Find it in the Archives

For detailed information and resources on property history, link to the Recorded Documents research guide and the Historical Building, Property, and Land Use research guide.

Land ownership records and title research

The Recorded Documents research guide includes a section on researching the ownership history of a property.

For guidance on researching the history of a building, including ownership, see Researching Building History in Seattle and King County, a guide written in collaboration with the Seattle Public Library and King County Archives.

Vacation Orders, Plats

Information about plat records is available on the Historical Building, Property, and Land Use research guide.

Vacation Orders, Roads

Information about road vacations is available on the Historical Building, Property, and Land Use research guide.

Zoning Records and Maps

For information on historical zoning information and records held by King County Archives, check out the Historical Building, Property, and Land Use Records research guide.

Condominium and Homeowner Association Records

King County Archives holds few records related to condominiums but there are two types of recorded documents related to that topic in our collection.

Old plat covenants may appear in connection with (non-condominium) plat maps, usually dating from the first half of the 20th century. These covenants were established by the developer when a plat was laid out. Many have since been determined to be unlawful and unenforceable. You may search for plat covenants if you have a recording number or the full name of one of the parties on the document and the year it was recorded. These kinds of covenants can be found in one of two ways: via the Recorder's Office Official Public Records menu (indexed back to 1976 only) or searching by name via the microfilm indexes at King County Archives.

Corporation Records

King County Archives holds microfilmed copies of King County corporation filings from 1869 to 1893. For information on where to find other corporation records, visit the Records Not at the Archives page.

Bankruptcy Records

King County Archives holds case files for 11 bankruptcy cases dated between 1870 and 1877. The cases were administered under the Bankruptcy Act of 1867, which was repealed in 1878. For information on where to find other bankruptcy files, visit the Records Not at the Archives page.

Wills

Wills are not required to be recorded, but some individuals choose to do so. King County Archives holds recorded wills dated prior to August 1991.

Power of Attorney Recorded Documents

King County Archives holds recorded power of attorney documents from 1884 to 1969.

Historical Jail Registers

King County Archives holds jail registers with dates ranging from 1891-1897, 1928-1929, 1931-1937 (women only), and 1943-1978. Some volumes include both male and female prisoners, although the cover title indicates men only.

Recorded Documents

The King County Recorder's Office indexes documents recorded since 1976. It also provides digital images of documents recorded from August 1, 1991 to the present.

General information is available on the Recorded Documents research guide, as well as different types of recorded documents and indexes such as DD-214s, deeds, easements, mortgages, plats, and surveys.

Water Rights Records

Recorded water rights documents are held by King County Archives.

Counties recorded notices of water rights filed prior to the establishment of the state water right permit system in 1917. These notices were not necessarily honored under the state water right system. Additionally, counties record state-issued certificates of water right issued under the state permit system. In researching water rights, researchers should also reference the state water rights records available at the Washington State Department of Ecology.