Search Skamania County Deed Records

Skamania County deed records are kept by the County Auditor in Stevenson. The Auditor's recording division handles all real estate documents for the county, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, surveys, and plat maps. Documents are available for online search or in-person review at the courthouse in Stevenson. The Skamania County Auditor also offers a property recording alert service that sends email notifications when your name or parcel number appears in a newly recorded document. This page explains how to find and access Skamania County deed records.

Skamania County Auditor Recording Division

The Skamania County Auditor's recording division is responsible for recording real estate documents, liens, military discharges (DD-214s), maps, and surveys for the county. As in all Washington counties, the Auditor serves as the custodian of recorded documents under RCW 36.22. Once a document is recorded in Skamania County, it becomes a permanent part of the public record. That record gives legal notice to the world of what was recorded and when.

The recording office is in Stevenson. Documents received by mail are returned to the submitter approximately 7 to 10 days after recording. If you need a document back quickly, consider submitting in person. The office does not provide blank deed forms or other legal forms for recording. Staff cannot provide legal advice. If you need help preparing a deed or other property instrument, consult a licensed attorney or title company.

The Skamania County Auditor has updated its fee schedule effective July 27, 2025. Any documents recorded on or after that date are subject to the new rates. Contact the office at 509-427-3730 or email the Recording Manager for questions about the current fee schedule or recording procedures before submitting documents.

How to Find Skamania County Deed Records

Skamania County deed records can be accessed online through the county's document search tool. The online system allows you to search for recorded instruments without visiting Stevenson. Search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date. This is the most convenient option for checking current records or verifying that a deed was recorded.

In-person searches are available at the Auditor's office during regular business hours. Public computers are set up in the office for visitors to search the index and view document images. If you need help finding a specific deed, staff can assist. Bring the names of the parties and a general time range. For records requests by telephone, the office also handles document requests over the phone. Call 509-427-3730 to inquire about a specific record before making the trip to Stevenson.

For historical deed research in Skamania County, the Washington State Digital Archives maintains a collection of land records from the county. The Digital Archives is searchable online and covers indexed documents going back many years. If you cannot find what you need through the county's online system, the Digital Archives is a good next step.

The Washington State Digital Archives holds indexed land records from Skamania County, providing an additional online resource for researching historical deed records and property document history.

Copy requests can also be submitted by mail. Write to the Skamania County Auditor in Stevenson, include the document number or party names and approximate recording date, and include payment for copy fees. Documents mailed in for recording are sent back within 7 to 10 days after they are processed. The same general timeline applies to mail copy requests.

Skamania County Deed Recording Fees

Recording fees in Skamania County follow the statewide schedule set by the Washington State Legislature. The current fee to record a standard deed is $303.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. A deed of trust costs $304.50 for the first page. These fees apply to all Washington counties and are set through RCW Chapter 36.18. The fee includes housing surcharges that support affordable housing programs statewide.

The fee schedule changed effective July 27, 2025. Documents recorded on or after that date use the new schedule. One significant change involves assignments, appointments, resignations, and substitutions of deeds of trust, which now cost $301.00 for the first page. This is a major increase from the previous rate for those instruments. Anyone handling lender documents in Skamania County should verify the current fee before submitting.

A $50 nonstandard document fee applies when a cover sheet is needed because the document does not meet format requirements. Documents must have a 3-inch top margin on the first page, 1-inch margins on all other sides, at least 8-point font, and must be legible and free of stapled or glued attachments. The first page must include the document title, grantor and grantee names, legal description, and assessor's parcel number. Get this right before submitting to avoid the extra fee and the delay of having the document returned.

Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page for uncertified copies. Certified copies are slightly more. Military discharge papers (DD-214s) are recorded at no cost. Real estate excise tax must also be paid before a deed for a sale can be recorded. The Auditor collects this tax as part of the recording process.

Property Documents Recorded in Skamania County

Skamania County deed records include all instruments that affect real property in the county. Deeds transfer ownership. Washington has three main deed types. A statutory warranty deed under RCW 64.04.030 is the most protective for buyers. The grantor warrants title and promises to defend against claims going back beyond the current ownership period. Bargain and sale deeds under RCW 64.04.040 limit the warranty to encumbrances created during the grantor's ownership. Quitclaim deeds under RCW 64.04.050 carry no warranty and simply transfer whatever interest the grantor may have.

Deeds of trust secure real estate loans. When a loan is paid off, a reconveyance is recorded to release the security interest. Liens for unpaid work, taxes, or judgments must also be recorded to be effective against subsequent purchasers. Any lien that is not on record does not affect a buyer who purchases the property without knowledge of it. Easements, which give parties the right to use another's land for specific purposes, must also be recorded to bind future owners.

Note that the Skamania County Auditor currently does not accept eRecordings for several document types. Specifically, documents that require a real estate excise tax affidavit, easements, surveys, short plats, subdivisions, death certificates, and boundary line adjustments cannot be submitted electronically. Those documents must be delivered in person or by mail.

Online Access and Property Alert Service

Skamania County offers both online records search and a property recording alert service. The alert service notifies you by email when any document containing your name or parcel number is recorded. This is a free service offered to property owners. It is not a guarantee against fraud, but it gives you notice so you can check what was recorded and decide if action is needed. Contact the Auditor's office to sign up for the alert service.

The Washington State Archives maintains historical land records from counties across the state, including Skamania County, and provides regional branch access for researchers who need older deed records not available online.

Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 governs access to recorded documents. Deed records kept by county auditors are public records. Anyone can request them. No statement of purpose is required, and the county must respond to a public records request within five business days. Online access through the county's search tool is immediate and does not require a formal request for most searches.

The Washington State Digital Archives provides online access to historical land records from Washington counties including Skamania, offering a searchable database of indexed and imaged property documents.

For documents that carry restricted images due to personal identifiers, you can still view them on public computers at the Auditor's office. Most deed records are fully viewable online through the county's search system. If you encounter a document where the image is not available, contact the recording division staff for help accessing the physical record.

Cities in Skamania County

Skamania County includes Stevenson (the county seat), North Bonneville, and several smaller unincorporated communities along the Columbia River Gorge. All deed records for properties in the county are recorded with the Skamania County Auditor in Stevenson. None of these communities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Skamania County is in southwest Washington along the Columbia River. Check adjacent counties if your property is near a county border.