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King County Washington home

Find it in the Archives

Learn about the records held by King County Archives and how to access them.

Order recorded property documents

King County Archives holds historical recorded documents dated from 1853 to July 31, 1991. Examples include deeds, mortgages, reconveyances, easements, short plats, leases, and liens.


Access the Order Form

Help with your research

Browse guides created by our archivists to help you navigate the Archives collections by topic or record type.

Topic Cards

Property and land use

Find and research historical property and land use records.

Building history

Find and research historical building records.

Court and legal

Find and research historical court and legal records, including jail registers.

Elections

Find and research County elections and voter records.

County legislation

Find and research Commissioners resolutions and Council ordinances and motions.

Maps, plats, surveys

Find and research historical maps, plats, and surveys.

Photos of King County

Find and research historical photographs of King County.

Recorded documents

Learn what recorded documents are and where to find them.

Vital records

Find and research historical marriage, birth, and death records.

Genealogy in King County

Learn where to find and research genealogy records.

County government history

Learn where to find and research historical records about King County government.

Online Exhibits

Browse exhibits of archival records that highlight different aspects of King County history.

Accessibility, Centered: Disability Services in King County

Archival records that document the work done by King County agencies, offices, and programs to create more accessible facilities, programming, and public services.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

person in wheelchair shaking hands with person standing
Washington State Wheelchair Games, 1973. Series 467, Box 11, folder 2, King County Archives.

Lake Washington Ship Canal and the Mills of Salmon Bay

Drawings, photographs, maps, and documents commemorating the 1917 opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and its impact on the mills of Salmon Bay.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

blue line drawing of Stimson cross section
Cross-sectional drawing of the Stimson Mill, 1915. Series 276, Roll 33, Survey 1255, King County Archives.

Responding to AIDS

Primary sources that document Seattle-King County Public Health Department's response to the 1980s-1990s HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

decorative
Flyers, brochures and other educational materials about AIDS and safe sex, RG 112, King County Archives.

Second Look: Department of Public Health Photographs

Photographs from 1909 to 1970 that document the daily work of Seattle-King County Department of Public Health employees.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

Person smiling down at a group of children and their mother
Nurse with mother and children. Item 90.2.0984, Series 275, Box 7, King County Archives.

Earthworks: Land Reclamation as Sculpture

Photographs, recordings, videos, and textual records that document the 1979 Design Symposium and the Earthworks project it spawned.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

decorative
Earthworks Symposium brochure, 1979. Series 278, King County Archives.

Through the Lens of T.P. Blum

Photographs of historic bridges taken by King County bridge inspector Thomas Patrick Blum from 1931 to 1934.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

Concrete bridge over river
Kanaskat Bridge 3036, Green River, Cumberland-Kanaskat Rd., 1932. Series 474, Box 11, King County Archives.

At Home in King County

Photographs that document the places, lives, and activities of people in King County during the 20th century.

Link to exhibit on Wordpress.

people standing behind stalls of fruits and vegetables
Fruit and vegetable vendors. Item 90.2.1211, Series 275, Box 7, King County Archives.

Contact

206-263-2480
TTY Relay 711

archives@kingcounty.gov

1215 E. Fir St.
Seattle, WA 98122

Connect

Hours

Phone / Email customer service hours
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walk-in lobby hours
Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Research Room hours
By appointment only