Pierce County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Pierce County in 2026
PierceRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Pierce County, Washington. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, recorded documents, assessed values, tax information, and parcel details. Available record categories may include deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, tax assessments, and transfer histories. Access and completeness of records depend on the originating government agency and the nature of the request.
Property records in Pierce County are maintained by several distinct government offices, each responsible for a specific category of information. Members of the public may search these records through official online portals, in-person visits to county offices, written mail requests, or through licensed professionals such as title companies and real estate attorneys.
Online Search Methods:
1. Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Website
The Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer serves as the primary resource for property valuation, ownership, and tax information. The Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer property search portal provides free public access with no registration required.
Members of the public may search by:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number (the most reliable search method)
- GIS map location
Information available through this portal includes:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Legal description and parcel ID
- Land use and zoning classification
- Square footage, year built, lot size, and building type
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location and aerial photography
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Parcel & Property Information portal on the Pierce County official website
- Select a search type — address, owner name, or parcel number
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned by the system
- Select a specific parcel to view the full property card
- Access linked maps, sales history, and assessment data
- Print or save the information as needed
2. Pierce County Auditor — Recorded Documents Search
The Pierce County Auditor's office maintains the official record of all documents affecting real property. The recorded documents search portal allows members of the public to search for recorded instruments at no charge for basic searches.
Searchable criteria include:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
Documents available through this system include:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents and declarations
How to Search:
- Access the Recorded Documents portal through the Pierce County Auditor's website
- Select the appropriate search type (grantor, grantee, document type, or instrument number)
- Enter the search criteria and submit
- Review the list of returned results
- Select a document to view the image (fees may apply for certified copies)
- Note the instrument number or recording date for future reference
Certified copies may be purchased online using a credit or debit card. Requests submitted by check or money order, or requests for photocopies, may be submitted by mail to the Auditor's office.
3. Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer — Tax Information
Tax payment status, outstanding balances, and delinquency information are available through the same Assessor-Treasurer portal used for property valuation. Members of the public may search by property address, owner name, parcel number, or tax account number.
Information available includes:
- Current tax bill and payment status
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances and delinquency records
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates by taxing authority
- Installment plan status
4. Pierce County GIS Mapping System
Pierce County maintains an interactive GIS mapping system that allows visual property searches. Members of the public may navigate the map to a specific location, click on a parcel, and access linked property information including boundaries, zoning layers, flood zones, and aerial photography.
In-Person Searches:
Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
2401 S. 35th St., Room 142
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-6111
Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption applications.
Pierce County Auditor — Recording Division
2401 S. 35th St., Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-7440
Pierce County Auditor
Services available in person include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, and accessing record books with staff assistance.
By Mail Requests:
Requests for certified copies of recorded documents may be submitted by mail to the Pierce County Auditor's Recording Division at 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409. Requestors should specify the document by instrument number, recording date range, or property address, and include payment for applicable copy fees. Certified copies require an additional certification fee.
Requests for property assessment information may be directed to the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer at the same building address. Requestors should include the property address or parcel number and a return envelope.
Through Professionals:
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches, prepare abstracts of title, and issue title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership issues or disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties and pull comparable sales histories as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
When searching by address, members of the public should use the complete street address and try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W). When searching by owner name, attempting the last name first and checking spelling variations — including business names versus individual names — improves results. For historical records not available online, an in-person visit to the courthouse or a written request to the Auditor's office is required, as older records may exist only in bound books or microfilm format.
What Is Pierce County Property Records
Property records in Pierce County are official documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices as legal records of ownership, transactions, and encumbrances. These records are essential for establishing clear title and are accessible to any member of the public under Washington State law.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records include all forms of deeds — warranty, quitclaim, and special warranty — as well as title documents, transfer records, chain of title history, life estate deeds, and trust documents affecting real property.
Encumbrance Records include mortgages and deeds of trust, tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, restrictions and covenants, homeowner association documents, and lis pendens notices.
Tax and Assessment Records include property tax assessments, tax bills and payment history, exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, and others), millage rates, special assessments, and tax delinquency records.
Legal Descriptions include plat maps, surveys, subdivision plats, lot and block information, metes and bounds descriptions, and condominium declarations.
Building and Permit Records include building permits, certificates of occupancy, code violations, zoning information, and land use designations maintained by the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department.
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Pierce County Auditor's Recording Division maintains official recorded documents — deeds, mortgages, liens, and all instruments affecting title — pursuant to RCW 65.08, Washington's property recording statute. The Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer maintains property valuations, assessment records, ownership information, and exemption applications. The Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department maintains permits, zoning records, and code enforcement files.
As stated in Washington's recording statutes, § 65.08.070 RCW establishes that every conveyance of real property not recorded is void against any subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith and for valuable consideration whose conveyance is first duly recorded. This constructive notice principle underlies the entire public records system for property in Washington State.
Are Property Records Public Information in Pierce County?
Property records in Pierce County are public information. Under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, all government records are presumed open to public inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. No special permission, stated reason, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.
