Washoe County NV Recorder: Deeds, Records & Official Search

Washoe County, Nevada · deeds, liens, maps and recorded documents

Washoe County Recorder: Search Deeds & Official Records

If you landed here because you need a Washoe County deed, lien, deed of trust, reconveyance, homestead, map or other recorded document, the Washoe County Recorder is the office that preserves those records. The fastest route is usually to identify the correct owner or parcel first, then search the Recorder’s official index for the recorded instrument.

This guide explains exactly which official system to use, how to search it, what to do when an address produces no result, how to obtain plain or certified copies, what current recording fees apply, and when your question actually belongs with the Assessor or Treasurer instead.

Important: the Recorder is not the property-address search office. A deed is indexed primarily as a recorded document involving named parties. If all you have is a street address, start with the Washoe County Assessor real-property search, obtain the owner name and APN, then continue to the Recorder.
Official Recorder Kalie M. Work
Online index Real-estate records from November 1991 forward
Online images Available from August 16, 1999 forward
General recording fee $43 per document
Office hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PT
Start with your actual task

Which Washoe County office or record do you really need?

“Property records” can mean several different things. Using the correct office first can eliminate a great deal of searching.

Deed or recorded ownership document

Use the Recorder for deeds, quitclaim deeds, liens, releases, deeds of trust, reconveyances and other recorded instruments.

Search steps
Owner, street address or APN

Use the Assessor to identify the parcel, assessed property information and current assessment-record owner.

Address-search route
Property tax bill or payment

Use the Treasurer when you need tax balances, bills, payments or delinquent-property-tax information.

Open Treasurer
Parcel, subdivision or survey map

The Recorder maintains recorded maps, while County GIS and Assessor mapping can help locate the parcel geographically.

Open mapping resources
Certified document copy

Order through the Recorder when the receiving agency, court, lender or other institution requires certification.

Copy options
Record a new deed or document

Review formatting, fees, notarization and transfer-tax requirements before presenting the document.

Recording checklist

Washoe County deed and record guide

Jump directly to the task you need to complete.

When you only know the property

How to find a Washoe County deed from a street address

A street address is often what a homeowner or buyer knows, but it is not the strongest key for the Recorder’s grantor/grantee index. Use the Assessor as a bridge between the address and recorded deed.

Open the Washoe County Assessor real-property search Open official Assessor property search
Search the situs address Select the appropriate search method and locate the correct parcel. Confirm the street address rather than relying only on a similar owner name.
Write down the owner and APN Record the displayed owner name, Assessor’s Parcel Number and any useful last-document or sale information.
Move to the Recorder search Use the owner name in the official Recorder portal. Search near the expected acquisition or transaction date.
Cross-check the deed against the parcel Open the image and compare legal-description or APN information, parties and dates before treating it as the deed for the property.
About APN searches: Washoe County has a dedicated APN-search feature in its Recorder system, but the Recorder warns that APN indexing is not complete. APNs were not historically indexed on every document and are not required on every recording. A name-and-date search is therefore an important second check even when an APN search works.
Read the Recorder’s APN-search explanation
Avoid the wrong document

How to verify that a Recorder result is the deed you need

Fields to check before relying on a recorded deed
Field What it tells you What to verify
Document type Identifies whether the instrument is a grant deed, quitclaim deed, deed of trust, reconveyance, lien or another record. Make sure you are reading an ownership instrument if ownership is your question.
Grantor The party conveying or granting the interest. Compare the seller or prior owner.
Grantee The party receiving the conveyed interest. Compare the buyer, trust or current-owner chain you expect.
Recording date Date the instrument entered the official county record. It may be later than the signature or closing date.
Document number Unique recorded-instrument identifier. Save this number; it is usually the easiest way to retrieve the same record again.
Legal description / APN Helps connect the document to the intended real property. Compare against your Assessor parcel data and other known documents.
A recorded deed is not the same thing as a complete title search. The Recorder makes public recorded instruments available, but the office does not perform a title search for you. A title search may require examining an ownership chain, liens, encumbrances, easements and other documents together. The Recorder directs people seeking that service to a title company.
Troubleshooting

What to do when you cannot find the deed or record

Try fewer name terms

Search the surname first. A middle initial, suffix, punctuation mark or trust wording may differ from what you expect.

Search both sides of the transaction

If the grantee is unclear, search the known seller or grantor. For a later document, search a borrower, trustee or lender where appropriate.

Expand the date window

The signing, closing and recording dates can be different. Search several weeks or months around the date you know.

Verify the current owner first

Use the Assessor property search to confirm the parcel and the exact owner wording before returning to the Recorder.

Do not depend on APN alone

The Recorder states that its APN index can never be complete because parcel numbers were not historically required or indexed on every document.

Check whether the record predates the online index

Index information before November 1991 is maintained in older formats rather than the same modern online database.

