Washington recording fees look strange to anyone used to California or Texas. Instead of a small base fee plus a list of surcharges, the state folds legislative surcharges into a single flat amount per document — and that amount has changed several times as the legislature has adjusted housing surcharges.
What King County charges
- Deed of trust — $304.50, plus $1 for each additional page.
- Assignment, appointment or resignation of successor trustee — $301, plus $1 per additional page.
- All other documents — $303.50, plus $1 per additional page.
- Government liens (state, county, municipal) — $18, plus $1 per additional page.
- Order changing name — $203.50.
- Form DD-214 for veterans — no fee.
Washington totals move when the legislature changes its housing surcharges, so treat any published figure as a snapshot. We confirm the current amount with the recorder before a package goes out, and every invoice reflects what the county actually collected.
Multiple titles cost more
A document containing two or more transactions in the title, or that requires multiple indexing, is charged for each title. Additional page fees, however, are charged only once for the document. A cover sheet counts as an additional page.
The $50 non-standard fee
Washington allows a document that does not meet margin and format requirements to be recorded anyway for an additional $50, provided it carries a fully completed cover sheet that itself meets the first-page margin requirements and contains a signed non-standard recording request. That allowance does not cover legibility — an illegible document is refused outright, not surcharged.
Cutoff times matter in Seattle
The King County Recorder's Office at 201 S. Jackson St. is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, but recording ends at 3:30 p.m. Electronic submissions land ahead of counter traffic, which is the practical reason most title and escrow work in the county moved to e-recording.
Excise tax is separate
Real estate excise tax (REET) is collected on conveyances in addition to recording fees, and a completed REET affidavit accompanies the deed. Budget for it separately from the recording charge.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to record a deed of trust in King County?
$304.50 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, per the King County Recorder's Office fee list. Washington folds its state surcharges into that flat amount.
Why are Washington recording fees so much higher than California's?
Washington adds legislative housing and document-preservation surcharges into the per-document fee rather than itemizing them, so a single deed costs roughly $300 where a California deed starts near $15 plus surcharges.
Can a non-conforming document still be recorded in King County?
Yes — state law permits recording a non-standard document for an extra $50 with a completed cover sheet and signed non-standard request. Illegible documents are rejected regardless.
Ready to record a document?
Nationwide e-recording with a pre-submission review that catches rejections before the county does.