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Washington · DeedsWashington deed recording: acknowledgment and what the first page must show

Every Washington deed must be in writing, signed by the party bound and acknowledged before a person authorized to take acknowledgments (RCW 64.04.020). When an instrument is presented to the county auditor or recording officer, its first page must have a top margin of at least three inches and one-inch margins on the bottom and sides; the name and address to return it to at the top left; the title or type of instrument right below the three-inch margin – the auditor indexes only the titles captioned; reference numbers of documents assigned or released; the names of the grantors and grantees; an abbreviated legal description (lot, block and plat, or section, township, range and quarter-quarter), with a page reference to the full description; and the assessor's tax parcel or account number set apart from the legal description. Every page must be no larger than 8½ by 14 inches, in type of at least 8 points and with one-inch margins, and nothing may be attached except a bar code or address label. Apart from government documents, a recorded instrument may not contain a Social Security number, a person's date of birth or a parent's maiden name identified with a particular person (RCW 65.04.045).

What the statutes set

  1. Deed (RCW 64.04.020)

    In writing, signed by the party bound, acknowledged.

  2. Page one (RCW 65.04.045(1))

    Three-inch top margin; return address; title; grantors and grantees; abbreviated legal; parcel number.

  3. All pages (RCW 65.04.045(2))

    Up to 8½ × 14, 8-point type, one-inch margins, no attachments.

  4. Personal data (RCW 65.04.045(3))

    No Social Security number, birth date or parent's maiden name.

What the TC checks before a Washington deed goes to record

  • The return address, title, parties, abbreviated legal and parcel number on page one.
  • The three-inch top margin and one-inch margins on every page.
  • No Social Security number or date of birth anywhere in the document.

Questions about recording a Washington deed

What has to be on the first page of a Washington deed?

A three-inch top margin, the return name and address, the document title, the grantors and grantees, an abbreviated legal description and the assessor's parcel number, plus any reference numbers of documents assigned or released (RCW 65.04.045(1)).

Does a Washington deed have to be notarized?

Yes. It must be signed by the party bound and acknowledged before a person authorized to take acknowledgments (RCW 64.04.020).

Related guides

Turn the Washington first-page checklist into tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: RCW 64.04.020, 65.04.045 (app.leg.wa.gov), read October 30, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.