Legal Basis for Public Access:
Washington's Public Records Act establishes a broad right of public access to government-held information. The state's recording statutes further require that all instruments affecting real property be indexed and made available for public inspection. This centuries-old tradition of public land records serves the commercial, legal, and civic functions of the real estate marketplace.
Why Property Records Are Public:
- Transparency: The public has a recognized right to know who owns real property, enabling accountability in property taxation and preventing fraudulent or secret transfers.
- Commercial Purposes: Real estate transactions, title searches, title insurance, property appraisals, lending, and market analysis all depend on open access to property records.
- Legal Protections: Public recording establishes constructive notice, protects against fraudulent transfers, records the priority of competing interests, and enables enforcement of property rights.
- Public Interest: Tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical research, genealogical research, and journalistic investigation all rely on access to property records.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Deeds and all recorded documents
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Certain personal information is protected even within public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under state and federal law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence or stalking victims — may request address confidentiality protection under Washington's Address Confidentiality Program. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully public; members of the public should contact the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer for specific policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any person may access property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of public property records — including real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance, investment analysis, and market research — is permitted under Washington law. Commercial data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile public records into subscription databases. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern how information may be used regardless of its public nature.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Pierce County?
Members of the public may inspect property records online at no charge through the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer and Auditor portals. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested.
Current Fee Schedule — Pierce County Auditor Recording Division:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $3.00 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $1.00 |
| Online document viewing/download | Varies by document |
| Recording a new document (first page) | $203.50 |
| Recording (each additional page) | $1.00 |
Fees for recording documents are governed by RCW 36.18.010, which establishes the schedule of fees the county auditor may charge for recording, indexing, and providing copies of official records.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Credit or debit card (for online purchases)
- Check or money order payable to Pierce County Auditor (for mail requests)
- Cash (for in-person requests)
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online viewing of property assessment data through the Assessor-Treasurer portal
- Basic online search of recorded document indexes through the Auditor's portal
- GIS mapping and parcel boundary information
- Tax payment status and history
Fee waiver provisions are not broadly available for property record requests. Agencies, nonprofit organizations, or researchers with specific statutory entitlements should contact the relevant office directly to inquire about applicable provisions.
What's Included in a Pierce County Property Record
A complete Pierce County property record draws from multiple county databases and may include the following categories of information.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, or corporation), acquisition date, deed instrument number, and mailing address for tax billing. Previous ownership records provide the chain of title, including prior owners' names, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by a unique parcel ID number, site address, legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, or metes and bounds), and tax account number. Condominium units carry additional unit-specific identifiers.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, frontage, zoning classification, and land use designation. Building information includes total living area, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and additional features such as garages, pools, fireplaces, and heating and cooling systems.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, market value estimate, and historical assessed values for prior years. Agricultural classification values are recorded separately where applicable.
Tax Information:
Tax records include the current year's total tax amount, taxable value after exemptions, millage rate, breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, city, and special districts), payment status, and tax payment history. Exemptions applied — including homestead, senior, disability, veteran, and agricultural exemptions — are listed with their effective dates.
Sales History:
Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, or gift), grantor and grantee names, deed instrument numbers, and qualified or unqualified sale designations.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, code enforcement liens, easements, restrictions and covenants, and lis pendens notices are all part of the official property record. Original recorded amounts and recording dates are available; current outstanding balances are not reflected in public records.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, special district assignments (school, fire, water), deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, flood zone designation (FEMA), and wetlands or conservation area designations are included where applicable.
Maps and Images:
Property records may include exterior photographs, aerial imagery, GIS maps with parcel boundaries, plat maps, and property sketches or floor plans.
What Is Not Typically in Public Property Records:
- Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Social Security numbers (redacted)
- Private agreements not recorded with the Auditor
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Pierce County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Pierce County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting real property — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and all other documents in the chain of title — are never destroyed. This permanent retention is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for establishing clear title to real property.
Legal Basis for Retention:
Washington State's records retention schedules, administered by the Washington State Archives, require permanent retention of all recorded instruments affecting real property. The Pierce County Auditor's Recording Division maintains these records in compliance with state retention requirements. The necessity of an unbroken chain of title from original land grant to present owner makes permanent preservation essential.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- All recorded easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- All powers of attorney affecting property
- All court documents affecting title
- Assessment rolls and property cards (Assessor-Treasurer)
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the early twentieth century exist in handwritten or typed ledger books. Mid-century records are preserved on microfilm. Records from recent decades are maintained as digital scans in electronic document management systems with off-site backup and disaster recovery protocols. The Pierce County Auditor's office stores original books in climate-controlled vault storage.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online; immediate access |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | Partially online; microfilm available in person |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; staff retrieval required |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
The Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer maintains current and historical assessment records permanently. Assessment rolls and property cards are preserved indefinitely. Online property cards display assessment history for recent years; historical assessments for earlier periods are available at the Assessor-Treasurer office.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under standard retention schedules. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution. Permanent tax deed sale records are maintained by the Pierce County Auditor.
Building Permit Records:
Building permit records are maintained by the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department. Permits for major construction are retained permanently; minor permits may be retained for shorter periods depending on the applicable retention schedule.
