Franklin County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Franklin County in 2026
FranklinWARecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Franklin County, Washington. Members of the public may find ownership histories, recorded deeds, tax assessment data, mortgage documents, liens, and parcel information through this resource. Record categories available include:
- Ownership and transfer records
- Tax assessment and payment records
- Recorded encumbrances and liens
- Plat maps and legal descriptions
- Building permit and zoning records
Records may be searched through official county and state resources. The primary official channels for searching Franklin County property records are listed below.
Franklin County Assessor's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3506 Franklin County Assessor
Franklin County Auditor's Office (Recording Division) 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3538 Franklin County Auditor
Franklin County Treasurer's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3518 Franklin County Treasurer
1. Property Assessor Website
The Franklin County Assessor's Office maintains the primary database for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access the Franklin County Assessor property search at no cost and without registration.
Search Options:
- By property address
- By owner name
- By parcel ID number
- By subdivision or plat name
- By GIS map location
Information Available:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address and legal description
- Parcel identification number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics:
- Square footage of living area
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Year built
- Lot size
- Building type and construction
- Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
- Taxable value
- Exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location and aerial imagery
How to Search:
- Navigate to the Franklin County Assessor property search portal
- Select a search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter the relevant search criteria
- Review the results list returned
- Select the specific property to view the full property card
- Review ownership, valuation, sales history, and map data
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Auditor Official Records Search
The Franklin County Auditor's Office serves as the official recording authority for property documents under RCW 65.08.070, which governs the recording of instruments affecting real property in Washington State. Members of the public may search recorded documents through the Auditor's online portal.
Searchable By:
- Grantor name (seller or transferor)
- Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
Documents Available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens and judgment liens
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Declarations of restrictions and covenants
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA-related documents
How to Search:
- Access the Franklin County Auditor's recorded documents portal
- Select the preferred search type (grantor, grantee, document type, or date range)
- Enter the search criteria
- Review the list of returned results
- Select a document to view the image (fees may apply for downloads)
- Note the instrument number or book and page reference for future use
3. Tax Collector (Treasurer) Website
The Franklin County Treasurer's Office maintains tax payment and delinquency records accessible to the public at no charge through the Franklin County Treasurer's online portal.
Search By:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information Available:
- Current tax bill and amount due
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances and delinquencies
- Exemptions applied
- Millage and levy rates
- Tax certificate information for delinquent accounts
- Payment options and installment plan status
4. GIS / Mapping System
Franklin County maintains an interactive GIS mapping system that allows visual property searches, including aerial photography, property boundary overlays, zoning layers, and flood zone designations. Members of the public may access the Franklin County GIS portal to navigate the map, click on individual parcels, and retrieve linked property information.
In-Person Searches:
Franklin County Assessor's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3506 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Franklin County Assessor
Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, plat maps, and exemption application processing.
Franklin County Auditor's Office (Recording Division) 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3538 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Franklin County Auditor
In-person services include viewing official recorded documents, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, and accessing historical record books with staff assistance.
Franklin County Treasurer's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3518 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Franklin County Treasurer
In-person services include tax payment processing, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.
By Mail Requests:
Requests submitted by mail to the Franklin County Assessor should include the property address or parcel number, a description of the information sought, and a self-addressed return envelope. Copying fees may apply.
Requests submitted by mail to the Franklin County Auditor for copies of recorded documents should specify the instrument number, book and page reference, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request.
Through Professionals:
Title companies provide comprehensive title searches, abstracts of title, and title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys offer legal title opinions and assistance with complex ownership disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and provide comparable sales data as part of their representation services.
Search Tips:
- When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W) and check spelling carefully.
- When searching by owner name, try last name first, check for name variations, and consider both individual and business entity names.
- When searching by legal description, use the exact subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range designations as they appear on the recorded deed.
- For historical records not yet digitized, an in-person visit to the Auditor's office or a written request may be necessary, as staff can assist with microfilm and archived record books.
Common Search Challenges:
Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays. Very old records may not be digitized and require in-person access. Common names and similar addresses may return multiple results; verifying by parcel number or legal description resolves ambiguity. Documents filed under seal, unrecorded private agreements, and pending sales prior to closing are not accessible through public property record systems.
What Is Franklin County Property Records
Franklin County property records are official legal documents related to real property — including land and buildings — maintained by county government offices and accessible to the public. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and support property tax assessment. Under RCW 65.08, Washington State requires that instruments affecting real property be recorded with the county auditor to provide constructive notice to the public.
