Clark County Property Records Search

Clark County property records cover one of the largest counties in Washington, with around 510,000 residents in the Vancouver metro area along the Oregon border. The Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer offices manage all property data, recorded instruments, and tax accounts for parcels throughout the county. This page explains how to search Clark County property records using the county's online tools and offices.

Clark County Property Records Overview

Clark County is the fourth most populous county in Washington. It covers the city of Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, La Center, Ridgefield, and large unincorporated areas. Property records here are public under Chapter 42.56 RCW. The volume of property transactions in Clark County is significant, and the county has invested heavily in online tools to make records accessible without requiring in-person visits.

The Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer all operate through the county's main website at clark.wa.gov. Under Chapter 36.21 RCW, the Assessor must value all taxable property equitably. Clark County appraisers perform physical inspections of properties on a rolling cycle and update all valuations annually according to market sales, consistent with RCW 84.40.020 (assessment as of January 1) and RCW 84.41.030 (continuous revaluation). Senior and disabled exemption applications for the 2026 tax year are available through the Assessor.

The county's Joint Lobby location handles in-person services for multiple departments, though it underwent renovation in early 2025. Check the county website for current hours and access information before visiting.

Clark County Assessor

The Clark County Assessor, currently Peter Van Nortwick, oversees property appraisals for all real and personal property in the county. The Assessor's office provides residential and commercial appraisals, business personal property assessments, and cadastral mapping. The office is reachable at 564-397-2391 or assessor@clark.wa.gov. Appraisal services remain available by phone and email even when the Joint Lobby is undergoing renovations.

Property owners who want to look up current values can use the county's Property Information Center. This tool shows property values, neighborhood associations, and other property data. The Assessor also publishes annual levy reports and tax rate information. Appeals of assessed value go to the Clark County Board of Equalization. The Assessor's website at clark.wa.gov/assessor has detailed information on the appeal process and frequently asked questions about how properties are valued.

Tax relief programs administered by the Assessor include the Senior/Disabled Exemption program and Local Tax Increment Financing. These programs can reduce your tax burden if you qualify. The Assessor publishes levy certification data annually, which shows the total assessed value of property in each taxing district and how levy rates are set.

The Clark County Assessor at clark.wa.gov/assessor provides property valuations, GIS mapping, exemption programs, and online access to assessed values for all Clark County properties.

The Assessor's office manages real and personal property appraisals for over 510,000 residents and provides an online property information center for parcel research.

Clark County GIS and Property Search

Clark County operates a comprehensive GIS system at gis.clark.wa.gov. The GIS division maintains the county tax maps, subdivision plats, survey records, and zoning overlays. Several different map applications are available, including MapsOnline, the Property Information Center, and the Property Finder app. These tools let you search for parcels by address, parcel number, or by clicking on the map directly.

The Cadastral Map Team handles property boundary mapping for tax purposes and other property-related transactions. You can reach the Cadastral team at cadastral@clark.wa.gov or 564-397-4641. For GIS technical support and map store products, contact the GIS store at 564-397-4447 or through the GIS Store Contact Form on the county website.

Clark County's GIS resources include recorded documents, subdivision and plat records, annexation maps, and a quarter section map collection. The Open Data Hub provides downloadable GIS datasets for those doing larger-scale property research. This is one of the more robust county GIS offerings in Washington.

Note: The GIS Store is open for in-person visits by appointment only. Contact the GIS staff through the store contact form or by phone to schedule a visit.

Recording Property in Clark County

The Clark County Auditor handles recording of all real property documents under RCW 36.22.010. The office records deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, reconveyances, liens, easements, and plat maps. The Recording Division is reachable at 564-397-2208 or AuditorRecording@clark.wa.gov. Electronic recording (eRecording) is available, which is widely used by title companies and law firms to record Clark County documents without visiting in person.

Under RCW 65.08.070, recording gives constructive notice to the world of your property interest. Failing to record leaves you vulnerable to claims by later buyers who record without notice. In a high-volume real estate market like Clark County, prompt recording after closing is essential. The Auditor's website at clark.wa.gov/auditor provides a recording guide and a document search tool for recorded instruments.

The Auditor is also the county's chief financial officer and oversees elections, vehicle licensing, marriage licensing, and financial services. The recording function is one component of a broader set of responsibilities. The Auditor is elected to a four-year term.

The Clark County Auditor at clark.wa.gov/auditor provides recording services, document search, and eRecording for all real property instruments in Clark County.

The Auditor's Recording Division handles all deed, mortgage, and lien recordings for Clark County and provides online document search access.

Clark County Treasurer

The Clark County Treasurer collects property taxes, manages Real Estate Excise Tax under RCW 82.45, and provides banking services, cash management, and debt management for the county and its taxing districts. The Treasurer is reachable at 564-397-2252 or datamgmt@clark.wa.gov. First-half 2026 property taxes are due April 30.

The Treasurer's Property Information Center links directly to current parcel data. The office provides multiple payment options including online payment, and handles homebuyer down payment assistance programs. The Treasurer also manages foreclosure proceedings for past-due property taxes, with information on current foreclosure auctions available on the county website.

The Clark County Treasurer at clark.wa.gov/treasurer handles all property tax collection, Real Estate Excise Tax, and provides the Property Information Center for parcel lookups.

The Treasurer manages property tax collection for Clark County and provides online payment options, foreclosure information, and the Property Information Center for all parcel data.

Additional Clark County Property Resources

The Washington Department of Revenue directory links to Clark County's assessor and treasurer websites. The DOR also publishes the County Assessor's Manual, which explains how market value is determined and how levy rates are calculated. This is a useful background resource for understanding how your Clark County property value was set.

For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives provides free access to older Clark County property records including deeds, plat maps, and recorded instruments from the county's early history. These records are searchable by county, record type, and date range.

The MRSC guide to county officials explains the assessor's role in detail, including how the Board of Equalization handles appeals and how exemption programs work. For Clark County specifically, the Assessor's FAQ section covers the most common questions about property values and levy calculations. The Washington Attorney General opinion on recording duties confirms the Auditor's obligation to record documents affecting real property when proper fees are tendered.

Cities in Clark County

Clark County includes Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, and the community of Orchards. The following cities have individual property records pages on this site.

Other communities in Clark County include Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and various unincorporated areas. All property records are filed through the county offices in Vancouver.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clark County in southwestern Washington. Each maintains its own property records system.