How to begin confirming legal ownership of a family parcel in Washington
This FAQ-style guide explains the first practical steps to identify the recorded owner of a piece of land that may have once belonged to a relative. It assumes no prior legal knowledge and focuses on Washington state procedures and public records.
Detailed answer — the single best first step
The most effective first step is a records search at the county level where the land is located: look for the deed and related recorded documents (chain of title) at the county auditor/recorder and the county assessor. Those public records typically show the current recorded owner, the history of transfers, and any liens, easements, or other encumbrances that affect ownership.
Why start with county records?
- Deeds and conveyance instruments are recorded locally and establish who is listed as the legal owner on the public record.
- The assessor’s records show the parcel number and the name used for property-tax billing, which helps find the correct parcel.
- Plats, surveys, easements, liens and mortgages are also recorded and help you verify the exact portion of land and any competing claims.
How to perform that initial records search
- Identify the county where the property sits. (If you do not know, use any address, street name, or the legal description you have to locate the parcel in online maps or assessor tools.)
- Visit the county auditor/recorder’s website and use their online document search if available. Search by parcel number, property address, or grantor/grantee (names of your grandfather or family members).
- Check the county assessor’s online property search for owner name, parcel number, and a map showing the parcel boundary.
- Pull the most recent deed(s) listed in the chain of title. Read the deed(s) to see how the property passed (sale, gift, probate transfer, survivorship, etc.).
- Look for related recorded documents: probate orders, court filings, quitclaim deeds, boundary line agreements, or recorded surveys and plats. These documents can explain transfers and boundary changes.
Statutes and official sources
Washington law requires recording of conveyances and sets out how local offices maintain records. For general statutory guidance on recording and conveyances, see the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) chapters covering conveyances and county auditor duties:
- Conveyances (recording of deeds and related instruments): RCW chapter 65.04
- County auditor duties and records: RCW chapter 36.22
- Plats and surveys (if the parcel is part of a recorded plat): RCW chapter 58.17
What you can expect to find
From the first records search you should learn:
- The current recorded owner name(s) and how title passed to them;
- Whether the property passed by deed, by probate, or by operation of law (for example, survivorship or joint tenancy);
- Any recorded liens, mortgages, or easements affecting the parcel; and
- Recorded surveys or plats that define the parcel boundaries.
When the public record does not give a clear answer
If the chain of title is incomplete, documents are ambiguous, or the parcel boundaries are in dispute, the next steps often include:
- Ordering a title report from a licensed title company to get a professional chain-of-title search and title opinion;
- Contacting the county superior court clerk to search probate records if you suspect the property passed through probate;
- Hiring a licensed surveyor if the portion in question depends on precise boundary lines; and
- Consulting a real estate attorney for complex title, boundary, or inheritance disputes.
Helpful Hints
- Start with basic documents you may already have: old deeds, the deceased’s will, trust documents, death certificate, and any mortgage or tax notices. These speed the search.
- If you don’t know the county, use online mapping tools or the assessor’s statewide search to locate the parcel by address or map coordinates.
- Use exact legal names when searching public records. Middle names, married names, and suffixes (Jr., Sr.) matter.
- Parcel (tax) numbers are the fastest search key in county systems—find them on tax bills or assessor listings.
- Be aware of recorded restrictions or easements that can affect how the land may be used, even if you hold title.
- Title companies charge a fee but provide a reliable title report; this is often the fastest way to get a clear chain of title if you are unfamiliar with record searching.
- If the matter involves potential disputes, adverse possession claims, or unclear transfers from decades ago, consult a real estate attorney early to preserve rights and evidence.