Types of Property Records:
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Title documents and transfer records
- Ownership history and chain of title
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- Homeowner association (HOA) documents
- Lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Property tax assessments and valuation rolls
- Tax bills and payment history
- Exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
- Special assessments and levy rates
- Tax delinquency records
Legal Descriptions:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and re-plats
- Lot and block information
- Metes and bounds descriptions
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations and enforcement actions
- Zoning classifications and land use designations
Who Maintains Property Records:
The Franklin County Auditor's Office records, indexes, and maintains all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Franklin County Assessor's Office maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, property characteristics databases, and exemption applications. The Franklin County Treasurer's Office maintains tax billing, payment history, and delinquency records. The Franklin County Community Development Department maintains building permits, zoning records, and code enforcement files.
Are Property Records Public Information in Franklin County?
Property records in Franklin County are public information. Washington State's Public Records Act, codified at RCW 42.56, establishes that government records are presumptively open to public inspection and copying. Members of the public — regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose — may access property records maintained by Franklin County offices.
Why Property Records Are Public:
The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions. Transparency in property ownership enables accountability in taxation and prevents fraudulent or secret transfers of real estate. The recording system provides constructive notice — meaning that once a document is recorded, all parties are legally presumed to have knowledge of its contents, regardless of whether they have personally reviewed it. This principle underpins the entire American real estate marketplace and is fundamental to the title insurance and mortgage lending industries.
Property records also serve significant public interest purposes, including community planning, historical and genealogical research, journalistic investigation, and market analysis.
What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property physical characteristics
- Deeds and all recorded instruments
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy Considerations:
Washington State law requires that Social Security numbers and certain personal financial information be redacted from recorded documents before public release. Under Washington's Address Confidentiality Program, administered by the Washington Secretary of State, certain individuals — including domestic violence survivors, stalking victims, and law enforcement personnel — may request that their residential address be protected from public disclosure. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is subject to limited disclosure policies; members of the public should contact the Franklin County Assessor's Office directly for applicable policies.
Who Can Access Property Records:
Any member of the public may access Franklin County property records. There is no residency requirement, ownership requirement, or requirement to state a purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property investors, genealogists, historians, and journalists.
Commercial Use of Property Records:
Commercial use of public property records — including real estate marketing, property valuation services, title searches, investment analysis, and market research — is permitted under current law. Commercial data aggregators such as CoreLogic and First American compile public property records into subscription-based databases. Such aggregation is legal; however, anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern how information may be used, regardless of its public nature.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Franklin County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at Franklin County offices at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The fee structure for recorded documents is governed by RCW 36.18.010, which establishes the schedule of fees that county auditors may collect.
Standard Copy Fees — Franklin County Auditor (Recording Division):
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $3.00 for first page + $1.00 each additional page |
| Recording a new document (first page) | $203.50 |
| Recording a new document (each additional page) | $1.00 |
| Online document viewing/download | Fees may apply depending on platform |
Franklin County Assessor — Property Information:
- Online access to assessment data: Free
- Printed property cards: Nominal copying fee (typically $0.15–$0.25 per page)
- GIS map prints: Fees vary by size and format
Franklin County Treasurer — Tax Records:
- Online tax information access: Free
- Printed tax statements: Nominal copying fee
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash (in-person)
- Check or money order (in-person and by mail, payable to Franklin County)
- Credit or debit card (in-person; surcharge may apply)
Fee Waivers: Washington's Public Records Act does not provide a blanket fee waiver for public records requests; however, agencies may waive fees at their discretion for requests that serve a clear public benefit. Members of the public seeking fee waivers should submit a written request explaining the public benefit of the disclosure.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- Online viewing of assessment data through the Assessor's portal
- Online viewing of tax payment information through the Treasurer's portal
- In-person inspection of recorded documents at the Auditor's office
- GIS map access through the county's online mapping system
What's Included in a Franklin County Property Record?
A Franklin County property record is a comprehensive collection of official information drawn from multiple county offices. The following categories of information are included in a complete property record.
Ownership Information:
Current ownership records identify the legal owner or owners by name, ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, or corporation), acquisition date, and the deed instrument number or book and page reference. Mailing addresses for tax billing purposes are also included. Previous ownership information provides the chain of title, listing prior owners, transfer dates, and historical deed references.
Property Identification:
Each parcel is identified by a unique parcel ID number, site address, mailing address (if different), city and ZIP code, and legal description. Legal descriptions include lot and block numbers, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, and section, township, and range designations where applicable. Condominium unit numbers are included for applicable properties.
