Washington Quitclaim Deed

Why People File a Quitclaim Deed in Klickitat County

Just Got Married

Newly married and updating who's on the title? That's exactly what a quitclaim deed is built for — a quick way to add your spouse's name to the property you already own.

Going Through a Divorce

Untangling ownership after a divorce usually comes down to one deed — this one — once you and your ex have settled who keeps the property.

Inherited Property

Inheriting a house doesn't automatically update the title — a quitclaim deed is usually how that final step gets handled.

Gifting to Family

Gifting a home to your kids or another family member? A quitclaim deed is how that gets recorded — no sale required.

About the Klickitat County Auditor's Office

Klickitat County runs along the Columbia River Gorge's Washington side, from White Salmon's orchard and outdoor-recreation economy up into Goldendale's high plateau ranch country. The Klickitat County Auditor's Office is where deeds get recorded regardless of which part of the county the property sits in — formatting it to Washington's rules beforehand avoids a wasted return visit.

Cities and Communities Served

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

Incorporated cities and towns: Goldendale (county seat, largest city), White Salmon, Bingen.

Unincorporated communities: Bickleton, Centerville, Dallesport, Glenwood, Klickitat, Lyle, Maryhill, Roosevelt, Trout Lake, Wishram, Appleton, Firwood, Husum, Wahkiacus, Blockhouse.

Klickitat County contains part of the Yakama Indian Reservation — the bulk of the reservation is in neighboring Yakima County, but a portion extends into Klickitat.

Roughly two-thirds of the county's population lives in unincorporated areas.

Office Details

Address: 205 S Columbus Ave, Room 203, Goldendale, WA 98620

Phone: (509) 773-4001  |  Fax: (509) 773-4244

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM for lunch)

Recording Fee: Set by state statute, not by Klickitat 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 Klickitat County Auditor's Office before filing.

Document Search: Online records search

Good to know before you go: The Treasurer's Office has to approve conveyance documents before the Auditor can record them — build that extra step into your timeline.

Official Website Get Directions

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 Goldendale? Washington allows remote online notarization through a commissioned electronic-records notary — you can notarize your Klickitat 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 Klickitat 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 Klickitat County Auditor's Office?

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

Filing? Get a Deed the Klickitat 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 Klickitat County Auditor's Office asks for.

Disclosure: affiliate links to Standard Legal, our partner — no extra cost to you.

You are not on the official Klickitat County government website. WashingtonQuitclaimDeed.com is a privately owned website and is not affiliated with any government agency.