If the transaction should exist but you still cannot locate it, contact the Recorder with the names of the parties, approximate recording year and any document number or APN you have. The office does not conduct a full search for customers, but staff can explain access to its records.
Copies and certification

How to get a copy of a Washoe County deed

Decide first whether you merely need to read the deed or whether an organization has specifically requested a certified copy.

Washoe County Recorder real-estate copy options
Copy type Typical use Current Recorder charge
Online watermarked image Research, reviewing a deed, checking parties or legal description No copy charge to view or print through the self-service system
Plain document copy When an unwatermarked copy is needed but certification is not required $1 per page
Certified document copy When a court, agency, financial institution or other recipient requires an official certification $1 per page plus $4 certification fee

Micro steps for ordering a copy

  1. Search the official Recorder database.
  2. Open the correct instrument and save its document number.
  3. Determine whether you need an unofficial image, plain copy or certified copy.
  4. Follow the ordering option shown by the Recorder system or use the County’s documented phone/mail process.
  5. For questions about copy requests, call the Recorder at 775-328-3660.
Washoe County also offers digitally certified recorded documents. The County says digitally certified copies can be sent as PDF files. Its current information directs customers to order these by phone or mail.
Review digital certified-copy instructions  ·  Verify a digitally certified document
Current published charges

Washoe County Recorder fees

Fees depend on what you are recording or ordering. For deeds and common official-record questions, these are the most useful published charges to know.

Selected Washoe County Recorder fees
Service Published fee
General document recording $43 per document
Notice of Default recording $293 per document
Parcel map $35
Survey map $35
Subdivision / tract map $68
Document copy $1 per page
Certification $4 per certification in addition to copy cost
Real Property Transfer Tax $2.05 for each $500 of value or fraction thereof when applicable

Verify the amount immediately before recording because the document type can change the total. See the official current fee schedule.

The Recorder accepts cash, check, money order/cashier’s check and major credit cards for applicable transactions. The County states that credit or debit card payments are subject to a 3.5% processing fee.
Before submitting a new document

Washoe County deed and document recording checklist

Recording a deed is different from searching for one. The Recorder records documents that meet statutory requirements but cannot tell you which deed or legal form you should use or prepare the document for you.

Use the appropriate recordable document type.
Use legible black text on suitable white paper.
Use 8½ × 11-inch paper for documents subject to the standard requirements.
Leave the required recording space at the upper-right of the first page.
Include required side, top and bottom margins.
Include the grantee or requesting party’s mailing address where required.
Include the APN on instruments for which Nevada law requires it.
Type or legibly print names beneath original signatures where required.
Properly acknowledge documents affecting real-property title.
Include a return name and address on the face of the document.
Prepare the Declaration of Value for a title transfer when required.
Confirm the correct recording fee and any applicable transfer tax.
No notary or legal-document preparation at the Recorder’s Office. Washoe County states that Recorder personnel cannot practice law, select forms for you, advise how to complete them or provide notary services.

Before submitting a document, compare it with the County’s complete General Recording Requirements and check the official Recorder forms page.

Can you record electronically?

Yes. Washoe County supports eRecording through approved submission providers. The County reports that a large majority of its documents are now recorded electronically. eRecording is a delivery method; it does not replace the underlying legal, formatting, fee or tax requirements for the document.

View approved eRecording options and instructions.

Deeds transferring title

Washoe County Real Property Transfer Tax and Declaration of Value

Nevada imposes Real Property Transfer Tax on many transfers of real property. The Washoe County Recorder collects the tax at recording. The County’s published Washoe County rate is $2.05 for each $500 of value or fraction thereof.

Documents transferring title must generally be accompanied by a completed Declaration of Value so the applicable transfer tax or exemption can be identified.

Get the current Declaration of Value form Washoe County announced that beginning January 1, 2026 it accepts the updated version containing the new Section 2b for Property Tax Abatement.
Open current Recorder forms
List the affected APN or APNs Use the Assessor search if you need to confirm a parcel number before completing the form.
Enter the transaction value correctly The calculation can depend on sale price, taxable value, a prior purchase, percentage interest transferred or other transaction facts.
Identify a statutory exemption when applicable Nevada law contains specific transfer-tax exemptions. Certain exemptions can require supporting documentation.
Submit the Declaration with the deed The declaration is imaged with the accompanying deed as part of the recording process.
Historical records

How to research Washoe County deeds older than the online database

Do not assume an older deed is missing simply because it does not appear in a modern online search. Washoe County states that online recorded real-estate indexing is available from November 1991 forward. Indexing information before that period is maintained in older book or microfiche formats.

For historical research, prepare as much of the following as possible before contacting or visiting the Recorder:

Full name of at least one owner or party
Approximate transaction year
Property location
APN if known
Subdivision or legal-description clues
Any book, page or document reference from another instrument

Washoe County also maintains indexes for recorded subdivision maps, parcel maps, surveys, land divisions and corner records. Historical property research often becomes easier when a later deed references an earlier document number, book/page or recorded map.