Physical Characteristics:
Land information includes lot size in square feet or acres, lot dimensions, street frontage, corner lot designation, and land use and zoning classification. Building information includes total living area in square feet, year built, number of stories, building type, construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, foundation type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and total room count. Additional features recorded include garage type and spaces, pools, porches, fireplaces, HVAC systems, water source, and sewer system type.
Valuation Information:
Assessment records include land value, building value, total assessed value, and market value as determined by the Assessor. Historical assessed values for prior years are included, along with year-over-year percentage changes. Agricultural classification values are recorded where applicable.
Tax Information:
Current year tax records include the total tax amount due, taxable value after exemptions, applicable millage and levy rates, and a breakdown by taxing authority (county general fund, school district, city or municipality, and special districts). Tax payment history, delinquency records, and exemption details — including homestead, senior, disability, and veteran exemptions — are included.
Sales History:
Sales history records include sale dates, sale prices, deed types (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, or gift), grantor and grantee names, deed instrument numbers, and qualified or unqualified sale designations. Documentary stamp or excise tax amounts are also recorded.
Encumbrances and Liens:
Recorded mortgages are listed with lender names, original mortgage amounts, recording dates, and instrument references. Liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens — are listed with amounts, lienholders, and recording dates. Other encumbrances such as easements, deed restrictions, life estates, and lis pendens notices are also included.
Legal and Regulatory Information:
Zoning classification, land use code, future land use designation, school district, fire district, water district, and other special taxing district assignments are included. Deed restrictions, subdivision covenants, HOA information, and FEMA flood zone designations are also part of the complete property record.
Maps and Images:
Property records include exterior property photographs, aerial imagery, GIS maps with property boundary overlays, plat maps, and property sketches or floor plan diagrams where available.
Building Permit Information:
Where integrated with the Assessor's or Community Development Department's systems, building permit records include permit dates, descriptions of permitted work, contractor information, permit values, and certificate of occupancy records.
What Is Not Typically Included in Public Property Records:
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded documents
- Interior photographs
- Confidential exemption application details
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Franklin County are maintained permanently. The permanent retention of recorded instruments affecting real property is a legal requirement under Washington State law and is essential to the integrity of the chain of title system. Records are never destroyed.
Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:
Washington State's records retention schedules, administered by the Washington State Archives, require that recorded instruments affecting real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — be retained permanently. The recording statutes under RCW 65.08 establish that recorded documents provide constructive notice and must remain accessible to the public in perpetuity.
Records Kept Permanently:
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types), dating back to Franklin County's formation in 1883
- All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, and releases
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- All recorded plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- All recorded easements, restrictions, covenants, and declarations
- All recorded powers of attorney affecting property
- All recorded court documents affecting title
- Assessment rolls and property valuation records
Format and Storage:
Historical records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries exist in handwritten ledger books. Mid-20th century records are available on microfilm. More recent records have been scanned and are maintained in electronic document management systems with off-site digital backups. The Franklin County Auditor's Office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm archives and employs disaster recovery protocols for digital records.
Online Availability by Time Period:
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online; immediate free access |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | Partially online; microfilm available in person |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; microfilm or original books |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser Assessment Records:
Current and historical assessment records are maintained permanently. Online access through the Assessor's portal covers recent years; historical assessment data is available in person at the Assessor's office.
Tax Collector Records:
Tax payment records are retained for a minimum of seven years under Washington State retention schedules. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Recent years of tax payment history are accessible online through the Treasurer's portal.
Accessing Historical Records:
Franklin County Auditor's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3538 Franklin County Auditor
Members of the public requesting historical records should contact the Auditor's Office and specify the property address or legal description, the approximate time period, and the type of document sought. Retrieval time ranges from same-day to several business days for very old archived materials. Standard copying fees apply.
Franklin County Assessor's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3506 Franklin County Assessor
Historical assessment information is available at the Assessor's office for properties not covered by the online portal's historical data range.
Washington State Archives — Eastern Regional Branch 960 Washington St, Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 235-7500 Washington State Archives Eastern Regional Branch
The Eastern Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives holds historical government records from Eastern Washington counties, including Franklin County, and may hold records predating the county's current digital and microfilm systems.
How To Find Liens on Property in Franklin County?
Liens on property in Franklin County are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Franklin County Auditor's Office. Members of the public may search for liens through the Auditor's recorded documents portal or in person at the Auditor's office.
