Search Wasco County Deed Records

Wasco County deed records are managed by County Clerk Chrissy Zaugg in The Dalles, Oregon. The clerk office recently moved to a new location and offers a free Digital Research Room for online searches. You can find deed records, land documents, and property filings for Wasco County going back to 1854. Whether you search online or visit in person, the Wasco County Clerk provides access to all recorded property documents in the county.

Wasco County Clerk New Office

The Wasco County Clerk has moved. The new office is at 401 E. 3rd Street, Suite 100, in The Dalles, OR 97058. If you have the old address, update it now. All deed records and recording services are at the new site.

County Clerk Chrissy Zaugg runs the office. You can reach her at (541) 506-2532. The recording deputy is Lacy Lamb at (541) 506-2536. Staff at this office record deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents for Wasco County. They also handle marriage licenses and other public filings. If you need to record a deed or get a copy of one, this is the office to contact.

Visit the Wasco County website for more details on office services and staff contacts.

The website lists all county departments and provides contact information for the clerk office and other services related to property in Wasco County.

Wasco County Digital Research Room

Wasco County provides a free online tool to search deed records. The Digital Research Room lets you look up deeds and land related records from any computer. There is no charge to search. You can view documents, check indexes, and print images of recorded deeds without visiting the office.

The Digital Research Room includes a subdivision index sorted by alphabet. This helps when you know the name of the plat or subdivision but not the exact document number. The tool covers deed records, mortgages, and other land instruments on file with the Wasco County Clerk. It is one of the best free resources for property research in this part of Oregon.

If you find a document you need, you can order a certified copy from the clerk. The cost is $7.75 for a single page document. Each extra page adds $0.25. You can order copies in person, by mail, or through the Digital Research Room. Certified copies cannot be sent by email.

Note: The Digital Research Room is free to search, but certified copy fees apply when you order documents from Wasco County.

Recording Deeds in Wasco County

To record a deed in Wasco County, your document must meet Oregon standards. Paper size is limited to 14 by 8.5 inches. Text must be 10 point or larger. The first page needs blank space for the recording stamp. These rules are set by ORS 205.

The first page must also show the names of all parties, the transaction type, a return address, and the actual dollar amount of the sale. Under ORS 93, every deed that transfers fee title must state the true consideration. If these first page rules are not met, a cover sheet can fix the issue and help you avoid the $20 non-standard document fee. Wasco County deed records go back to 1854, making this one of the oldest collections of property records in Oregon.

Oregon charges no state transfer tax on real property sales. The main cost is the recording fee. A non-standard document that does not meet format rules will cost $20 extra on top of the regular fee. Always check your deed against Oregon requirements before you bring it to the Wasco County Clerk.

Wasco County Historical Property Records

Wasco County was formed in 1854. It is one of the oldest counties in Oregon. The deed records here include some of the earliest land transactions in the state. The Dalles was a key stop on the Oregon Trail, and many of the first property records tie back to that era. Columbia River Gorge land transactions, riverfront properties, and town lots in The Dalles all have records on file.

If you are doing historical research on land in Wasco County, the clerk office and the Oregon State Archives are both useful resources. The archives holds old land documents from the territorial period and early statehood. The clerk has all recorded instruments from 1854 to the present. Together, these sources give you a complete picture of property ownership in Wasco County going back more than 170 years.

All deed records in Wasco County are public under ORS 192. You can request to view them in person or through the Digital Research Room online. The Oregon DOJ provides information about your rights under public records law if you need help getting access to any documents.

Wasco County Recording Costs

Oregon recording fees apply to all deed records filed in Wasco County. A single page deed costs between $76 and $87 to record. The total includes the base clerk fee, land corner preservation, assessment and taxation funds, the Oregon Land Information System fee, and the housing alliance tax. Each extra page costs $5. Oregon does not charge a state transfer tax on property sales, so the recording fee is the main cost.

Certified copies of deed records from Wasco County cost $7.75 for the first page and $0.25 for each page after that. You can get copies in person at the new office at 401 E. 3rd Street, Suite 100 in The Dalles. You can also order by mail or through the Digital Research Room. The clerk cannot send certified copies by email. All fees must be paid before the office releases the copies. Oregon uses a race-notice system under ORS 93.640. This means you should record your deed right away to protect your claim to the land. An unrecorded deed can be set aside if a later buyer files first without knowledge of your sale.

Wasco County Clerk Staff

The Wasco County Clerk office has a small but dedicated team. County Clerk Chrissy Zaugg oversees all operations. Chief Deputy Clerk Betty Negrete can be reached at (541) 506-2533. The recording deputy, Lacy Lamb, handles deed filings at (541) 506-2536. Elections Deputy Mesa Confer is at (541) 506-2535. If you are not sure who to call about deed records in Wasco County, start with the main number at (541) 506-2532 and the staff will direct you.

Nearby Counties

Wasco County borders Hood River County to the west, Sherman County to the east, and Jefferson County to the south. The Columbia River forms the northern border with Washington state. If your property is near a county boundary, verify that the deed records belong in Wasco County before you file.