Franklin County Property Records Lookup
Franklin County property records are maintained by the Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer offices, all headquartered in Pasco, the county seat. Whether you need to search a parcel value, find a recorded deed, review tax history, or look up ownership information, these three offices are the primary sources. Franklin County covers the Tri-Cities area on the eastern side of the state, and its property records system is accessible both online and in person at the county government offices in Pasco. This page explains how each office functions and how to get the records you need.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Assessor
The Franklin County Assessor's Office values all taxable real and personal property in the county for property tax purposes. The office's goal is to treat every property owner fairly and impartially under Washington State law. Property is assessed at 100% of market value under RCW 84.40.020, with January 1 as the official valuation date each year. The office does not set the total tax amount and does not bill or collect taxes that work goes to the Treasurer.
The Franklin County Assessor website is the starting point for parcel searches and property value lookups. The site includes tools to search by owner name, address, or parcel number and provides assessed values, land and improvement breakdowns, tax codes, and ownership history. The office emphasizes fairness, honesty, and integrity as core values in its appraisal work.
Exemption programs are available for seniors and disabled persons who meet income and age requirements. Agricultural and open space designations may reduce the taxable value for qualifying properties. The rate for each taxing district is calculated based on the assessed value of all parcels combined with voter-approved levies and state-imposed limits.
The Franklin County Assessor office page provides parcel search tools, assessed value data, and exemption program information for all property owners in the county.
Franklin County's Assessor maintains detailed parcel records for all real and personal property, accessible online through the county's property search tools.
| Office | Franklin County Assessor |
|---|---|
| Address | Pasco, WA (Franklin County Government) |
| Website | franklincountywa.gov/157/Assessor |
Property Assessment in Franklin County
Under RCW 84.41.030, counties must conduct revaluation on a continuous basis. Franklin County revalues all properties annually, which means every parcel gets its assessed value reviewed each year. This keeps values aligned with current market conditions across the Pasco area and the rest of the county. When values change, owners receive notice from the Assessor's office.
The Assessor's office is responsible for ensuring that all property owners are treated equitably. Taxpayers, state limitations, and each district's assessed value together determine the tax rate for that district. The Assessor compiles levy rates from all taxing districts to arrive at the total tax rate for each parcel. This process is governed by Chapter 36.21 RCW, which lays out the authority and duties of the county assessor statewide.
Disagreements over assessed values can be appealed to the Franklin County Board of Equalization. The appeal process gives property owners a formal venue to challenge valuations they believe do not reflect true market value. Forms and deadlines for appeals are available through the Assessor's office. The board reviews the evidence and can order adjustments if warranted.
Note: If you receive a Change of Value notice and are unsure whether to appeal, the Assessor's office staff can explain how the value was determined and what comparables were used.
Recording Property Documents in Franklin County
The Franklin County Auditor serves as the recorder for all real property documents in the county. Under RCW 36.22.010, county auditors in Washington State hold this recording function. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and other instruments affecting title to real property are submitted to the Auditor to be recorded in the official county records.
Recording a document gives it legal effect against third parties under RCW 65.08.070. An unrecorded deed may be valid between the buyer and seller but can be voided by a later buyer who records first without notice. This is why recording matters in any real estate transaction. The Auditor must record any qualifying document upon payment of the proper fee.
The Franklin County Auditor office handles elections, vehicle licensing, financial management, and recording services. For property research, the recording function is the most relevant. Recorded documents are indexed by grantor and grantee names and are available to the public.
Visit the Franklin County Auditor site for information on public records requests, recording fees, and document submission requirements.
The Franklin County Auditor records deeds, mortgages, and other property instruments, making them part of the public record and accessible to anyone who searches the county's official records.
Franklin County Treasurer
The Franklin County Treasurer bills and collects property taxes for all parcels in the county. Taxes are due in two halves: April 30 for the first half and October 31 for the second half. If the first half is not paid by April 30, the full amount becomes delinquent. Late payments are subject to interest and penalties under RCW 84.56.020, assessed from the first of each month following the due date.
As of January 1, 2024, the Franklin County Treasurer's office no longer processes payments over the phone. You can pay online through the county portal, send a check by mail, or visit in person. The Treasurer also offers payment plan options for taxpayers who need flexible arrangements. Contact the office directly to discuss eligibility and terms.
When property changes hands, the Real Estate Excise Tax under RCW 82.45 must be paid before the deed can be recorded. The Treasurer handles REET collection and issues the tax affidavit required by the Auditor before recording proceeds. The Treasurer also manages tax foreclosure sales for properties with unpaid taxes. Upcoming sales are posted on the county website.
The Franklin County Treasurer page provides a Property Tax Inquiry online tool for checking balances and viewing account details, along with email reminder sign-up for upcoming tax due dates.
The Franklin County Treasurer distributes collected taxes to school districts, fire districts, cities, and other local taxing units throughout the county.
Searching Franklin County Property Records Online
The Franklin County Assessor's website at franklincountywa.gov is the primary online source for parcel data. You can search by owner name, address, or parcel number to find assessed values, land use codes, tax codes, ownership information, and more. The site also links to exemption forms and explains how to read your assessment notice.
For property tax payment and balance lookups, use the Property Tax Inquiry tool linked from the Treasurer's page at co.franklin.wa.us. This tool shows current and past balances, payment history, and allows online payments. You can also sign up for email reminders about upcoming tax deadlines in April and October.
Recorded documents are available through the Auditor's office. Franklin County's Auditor recording search may require an in-person visit or direct contact for older documents. For historical records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds older property documents for many Washington counties, including deed books and historical plat records.
The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a statewide directory linking to every county's assessor and treasurer, which is useful for confirming current contact information.
Historical Property Research in Franklin County
Franklin County was established in 1883 and has property records going back well over a century. For older deeds, mortgages, and plat records, the Washington State Digital Archives at digitalarchives.wa.gov is the best starting point for free online access. The archive holds digitized land records from many Washington counties and can be searched by name, date range, and record type.
The Franklin County Auditor's office retains historical recorded documents. For records that predate the current digital system, contact the Auditor directly to inquire about availability. Public records requests under Chapter 42.56 RCW can be submitted through the county website. Many historical plat maps and surveys are also available through the county's GIS and mapping resources.
Chain-of-title research typically requires both Assessor records (for ownership and value history) and Auditor records (for deed and lien history). For properties in Pasco and other parts of the county, checking both sources gives you a full picture of ownership and encumbrances over time.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes the city of Pasco, which is part of the Tri-Cities metro area along with Kennewick and Richland in neighboring Benton County. Pasco is the county seat and the largest city in Franklin County.
Other communities in Franklin County include Connell, Kahlotus, Mesa, and Basin City. All property records for these areas are maintained by the Franklin County offices in Pasco.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several other counties in eastern Washington. If you are unsure which county holds property records for a particular address, confirm the county boundaries before submitting a records request.