Grant County Public Records /Grant County Property Records

Grant County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Grant County in 2026

GrantCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Grant County. Members of the public may find ownership history, recorded deeds, tax assessments, liens, mortgage documents, and parcel data through this resource. Record categories available for research include:

Ownership and transfer records
Tax assessment and payment history
Recorded encumbrances and liens
Plat maps and legal descriptions
Building permit and zoning information

Property records in Grant County may be searched through several official channels, including online databases maintained by the County Assessor, the County Clerk and Recorder, and the County Treasurer. Each office maintains distinct record sets, and members of the public are encouraged to consult multiple sources for a complete property profile.

Online Search Methods

1. Grant County Assessor Website

The Grant County Assessor maintains the primary database for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access this resource at no cost and without registration through the Grant County Assessor's Office.

Search Options:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel ID number
By subdivision or plat name
By GIS map location

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Legal description and parcel number
Land use and zoning classification
Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
Assessed value (land and improvements)
Taxable value and exemptions applied
Sales history
GIS map location and aerial imagery

How to Search:

Navigate to the Grant County Assessor's property search portal
Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
Review the results list returned by the system
Select the specific parcel to view the full property card
Review ownership details, valuation history, and sales records
Print or save the information as needed

2. County Clerk and Recorder Official Records Search

The Grant County Clerk and Recorder maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. Basic search access is available to the public at no charge through the Grant County Clerk's Office.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller)
Grantee name (buyer)
Document type
Recording date range
Instrument number
Book and page number

Documents Available:

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 declarations and covenants

How to Search:

Access the Clerk and Recorder's official records portal
Select the preferred search type (grantor, grantee, document type, or date range)
Enter the search criteria
Review the results list
Select a document to view the image, if available online
Note the instrument number or book and page for future reference
Request certified copies if official documentation is required

3. Grant County Treasurer Website

The Grant County Treasurer maintains tax payment records and delinquency information for all parcels within the county. Public access is available through the Grant County Treasurer's Office.

Search By:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel number
Tax account number

Information Available:

Current tax bill and due dates
Payment history
Outstanding balances and delinquency status
Exemptions applied
Millage and levy rates
Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
Payment plan status and options

4. GIS and Mapping System

Grant County maintains an interactive GIS mapping system that allows members of the public to search properties visually. The system provides aerial photography, property boundary overlays, zoning layers, flood zone designations, and links to associated parcel records. Users may navigate the map to a specific location, click on a parcel, and access linked ownership and assessment data.

In-Person Searches

Grant County Assessor's Office
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Assessor

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services available in person include public access computer terminals, staff assistance with property searches, printed property cards, plat maps, and exemption application processing.

Grant County Clerk and Recorder
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Clerk

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services include viewing official recorded documents, requesting certified copies, searching grantor and grantee indexes, and accessing historical record books with staff assistance.

Grant County Treasurer
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Treasurer

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.

By Mail Requests

Members of the public may submit written requests for property records by mail to the respective county office. Requests directed to the Assessor's Office should include the property address or parcel number, the type of information requested, and a self-addressed return envelope. Requests directed to the Clerk and Recorder should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address with an approximate date range, and must include payment for applicable copy fees. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.

Grant County Assessor – Mailing Address
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823

Grant County Clerk and Recorder – Mailing Address
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823

Through Professionals

Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions, assistance with complex ownership disputes, and representation in title-related litigation. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull comparable sales histories, and provide market analysis as part of their representation services. Costs for professional services vary by provider and scope of work.

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, it is advisable to try the last name first, check spelling variations, and consider both current and previous owner names as well as business entity names. When searching by legal description, the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range designations should be used as recorded in the original deed. For historical records that predate digitization, an in-person visit to the courthouse is required, and staff can assist with retrieval from microfilm or bound record books.

What Is Grant County Property Records

Property records are official documents related to real property — encompassing land and any improvements thereon — maintained by county government as legal records of ownership, transfers, and encumbrances. Under Washington State law, pursuant to RCW 65.08, instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded with the county auditor (or clerk, as applicable) to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. These records are essential for establishing clear title and facilitating real estate transactions.

