. The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 carries more limited warranties and is often used after foreclosure. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 conveys whatever interest the grantor holds with no covenants. It is used for transfers between family members, adding or removing a co-owner, and resolving ownership disputes. Pierce County also records Special Warranty Deeds, Sheriff's Deeds, Trustee's Deeds, Transfer on Death Deeds, and Tax Deeds, all of which appear in Tacoma property histories.

Other instruments recorded against Tacoma parcels include deeds of trust, which are the loan security documents lenders record when financing a property purchase. Full Reconveyances release those encumbrances when loans are paid. Easements grant specific use rights to neighboring owners or utility companies. Liens record claims for unpaid debts, contractor work, or court judgments. Notices of Trustee's Sale flag properties in the foreclosure process. All of these documents are indexed in the Pierce County system and are searchable through the county's online portal or in person at the Recording Department.

Pierce County Deed Records

Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County, and all deed records for Tacoma properties are maintained at the Pierce County Auditor's Office. The county page has more detail on the recording office, search tools, fees, and resources available across the full Pierce County system.

View Pierce County Deed Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Tacoma and also have deed records filed through their respective county recorders.