Washington Quitclaim Deed

Why People File a Quitclaim Deed in Clark County

Just Got Married

Adding your new spouse to the title after a wedding is one of the most common reasons people file here — it's a straightforward paperwork step, not a real estate transaction.

Going Through a Divorce

Divorce is one of the most common reasons people end up here — removing a former spouse from the title, once the settlement is final.

Inherited Property

Families dealing with an inherited property often end up here — a quitclaim deed can move title into an heir's name once the estate matters are settled.

Gifting to Family

Parents gifting property to their kids, or adding a family member to the title, typically use a quitclaim deed to make it official with the county.

About the Clark County Auditor's Office

Clark County is Washington's gateway on the Columbia River across from Portland, Oregon, with Vancouver anchoring one of the state's fastest-growing metro areas. The Clark County Auditor's Office processes recordings for the entire county — showing up with a deed that already satisfies Washington's formatting requirements saves everyone the back-and-forth.

Cities and Communities Served

Recording jurisdiction runs countywide, not by city limits — if the property sits anywhere within Clark County, this is the office that will accept the deed. That includes:

Incorporated cities and towns: Vancouver (county seat, largest city), Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Washougal, Yacolt.

Unincorporated communities: Amboy, Brush Prairie, Hazel Dell, Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Mill Plain.

Woodland is an incorporated city that sits mostly in neighboring Cowlitz County, straddling the Clark/Cowlitz line.

The federally recognized Cowlitz Indian Tribe's reservation (established 2015, later expanded) is physically located near La Center — in Clark County, not in neighboring Cowlitz County despite the tribal name.

Office Details

Address: 1300 Franklin St, 2nd Floor, Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone: (564) 397-2208  |  Fax: (564) 397-2137

Hours: In-person: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed Fridays for in-person recording); phone support Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Recording Fee: Set by state statute, not by Clark County individually — a flat amount per page rather than a percentage of the property's value, stacking the base recording fee with several state surcharges (RCW 36.18.010, RCW 36.22.250, RCW 36.22.185). This total has changed more than once in recent years, so confirm the current amount with the Clark County Auditor's Office before filing.

Document Search: Online records search

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How to File a Document

  1. Prepare Your Document: Make sure your deed meets Washington's formatting and content requirements before you file — RCW 65.04.045 sets specific margin, first-page, and legal-description rules.
  2. Get It Notarized: Have the document signed before a Washington notary public or other authorized official. No notary nearby in Vancouver? Washington allows remote online notarization through a commissioned electronic-records notary — you can notarize your Clark County deed online instead.
  3. Complete a Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit: Washington law requires a completed Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit (REETA) to accompany every deed submitted for recording — even a $0-consideration gift between family members still needs the affidavit filed with an exemption code.
  4. Record It: You can file in person at the Clark County Auditor's Office, or by mail.
  5. Pay the Recording Fee: A flat amount per page rather than a percentage of the property's value, set by state law — check with the county for the current figure.
  6. Keep Your Receipt: Your recorded document (or a certified copy) is your proof of filing.

Still Have Questions About Filing With the Clark County Auditor's Office?

Ask below and get an instant answer on Washington quitclaim deeds.

Filing? Get a Deed the Clark County Auditor's Office Will Accept

FREE generic forms are the most common reason Washington deeds get rejected — usually over formatting, the legal description, or notary acknowledgment.

Two ways to avoid that:

Download the form yourself $14.95 Have it prepared for you $39.95

Both are built to meet Washington's recording requirements, tailored to what the Clark County Auditor's Office asks for.

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