Find Property Records in Federal Way
Federal Way property records are maintained by the King County Assessor and the King County Recorder's Office, covering this city of roughly 96,000 to 102,000 residents in one of Washington's most diverse communities. Search parcel data, ownership history, tax information, and recorded documents through the county's online tools or in person at county offices.
Federal Way Overview
Federal Way Property Records at the King County Assessor
The King County Assessor maintains all property assessments, parcel maps, and ownership records for properties in Federal Way. Washington State law requires that every property be valued at 100% of true and fair market value as of January 1 each year. Under RCW 84.40.020, assessment records are public and available for inspection by any person. The assessor tracks parcel boundaries, building characteristics, lot dimensions, and recent sales data for every Federal Way address.
The King County Assessor's eReal Property search tool at blue.kingcounty.com is the fastest online option for Federal Way property data. You can search by address or parcel number to get valuation history, tax information, and property details. This tool is the primary resource for verifying property specifics in Federal Way. Results include appraised value, land value, building square footage, year built, and zoning designation. Assessment rolls are public records open to any requester.
Exemption programs for senior citizens, disabled persons, and agricultural open space are also handled by the assessor. If you disagree with your property's assessed value, you can file an appeal with the King County Board of Equalization. The board reviews appeals and can lower an assessment if the evidence supports a different market value.
The Federal Way GIS division within the city's Information Technology Department also maintains parcel maps, capital improvement project maps, and an open data portal. Contact them at 33325 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003, phone 253-835-2550. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The city's official website shows property-related services available to Federal Way residents:
The Federal Way city site links to public records requests, GIS maps, and the King County Assessor for parcel searches.
Deeds and Recorded Documents for Federal Way
All deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting Federal Way real estate are recorded with the King County Recorder's Office. Under RCW 36.22.010, the county auditor serves as the recording officer and must record any qualifying instrument without delay once the proper fee is tendered. Recording a deed under RCW 65.08.070 provides constructive notice to the world, which protects a buyer from unknown claims. Documents not recorded may be valid between the parties but can be challenged by a later purchaser who records first without actual notice of the prior transaction.
Real estate excise tax under RCW 82.45 applies to most property transfers in Federal Way. The treasurer affixes a tax stamp confirming taxes are paid before the auditor will record any real estate transfer document. Excise tax rates in King County include a state rate plus a local rate. Exemptions exist for certain transfers, but most sales require payment before recording.
Recorded documents prior to 1991 are available at the King County Archives. More recent records can be searched online through the King County Recorder's portal. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date. Certified copies can be ordered online or in person. The recorder's office is part of the broader King County government located in Seattle.
Note: Federal Way residents can also access the King County iMap interactive mapping tool for parcel boundaries, zoning, and other property layers at no cost.
Property Search Tools for Federal Way
The King County Assessor's eReal Property search is the primary online tool for Federal Way property records. You can start at blue.kingcounty.com/Assessor/eRealProperty and enter any Federal Way address or parcel number. The results page shows ownership name, mailing address, tax account status, assessed land value, assessed improvement value, total assessed value, and recent sales. You can also view parcel maps and aerial imagery. No login is required for basic searches.
The Federal Way GIS Division offers PDF maps and an open GIS data portal for city-specific parcel and zoning information. Their interactive map shows the city boundary, capital projects, and service areas. This city-level data complements the county assessor search. The city GIS portal is at federalwaywa.gov under the GIS Division section.
For historical Federal Way property data, the Washington State Digital Archives holds early deeds and Real Property Record Cards. These are free to search online and can show ownership chains going back many decades. They are most useful for researching older structures or tracing title on a parcel that has changed hands multiple times.
The King County Assessor portal covers all Federal Way properties and includes valuation data, exemption programs, and parcel search tools.
Federal Way Property Tax Records
The King County Treasurer collects property taxes for Federal Way. Tax statements are mailed annually. First-half payments are due April 30 and second-half payments are due October 31. Delinquent accounts may be subject to interest and, eventually, tax foreclosure. The treasurer's office at kingcounty.gov/en/dept/treasury handles payment plans, payoff quotes, and tax sale information for Federal Way properties.
Property owners can pay online through the treasurer's website. Payment by check or in person is also accepted. If you are researching a Federal Way property for purchase, confirm whether any taxes are delinquent through the treasurer's records before closing. Unpaid taxes can become a lien on the property that must be cleared at closing.
Senior citizens and disabled persons who meet income requirements may qualify for a property tax exemption or deferral program. Applications are handled by the King County Assessor. The Washington Department of Revenue provides a directory of all county assessor and treasurer contacts statewide, which is useful if you need to compare Federal Way property data with records in other counties.
King County Property Records
Federal Way is in King County, and all property records for the city are held by county offices. The assessor, recorder, and treasurer all fall under the King County government. For a broader view of King County property record resources and other cities in the county, visit the King County property records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Federal Way and may share some county record systems for property searches.