Snohomish County Recorder: Search Deeds & Recorded Documents
If you searched for the Snohomish County Recorder, the office you actually need is the Snohomish County Auditor’s Recording Division. It records and maintains real-property documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, reconveyances, liens, leases, plats and surveys.
Use this guide to search the official records system, locate a deed, find recorded liens, order a certified copy, prepare a document for recording, check real-estate excise requirements and avoid being routed to the wrong county office.
Snohomish County Auditor – Recording Division.
Most recorded documents from July 1976 forward are available online.
A free search account has been required since March 2, 2026.
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; allow 30 minutes before closing.
What are you trying to find?
“Property records” can mean several different things. The quickest route is to identify whether you need a recorded legal document, an assessor parcel record, a tax account or a court record.
Use the Auditor Recording Division for deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, reconveyances and related recorded instruments.
Search walkthroughSearch Recording by party name, document type, parcel information or recording reference.
Search liensUse the Assessor when you need the parcel number, assessed value, property characteristics or current assessment record.
Use the Assessor firstFind the recorded document, then purchase a certified copy or request one from Recording.
Copy options and feesCheck formatting, fees and Treasurer excise review before submitting the document.
Recording stepsSearch recorded plats and surveys through Recording; use the legal-description search when appropriate.
Find plats and surveysHow to search Snohomish County deeds and recorded documents
Snohomish County’s online system covers recorded land records, plats, surveys and marriage records. The county states that most documents recorded since July 1976 are available online. Older records may require microfilm research or staff assistance.
Open Snohomish County Search Recorded Documents →
Open the recorded-document system →
What to do when the Snohomish County deed search returns nothing
A blank result does not necessarily mean the deed, lien or mortgage was never recorded. Recorded-document indexes depend on the way names, dates, parcel references and historical records were entered.
If you only know the street address
The recorded-document system is not primarily an address-search tool. First locate the parcel in the Snohomish County Assessor property search. Copy the parcel number and owner information, then return to Recording and search using those stronger identifiers.
If the document is older than July 1976
Visit the Recording customer service center or ask staff for help. The county states that pre-1976 records are available on microfilm. Significant staff-assisted searching, especially for older documents, may incur the county’s research fee.
How to get a Snohomish County deed copy or certified copy
You can obtain recorded-document copies online, by phone, by mail or in person. Choose a certified copy when an agency, lender, court, attorney or other recipient specifically requires an officially certified document.
Search the document, open the correct result, add it to the cart and choose certified or uncertified copies.
Call 425-388-3483. Recording staff can perform a search and arrange payment for requested copies.
Use the county copy-request process or visit the Customer Service Center in the Robert Drewel Building.
| Copy or service | County-listed fee | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Unofficial recorded-document copy | $1.00 per page | Research, review or personal files when certification is not required. |
| Certified recorded-document copy | $3.00 first page; $1.00 each additional page | When an official certified copy is required. |
| Staff record search | $8.00 per hour | Older records or searches requiring significant staff time. |
| 18 × 24 map copy | $5.00 first page; $3.00 each additional page of same survey or plat | Large-format recorded plats or surveys. |
For online purchases, Snohomish County lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and eCheck as accepted payment methods. Unofficial copies can be available immediately for download, while certified copies purchased online are mailed with the official seal; the county says certified copies are mailed within five business days.
How to search Snohomish County liens
The Recording Division maintains recorded liens and releases. A useful search usually combines the property owner’s name with document type, recording date, parcel ID or another known reference.
Open Snohomish County Assessor →
Open official Recording search →
Use the Assessor when you need property data, not the deed itself
The Snohomish County Assessor is the better starting point when you have only a property address or need parcel-level assessment information. Recording is the correct office when you need the actual legal document that was recorded.
| Your question | Correct office | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Who is shown on the assessment record? | Assessor | Search the property summary by address or parcel. |
| What deed was recorded? | Auditor – Recording | Search recorded documents. |
| What is the parcel number? | Assessor | Use the property-search or mapping tools. |
| Is there a recorded lien? | Auditor – Recording | Search the recorded-document index. |
| What is my property-tax balance? | Treasurer | Use the Treasurer’s property-tax system. |
| What is the assessed value? | Assessor | Open the current parcel record. |
| What permits exist for the property? | Planning / permitting authority | Use the county or applicable city permitting system. |
Where to find a Snohomish County plat or survey
Recorded plats and surveys are maintained through the Recording Division. These documents can be especially useful when researching subdivision lots, condominium records, easements, recorded boundary information and property dimensions.
If you do not know the subdivision, legal description or parcel number, first use the Assessor’s parcel tools. Then take that information into the recorded-document system and search the legal records.
A recorded plat or survey can be valuable evidence of how property was described or surveyed, but do not treat an online parcel map as a substitute for a licensed boundary survey when the exact legal location of a boundary matters.
How to record a deed or other document in Snohomish County
Recording a document is different from searching for one. The person submitting a deed, lien, release, easement or other instrument is responsible for preparing it correctly and paying the applicable recording and excise fees.
