Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Benton County

Where is the Benton County Recorder's Office that files mechanic liens?

You can file your mechanic liens in person at either of the Benton County Auditor’s office locations listed below:

Main Office

620 Market St
Prosser, WA 99350

Phone: (509) 786-5620
Fax: (509) 786-5528
Email: auditor@co.benton.wa.us

Office Hours

Mondays-Fridays: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturdays – Sundays: Closed

Kennewick Annex

5600 W Canal Dr
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 736-2727
Fax: (509) 736-2738

Office Hours

Mondays-Fridays: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturdays – Sundays: Closed

Richland Annex

101 Wellsian Way Ste E
Richland, WA 99352
Phone: (509) 222-3736
Fax: (509) 460-5023

Mondays-Fridays: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturdays – Sundays: Closed

What is Benton County's Recording Backlog?

The Benton County Auditor’s Office does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

Should I file my mechanics lien in Benton County?

If your construction project is located in Benton County, then yes, you should file your lien here.

What are Benton County's requirements for recording a mechanics lien?

The Benton County Auditor’s recording requirements are as follows:

1. The first page of the document, or a cover sheet (RCW 65.04.047), must include the following information:

* Document Title(s) (RCW 65.04.045(1)(c))
* Reference Number(s) (RCW 65.04.045(1)(d))
* Grantor(s) & Grantee(s) (RCW 65.04.045(1)(e); 65.04.015)
* Brief Legal Description (RCW 65.04.045(1)(f))
* 15-digit Assessor Parcel Number (RCW 65.04.045(1)(g))
* Return name & address located in the top left corner (RCW 65.04.045(1)(b); 65.04.045(3))

2. If a cover sheet is not used, the first page must include a three-inch top margin and one-inch bottom and side margins. Subsequent pages must have one-inch margins on all sides. (RCW 65.04.045(1)(a); 65.04.045(2))

3. If a cover sheet is used (RCW 65.04.047):

* Must have a three-inch top margin and one-inch bottom and side margins. Subsequent pages must have one-inch margins on all sides. (RCW 65.04.045(1)(a); 65.04.045(2))

* All field information must be complete. See attached is not acceptable.

* An abbreviated legal description is allowable on the cover sheet, but the full legal description must be included in the document. The cover sheet shall reference the document page number where the full legal is
included, if applicable. (RCW 65.04.045(f))

4. All pages of the document must be legible and capable of being imaged. (RCW 65.04.045(2))

5. Seals must be legible and capable of being imaged. (RCW 65.04.045(2))

6. Attachments, such as stapled, taped or glued notary blocks, are not acceptable. (RCW 65.04.045(2))

7. Margins must be clear of all writing. (RCW 65.04.045(2))

8. Page size must be 8½ inches x 14 inches or less. (RCW 65.04.045(2))

9. Font size must be at least 8 point. (RCW 65.04.045(2))

Documents that were signed prior to January 1, 1997, may be recorded without re-formatting. However, a cover sheet will be required. (RCW 65.04.047(2))

If the only required standard not met is the minimum margin specification, the document can be recorded by including a
signed emergency nonstandard cover sheet with an additional fee of $50. (RCW 36.18.010; 65.04.047). This form can be found on the Benton County Auditor’s website at: www.bentonauditor.com

What are the margin & page size requirements to file a lien in Benton County?

Page size must be 8½ inches x 14 inches or less.

Font size must be at least 8 point.

The first page must include a three-inch top margin and one-inch bottom and sidemargins. Subsequent pages must have one-inch margins on all sides.

How can I make payment to the Benton County Recorder's Office?

The Benton County Auditor accepts check payments. Make checks payable to Benton County Auditor.

What are the filing fees to record a mechanics lien in Benton County?

The Benton County Auditor’s recording fee is $103.50 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.

Additional Recording Fees

Emergency Nonstandard Document Fee: $50.00 in additional to all other applicable recording fees

Each additional title and/or reference number (multi-transaction): $103.50

Lien Fees

For some government liens: $39.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page

Copy Fees

Certified Copies: $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
Non-Certified Copies: $1.00 for each page

How do I get a recorded copy of my lien from the Benton County Recorder's Office?

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien person or by mail.

You can search for recorded documents from January, 1982 to the present online at: https://erecording.co.benton.wa.us/recorder/web/

Note that copies printed from the images provided on this site are unofficial and stamped with a watermark. Official copies can be obtained by visiting the Auditor’s office or by mail. Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies can be obtained for $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, per document.

For mailed request, send to the following address, including in your request the Auditor’s File Number and a return address:

Benton County Auditor
Recording Department
PO Box 470
Prosser, WA 99350

For walk-in requests, you may visit either of the Benton County’s two offices listed below:

Benton County Auditor
Benton County Courthouse
620 Market St.
Prosser, WA 99350

Phone: (509) 786-5620
Fax: (509) 786-5528
Email: auditor@co.benton.wa.us

Benton County Auditor
Benton County Annex
5600 W. Canal Dr.
Kennewick, WA 99336

Phone: (509) 736-2727
Fax: (509) 736-2738

Office Hours

Mondays-Fridays: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturdays – Sundays: Closed

If you wish the Recording Department conduct a search of the official public records, complete the following steps:

1. Fill out the Search Request Form
2. Include a check for the fee.

Make checks payable to Benton County Auditor and mail along with the Search Request Form to:

Benton County Auditor
Recording Department
PO BOX 470
Prosser WA 99350

For most search types, submit a check for a “not to exceed” amount. We are unable to determine the exact amount due before the search is completed as copy fees are based on the page count of the documents found.

Search fee is $8.00 per hour ($8.00 minimum).