Search Burien Property Records
Burien property records are maintained by King County, which handles all parcel data, ownership information, and recorded documents for properties within Burien city limits. The King County Assessor is the primary office for assessed values and parcel details, while the King County Recorder handles deed filings, mortgages, and liens. You can search Burien property records for free through King County's online tools, or visit the county offices in Seattle for in-person assistance.
Burien Overview
Burien Property Records Overview
Burien is located entirely within King County, so all property records for Burien parcels are held by King County offices. There is no split jurisdiction. The King County Assessor values every taxable parcel at 100% of true and fair market value as of January 1 each year, as required under RCW 84.40.020. Those valuations drive the property tax bills sent to Burien residents and property owners each spring.
Washington's Public Records Act under Chapter 42.56 RCW confirms that property assessment records are open for public inspection. Anyone can look up ownership data, assessed values, parcel maps, and recorded documents for Burien properties without a specific reason or authorization. The county's online tools make this fast and free.
For city-level records like building permits, land use reviews, and planning documents, the City of Burien maintains its own Permit Center and Community Development section. You can request inspections, look up zoning information, and submit public records requests through the city website. Those records work alongside, not instead of, the county property data.
King County Assessor for Burien Property Records
The King County Assessor is your first stop for Burien property records. The office maintains assessment data, parcel maps, ownership records, and sales history for every taxable parcel in the county, including all Burien properties. Search by street address or parcel number using the eReal Property tool at blue.kingcounty.com. Results show the current owner of record, assessed land and improvement values, building square footage, lot size, year built, and recent sales activity.
The King County Assessor also runs exemption programs for qualifying property owners. Seniors, disabled veterans, and persons with qualifying disabilities may be able to reduce their property tax through programs administered under state law. Staff at kingcounty.gov/en/dept/assessor can help you find out if you qualify and guide you through the application process. Assessment rolls and all property characteristics are public records available for inspection at any time.
The assessor's data is updated on a regular schedule reflecting the most current property information on file. If you find an error in your parcel data, the assessor has a formal correction process. Disputes over assessed value go to the King County Board of Equalization, not the assessor's office directly. Appeals must be filed by a specific deadline each year.
The King County Assessor portal is shown here:
Visit the King County Assessor page to access property search tools, exemption applications, and assessment information for Burien parcels.
The assessor portal covers all Burien properties in King County and provides free access to ownership data, assessed values, and parcel characteristics.
Recording Burien Property Documents
Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting Burien real estate must be recorded with the King County Recorder. Under RCW 65.08.070, a property conveyance is not effective against a later bona fide purchaser unless it has been recorded. Recording creates legal notice to all parties who search the public record going forward.
The King County Recorder accepts documents in person at the King County Administration Building or through authorized eRecording services. Documents must meet formatting standards under RCW 65.04.045, which set requirements for margins, legible text, and a completed recording cover sheet. The county auditor acts as recording officer under RCW 36.22.010 and must record qualifying documents without delay upon payment of the required fee.
Before a deed or transfer document can be recorded, the county treasurer must confirm that property taxes on the parcel are paid and current. Title companies handle this step automatically during standard closings. Property owners managing their own transfers should confirm tax status with the King County Treasurer before submitting documents to the recorder.
The City of Burien website also has a public records request section for city-specific documents:
Access the Burien official website to submit public records requests, look up zoning rules, and find building permit information for Burien properties.
The city's Community Development and Permit Center sections handle local land use and development records that are separate from county assessor data.
Property Tax for Burien Property Owners
Burien property owners pay taxes to several taxing districts at once. These include King County, the City of Burien, local school districts, fire districts, and other special purpose districts. Each district sets its own levy rate, and those rates are combined and applied to your parcel's assessed value to produce the annual tax bill. The total rate varies depending on which specific districts your parcel sits in.
King County property taxes are due in two installments. The first half is due April 30 and the second half is due October 31. Payments made after those deadlines accrue interest and penalties. The King County Treasurer handles billing, collection, and any delinquency proceedings for Burien parcels.
Real estate excise tax is due on property transfers in Burien. Washington uses a graduated REET structure under RCW 82.45, meaning the rate increases for higher-priced sales. The tax is typically paid at closing and collected by the King County Treasurer before the deed is recorded in the public record.
The Washington Department of Revenue publishes a county assessor and treasurer directory at dor.wa.gov. This is a reliable starting point for finding King County office contacts and understanding how state property tax rules apply to Burien properties.
Finding Burien Property Records Online
The quickest way to find a Burien property record is King County's eReal Property search at blue.kingcounty.com. Type in the street address and you get the owner name, parcel number, legal description, assessed values, building details, and prior sales. No account is needed. The tool is free and available around the clock.
For deed copies and other recorded instruments, use the King County Recorder's document search. You can search by grantor or grantee name, parcel number, or document type. Documents recorded after a certain date are available as scanned images online. Older records may need an in-person request at the King County Archives or a formal public records request through the auditor's office.
Historical property records are available through the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov. The archives hold old assessment cards, deeds, and land transaction documents going back many decades. These are useful for chain-of-title research or tracing ownership over long periods.
Note: The King County GIS Open Data Portal provides downloadable parcel boundary files, zoning layers, and aerial imagery for Burien and all other King County areas.
King County Property Records
All Burien property records are maintained by King County. The county assessor, recorder, and treasurer each hold separate records related to Burien parcels. Visit the King County property records page for full detail on search tools, office locations, recording requirements, and county-wide resources.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also file property records through King County offices.