Free monitoring tool

Sign up for Washoe County recording notifications

Property owners can use the Recorder’s Recording Notification Service to receive an email when a new recorded document matches enrolled information.

Open the official notification portal Go to Washoe County Recording Notification Service
Register the email address you want to monitor Complete the account or subscription process shown by the County.
Add name variations The County permits up to five name variations per registered email address. Consider legitimate versions in which your name could be indexed.
Add parcel numbers You may also monitor up to five parcel numbers. Washoe County recommends monitoring both name variations and APNs because neither method by itself captures every possible recording.
Inspect any alert promptly The email provides an instrument number. Search that number in the Recorder database to determine what was recorded.
The notification service is a courtesy alert, not a guarantee that every document affecting a property will be detected. If an alert shows a document you believe is fraudulent, review the instrument and contact appropriate law-enforcement or legal resources promptly.
Commonly confused offices

Recorder vs. Assessor vs. Treasurer in Washoe County

Send your question to the office that controls the record
Need Correct office Best starting point
Deed, lien, deed of trust, reconveyance or recorded instrument Washoe County Recorder Official records search
Property owner display, APN, situs address, assessment data Washoe County Assessor Real Property Assessment Data
Property-tax bill, payment or tax balance Washoe County Treasurer Treasurer’s Office
Recorded subdivision, parcel or survey map Recorder / County mapping resources Recorder Mapping
Official contact information

Washoe County Recorder office, hours and contact details

Washoe County Recorder

Kalie M. Work, County Recorder

1001 E. Ninth Street
Building A, Rooms 140/150
Reno, NV 89512

Phone: 775-328-3660

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time, except legal holidays

General email: record@washoecounty.gov

For real-estate recording and related questions, the Recorder’s published fee page also lists 775-328-3661. If your question concerns a specific recording requirement or transfer-tax issue, having the document type, APN and transaction facts available before calling can make the conversation more productive.
Frequently asked questions

Washoe County Recorder FAQs

Where do I search Washoe County deeds online?

Use the Washoe County Recorder’s official Document Search and Copies system at icris.washoecounty.us/ssrecorder/. Search Official Records using a party name, document number, date information or other available index fields.

Can I search a Washoe County deed by street address?

The Recorder index is not primarily an address database. If you only know the address, search the Washoe County Assessor first to identify the owner and APN, then use that information to research Recorder documents.

Can I search Recorder records by APN?

The Recorder provides an APN field in its official-record search and has worked to add parcel-number indexing. However, the County explicitly warns that APN indexing is incomplete because APNs were not historically indexed or required on every document. Verify important research with a party-name and date search as well.

How far back do Washoe County Recorder records go online?

Washoe County states that online real-estate indexing is available from November 1991 to the present. Online document images are available from August 16, 1999 forward. Earlier index information is maintained in book or microfiche formats.

How much does a copy of a Washoe County deed cost?

The Recorder publishes a document-copy price of $1 per page. Certification adds $4 per certification. Unofficial watermarked real-estate images can be viewed or printed through the self-service portal without a copy charge.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Washoe County?

The Recorder’s general document recording fee is currently $43 per document. A deed transferring real property can also involve Real Property Transfer Tax or other requirements, so check the current official fee schedule before submission.

What is the Washoe County real-property transfer-tax rate?

Washoe County publishes a rate of $2.05 per $500 of value or fraction thereof when the transfer is taxable. Nevada law provides exemptions for qualifying transfers. Review the Recorder’s transfer-tax guidance rather than assuming that every deed is taxed the same way.

Does the Recorder determine who legally owns a property?

The Recorder maintains and provides access to recorded documents. Its index and images are essential title-research sources, but the Recorder does not conduct a complete title search or give a legal opinion about ownership. Complex ownership or title questions may require a title company or qualified legal professional.

Can the Recorder prepare a deed or tell me which deed form to use?

No. Washoe County states that Recorder staff cannot practice law, choose forms for customers or advise people how to prepare legal documents. The office provides certain official forms, but deeds and other legal instruments may require independent professional assistance.

How can I receive an alert if a new document is recorded on my property?

Register with the County’s Recording Notification Service. You can monitor name variations and parcel numbers and receive an email when a matching document is recorded. The County describes the service as a courtesy rather than a guarantee that every relevant filing will be detected.

Practical bottom line

The fastest way to complete a Washoe County Recorder search

If you know the party name or recorded-document number, start directly with the Washoe County Recorder. If you only know an address, first use the Assessor to obtain the exact owner name and APN. Then search the Recorder around the probable transaction date, open the actual recorded image, and verify the parties, instrument type and property information before ordering a copy.

Use a free watermarked image when you simply need to inspect a document. Order a plain or certified copy only when your situation requires it. If you are recording a new deed, review the County’s current recording requirements, Declaration of Value instructions, transfer-tax rules and fee schedule before submitting the document.

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