Recording Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We accept cash, check (made out to “Skagit County Auditor”), and credit cards for payment. We charge all card transactions a $2.00 for debit or 2.49% service fee for credit.

No personal checks are accepted for marriage applications.

You can view our documents' indexed information using our document search.

For documents recorded prior to 1973, search our Historic Document Search.

For documents recorded after 1973, search our Current Document Search.

Our office can provide photo copies and certified copies of recorded documents.

Contact our office by phone or email to verify the cost of the copy you are requesting.

Phone: 360-416-1704
Email: screcording@skagitcountywa.gov 

We charge all card transactions a $2.00 for debit or 2.49% service fee for credit.

Checks must be payable to the "Skagit County Auditor."

Photo copies cost $1.00 per page.

Certified copies of each document cost $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. 

All records in our office are located by searching our grantor/grantee index. To ensure a title search is done completely and accurately, we suggest you contact a title company.

The Auditor's Office can't offer legal advice. If you would like to add, change or remove names from your deed and are unfamiliar with the necessary steps to take, you can contact a real estate attorney or title company.  If you are looking for blank forms, you can try an office supply store or title company.

When you pay off your home, you don't get the title for it like you do with a car. Instead, each time you pay off a loan, whether at the end of a 30-year mortgage or when refinancing your home, your bank will record a type of Reconveyance. A Reconveyance shows you have satisfied a specific loan. If your bank doesn't provide you with a Reconveyance, we can get you a copy. You can find out how to request a copy from our office by reading the answer to "How do I request copies of recorded documents?" 

​If your spouse or someone on your deed has passed away, please contact an attorney to find out if you need to make any changes to your deed. If they tell you to record documents with our office, please get clear direction on what they want you to record and make sure you have completed documents prior to coming to our office for recording.

You may either come in and search the records on your own, or you may request us to conduct a search for you.

You can request a copy from our office, either in person or by mail. Copy fees apply.

A subdivision plat or survey describes the size of your property. Such surveys are available from our office.

Common Problems/Reasons for Document Refusal

The following problems are the most frequently encountered reasons for documents being refused for recording. Such problems require that the document be reformatted before it is returned for recording.

Please check your document to be sure that none of the following occur:

• Seals, signatures or initials, or any other non-allowed items in the margins
• Missing Parcel Number(s)
• Anything other that the return address in the top three-inch margin
• One-inch margins that are not actually one inch

If you need to know why we rejected a document, please call us and we will explain our decision.

You can view document standards here. (link to page)

You can use eRecording to record almost all types of documents.

Any documents that need to be processed through the Treasurer's office for excise or review must be submitted through Simplifile only.

Yes, all regular formatting requirements apply to eRecording documents.

Contracted vendors handle payments for eRecorded documents.

All eRecording companies require creating an account and charge a monthly surcharge. Not available for one-time recording.

Our three contracted eRecording vendors are ePN, CSC, and Simplifile.

Contact vendors directly to find out if they have additional requirements or restrictions.

• Marriage licenses are not valid until the third full day after the application is issued and payment is verified at the Auditor’s Office.  For example, if the application is issued on Monday, the first day it can be used is Thursday.  Call our office to confirm receipt of online/mailed applications and payments (360-416-1704).
  
  
• Marriage Licenses are VOID if not solemnized within 60 days of the valid date.
• Both parties must sign the completed affidavit. This affidavit must be signed in front of a Deputy Auditor in our office, OR notarized by a Notary Public.
  
  
• Neither a witness nor a blood test is required to obtain a marriage license.
  
  
• The cost for a marriage license is $164.00.  An additional $3.00 is required if you need a certified copy (this is optional). 

$164.00 - cash, credit card, or cashier's check only

$3.00 additional if you want a certified copy (this is optional)

State law requires three days between the date our office records a marriage application and when you get married (RCW 26.04.180). For example, if you apply on Wednesday, you can get married on Saturday.

No

State law (RCW 26.04.070) requires the people getting married to say they will take each other as spouses in the presence of:

• An official with any religious organization OR a judicial officer; and
• At least two attending witnesses.

State law (RCW 26.04.050) says who can perform marriage ceremonies. The following people, active or retired, can perform marriage ceremonies:

• Judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Court, District Court, Municipal Court and other courts of limited jurisdiction (RCW 3.02.020).
• Commissioners of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Superior Court.
• Licensed or ordained official of any religious organization.

Washington State does not license officials of any religious organization. Officials of religious organizations from any state may perform ceremonies. Couples may not officiate their own wedding.

All marriage records are public records. The one exception is if one or both people are enrolled in the Washington State Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). If you are enrolled in ACP, please contact our office to schedule a time to apply for your marriage application.

Once we record a marriage application or certificate, it cannot be removed from our records.

If you applied for your certificate in Skagit County, you can request a copy of the certificate in-person or by mailing a request. The fee is $3.00. If you mail a request, be sure to include the names of both applicants and the date of the marriage.

The Skagit County Clerk of the Courts is the keeper of divorce papers.