Wahkiakum County Property Records

Wahkiakum County property records are maintained by the county Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet. Wahkiakum is one of Washington's smallest counties by population, with about 4,400 residents, but it maintains the same property records system required of all Washington counties. You can search parcel data through the county's online web map and property search tool, review deed filings at the Auditor's office, and pay property taxes online or in person. This page covers how to find Wahkiakum County property records and what each county office maintains.

Wahkiakum County Assessor

The Wahkiakum County Assessor is the primary source for property valuation records in the county. The assessor's primary duty is to determine the value of all taxable real and personal property within the county for the purpose of equitably distributing the tax burden among all property owners. Under Washington State law, the assessor is required to appraise the value of real property annually at 100 percent of its true and fair market value. This standard is set by RCW 84.40.020, which also requires that all assessment records be open to public inspection.

The Assessor's office is small, reflecting the county's size, but it provides the same core property records as any other county in Washington. Staff includes the Assessor Drew Jenkins, Chief Deputy Assessor Kelli Johnston, and Deputy Assessor James Turner, who handles residential appraisals. The office also offers a Wahkiakum County Web Map and a property search tool directly from the assessor's page. Continuance programs for classified or designated land are also administered through this office.

Under RCW 84.41.030, the assessor must revalue all real property on a continuous basis. The office also maintains GIS mapping data that shows parcel boundaries, ownership, and taxing district lines for the county.

The Wahkiakum County Assessor's page at co.wahkiakum.wa.us provides access to parcel search, sales data, the county web map, and land classification information.

Wahkiakum County Treasurer Property Tax Records

The Wahkiakum County Treasurer, Tammy Peterson, manages all property tax billing and collection for the county. The Treasurer's office acts as the bank for county government, handling revenue collection, cash management, disbursements, and investment of public funds. For property owners, the most common interactions with the Treasurer involve paying annual property taxes and confirming tax status on a parcel.

Property taxes in Wahkiakum County are due in two installments. First half is due April 30. Second half is due October 31. The Treasurer also collects Real Estate Excise Tax on property transfers under RCW 82.45. This tax must be paid before a deed can be recorded. The office also issues Mobile Home Movement Certificates and handles foreclosure on property with delinquent taxes.

The Treasurer's office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The office address is 64 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612. The mailing address is PO Box 85, Cathlamet, WA 98612. The phone is (360) 795-8005 and fax is (360) 795-8609. Tax statements, payment options, tax rates, and foreclosure information are all accessible through the Treasurer's page on the county website.

The Wahkiakum County Treasurer's page provides tax payment options, tax rate information, foreclosure details, and Real Estate Excise Tax forms for property transfers.

Wahkiakum County Auditor Recorded Documents

The Wahkiakum County Auditor is the recording officer for all real property instruments in the county. Under RCW 36.22.010, the auditor records deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents that affect title to real estate. Recording is the mechanism that makes ownership public and protects buyers from unknown claims on a property.

Under RCW 65.08.070, the definition of a recordable instrument is broad and includes any document that creates, transfers, or assigns an interest in real property. An instrument that is not recorded may not protect the holder against a later party who records first without notice of the earlier document. For a small county like Wahkiakum, the auditor's recorded document index is the key reference for checking ownership history and encumbrances.

The Wahkiakum County government campus is at 64 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612. All three county offices (Assessor, Auditor, and Treasurer) operate from this location or nearby. You can reach the county government by email through the contact link at co.wahkiakum.wa.us.

The Wahkiakum County Auditor records deeds, mortgages, and other property instruments for all parcels in the county, located at 64 Main Street in Cathlamet.

Property Records Access in Wahkiakum County

Wahkiakum County follows the same legal framework for property records as all Washington counties. Chapter 36.21 RCW sets the assessor's duties. The assessor must value all taxable real and personal property in both incorporated and unincorporated areas to ensure equitable tax liabilities. Taxpayers who disagree with a value can appeal to the county Board of Equalization.

Most property records in Wahkiakum County are public under the Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW. Parcel data, assessed values, ownership records, and the auditor's recorded document index are all accessible to anyone. Some confidential income information submitted with exemption applications may be withheld, but general valuation data is not restricted.

The Washington Department of Revenue directory links to the Wahkiakum County assessor and treasurer websites. The Washington State Digital Archives holds historical property records for the county. The MRSC guide on county officials explains the roles of each county office under state law.

Communities in Wahkiakum County

Wahkiakum County includes the city of Cathlamet and several small unincorporated communities including Skamokawa and Rosburg. No communities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All property records for Wahkiakum County parcels are maintained by the county offices in Cathlamet.

Nearby Counties

Wahkiakum County borders two other counties along the lower Columbia River. Each county has its own property records offices.