Purpose of Property Records:

Establish legal ownership and chain of title
Record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens
Document property transfers and sale prices
Support property tax assessment and collection
Protect property rights through constructive notice
Enable title insurance and real estate lending
Facilitate community planning and land use regulation

Types of Property Records

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Title documents and transfer records
Ownership history and chain of title
Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
HOA declarations and lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records:

Property tax assessments and tax bills
Payment history and exemption records
Special assessments and delinquency records

Legal Descriptions:

Plat maps and subdivision plats
Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
Lot and block information

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits and certificates of occupancy
Code violations and zoning designations
Land use classifications

Who Maintains Property Records

Grant County Assessor maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications.

Grant County Clerk and Recorder is responsible for recording and indexing deeds, mortgages, liens, and all other instruments affecting title to real property, and for maintaining those records permanently.

Grant County Treasurer maintains tax bills, payment records, delinquent tax accounts, and tax certificate information.

Grant County Planning and Building Department maintains building permits, inspection records, zoning designations, and code enforcement records.

As stated by the Washington State Department of Revenue, "The county assessor is responsible for valuing all taxable property in the county for property tax purposes," underscoring the central role of the Assessor's Office in the property records system.

Are Property Records Public Information in Grant County?

Property records in Grant County are public information. Washington State's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, establishes a broad right of public access to government records, and property records maintained by county offices are expressly subject to this framework. No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement is necessary to access property records.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56)
Washington recording statutes (RCW 65.08)
Common law tradition of public land records
Centuries-old practice in American property law

According to the Washington State Attorney General's Office, "The Public Records Act reflects the Legislature's intent that agencies make available for public inspection and copying all public records unless the records fall within specific exemptions." Property records maintained by county assessors, clerks, and treasurers do not fall within any general exemption and are therefore fully accessible to the public.

Why Property Records Are Public

Transparency: The public has a recognized interest in knowing who owns real property, how property is assessed for taxation, and what encumbrances affect title. Transparent property records prevent fraudulent transfers and support accountability in government operations.

Commercial Purposes: Real estate transactions depend on the ability of buyers, lenders, and title companies to search recorded instruments. Title insurance, property appraisals, and mortgage lending all rely on the public availability of property records.

Legal Protections: Recording a deed or mortgage provides constructive notice to all subsequent parties, protecting the priority of recorded interests and enabling enforcement of property rights.

Public Interest: Property records support community planning, historical and genealogical research, journalistic investigation, and tax assessment transparency.

What Property Information Is Public

Freely Accessible:

Current and historical property ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel numbers
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 instruments
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations

Certain personal information is protected even within otherwise public property records. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under Washington law. Washington State also provides address confidentiality protections for certain individuals, including law enforcement officers, judges, domestic violence victims, and stalking victims, through the Address Confidentiality Program administered by the Secretary of State's Office. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully public; members of the public should contact the Assessor's Office for specific policies.

Who Can Access Property Records

Any member of the public — regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose — may access Grant County property records. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists. Commercial use of public property records, including aggregation for marketing or valuation services, is permitted under current law, subject to applicable anti-harassment, fair housing, and privacy statutes.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Grant County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges applicable to Grant County property records:

Record Type	Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of recorded document	$5.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page
Electronic copy (if available)	Varies; often free for online viewing
Recording a new document	$203.50 for first page + $1.00 each additional page (per Washington State schedule)
Plat copies	Varies by size

Washington State recording fees are governed by RCW 36.18.010, which establishes the schedule of fees that county clerks and recorders may charge for recording instruments and providing copies. Members of the public may view property records online through the Assessor's and Clerk's portals at no cost. Fees are charged only when physical or certified copies are requested.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person)
Check or money order (in-person and by mail, payable to Grant County)
Credit or debit card (in-person, subject to processing fee)

Fee waiver provisions are not broadly available for property record requests, though indigent individuals involved in legal proceedings may petition the court for fee waivers in specific circumstances. Online viewing of property appraiser data, GIS maps, and tax information is available at no cost through the respective county portals.