Types of Liens Recorded Against Property:
- Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Washington Department of Revenue)
- Judgment liens arising from civil court proceedings
- Mechanic's liens filed by contractors or material suppliers
- HOA assessment liens
- Code enforcement liens
- Child support liens
Steps to Search for Liens:
- Access the Franklin County Auditor's recorded documents search portal at the Franklin County Auditor's Office
- Search by the property owner's name (as grantor or grantee) or by document type (select "lien" or the specific lien category)
- Enter a date range if searching for liens within a specific period
- Review all returned results for the property owner's name
- Select individual documents to view the full lien instrument
- Note the instrument number, recording date, lienholder, and amount
- Check for corresponding releases or satisfactions of lien, which indicate the lien has been resolved
Federal Tax Liens:
Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the county auditor in the county where the property is located. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien database through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation for additional verification.
Washington State Tax Liens:
Liens filed by the Washington Department of Revenue are recorded with the county auditor and are searchable through the Auditor's portal. The Washington Department of Revenue maintains additional information on state tax lien procedures.
Judgment Liens:
Judgment liens arise when a court enters a monetary judgment against a property owner. In Washington State, a judgment becomes a lien on real property in the county where it is recorded. Members of the public may search for judgment liens through the Franklin County Auditor's recorded documents portal by searching the judgment debtor's name.
In-Person Lien Search:
Franklin County Auditor's Office 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3538 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Franklin County Auditor
Staff at the Auditor's office can assist members of the public in conducting lien searches using the grantor/grantee index and document type index. Standard copying fees apply for printed copies of lien documents.
Title Companies:
For comprehensive lien searches — particularly in connection with real estate transactions — title companies conduct full title searches that identify all recorded liens, encumbrances, and interests affecting a property. Title companies have professional access to the complete recorded document database and provide written reports of their findings.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Franklin County?
The property owner rule in Franklin County refers to the body of Washington State law and local regulations that govern who may own real property, how ownership is established and transferred, and what rights and responsibilities attach to property ownership. Property ownership in Franklin County is governed primarily by Washington State statutes and common law principles applicable throughout the state.
Establishment of Ownership:
Legal ownership of real property in Franklin County is established by a recorded deed. Under RCW 65.08.070, every conveyance of real property must be recorded with the Franklin County Auditor to be effective against subsequent purchasers or encumbrancers for value who lack actual notice of the prior conveyance. Washington State operates under a "race-notice" recording system, meaning that a subsequent purchaser who records first and has no notice of a prior unrecorded conveyance takes priority over the prior purchaser.
Forms of Property Ownership:
Washington State law recognizes several forms of property ownership, each with distinct legal implications:
- Individual ownership: A single person holds title in their name alone
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Two or more persons hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) automatically receive the deceased owner's share
- Tenancy in common: Two or more persons hold undivided interests that may be unequal; each owner's interest passes through their estate upon death
- Community property: Washington is a community property state; property acquired during marriage is presumed to be owned equally by both spouses under RCW 26.16
- Trust ownership: Property held in a revocable or irrevocable trust, with a trustee holding legal title on behalf of beneficiaries
- Entity ownership: LLCs, corporations, and partnerships may hold title to real property
Community Property in Washington State:
Washington State's community property laws have significant implications for property ownership in Franklin County. Under current law, real property acquired by a married couple during the marriage is presumed to be community property, meaning both spouses hold equal ownership interests regardless of whose name appears on the deed. Separate property — property owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance during marriage — retains its separate character if properly documented.
Property Owner Rights and Responsibilities:
Property owners in Franklin County hold the right to use, lease, sell, mortgage, and transfer their property subject to applicable zoning regulations, deed restrictions, HOA covenants, and state and local laws. Property owners are responsible for paying annual property taxes assessed by the Franklin County Assessor and collected by the Franklin County Treasurer. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the imposition of a tax lien and, ultimately, a tax deed sale under Washington State's delinquent tax collection procedures.
Zoning and Land Use Regulations:
The Franklin County Community Development Department administers zoning and land use regulations that govern how property may be used. Property owners must comply with applicable zoning classifications, building codes, and permit requirements. Information on current zoning designations is available through the Franklin County Community Development Department.
Franklin County Community Development Department 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: (509) 545-3521 Franklin County Community Development
Adverse Possession:
Washington State law permits a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's real property for a period of ten years to claim legal ownership through adverse possession. Such claims must be established through a court proceeding, and any resulting judgment must be recorded with the Franklin County Auditor to affect the chain of title.
Property Tax Exemptions:
Washington State provides several property tax exemption programs for qualifying property owners, including the senior citizen and disabled persons exemption program administered by the Franklin County Assessor. Qualifying property owners may apply for reduced assessed values or tax deferrals. Information on eligibility and application procedures is available through the Washington Department of Revenue property tax exemption programs.