Washington County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Washington County in 2026
WashingtonUTRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Washington County, Utah. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, recorded deeds, tax assessments, liens, encumbrances, parcel identification, and property valuations. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include:
- Deeds and title transfers
- Mortgage and lien documents
- Property tax assessments and payment history
- Parcel maps and legal descriptions
- Building characteristics and permit records
Records can be searched through official Washington County government resources. The primary platforms currently available are:
| Resource | Purpose | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Washington County Recorder/Surveyor | Recorded documents, deeds, mortgages | Free online and in-person |
| Document Search – Utah.gov | Online property document search | Free online |
| Washington County Assessor | Property valuations and characteristics | Free online |
| Washington County Treasurer | Tax bills and payment history | Free online |
| Washington County GIS Viewer | Interactive parcel mapping | Free online |
Online Search Methods
1. Property Assessor Website
The Washington County Assessor serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. The Assessor's office maintains records on all taxable real and personal property within the county. Members of the public may search at no cost without registration.
Search options include:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel ID number
- Legal description
- Map/GIS location
Information available through the Assessor:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property address and legal description
- Parcel/folio number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms)
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
How to search:
- Navigate to the Washington County Assessor website
- Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
- Enter search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list
- Select a property to view the full property card, maps, and sales history
- Print or save the information as needed
2. County Recorder Official Records Search
The Washington County Recorder/Surveyor maintains all officially recorded documents affecting real property. The Recorder's office provides both online and in-person access to recorded instruments. Under Utah Code § 17-21-6, the County Recorder is required to record, index, and make available all instruments submitted for recording.
Searchable by:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Instrument number
- Book and page number
Documents available:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and declarations of restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Powers of attorney affecting property
- Lis pendens notices
- HOA documents
How to search:
- Access the Document Search portal on Utah.gov
- Select the preferred search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range)
- Enter search criteria
- Review the results list
- Select a document to view the image (if available online)
- Note the instrument number or book and page for reference
3. Tax Treasurer Website
The Washington County Treasurer maintains property tax billing and payment records. The Treasurer's office currently offers the BillTrax Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment Service for online access to tax accounts.
Search by:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel number
- Tax account number
Information available:
- Current tax bill
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates
- Installment plan status
- Payment options
4. GIS / Mapping System
The Washington County Interactive Map Viewer provides a visual interface for locating and identifying parcels. The county designates this tool as a general reference resource; data layers displayed may not reflect the most current recorded information.
Features include:
- Interactive parcel boundary maps
- Aerial photography
- Zoning layers
- Flood zone designations
- Environmental feature overlays
How to use:
- Navigate to the GIS Viewer
- Navigate the map to the desired location or enter an address in the search bar
- Click on a parcel to view associated property information
- Toggle map layers to view zoning, flood zones, or other overlays
- Use the measurement tools to calculate distances or areas
In-Person Searches
Washington County Assessor
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7020
Assessor | Washington County of Utah
Services available in person:
- Public access computers
- Staff assistance with property searches
- Property cards and maps
- Exemption applications
Washington County Recorder/Surveyor
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7060
Recorder/Surveyor | Washington County of Utah
Services available in person:
- Viewing official recorded documents
- Requesting certified copies
- Searching grantor/grantee indexes
- Access to record books and microfilm
- Staff assistance with document searches
Washington County Treasurer
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7720
Treasurer | Washington County of Utah
Services available in person:
- Tax payment information
- Copies of tax bills
- Delinquency information
- Tax certificate searches
By Mail Requests
Recorder/Surveyor – Mail Requests
Washington County Recorder
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Members of the public may request copies of recorded documents by mail. Requests should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address with an approximate date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Assessor – Mail Requests
Washington County Assessor
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Requests for specific property information should include the property address or parcel number and a return envelope. Copying fees may apply.
Through Professionals
Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches and produce abstracts of title identifying all recorded interests affecting a property. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership issues or disputes. Real estate agents may access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and compile comparable sales data as part of their representation services. Costs for professional services vary by provider and scope of work.