What's Included in a Grant County Property Record

A complete Grant County property record draws from multiple county databases and may include the following categories of information:

Ownership Information

Current Ownership:

Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
Acquisition date and deed instrument number
Mailing address for tax billing purposes

Previous Ownership:

Chain of title with prior owner names
Historical transfer dates and deed references
Ownership timeline from original grant to present

Property Identification

Site address and mailing address
Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, section/township/range)
Parcel ID number and tax account number
Alternate or previous parcel numbers if renumbered

Physical Characteristics

Land Information:

Lot size in square feet or acres
Lot dimensions and street frontage
Corner lot designation
Land use designation and zoning classification

Building Information:

Total living area in square feet
Year built and effective year
Number of stories and building type
Construction type and exterior wall material
Roof type and foundation type
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Garage type and spaces
Pool, porch, and additional structure information
Central air conditioning and heating type
Water source and sewer system

Building Condition:

Condition and quality ratings
Depreciation information
Renovation and addition dates

Valuation Information

Land value and building value (assessed)
Total assessed value and market value estimate
Assessment year and historical values for prior years
Agricultural classification and value (if applicable)

Tax Information

Current year tax amount and taxable value
Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, disability, veteran, agricultural)
Millage rate and breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, special districts)
Payment status, due dates, and discount information
Tax payment history for prior years
Delinquency history (if any)

Sales History

Sale dates, sale prices, and deed types for recent transactions
Grantor and grantee names for each transfer
Qualified or unqualified sale designation
Documentary stamp amounts
Deed instrument numbers

Encumbrances and Liens

Recorded mortgages with lender names, amounts, and recording dates
Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
Lis pendens notices
Releases and satisfactions of recorded encumbrances

Legal and Regulatory Information

Current zoning classification and permitted uses
Future land use designation
Special district assignments (school, fire, water, CDD)
Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
Code violations (if any)
FEMA flood zone designation
Wetlands and conservation area designations

Maps and Images

Exterior property photograph
Aerial photograph and GIS map with property boundaries
Plat map and property sketch
Historical aerial imagery (where available)

Building Permit Information

Building permits issued with dates and descriptions
Contractor information and permit values
Certificate of occupancy
Inspection records

What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:

Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
Interior photographs
Confidential exemption application details
Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
Private agreements not recorded with the county
Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price

How Long Does Grant County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Grant County are maintained permanently. The permanent retention of recorded instruments is a legal requirement under Washington State law and is essential to the integrity of the chain of title system. As stated by the Washington State Archives, "Local government records that document the acquisition, transfer, encumbrance, and disposition of real property are considered permanent records and must be retained indefinitely."

Legal Basis for Retention:

Washington State records retention schedules administered by the Washington State Archives
Washington recording statutes requiring permanent preservation of recorded instruments
Chain of title necessity — gaps in the record create title defects

Records Kept Permanently

Deed Records: All recorded deeds are maintained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments, dating back to the county's formation and original land grants.

Mortgage Records: All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.

Lien Records: All recorded liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens — and their releases are maintained permanently.

Plats and Surveys: All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently.

Other Recorded Documents: Easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are all maintained permanently.

Format and Storage

Historical Records:

Very old records: Handwritten ledgers and bound books
Early to mid-20th century: Typed entries in record books and microfilm
Recent decades: Digital scans and electronic document management systems

Modern Format:

Electronic document management with scanned images of original instruments
Digital signatures for newly recorded documents
Off-site backup facilities and cloud-based redundancy
Microfilm archives for intermediate-era records

Access to Historical Records

Online Access: Records from approximately the past 20 to 40 years are available online through the Clerk's portal, depending on the county's digitization progress. Some counties have digitized records extending back to the 1800s.

In-Person Access: All records, regardless of age, are available for public inspection at the courthouse. Older records may be in bound books, microfilm, or digital access terminals. Staff can retrieve records from storage, and advance notice may be required for very old materials.

Requesting Old Records:

Contact the Grant County Clerk's Office at (509) 754-2011
Specify the property address or legal description, approximate time period, and document type
Retrieval time ranges from same-day to several business days for archived materials
Standard copy fees apply

Property Appraiser and Tax Records

Assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls maintained by the Assessor's Office are retained permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a period determined by the Washington State Archives retention schedule, often five to seven years. Tax payment records maintained by the Treasurer are retained for a minimum of seven to ten years, while tax deed records are permanent.

Chain of Title

The chain of title for any parcel in Grant County may be traced from the present owner back to the original land grant or territorial period. Title searches conducted for real estate transactions typically review a minimum of 30 to 60 years of recorded history, though a full abstract may extend to the original conveyance. Washington's Marketable Record Title Act provides a framework for limiting certain title search requirements, but the underlying records remain permanently accessible.

Grant County Clerk and Recorder – Historical Records Contact
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Clerk

Grant County Assessor – Historical Assessment Records
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Assessor

How To Find Liens on Property in Grant County?

