Snohomish County Deed Records
Snohomish County deed records are maintained by the County Auditor's recording division in Everett. The Auditor's office serves as the official repository for all recorded real estate documents in the county, with records dating back to 1871. To search Snohomish County deed records, you can use the Landmark Web online search system, visit the office at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett, or request copies by mail or email. The county also offers a free recorded document notification service that alerts property owners when a document containing their name or parcel number is filed.
Snohomish County Overview
Snohomish County Auditor Recording Division
The Snohomish County Auditor's office is the official repository for recorded documents dating back to 1871. The recording division is primarily responsible for recording real property transactions including deeds, deeds of trust, reconveyances, mortgages, contracts, liens, and leases. The division also records plats and surveys. The Auditor certifies copies by applying two stamps: the County Auditor seal and a certification stamp signed by a Deputy Auditor.
The office is located in the Robert Drewel Building at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue on the Snohomish County campus in Everett. Public counter hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Note that hours for the public counter differ slightly from standard county office hours, so plan your visit accordingly. The recording staff can be reached by email at Recording@snoco.org. They respond to emails within two business days.
Beginning March 2, 2026, a free account will be required to access the recorded documents search system online. If you plan to use the online search tool after that date, register for an account ahead of time to avoid any access interruption. The Auditor's website has information on how to register.
| Office | Snohomish County Auditor - Recording Division |
|---|---|
| Address |
3000 Rockefeller Avenue Robert Drewel Building, First Floor Everett, WA 98201 |
| Phone | (425) 388-3483 |
| Fax | (425) 388-3094 |
| Recording@snoco.org | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (allow 30 minutes before closing for transactions) |
| Website | snohomishcountywa.gov/Recording |
Search Snohomish County Deed Records
Snohomish County provides online access to its recorded documents through the Landmark Web Official Records Search system. You can search by party name, document type, recording date, or document number. The system covers deed records and other instruments going back through the county's digital records period. The Snohomish County recorded documents search page links to this tool directly. Starting March 2026, a free account will be needed to search online, so register early if you plan to use this tool regularly.
The Snohomish County recorded documents search tool lets you look up deed records, deeds of trust, liens, and other property instruments by name, document type, or date from any computer.
In-person research is available at the recording division's public counter in Everett. Staff can help with complex searches and document retrieval. Bring the grantor or grantee name and an approximate recording date. For certified copies, you can request them at the counter. Snohomish County certifies copies with both the County Auditor seal and a Deputy Auditor certification stamp, which is the standard used across all Washington counties for official certified copies.
For historical deed research, the Auditor's office is the official repository for documents going back to 1871. The office also maintains digital archives with scanned images of all recorded documents. Document research assistance is available for complex historical searches. If you need to trace ownership back through many decades, contact the recording staff for help. Additional resources for historical land records include the Washington State Digital Archives and the Puget Sound Regional Branch of the State Archives.
Mail requests are also accepted. Email the recording division or call (425) 388-3483 to inquire about what to include in your request. The office responds to emails within two business days. Include the document number or party names, approximate date, and payment for copy fees with any written request.
Snohomish County Recording Fee Schedule
Snohomish County recording fees are set by the Washington State Legislature and are uniform across all counties. The current standard recording fee is $303.50 for the first page of a deed, plus $1.00 for each additional page. This rate has been in effect since November 2024. A deed of trust costs $304.50 for the first page. These fees are established through RCW Chapters 36.18 and 36.22.
The fee breakdown for Snohomish County includes $9.00 for state and local historical preservation, $10.24 for local recording functions, and $184.26 for state and local affordable housing, totaling $203.50 in base fees before the Covenant Homeownership surcharge of $100. The combined amount reaches the $303.50 first-page fee. These surcharges fund affordable housing programs and the Covenant Homeownership Account, which provides down-payment assistance across the state.
Assignment of deed of trust fees increased to $301.00 for the first page effective July 27, 2025. This is a significant change from the prior rate. Multiple transaction documents cost $303.50 for the first transaction title, $303.50 for each additional transaction title, and $1.00 per page. Each additional owner's name beyond the first incurs an additional $1.00 fee under Snohomish County Code Chapter 4.32.010.
The emergency nonstandard fee for documents requiring a cover sheet due to format non-compliance is $50.00 in addition to normal recording fees. Search fees for pre-1976 documents or when significant staff time is required are $8.00 per hour. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for regular copies. Certified copies of marriage certificates are $3.00 each. Copy of recorded maps costs $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page of the same survey or plat.
Types of Deed Records in Snohomish County
Snohomish County deed records include all instruments that create, transfer, or affect interests in real property within the county. Deeds are the most common. Washington uses three main deed forms. Statutory warranty deeds under RCW 64.04.030 provide the most protection, with the grantor warranting title against all claims going back beyond their ownership. Bargain and sale deeds under RCW 64.04.040 limit the warranty to the period the grantor owned the property. Quitclaim deeds under RCW 64.04.050 carry no warranty at all and transfer only whatever interest the grantor may hold.
The recording division also handles deeds of trust, which serve as mortgages in Washington. When a property loan is paid off, a reconveyance releases the lender's security interest. Real estate contracts, also called land contracts, allow buyers to take possession before the seller releases title. Easements, CC&Rs, and other restrictions on land use must be recorded to bind future owners. Liens for unpaid obligations, including mechanic's liens and judgment liens, must be in the public record to affect the title of a property going forward.
UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings are also handled at the Snohomish County Auditor's office. These filings record security interests in personal property and are distinct from real estate deed records, but they go through the same recording division. Military discharge recording is also available at no charge. Plats, surveys, and boundary line adjustments are recorded and stored for long-term public access.
Online Tools and Fraud Alert System
The Snohomish County Recorded Document Notification System is a free subscription service that sends email alerts when a document containing your name or parcel number is recorded. This helps property owners stay aware of activity affecting their property. The system generates an email disclosure with details of the recorded document and a link to view it in the county's public access system. The county notes that the service does not guarantee protection against fraud, but it does provide notice that lets you act quickly if something unexpected appears.
The Snohomish County Document Notification System sends free email alerts to property owners whenever a deed or other recorded document is filed under their name or parcel number, providing an early warning of any unexpected recording activity.
The Snohomish County recording page has all the links you need for recording, copy requests, and online search access. The recording division also provides information on formatting requirements, eRecording options, and marriage license services from the same page.
The Snohomish County Auditor's office at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett serves as the official repository for deed records and property documents going back to 1871, with digital archives covering all recorded documents.
The Snohomish County recording division page provides access to recording guidelines, fee schedules, eRecording information, and links to the online recorded documents search system for deed research.
Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 guarantees public access to all recorded documents maintained by county auditors. You do not need to give a reason to request deed records in Snohomish County. The county must respond to records requests within five business days. Online search provides immediate access to the index and most document images without requiring a formal request.
Cities in Snohomish County
Snohomish County includes many communities in the Puget Sound region north of King County. All deed records and property documents are filed with the Snohomish County Auditor in Everett.
Nearby Counties
Snohomish County sits between King County and Skagit County along the Puget Sound. If your property is near a county line, check the correct county before searching deed records.