The recording department is charged with recording real estate documents, liens, military discharges, maps, and surveys. The recording department also issues Marriage License, County Business License, and Process Server License. Copies of any recorded document can also be obtained through this department for a fee.
In the State of Washington, County Auditors are "Custodian of Records." The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) statutes require the recording of legal documents. StatutesRCW 65and RCW 36 define the minimum amount of information required for each document recorded and the fees to be tendered for such recordings.
The County Auditor and their Deputy Auditors are not practicing attorneys in their roles as recording officers. They are prohibited from giving or offering legal advice.
The responsibility for properly preparing an instrument, plat, survey, and other documents is that of the document preparer. It is not the responsibility of the County Auditor or Deputy Auditors to screen the document to make sure it is properly drafted. The County Auditor's responsibility is limited to verifying the following information:
Proper fees are tendered.
The instrument contains the document title(s).
Indexing information is complete.
The document is legible.
The document is formatted correctly.
Recording Format and Requirement Example
The RCW 65.04.045 contains requirements for recorded instruments.
Documents recorded prior to June 3, 1996 have a ten digit recording number along with volume and page number, which must be included together when referenced. Documents recorded after June 3, 1996 are seven digits and do not have a volume and a page number.
To avoid reformatting your document for margins, you have the option of attaching a coversheet with signed affidavit, and paying the $50.00 non-standard fee in addition to the recording fees.
If any portion of your document is illegible, it CANNOT be recorded. Stamps or seals over text make it illegible.
Obtaining Photo or Certified Copies
PhotoCopies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $3.00 per page for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. If you would like to order copies you may send a written request to the Mailing Address below. Please include:
The document's Auditor's File Number
A return address
A check or money order made payable to the Pend Oreille County Auditor
Hours
The Auditor's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30pm, Excluding Holidays
Street Address
625 W 4th Street
2nd Floor – Auditor's Office
Newport, WA 99156
Mailing Address
PO Box 5015
Newport, WA 99156
Contact Numbers
Information Phone: (509) 447-6473
Fax: (509) 447-2475
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