Accessing Historical Records:
Members of the public seeking records older than those available online should contact the Pierce County Auditor's Recording Division directly. Requests should specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Staff can retrieve records from vault storage or microfilm archives, with retrieval times ranging from same-day to several business days depending on the age and format of the record.
Pierce County Auditor — Recording Division
2401 S. 35th St., Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-7440
Pierce County Auditor
Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
2401 S. 35th St., Room 142
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-6111
Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
Washington State Archives — Puget Sound Regional Branch
1129 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: (360) 586-1492
Washington State Archives
How To Find Liens on Property in Pierce County?
Liens on property in Pierce County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Pierce County Auditor's Recording Division. Members of the public may search for liens through several official channels.
Step-by-Step Search Process:
- Access the Recorded Documents search portal on the Pierce County Auditor's website
- Select "Grantee" or "Grantor" search and enter the property owner's name, or search by document type
- Filter results by document type — select "Lien," "Judgment Lien," "Tax Lien," "Mechanic's Lien," or the specific lien category sought
- Review the list of returned instruments for the relevant property owner or parcel
- Select individual documents to view the recorded image
- Note the instrument number, recording date, lien amount, and lienholder for each result
Types of Liens Searchable Through the Auditor's Portal:
- Federal tax liens: Filed by the Internal Revenue Service against a taxpayer's property; searchable by taxpayer name through the Auditor's recorded documents index
- State tax liens: Filed by the Washington State Department of Revenue for unpaid state taxes
- Judgment liens: Recorded by creditors following a court judgment; searchable by judgment debtor name
- Mechanic's liens: Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work under RCW 60.04, Washington's lien law
- HOA liens: Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Code enforcement liens: Filed by Pierce County for unpaid code violation penalties
Additional Search Resources:
Federal tax liens filed by the IRS are searchable through the Pierce County Auditor's index and may also be verified through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation. State tax liens may be cross-referenced through the Washington State Department of Revenue. Judgment liens originating from court proceedings may be verified through the Pierce County Superior Court case management system.
In-Person Lien Searches:
Members of the public may conduct lien searches in person at the Pierce County Auditor's Recording Division. Staff can assist with searches of the grantor/grantee index and provide access to record books and microfilm for older liens not available online.
Pierce County Auditor — Recording Division
2401 S. 35th St., Room 200
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-7440
Pierce County Auditor
Title companies conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title insurance process and identify all recorded interests — including liens that may not appear in a basic name search due to indexing variations or spelling discrepancies.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Pierce County?
The property owner rule in Pierce County refers to the body of Washington State law and local regulations that govern who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and obligations attach to property ownership within the county.
Establishing Ownership:
Under Washington law, ownership of real property is established through a recorded deed. Pursuant to RCW 65.08.070, a conveyance of real property is not effective against subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith unless the deed is duly recorded with the Pierce County Auditor. Recording provides constructive notice to the world of the ownership interest.
Forms of Ownership Recognized in Pierce County:
Washington State recognizes several forms of property ownership, each with distinct legal implications:
- Sole ownership: A single individual holds title in their name alone
- Joint tenancy: Two or more persons hold equal shares with right of survivorship; upon the death of one joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant(s) automatically acquire the deceased's interest
- Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death rather than to the co-owners
- Community property: Washington is a community property state under RCW 26.16; property acquired during marriage is presumed to be community property owned equally by both spouses, with limited exceptions for gifts and inheritances
- Trust ownership: Property held in a revocable or irrevocable trust, with the trustee holding legal title on behalf of the beneficiaries
- Entity ownership: LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and other legal entities may hold title to real property in Washington
Community Property Rules:
Washington's community property laws have significant implications for property ownership in Pierce County. Both spouses must join in any conveyance or encumbrance of community real property. A deed signed by only one spouse does not effectively transfer community property. Upon dissolution of marriage, community property is subject to equitable division by the court.
Eligibility to Own Property:
Washington State does not impose residency requirements for property ownership. Foreign nationals and out-of-state residents may own real property in Pierce County. Certain federal restrictions may apply to agricultural land ownership by foreign nationals under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, but these restrictions do not affect the vast majority of residential and commercial property transactions.
Property Owner Obligations in Pierce County:
Property owners in Pierce County are subject to the following obligations:
- Payment of annual property taxes assessed by the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer
- Compliance with Pierce County zoning and land use regulations administered by the Planning and Public Works Department
- Compliance with building codes for any construction or renovation
- Maintenance of property in compliance with code enforcement standards
- Payment of any applicable HOA assessments where the property is subject to a homeowner association declaration
Adverse Possession:
Washington State recognizes adverse possession as a means of acquiring title to real property. Under Washington law, a person who openly, notoriously, continuously, and exclusively occupies another's property under a claim of right for a period of ten years may petition the court for title. Adverse possession claims are adjudicated through the Pierce County Superior Court and, if successful, result in a court order that is recorded with the Pierce County Auditor to establish title.
Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department
2401 S. 35th St.
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 798-7037
Pierce County Planning and Public Works
Pierce County Superior Court
930 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 798-7487
Pierce County Superior Court