Open official Record a Document guide →
Review official formatting requirements →
Check the current county fee schedule →
Check documents requiring Treasurer review →
Review Snohomish County REET affidavit guidance →
Snohomish County recording fees
Recording fees are largely established by Washington law and can change. Snohomish County’s published schedule effective July 27, 2025 lists the following common amounts, which remained the county’s posted schedule when this guide was reviewed in October 2026.
| Document or service | Published fee | Possible additions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recorded document | $303.50 | $1.00 each additional page or side; additional titles or references may add substantial fees. |
| Deed of Trust | $304.50 | $1.00 each additional page or side. |
| Assignment of Deed of Trust / certain trustee changes | $301.00 | Additional pages, titles or reference-number charges may apply. |
| Government, water, sewer or wage lien/release | Certain listed categories $18.00 | $1.00 for each additional qualifying page or side. |
| Emergency non-standard cover sheet | $50.00 additional | Added to normal recording fees when eligible margin defects are handled with the required cover sheet. |
Real estate excise tax review before recording a deed
One of the most common reasons a deed cannot move directly to Recording is the real estate excise process. Snohomish County states that conveyance-type documents—including deeds, easements and transfer-on-death deeds—must be reviewed by the Treasurer’s Office to determine whether real estate excise tax is due.
The Recording Division cannot record the conveyance until the required excise tax has been paid to the Treasurer.
The transfer still may require the applicable affidavit, supporting documentation and Treasurer review establishing the exemption.
The county’s Excise Tax Division lists hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which are shorter than Recording’s posted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours. If you plan to complete both steps in person, schedule your visit around the Treasurer’s shorter counter hours.
Sign up for Snohomish County recorded-document notifications
Property owners who want an extra layer of awareness can use Snohomish County’s free Recorded Document Notification System. The service can send an email when a document matching a registered name or parcel number is recorded.
Open Assessor property search →
Open Recorded Document Notifications →
Snohomish County Recording office address, hours and contact details
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Robert Drewel Building, First Floor
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 388-3483
Fax: (425) 388-3094
Email: recording@snoco.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
The county asks customers to allow approximately 30 minutes to complete transactions before closing.
3000 Rockefeller Avenue
Mail Stop (M/S) 204
Everett, WA 98201
For mailed recording submissions, use the exact fee and payment method required by the county. For mailed copy requests, follow the separate recorded-document copy instructions.
Open the official Recording Division page →Which search should you use? Common Snohomish County scenarios
Search Recording by your name or parcel ID, verify the deed and recording date, then order an unofficial or certified copy depending on your need.
Use the Assessor property search first. Copy the parcel number and owner name, then continue to the recorded-document search.
Search the borrower/owner and review later reconveyance, release or satisfaction records associated with the original deed of trust or mortgage.
Search recorded subdivision plats or surveys. Use legal-description information from the Assessor record to narrow the search.
Review document formatting, current fees, REET affidavit requirements and Treasurer excise review before submitting the deed to Recording.
Ask the recipient whether an unofficial image is sufficient or whether they require a certified copy bearing the county’s certification.
Snohomish County Recorder FAQs
Is there a Snohomish County Recorder office?
The function people commonly call the Snohomish County Recorder is performed by the Snohomish County Auditor’s Recording Division. It records deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, leases, plats, surveys and other land records.
Can I search Snohomish County deeds online?
Yes. Use the county’s official recorded-document search page. Most documents recorded since July 1976 are available online. A free account has been required since March 2, 2026.
What can I search by?
The official system provides searches by name, document type, recording number or ARN, recording date, parcel ID, book and page, and legal description. Use the strongest identifier you already know.
How do I get a copy of my Snohomish County deed?
Find the deed in the official recorded-document search, open the correct result and choose the copy option. You may also request copies by phone, mail or in person through the Recording Division.
How much is an unofficial or certified recorded-document copy?
Snohomish County currently lists unofficial recorded-document copies at $1 per page. Certified copies are $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Check the official copy-fee page before ordering.
How do I find liens on a Snohomish County property?
Search the Recording Division’s official system using the owner name, parcel ID and appropriate document types. Review both the original lien and any later release or satisfaction. For a transaction where lien priority or complete title status matters, use qualified title or legal assistance.
Where can I find older Snohomish County deed records?
The county says most records from July 1976 forward are online. Documents recorded before 1976 are available through microfilm research at the Customer Service Center, and staff can assist with older searches.
Does a deed have to go through the Snohomish County Treasurer first?
Many conveyance-type documents do. Deeds, easements, transfer-on-death deeds and other listed instruments require Treasurer review to determine whether real estate excise tax is due before Recording can accept the document. Use the county’s official review list.
Can Recording staff prepare my deed?
No. County staff can explain recording procedures and filing requirements, but preparation of a deed and decisions about vesting, ownership rights, legal effect or title strategy are legal matters. Consider a Washington real-estate attorney or title professional when those issues matter.
What is the Snohomish County Recording phone number?
Call (425) 388-3483. The office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Robert Drewel Building, First Floor, Everett, WA 98201.
Start with Recording for deeds, liens and official land documents
For a deed, mortgage, lien, reconveyance, easement, plat, survey or other recorded land document, the correct Snohomish County office is the Auditor’s Recording Division. Start with the official online search, use the Assessor first when you only know an address, and verify the document’s parties, recording date, type and reference number before ordering a copy.
If you are filing a new deed, do not skip the pre-recording checks. Review the county’s formatting rules, current recording fee schedule and Treasurer real-estate excise requirements before signing, mailing or visiting the office. That preparation can prevent a rejected filing or an unnecessary second trip to the Everett campus.