Search Tips
- By address: Use the complete street address; try with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W); check spelling variations
- By owner name: Enter last name first; try variations with and without middle initials; consider married versus maiden names and business entity names
- By legal description: Use the exact legal description from the deed, including subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range where applicable
- For historical records: Records predating digitization may require an in-person visit; staff can assist with retrieval from microfilm or bound record books
Common Search Challenges
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing delays
- Very old records may not be digitized and require in-person access
- Common names or similar addresses may return multiple results; verify by parcel number or legal description
- Indexing errors may cause records to appear under variant spellings
What Cannot Be Found Online
- Unrecorded documents and private agreements not submitted for recording
- Pending sales prior to closing and recording
- Documents filed under seal by court order
- Some pre-digital historical records not yet scanned
What Is Washington County Property Records
Property records are official documents related to real property — land and the structures affixed to it — maintained by Washington County government pursuant to state law. These records constitute the legal foundation for establishing ownership, documenting transfers, and providing constructive notice of encumbrances to the public. Under Utah Code § 57-3-102, every conveyance of real property is void against subsequent purchasers unless recorded with the County Recorder, making the recording system essential to the integrity of real estate transactions.
As the Washington County Recorder's office states, its function is to "search county property records, search land records prior 1993, see recorder standards, see required fees for recording, see requirements for recording" — reflecting the breadth of the office's custodial responsibilities.
Types of property records maintained in Washington County include:
Ownership Records
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Title documents and transfer records
- Ownership history and chain of title
- Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property
Encumbrance Records
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
- Easements, restrictions, and covenants
- HOA documents and lis pendens notices
Tax and Assessment Records
- Property tax assessments and tax bills
- Payment history and delinquency records
- Exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, disability)
- Special assessments and millage rates
Legal Descriptions and Plats
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and re-plats
- Lot and block information
- Metes and bounds descriptions
Building and Permit Records
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violations and zoning information
- Land use designations
Who maintains property records in Washington County:
The Washington County Recorder/Surveyor records, indexes, and maintains all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Washington County Assessor is responsible for listing and valuing all taxable real and personal property in the county, maintaining property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption records. The Washington County Treasurer administers property tax billing, collection, and delinquency records. The Washington County Planning and Zoning Department maintains permit, zoning, and land use records.
Are Property Records Public Information in Washington County?
Property records in Washington County are public information. Under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2-301, records that are required by law to be available to the public are classified as public records and must be made accessible to any person upon request. Property records recorded with the County Recorder fall within this classification, as the recording system is premised on the principle of constructive notice — the legal doctrine that any person may be presumed to know the contents of properly recorded instruments.
"The County Assessor is responsible for listing and valuing all taxable real and personal property in Washington County," according to the Washington County Assessor's office, reflecting the public accountability function that property records serve in the tax assessment process.
Legal basis for public access:
- Utah GRAMA, § 63G-2-301 — classifies property records as public
- Utah recording statutes requiring public indexing and availability
- Common law tradition of public land records in American jurisprudence
- Constructive notice principles embedded in Utah property law
Why property records are public:
The public nature of property records serves multiple essential functions. Transparency in property ownership enables accountability in taxation, prevents fraudulent transfers, and supports the integrity of the real estate marketplace. Commercial users — including title companies, lenders, appraisers, and investors — rely on public access to conduct due diligence. Legal protections such as chain of title, priority of recorded interests, and enforcement of property rights all depend on the public availability of recorded instruments. Researchers, journalists, genealogists, and members of the general public also exercise legitimate interests in accessing these records.
What property information is freely accessible:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and property addresses
- Sale prices and transfer amounts
- Recorded mortgage amounts
- Liens and encumbrances
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
- Deeds and all recorded documents
- Plat maps and surveys
Privacy considerations:
Certain personal information within property records is subject to protection. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from documents recorded under current practice. Under Utah's Address Confidentiality Program, certain individuals — including domestic violence victims, stalking victims, and law enforcement personnel — may request that their residential address be protected from public disclosure. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is not fully public; members of the public should contact the Assessor's office directly regarding the disclosure policies applicable to specific exemption records.
