Washington County Deed Records

Washington County deed records are managed by the Assessment and Taxation Recording Division in Hillsboro, Oregon. This office records all deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents for one of the most populated counties in the state. You can search Washington County deed records in person, by mail, or by phone. The office also accepts electronic signatures on documents. Washington County has property records going back to 1843, making it one of the oldest record collections in Oregon.

Washington County Recording Division

The Washington County recording office is at 155 N First Avenue, Room 130, in Hillsboro, OR 97124. The recording phone number is 503-846-8752. Office lobbies are open to the public, but the county also encourages people to use phone, email, mail, online services, or the drop box as other ways to get help.

This office handles a wide range of deed records and property documents. Staff record deeds of all types, trust deeds, mortgages, real estate contracts, tax liens, and other instruments that affect title to land in Washington County. They also process marriage licenses and domestic partnership registrations. However, the office does not help fill out documents, give advice on which form to use, or provide notary services.

For recording questions, visit the Washington County Recording page.

The recording page has details on how to submit documents, what the office accepts, and how to get copies of filed deed records in Washington County.

Washington County Deed Recording Fees

The first page recording fee in Washington County is $86, effective August 1, 2025. Each page after that costs $5. If your document does not meet Oregon format standards, a $20 non-standard fee is added. These fees follow the schedule set by ORS Chapter 205.

All recording fees in Washington County must be paid at the time the document is filed. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, debit cards, and most credit cards. A processing fee of 2.45% is charged on all card payments. The minimum card fee is $1.50. If you plan to pay by card, add the processing fee to your total. Contact the office at 503-846-8752 to confirm the exact amount before you visit.

If your deed does not have enough space in the top right corner of the first page for the recording label, the clerk charges an extra page fee of $5. Always check your document against Oregon requirements before you bring it to the Washington County office. The first page must show the names of all parties, the type of transaction, the return address, and the true consideration paid under ORS 93.

Washington County Transfer Tax

Oregon does not have a state transfer tax on real property. However, Washington County charges its own transfer tax under Ordinance No. 267. The rate is $1.00 per $1,000 of the sale price, or any fraction of that amount. This applies when property changes owners in Washington County.

Some transfers are exempt from this tax. If you believe your transaction qualifies for an exemption, you must file an Affidavit of Exemption with the recording office. Common examples of exempt transfers include deeds between family members in certain situations and transfers tied to court orders. The office staff can tell you if an affidavit is needed but cannot give legal advice on whether your transfer qualifies.

Note: The transfer tax is separate from the recording fee and must be paid at the time of filing in Washington County.

Electronic Signatures for Washington County Deeds

Since January 1, 2020, the Washington County Recording office has accepted electronic signatures and notary stamps on documents. This change follows ORS 93.804. When you submit a deed with electronic signatures, you are certifying that the document has the original signatures. This is a major change from the old rules that required wet ink on every page.

Electronic signatures make it easier to record deed records in Washington County without printing and mailing paper documents. Title companies and law offices often use this option for real estate closings. The deed still must meet all other Oregon format rules for paper size, type size, and first page content. E-recording through approved vendors is also available for submitting documents to Washington County.

Getting Copies of Washington County Deed Records

You can get copies of recorded deed records from the Washington County office in two ways. You can visit in person at 155 N First Avenue, Room 130, in Hillsboro. You can also order copies by email, with payment required before the office mails the documents to you.

If a recorded deed has an error, the office offers a re-recording process. This lets you correct missing, incomplete, or wrong information on a filed document. Contact the office to ask about the steps and fees for re-recording a deed in Washington County. Under ORS 192, all deed records are public. Any person can request to view or copy them. The clerk must respond to a written request within five business days.

Washington County Historical Property Records

Washington County is one of the original Oregon counties, formed in 1843. Deed records here span more than 180 years. The collection documents the growth of the Portland metro area, the rise of the Silicon Forest tech industry, and rapid population increases over the past few decades. Cities like Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, and Tualatin are all within Washington County, and every land sale in these cities has a deed on file.

The Washington County Assessment and Taxation page offers property information including tax statements, valuation details, and sales history. This data pairs well with deed records to give a full picture of any property in the county. For older historical records, the Oregon State Archives may have early Washington County land documents from the territorial era.

Washington County also provides online services for property value appeals, passport processing, and property tax payments. These tools make it easy to handle property matters without visiting the Hillsboro office in person.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders Multnomah County to the east, Clackamas County to the southeast, Yamhill County to the south, and Columbia County to the north. Many properties in the Portland metro area sit near county lines. Make sure your deed is filed in the right county. All deed records must be recorded in the county where the land is located.