King County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

You can record a document by bringing it in person to the King County Recorder’s Office, sending it by mail, or by e-recording.

In Person

You can visit the King County Recorder’s Office between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the following address:

King County Administration Building
500 Fourth Ave., Suite 430
Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: 206-477-6620
E-mail: kcrocust@kingcounty.gov

Bring the document(s) to be recorded and be prepared to pay the recording fee.

If you arrive at the office before 3:30, you may request immediate scanning of your document (maximum of three documents at a time) so that you may leave with the original.

If you need help preparing your document, you may consult a title company, real estate attorney, or another professional.

By Mail

Send your document(s) with a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order to the above address. Your document will usually be available for viewing through our online records search within 7-10 days.

By e-Recording

The King County Recorder’s Office accepts electronic submission of documents through a process called e-recording.

You can submit your documents electronically through a third party submitter, or directly through a King County Agent Account. If you are interested in this process, you can contact the Recorder’s Office directly.

The King County Recorder’s Office does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

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

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

Beginning 1/1/1997 all documents submitted for recording in the State of Washington must conform to standards required by RCW
36.18 and 65.04. A cover sheet is required for documents that do not contain the necessary index fields or margins on the 1st page.
For Documents signed after 1996, all pages must have a 1″ clear border in order to use a cover sheet.

1) ALL PAGES:
a) Documents submitted for recording must be able to be digitally scanned and reproduce a legible copy, including notary seals
(raised notary seals must be smudged prior to recording). Documents that contain illegible portions will not be accepted
for recording.
b) Nothing may be affixed to pages (no item can be taped, stapled, etc. – no cut and paste)
c) Page must be 8 ½” x 14” or less
d) Font size must be at least 8-point (This is 8-point type)
e) Paper and ink color must be capable of being imaged. Watch for color of highlighting, some colors copy dark, obscuring
text. Dot-matrix printers generally produce unacceptable results.

2) MARGINS:
a) 1st page 3” top margin, 1” sides and bottom margin – or 1” on all sides with a cover sheet.
b) The top, left-hand side of the page shall contain the name and address to whom the instrument will be returned
c) Subsequent pages of same document must have 1” margin on all sides
d) Incidental writing and notary seals in margins are allowed.

3) FIRST PAGE:
a) Title
b) Reference # for assignments and releases
c) Grantor(s) and Grantee(s)
d) Legal description (not needed on assignments, releases, etc.)
e) Tax parcel ID# required if there is a legal description (not needed on assignments, releases, etc.).

4) Certified copies of previously recorded or filed documents may be recorded with a completed cover sheet.
5) EXCEPTIONS:
a) The following exceptions for formatting standards can be recorded without a cover sheet:
i) IRS Tax Liens and releases
ii) UCC terminations in which the original UCC fixture filing was completed prior to January 1, 1997 and the termination
statement is on the fixture filing
iii) Documents previously recorded (in any recording office) may have recording information in the margins.
b) The following exceptions for formatting standards can be recorded with a properly completed cover sheet (RCW 65.04.047):
i) Documents which are formatted to meet court requirements
ii) Certified copies of death certificates
iii) documents signed prior to 1997
iv) military discharges
v) National UCC Forms
vi) Marriage certificates from outside the state of Washington
vii) Any document, one of whose original signer is deceased or otherwise incapacitated
viii)Documents executed outside of the United States
ix) Certified copies of documents

Page Size: Page must be 8 ½” x 14” or less.

Font size must be at least 8-point (This is 8-point type).

Margins: The first page must have a 3” top margin, 1” sides and bottom margin – or 1” on all sides with a cover sheet.

Subsequent pages of same document must have 1” margin on all sides.

The King County Recorder’s Office accepts personal check, cashier’s check, or money order.

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

Lien Fees

Government Liens (State, County, Municipal): $39.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page

Copy Fees

Certified recorded documents: $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
Uncertified recorded documents: $1.00 per page
Conformed Copy Label, per instrument: $1.00

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

Online

Most documents recorded on or after August 1, 1991 are available online at: https://recordsearch.kingcounty.gov/LandmarkWeb

Documents that were recorded prior to August 1, 1991 are on microfilm and are only available from the King County Archives.

Search for the document and when you have the document image open, click the “Add to Cart” button
You can add as many documents as you want to your cart
To checkout, click the “Shopping Cart” in the upper right corner to pay Your document(s) will be mailed within 7-10 business days

In Person

You can visit the King County Recorder’s Office between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the following address:

King County Administration Building
500 Fourth Ave., Suite 430
Seattle, WA 98104

Use one of the lobby computers to search for the document(s) and add it to your cart. Write down your transaction number and then get in line to pay for the copies.

Before you visit, use the online search at https://recordsearch.kingcounty.gov/LandmarkWeb to find the recording number. Bring the number with you.

Mail

Download the Copy Request form below for your document type and mail it to us with a check or money order. Please review our Payment Information and the fee table below to ensure you send the correct amount.

The King County Recorder’s office will mail your document(s) within 7-10 business days.

You can get the property’s legal description from the King County Recorder’s office in person.

You can search King County Recorder’s recorded documents online at: https://recordsearch.kingcounty.gov/LandmarkWeb

You can also search for property legal descriptions online with the King County Assessor at:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/assessor.aspx