Who may access property records:
Any person may access Washington County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. No special permission, demonstrated need, or business justification is required. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, developers, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.
Commercial use of property records:
Commercial aggregation of public property records is legally permissible. Subscription services and data companies compile public records for resale; such use is consistent with Utah law. Anti-harassment statutes, fair housing laws, and other applicable regulations continue to govern the manner in which information derived from public records may be used, irrespective of the public nature of the underlying data.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Washington County?
Members of the public may inspect property records online at no charge through the official Washington County portals. Fees apply when requesting physical copies, certified copies, or recordings of new instruments. The Washington County Recorder publishes its current fee schedule pursuant to state recording requirements.
Standard copy and recording fees (current schedule):
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording a document (first page) | $15.00 |
| Recording a document (each additional page) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy of a recorded document | $5.00 per document + $1.00 per page |
| Non-certified copy of a recorded document | $1.00 per page |
| Document search (online) | Free |
| Property assessment information (online) | Free |
| Tax account information (online) | Free |
| GIS map viewer (online) | Free |
Recording fees in Utah are governed by Utah Code § 17-21-18, which authorizes county recorders to collect fees for recording, indexing, and copying instruments. Members of the public should verify the current fee schedule directly with the Recorder's office, as fees are subject to legislative and administrative revision.
Accepted payment methods at the Recorder's office include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Online document viewing through the county's portal is provided at no cost. Some document image downloads may be subject to a per-page fee depending on the access method used.
Fee waivers: No general statutory fee waiver provision applies to routine property record requests under current Utah law. Government agencies conducting official business may be exempt from certain fees; members of the public should inquire directly with the relevant office.
What is available at no cost:
- Online property searches through the Assessor's portal
- Online document index searches through the Recorder's portal
- Online tax account lookups through the Treasurer's BillTrax system
- Interactive parcel mapping through the GIS Viewer
- In-person inspection of records at county offices (no viewing fee)
What's Included in a Washington County Property Record
A complete Washington County property record encompasses information maintained across multiple county offices. The following categories reflect the full scope of data available through the Recorder, Assessor, and Treasurer.
Ownership Information
Current ownership data includes:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
- Ownership percentage where multiple owners hold title
- Acquisition date and deed instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
Previous ownership data includes:
- Chain of title with prior owner names
- Transfer dates and historical deed references
- Ownership timeline from available records
Property Identification
- Site address (physical location) and mailing address if different
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, section/township/range, metes and bounds, or condominium unit number)
- Parcel ID number and tax account number
- Alternate or previous parcel numbers if the parcel has been renumbered
Physical Characteristics
Land information:
- Lot size in square feet or acres
- Lot dimensions, frontage, and depth
- Corner lot designation
- Land use designation and zoning classification
Building information:
- Total living area in square feet
- Year built and effective year
- Number of stories and building type
- Construction type, exterior wall material, roof type, and foundation type
- Number of bedrooms, full bathrooms, and half bathrooms
Additional features:
- Garage type and number of spaces
- Pool, porch, patio, and fireplace information
- Central air conditioning and heating type
- Water source and sewer system
- Additional structures (sheds, barns, accessory dwelling units)
- Condition and quality ratings
Valuation Information
- Land value and building value (assessed)
- Total assessed value and estimated market value
- Assessment year and historical assessed values for prior years
- Agricultural classification and value where applicable
Tax Information
- Total tax amount due for the current year
- Taxable value after exemptions
- Millage rate and breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Payment status, due dates, and discount information
- Tax payment history for prior years
- Delinquency history where applicable
Exemptions reflected in tax records may include:
- Homestead exemption
- Senior citizen exemption
- Disability exemption
- Veteran exemption
- Agricultural exemption
- Conservation or historic preservation exemption
Sales History
- Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers for recent transfers
- Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, gift, inheritance, divorce transfer, trust transfer)
- Grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) names
- Qualified or unqualified sale designation
Encumbrances and Liens
- Currently recorded mortgages and deeds of trust, including lender names, recording dates, and original amounts
- Tax liens (federal, state, and local), judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
- Easements (utility, access, conservation)
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- Lis pendens notices
- Life estates
Legal and Regulatory Information
- Current zoning classification and permitted uses
- Land use code and future land use designation
- Special district assignments (school, fire, water, other taxing districts)
- Flood zone designation (FEMA)
- Wetlands and conservation area designations
Maps and Visual Information
- Property exterior photograph
- Aerial photograph
- GIS map with parcel boundaries (available through the Washington County Interactive Map Viewer)
- Plat map and property sketch
Building Permit Information (where integrated)
- Building permits issued, permit dates, and descriptions
- Contractor information and permit values
- Certificate of occupancy
- Inspection records
What Is Not Typically Included in Public Property Records
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original amounts at time of recording are reflected)
- Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
- Interior photographs unless provided through an appraiser inspection
- Social Security numbers (redacted under current practice)
- Private agreements not submitted for recording
- Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
- Confidential details from exemption applications
How Long Does Washington County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Washington County are maintained permanently. The recording system depends on an unbroken chain of title extending from the original land grant to the present owner; destruction of any recorded instrument would compromise the integrity of that chain and expose subsequent purchasers to title defects. Permanent retention is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for the functioning of the real estate market.
