Find Property Records in Chelan County

Chelan County property records are managed by the Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer offices in Wenatchee. The county covers roughly 79,000 residents and maintains detailed parcel data, recorded instruments, and tax accounts for all real property. This guide explains where to find Chelan County property records online and in person, including the county's online parcel and sale search tools.

Chelan County Property Records Overview

Property records in Chelan County are public under Chapter 42.56 RCW. The Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer each hold a different piece of the picture. The Assessor handles valuation and parcel data. The Auditor records deeds, mortgages, and other instruments. The Treasurer manages tax collection and investment of county funds, with over 56,000 tax and assessment accounts on record.

The legal basis for Chelan County's property assessment work comes from Chapter 36.21 RCW, which outlines assessor authority statewide. All property must be assessed at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each year under RCW 84.40.020. Chelan County is now annually updating all properties according to market sales, and physical inspections of every property happen on a four-year cycle. This keeps valuations more current than counties that only revalue on a longer schedule.

The legal foundation for the Assessor's public records access comes from the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and recording statutes under RCW 65.04.140. Information such as parcel numbers, ownership, tax code areas, and assessed valuations is available online or by calling the Assessor's office during business hours.

Chelan County Assessor

The Chelan County Assessor is responsible for determining the value of all taxable real and personal property in the county on a fair and equitable basis. The office maintains accurate and accessible property information, provides timely assessments for tax purposes, and keeps a detailed parcel map showing all parcels within the county. The Assessor's Office is at 350 Orondo Avenue, Suite 6, Wenatchee, WA 98801, phone 509-667-6365.

The Assessor offers an online Parcel and Sale Search tool at co.chelan.wa.us/assessor/property-search. This lets you search by owner name, parcel number, or address. Results show property characteristics, assessed values, tax history, sales history, and current ownership. The GIS mapping system adds aerial photography, property boundaries, and zoning data layers. The database is updated regularly to reflect new sales, subdivisions, and valuation changes.

Exemption programs available through the Assessor include senior and disabled person deferrals, current use (open space and agricultural land), and destroyed property relief. Monthly sales reports and property tax summary reports are posted on the Assessor's website for public review.

The Chelan County Assessor office at co.chelan.wa.us/assessor provides online parcel search, GIS mapping, assessment data, and information on exemption programs for all county properties.

The Assessor maintains over 56,000 tax accounts and provides an online parcel and sale search for Chelan County properties, including GIS mapping with boundary and zoning data.

Recording Property in Chelan County

The Chelan County Auditor handles recording of all official public records and maintains a permanent record of such documents. Under RCW 36.22.010, the Auditor is the county's recording officer. The Recording Division accepts deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other instruments that affect title to real property in Chelan County.

Recording your deed provides constructive notice of your ownership interest. Under RCW 65.08.070, an unrecorded instrument may be void against a subsequent buyer or lender who records first without knowledge of the prior transfer. This is the "race-notice" principle in Washington recording law. Any real estate purchase or transfer should be followed promptly by recording the deed with the Auditor.

The Auditor also offers document search online through the county website's Recording section. You can search recorded documents from your home or office. The Auditor's office is at the Chelan County Courthouse in Wenatchee. For property fraud concerns, the Auditor provides a fraud alert service. Electronic recording is available for attorneys and title companies.

The Chelan County Auditor at co.chelan.wa.us/auditor handles recording of all real property instruments including deeds, mortgages, and plats for Chelan County.

The Auditor's Recording Division maintains the permanent official record of all documents affecting real property in Chelan County, with online document search available.

Chelan County Treasurer

The Chelan County Treasurer manages between $76 million and $101 million in investments depending on the time of year and handles over 56,000 tax and assessment accounts. This is a substantial operation for a mid-size county. The Treasurer has two major divisions: Accounting (for disbursing funds and paying warrants) and Tax Collection (for real, personal, and utility taxes).

Property taxes in Chelan County are due in two halves. The Treasurer also acts as agent for the Department of Revenue in collecting Real Estate Excise Tax under RCW 82.45 on property sales. Mobile home movement certificates and foreclosure proceedings for delinquent taxes are handled by this office as well. Online tax payment is available through the county website.

The Treasurer's office is at the county courthouse in Wenatchee. You can also search parcel and tax payment information directly through the Treasurer's website at co.chelan.wa.us/treasurer. The site provides a parcel search and online tax payment portal.

The Chelan County Treasurer at co.chelan.wa.us/treasurer handles all property tax collection for the county and provides online payment options and parcel search tools.

The Treasurer manages property tax collection, Real Estate Excise Tax, and foreclosure proceedings for Chelan County and provides an online tax payment portal.

Additional Chelan County Property Resources

The Washington Department of Revenue provides oversight of county assessors statewide and publishes the County Assessor's Manual. The manual covers valuation methods, legal descriptions, and how market value is established. It also references key statutes including RCW 84.08.010 (DOR general supervision) and RCW 84.52.040 (levy rates based on assessed value). Reviewing this manual can help you understand how your Chelan County assessed value was determined.

For historical records on Chelan County properties, the Washington State Digital Archives is the best starting point. Older deeds, plat maps, and land records from Chelan County are available for free online search. These are especially useful for properties with long ownership histories or rural parcels near former mining or agricultural operations.

If you disagree with your Chelan County assessed value, you can appeal to the Board of Equalization by filing a petition. The Assessor's website explains the appeal process and provides access to forms. The MRSC county officials guide provides additional context on how the equalization process works across Washington counties.

Note: The Chelan County Assessor provides online document search through the county's Recording portal, which is separate from the parcel and sale search tool.

Cities in Chelan County

Chelan County includes Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan, Cashmere, and other communities. The following city has an individual property records page on this site.

Other communities in Chelan County include East Wenatchee (Douglas County), Leavenworth, Chelan, and Cashmere. Property records for all unincorporated areas and smaller cities are handled by the county offices in Wenatchee.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Chelan County. Property records for each are maintained by their respective county offices.