King County Recorder's Office
Why People File a Quitclaim Deed in King County
Just Got Married
Just got married and want your spouse's name on the title? A quitclaim deed is the standard way to add them — no sale, no mortgage payoff, just an updated deed on file with the county.
Going Through a Divorce
Going through a divorce and need an ex's name off the title? A quitclaim deed handles that cleanly, once your settlement or court order says who keeps the property.
Inherited Property
Inherited property from a family member? Depending on how the estate was handled, a quitclaim deed may be how ownership formally moves into your name.
Gifting to Family
Adding an adult child to the title, or gifting property to family outright? A quitclaim deed is the usual way to make that transfer official.
About the King County Recorder's Office
King County is Seattle and the dense Puget Sound urban core — by far Washington's most populous county, with dozens of incorporated cities and its own dedicated Recorder's Office rather than an Auditor handling the function. The King County Recorder's Office handles document recording for the entire county — come in with a deed that already meets Washington's formatting requirements, since getting it right the first time saves a trip back.
Cities and Communities Served
Recording jurisdiction runs countywide, not by city limits — if the property sits anywhere within King County, this is the office that will accept the deed. That includes:
Incorporated cities and towns: Seattle (county seat, largest city), Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, Federal Way, Kent, Auburn, Issaquah, Sammamish, Shoreline, Tukwila, Enumclaw, and roughly 30 other incorporated cities.
King County is Washington's most populous county by far and recording here is handled by a dedicated Recorder's Office rather than the Auditor — part of Records and Licensing Services under the Department of Executive Services.
Auburn, Bothell, Milton, and Pacific each extend partly into neighboring Pierce or Snohomish counties.
The Muckleshoot Indian Reservation (near Auburn) and the Snoqualmie Tribe's reservation (near Snoqualmie/Fall City) both lie within King County, governed separately from county jurisdiction.
Office Details
Address: 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 204, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 477-6620
Hours: In-person: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM weekdays (recording cutoff 3:30 PM); phone: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM weekdays
Recording Fee: Set by state statute, not by King 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 King County Recorder's Office before filing.
Document Search: Online records search
Good to know before you go: There's a drop box outside the building if you'd rather not go in; in-person payment is by check, cashier's check, or money order — no cash.
How to File a Document
- 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.
- Get It Notarized: Have the document signed before a Washington notary public or other authorized official. No notary nearby in Seattle? Washington allows remote online notarization through a commissioned electronic-records notary — you can notarize your King County deed online instead.
- 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.
- Record It: You can file in person at the King County Recorder's Office, or by mail.
- 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.
- Keep Your Receipt: Your recorded document (or a certified copy) is your proof of filing.
Still Have Questions About Filing With the King County Recorder's Office?
Ask below and get an instant answer on Washington quitclaim deeds.
Filing? Get a Deed the King County Recorder'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:
Both are built to meet Washington's recording requirements, tailored to what the King County Recorder's Office asks for.
Disclosure: affiliate links to Standard Legal, our partner — no extra cost to you.
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