Liens on property in Grant County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the Grant County Clerk and Recorder's official records index. Members of the public may search for liens using the following methods:

Online Search:

Access the Grant County Clerk's official records portal through the Grant County Clerk's Office
Select the grantor/grantee search option
Enter the property owner's name as the grantor or grantee
Filter results by document type — select lien categories such as "Mechanic's Lien," "Judgment Lien," "Tax Lien," or "Notice of Federal Tax Lien"
Review the results list for instruments recorded against the property owner or the specific parcel
Click on individual documents to view the recorded image
Note the instrument number, recording date, lien amount, and lienholder for each result

Types of Liens Searchable:

Federal tax liens (recorded by the IRS with the county clerk)
State tax liens (recorded by the Washington Department of Revenue)
Judgment liens (arising from court judgments)
Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors and materialmen)
HOA liens (filed by homeowner associations)
Child support liens
Code enforcement liens

In-Person Search:

Members of the public may visit the Grant County Clerk and Recorder's Office to conduct a lien search using the public access terminals or with staff assistance. Staff can assist in identifying all recorded instruments affecting a specific parcel.

Grant County Clerk and Recorder
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Clerk

Federal Tax Lien Searches:

Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the county clerk and are searchable through the same grantor/grantee index. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien database through the IRS website for background information on federal tax lien procedures.

Washington State Tax Liens:

State tax liens filed by the Washington Department of Revenue are recorded with the county clerk. Additional information on state tax lien procedures is available through the Washington Department of Revenue.

Important Notes on Lien Searches:

A lien search by owner name may not capture all liens if the property has changed ownership
Searching by parcel number or legal description provides a more complete picture of encumbrances attached to the land itself
Unrecorded liens (such as certain equitable claims) do not appear in the public index
Title companies conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title insurance process and provide the most reliable results for real estate transactions

What Is Property Owner Rule in Grant County?

The property owner rule in Grant County refers to the body of Washington State law and local regulations governing who may own real property, what rights ownership confers, and what obligations attach to property ownership. Under Washington law, real property may be owned by individuals, married couples, domestic partners, trusts, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other legal entities.

Ownership Forms Recognized in Washington State:

Separate Property: Property owned solely by one individual, acquired before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during marriage
Community Property: Washington is a community property state; property acquired during marriage by either spouse is presumed to be community property owned equally by both spouses, pursuant to RCW 26.16
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship: Two or more owners hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically acquire the deceased owner's interest
Tenancy in Common: Two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
Trust Ownership: Property held in a revocable or irrevocable trust, with the trustee holding legal title for the benefit of the beneficiaries

Community Property Rule:

Washington's community property framework is a foundational aspect of property ownership in the state. As stated by the Washington Courts, "In Washington, property acquired during marriage is presumed to be community property." This presumption affects how property is titled, transferred, and encumbered. Both spouses must generally join in the conveyance or encumbrance of community real property.

Homestead Protections:

Washington State provides homestead protections for owner-occupied residential property under RCW 6.13. The homestead exemption protects a portion of a property owner's equity from execution by unsecured creditors. Under current law, the homestead exemption amount in Washington is the greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home, as determined by the Washington Center for Real Estate Research. The homestead exemption does not protect against mortgage foreclosure, tax liens, or mechanic's liens.

Property Tax Obligations:

All owners of real property in Grant County are subject to annual property tax assessment and payment obligations administered by the Grant County Assessor and Treasurer. Property taxes are assessed as of January 1 of each year and are due in two installments: the first half by April 30 and the second half by October 31. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the imposition of interest and penalties and, ultimately, a tax lien and tax deed sale.

Exemptions Available to Property Owners:

Senior citizen and disabled person property tax exemption (income-based)
Disabled veteran exemption
Agricultural land current use assessment
Open space and timber land current use assessment
Historic property special valuation

Members of the public may obtain exemption applications and eligibility information through the Grant County Assessor's Office.

Adverse Possession:

Washington State recognizes the doctrine of adverse possession, under which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's land for a statutory period of ten years may acquire legal title. Adverse possession claims are adjudicated through the superior court and, if successful, result in a court order that is recorded with the county clerk to establish title.

Restrictions on Property Use:

Property ownership in Grant County is subject to local zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, and deed restrictions. The Grant County Planning Department administers land use regulations, and members of the public may obtain zoning and land use information through the Grant County Community Development office.

Grant County Community Development
35 C Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Phone: (509) 754-2011
Grant County Community Development