FAQs • Whatcom County, WA • CivicEngage

How do I change the ownership of a piece of property?: The Auditor’s Office staff are not experts in real estate law and are prohibited from giving legal advice. We suggest you consult a real estate attorney or a title company about this matter.

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Auditor - Recording

1. Where do I obtain a form for recording purposes?: Most office supply or stationery stores carry certain legal forms. The recording requirements are found under
RCW 65.04.045

2. How do I change the ownership of a piece of property?: The Auditor’s Office staff are not experts in real estate law and are prohibited from giving legal advice. We suggest you consult a real estate attorney or a title company about this matter.

3. How do I remove or add a name from my property?: The Auditor’s Office staff are not experts in real estate law and are prohibited from giving legal advice. We suggest you consult a real estate attorney or a title company about this matter.

4. How do I transfer property?: The Auditor’s Office staff are not experts in real estate law and are prohibited from giving legal advice. We suggest you consult a real estate attorney or a title company about this matter.

5. How do I do a title search?: Our records are located by name (grantor / grantee) and date of recording. To ensure a title search is done completely and accurately we suggest you contact a title insurance company.

6. What does the Auditors Office staff look for in a legal document?: By law the Auditor's Office staff reviews your document to verify that it meets the State's formatting and legibility standards, and that the first page contains the key indexing information required by statute. You may be required to complete a coversheet for your document if the required indexing information is not present on the first page or the formatting is not correct. The Auditor's office staff cannot verify the accuracy or effectiveness of the information within your document.

7. How can I tell if my documents are correct before I record them?: Careful review of the contents of legal documents is the responsibility of the submitter. The Auditor's Office staff is responsible for ensuring that state mandated formatting and legibility requirements are met. Remember, once recorded to the public record, your document is permanent and cannot be removed or changed. We highly recommend that you consult a real estate attorney when recording legal documents.

8. What is a multiple title document?: A multiple title document is a single document that contains more than one transaction, where each transaction could stand on its own and requires separate entries in our index. Per RCW 36.18.010 each transaction in a single document that meets this definition requires a separate recording fee. The fee is calculated for each type of transaction/title listed on your document. You can help minimize the confusion of multiple title documents by being very clear about what the intent of your document is, and how many actions it contains. A complete explanation of how recording fees are calculated for multiple title documents can be found here .

9. I received a document in the mail that says Reconveyance on it, what is it?: This document means your Deed of Trust has been paid in full. You have either made the final payment on your Deed of Trust or have refinanced your property.

10. How do I get a copy of my deed (or any other recorded instrument)?: You may request a copy by mail, on the phone, or in person at the Whatcom County Auditor's Office. Information on how to request a copy can be found here: Copy Request

11. Do you accept faxed requests?: We do not accept faxed requests. You may request a copy by mail, over the phone, or in person at the Whatcom County Auditor's Office. Information on how to request a copy can be found here: Copy Request

12. How long does it take for a document to be recorded and returned by mail?: The turnaround time for recording is 24 hours upon receiving the document and up to 14 days before the recorded document is returned by mail.

13. Can I search property records to find the owner of a parcel when I only have the address?: We do not maintain an address field. Please contact the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office via phone at 360-778-5050 or
online.

14. Can you tell me who the owner of a piece of property is by parcel number or street address?: We cannot tell you who the owner of a piece of property is by parcel number or street address. Please contact the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office via phone at 360-778-5050 or
online.

15. Do you have birth and death records?: We do not have birth or death records. Please contact the Whatcom County Health Department via phone at 360-778-6000 or online.

16. Where do I obtain information regarding divorce or probate records?: You may obtain court records via the County Clerk. Please contact the Whatcom County Clerk’s Office via phone at 360-778-5560 or online.

17. How do I find out about property tax information?: Property tax information can be obtained at the Whatcom County Treasurer’s Office via phone at 360-778-5160 or online.

18. Are there document types that are restricted from viewing online?: Veteran service records and marriage records are not viewable online.

19. How long between when a document is recorded and when it is available on your website?: Documents will not be available online for viewing until the document has been indexed. This could be anywhere from 24 hours to 5 days. Please refer to the indexed through date.

20. Why was no image available for the document I tried to view online?: Images begin 1975 with the exception of veteran service records and marriage records. Images that are not available through the records search can be requested in person, on the phone or by mail. Information on how to request a copy can be found here: Copy Request

21. Why are documents watermarked with Unofficial Document?: The website is made available in order for the public to obtain information regarding the documents that are on file in the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. You can request a certified copy by mail or come into the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. Copy of a Document.

22. I don’t want to have my documents appear on the website, can I have them removed from view?: You cannot remove the documents from view. Recorded documents are public records and can be viewed by anyone who comes to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. The online Digital Research Room makes the same documents available via the internet that are available in the office.