Under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act and the Utah State Archives records retention schedules, recorded instruments affecting real property are classified as permanent records. The Washington County Recorder is required to preserve all recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related instruments indefinitely, regardless of the age of the document.
Records Kept Permanently
Deed records: All recorded deeds are retained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments. Records extend back to the formation of Washington County and, in some cases, to the territorial period.
Mortgage records: All recorded mortgages, deeds of trust, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.
Lien records: All recorded liens — including tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and their releases — are kept permanently as part of the official record.
Plats and surveys: All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently.
Other recorded instruments: Easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are all retained permanently.
Format and Storage
Historical records in Washington County exist in multiple formats depending on the era of recording:
- Very old records: Handwritten ledger books
- Early-to-mid twentieth century: Typed entries in bound record books
- Mid-to-late twentieth century: Microfilm
- Recent records: Digital scans and electronic document management systems
The Recorder's office maintains climate-controlled storage for paper and microfilm records, with off-site backup facilities and digital redundancy for electronic records.
Online Availability by Time Period
| Time Period | Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20+ years) | Fully online through the Document Search portal |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | May be online; microfilm available at office |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; microfilm or bound books |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Property Appraiser Assessment Records
The Assessor's office retains current and historical assessment records, property cards, and assessment rolls permanently. Recent years of assessment history are accessible online through the Assessor's portal. Historical assessments predating the online system are available at the office.
Tax Records
The Treasurer retains tax payment records for a minimum of seven to ten years under standard retention schedules. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Recent years of tax payment history are accessible online through the BillTrax system.
Accessing Historical Records
Members of the public seeking historical records that are not available online should contact the Recorder's office directly. Staff can retrieve documents from microfilm or bound record books. Retrieval is available on the same day for most requests; very old or archived records may require advance notice. Standard copy fees apply to historical records.
Washington County Recorder/Surveyor
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7060
Recorder/Surveyor | Washington County of Utah
Washington County Assessor
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7020
Assessor | Washington County of Utah
Preservation Efforts
Washington County, in common with many Utah counties, is engaged in ongoing digitization of historical records. Scanning projects convert bound record books and microfilm to digital images, making older records accessible through the online portal. Digital records are maintained with multiple backups and disaster recovery protocols to ensure permanent preservation.
How To Find Liens on Property in Washington County?
A lien is a legal claim recorded against real property that encumbers the title and may affect the owner's ability to sell or refinance. Members of the public may search for liens on Washington County property through the official recording system maintained by the Recorder/Surveyor's office.
