Yakima Deed Records Database

Yakima deed records are maintained by the Yakima County Auditor, which serves as the official custodian of all recorded property documents in the county. When property in Yakima is sold, financed, or title is transferred in any way, the deed is recorded with the county and becomes a permanent public record. This page explains how to search Yakima deed records online, what research methods the county supports, what the city provides separately, and how to get copies of recorded documents tied to Yakima properties.

Yakima County Auditor Recording Office

The Yakima County Auditor is the custodian of all recorded documents in Yakima County. The significance of recording is to give notice to the public. Once a deed or other property document is recorded, it becomes a permanent record and is considered notice to the world of the ownership or encumbrance. Yakima County's online index goes back to mid-February 1997 for imaged documents. Documents prior to February 1997 are available on microfilm at the office.

The recording office accepts deeds, deeds of trust, easements, liens, plat maps, surveys, and a wide range of other real property documents. Yakima is the largest city in Yakima County and the county seat, so the volume of property transactions recorded here is significant. The Auditor indexes every document by the names of the grantor and grantee and by document type, making searches by name or parcel number straightforward through the county's online system. A Property Fraud Alert service is also available to help property owners monitor their records.

How to Research Yakima Deed Records

Yakima County supports four methods for accessing land record information. Each option suits different needs depending on how much you plan to search and whether you need copies. Free online search is available for deeds and easements with an index going back to 1985. This is the starting point for most Yakima deed records research and costs nothing to use.

The second option is Tapestry, which charges $8.95 per search and $1.00 per page for copies. This is a commercial service that provides faster or more detailed access than the free portal in some cases. The third option is Laredo Anywhere, a subscription-based system for high-volume users such as title companies that need to run many searches regularly. The fourth option is visiting the office in person, where you have unlimited searches and pay $1.00 per page for standard copies. Walk-in visitors can use public terminals on-site and ask staff for help with specific searches.

The City of Yakima's official website connects residents to city services, public records requests, and contact information for departments that handle property-related matters at the local level.

All four search methods give access to the same underlying county deed records. The choice comes down to convenience, volume, and cost. For a one-time search of a single Yakima property, the free online portal is almost always the right starting point. If you need certified copies for a legal matter, those are available in person or by mail from the recording office directly.

Yakima City Public Records and City Clerk

The City of Yakima handles public records separately from the county recording office. Under RCW 42.56, the City of Yakima provides access to public records through its Public Records Request Center. Requests can be submitted online. The City Clerk serves as the Public Records Officer. The city responds to requests within five business days. Records include City Council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other official documents.

Yakima's Community Development department manages building permits and planning applications, which can supplement deed records research when tracing a property's full development and ownership history.

For city-level records questions, the City Clerk's Office is the right contact at 509-575-6090. Deed records and property ownership documents are not held by the city. Those live with the Yakima County Auditor. The city handles ordinances, city contracts, permit files, zoning decisions, and council records. If you need records from both the city and county for the same property address, you'll need to contact each office separately.

Deed Types and Recording in Yakima

Several deed types can be used to convey property in Yakima. Each type reflects a different level of guarantee from the seller to the buyer.

The Statutory Warranty Deed, governed by RCW 64.04.030, is the most protective type and the most common in standard residential sales. The seller promises a clear title and agrees to defend the buyer against any claims that came before the sale. The Bargain and Sale Deed under RCW 64.04.040 limits the seller's warranty to the period of their own ownership. Banks often use this form after foreclosure. The Quitclaim Deed under RCW 64.04.050 transfers only what the grantor holds with no title guarantees at all. This type is common in family transfers, trust conveyances, and divorce settlements. All three types must be recorded with the Yakima County Auditor to be legally effective against third parties. Once recorded, they become part of the permanent public index and can be searched by anyone.

Real estate excise tax affidavits are filed alongside deeds at the time of recording. They state the sale price or an exemption reason. These documents are also part of the public record and are useful when tracing the sale price history of a Yakima property over time.

Note: Documents imaged from mid-February 1997 forward are viewable online. For deeds recorded before that date, a visit to the Yakima County Auditor's office is needed to access the microfilm records.

Yakima Property Fraud Alert Service

The Yakima County Auditor offers a Property Fraud Alert service that lets property owners sign up to receive notifications when a document is recorded using their name. This service is a free tool for Yakima residents who want to keep an eye on their property records and catch unauthorized filings early.

Deed fraud can happen when someone files a false document claiming ownership of a property or creating a lien against it. The open recording system makes it possible for anyone to file a document, which is why monitoring is important. The Auditor's Property Fraud Alert program does not prevent fraud from occurring, but it does send you notice quickly so you can take action. Yakima property owners, especially those whose properties are paid off and not monitored through regular mortgage statements, are encouraged to enroll. Contact the Yakima County Auditor's Recording Division at (509) 574-1400 to find out how to sign up.

Yakima County Deed Records

Yakima city is the county seat of Yakima County, and all deed records for properties in Yakima are filed with the Yakima County Auditor's Recording Division. The county page has more detail on the recording office, search methods, fees, and resources available across the full Yakima County system.

View Yakima County Deed Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Yakima and file deed records through their respective county recording offices.