Step-by-step search process:
- Access the Washington County Document Search portal
- Select "Grantee" or "Grantor" search, or search by document type
- Enter the property owner's name or the property address
- Filter results by document type — select lien categories such as "Tax Lien," "Mechanic's Lien," "Judgment Lien," or "Notice of Lien"
- Review the results list for instruments recorded against the subject property
- Click on individual documents to view the recorded instrument image
- Note the instrument number, recording date, lienholder name, and lien amount for each result
Types of liens searchable through the Recorder's portal:
- Federal tax liens: Filed by the Internal Revenue Service against property owners with unpaid federal tax obligations; indexed under the property owner's name
- State tax liens: Filed by the Utah State Tax Commission for unpaid state taxes
- Judgment liens: Recorded following a court judgment against a property owner; attach to all real property owned by the judgment debtor in the county
- Mechanic's liens: Filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers for unpaid construction work or materials under Utah Code § 38-1a-301
- HOA liens: Filed by homeowner associations for unpaid assessments
- Code enforcement liens: Filed by local government for unresolved code violations
Additional search resources:
For federal tax liens, members of the public may also search the IRS Centralized Lien Operation records. Utah state tax liens are filed with the County Recorder and are searchable through the same portal. Judgment lien searches may also be conducted through the Utah State Courts case search system to identify underlying judgments before they are recorded as liens.
In-person lien searches:
Members of the public may conduct lien searches in person at the Recorder's office, where staff can assist with grantor/grantee index searches and retrieval of recorded instruments.
Washington County Recorder/Surveyor
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7060
Recorder/Surveyor | Washington County of Utah
Important considerations:
A lien search conducted through the Recorder's portal reflects only instruments that have been recorded. Unrecorded claims, pending litigation not yet reduced to judgment, and IRS liens filed in other jurisdictions may not appear. Title companies and real estate attorneys conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process and carry professional liability for the accuracy of their searches.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Washington County?
The property owner rule in Washington County, Utah, refers to the body of state law and local regulations governing the rights, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to individuals and entities that hold title to real property within the county. Property ownership in Utah is governed primarily by state statute, with Washington County applying those provisions within its jurisdiction.
Fundamental ownership rights under Utah law:
Property owners in Washington County hold the right to use, enjoy, lease, sell, encumber, and devise their real property subject to applicable law. Utah recognizes fee simple absolute ownership as the highest form of property interest, conveying the broadest bundle of rights to the titleholder. Under Utah's recording statutes, a property owner's interest is protected against subsequent claimants only if the conveyance is properly recorded with the County Recorder pursuant to Utah Code § 57-3-103, which establishes Utah's race-notice recording system. Under this system, a subsequent purchaser who records first and takes without notice of a prior unrecorded interest prevails over the prior grantee.
Property tax obligations:
All property owners in Washington County are subject to annual property tax assessment and payment obligations. The Washington County Assessor values all taxable real and personal property each year, and the Washington County Treasurer collects the resulting tax obligations. Property taxes are a lien on the property from the date of assessment and take priority over most other encumbrances. Failure to pay property taxes may result in the issuance of a tax lien certificate and, ultimately, a tax deed sale.
Homestead exemption:
Utah law provides a homestead exemption for owner-occupied primary residences. Under current Utah law, the homestead exemption protects a portion of a property owner's equity in their primary residence from forced sale by judgment creditors. Property owners must apply for the homestead exemption through the Assessor's office to receive the applicable reduction in taxable value.
Zoning and land use regulations:
Property owners in Washington County are subject to the county's zoning ordinances and land use regulations, which govern permitted uses, setbacks, building heights, lot coverage, and subdivision requirements. The Washington County Planning and Zoning Department administers these regulations. Property owners proposing development, construction, or changes in use must obtain the required permits and approvals prior to commencing work.
Disclosure obligations:
Utah law imposes disclosure obligations on property sellers. Sellers of residential real property are required to complete a Seller's Property Condition Disclosure form identifying known material defects. These obligations run between the parties to a transaction and are not reflected in the public property records maintained by the Recorder or Assessor.
Adverse possession:
Utah recognizes the doctrine of adverse possession, under which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely occupies another's property for a statutory period may acquire legal title. Adverse possession claims in Utah require a period of seven years of continuous occupation under color of title with payment of property taxes, pursuant to applicable Utah statutes. Such claims are resolved through court proceedings, and any resulting title is recorded with the County Recorder.
Washington County Planning and Zoning
111 East Tabernacle Street
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 301-7000
Washington County of Utah