If you are adding a spouse to title, removing a former spouse, giving property to a family member, moving real estate into a trust, handling an inheritance, or cleaning up ownership records, a Washington quitclaim deed may be the document you are looking for.
The deed itself is often the simple part. The details that cause confusion are usually the legal description, notarization, the fact that Washington sends you to two different county offices, whether the Real Estate Excise Tax applies to your situation, and how Washington's community property rules might affect who needs to sign.
The good news is that a genuine gift with no money involved is generally exempt from Washington's excise tax, though the paperwork still needs to be filed correctly either way.
Important Washington Recording Note:
Washington deeds go through two offices before they're final. First, the County Treasurer processes the Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit (REETA) and collects any tax due. Then the County Auditor records the deed itself.
Washington requires this excise tax affidavit for nearly every property transfer, even a gift where no money changes hands. You still file it and mark the correct exemption code.
What You Need Before Filling Out the Deed
Before you start typing names into a deed form, gather the information Washington county offices commonly expect.
- Current deed or previously recorded deed
- Grantor's full legal name and mailing address
- Grantee's full legal name and mailing address
- Complete legal description of the property, plus the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
- Washington county where the property is located
- A return address for the recorded deed
- Notary acknowledgment for the grantor's signature
- A completed Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit (REETA)
- A Supplemental Statement, signed by all parties, if claiming an exemption
- A recording cover sheet, if your county requires one
- Recording fees and any excise tax due
How to Fill Out a Washington Quitclaim Deed
Step 1: Understand Washington's Two-Office Process
Before recording, the deed and a completed REETA go to the County Treasurer's office, where the tax or exemption is processed. Only after that step is the deed accepted at the County Auditor's office for recording. Both happen in the county where the property is located.
Step 2: Enter the Grantor Information
The grantor is the current owner transferring their interest in the property.
Use the grantor's full legal name and mailing address, matching the current deed.
Step 3: Enter the Grantee Information
The grantee is the person receiving the property interest.
Include the grantee's full legal name and current mailing address so tax bills go to the right place.
Step 4: Consider Community Property Rules
Washington is a community property state. Transfers that establish, separate, or otherwise affect community property may need to involve both spouses, even if only one is currently listed on title. Be specific about the ownership wording for any additional grantees.
Step 5: Add the Legal Description
Use the complete legal description from the current deed or a previously recorded deed, and include the Assessor's Parcel Number. A street address may help identify the property, but it is not a substitute for the full legal description.
Many counties, including King, Pierce, and Snohomish, expect a recording cover sheet listing the grantor, grantee, tax parcel number, and an abbreviated legal description.
Step 6: State the Consideration
Washington's statutory quitclaim deed form states the consideration paid for the property. For a genuine gift, this is $0, which also determines how you'll fill out the excise tax affidavit.
Step 7: Sign and Notarize the Deed
The grantor must sign the deed in front of a Washington notary public , who confirms identity and completes an acknowledgment that includes the venue, date, and commission details.
Washington allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) , which lets you meet with a notary by secure live video instead of traveling to an office.
Before choosing online notarization, confirm your county treasurer and auditor will accept a remotely notarized deed. Learn more on our Remote Online Notarization by State page.
Step 8: Complete the Excise Tax Affidavit
Fill out the REETA and, if claiming an exemption such as a bona fide gift, also complete a Supplemental Statement signed by every grantor and grantee. Bring supporting documents, such as a trust agreement or divorce decree, if your exemption relies on one.
Even a genuine gift can trigger some tax if the grantee is assuming mortgage debt on the property, since the assumed debt is treated as consideration.
Step 9: Record the Deed
Once the county treasurer has processed the excise tax affidavit and stamped your documents, take the deed to the County Auditor's office to be recorded, along with the recording fee.
Excise tax is generally due within 30 days of the date the deed is notarized, so don't wait too long between signing and processing.
Will You Owe the Real Estate Excise Tax?
For a lot of the situations that bring people to this page, the answer is: often not.
Washington exempts bona fide gifts made with no consideration from the Real Estate Excise Tax. Transfers made under a divorce or legal separation decree, transfers under the terms of a probated will or trust with proper documentation, and transfers to a beneficiary named in a transfer-on-death deed are also commonly exempt.
You still file the REETA and note the exemption, and if you're claiming one, everyone involved in the transfer needs to sign a Supplemental Statement as well. One important exception to keep in mind: if the grantee is taking over mortgage debt as part of the transfer, that assumed amount can still be taxable even in an otherwise exempt gift.
For transfers that don't qualify for an exemption, Washington's excise tax uses graduated state rates based on the property's selling price, with most cities and counties adding a local rate on top, commonly another 0.25% to 0.50%.
Washington Signing and Recording Notes
- Washington deeds go through the County Treasurer first, then the County Auditor, in the county where the property is located.
- The grantor's signature must be notarized by a Washington notary, or an out-of-state notary meeting Washington's requirements.
- Bona fide gifts with no consideration are generally exempt from the excise tax.
- Assumed mortgage debt can still trigger tax, even on an otherwise exempt gift.
- A REETA is required for nearly every transfer, exempt or not.
- Claiming an exemption typically also requires a signed Supplemental Statement.
- Use the complete legal description, plus the Assessor's Parcel Number.
- Washington is a community property state, which can affect who needs to sign.
- Many counties expect a recording cover sheet in addition to the deed.
- Assuming a quitclaim deed changes responsibility for a mortgage is a common misconception.
Official Washington Sources
Common Washington Quitclaim Deed Mistakes
- Taking the deed straight to the auditor and skipping the treasurer's excise tax processing
- Assuming a gift transfer needs no paperwork instead of filing the REETA
- Forgetting the Supplemental Statement when claiming an exemption
- Overlooking taxable debt assumption in an otherwise exempt gift
- Using only the street address instead of the legal description
- Leaving off the Assessor's Parcel Number
- Missing a required county-specific recording cover sheet
- Forgetting that the deed needs a complete notary acknowledgment
- Not addressing Washington's community property rules when a spouse is involved
- Assuming a quitclaim deed changes responsibility for a mortgage
How This Fits Into the Washington Quitclaim Deed Process
A Washington quitclaim deed can be a practical way to update ownership, especially for family gifts, trust transfers, estate planning, and divorce-related transfers.
The key is to prepare the deed carefully, notarize it correctly, process the excise tax affidavit with the county treasurer, and record it with the county auditor. Washington's two-office process trips up more people than the deed itself does, so budgeting time for both stops helps.
Washington Quitclaim Deed FAQ
Where do I record a Washington quitclaim deed?
The deed first goes to the County Treasurer for excise tax processing, then to the County Auditor for recording, both in the county where the property is located.
Will I owe Real Estate Excise Tax if I give property to a family member?
Often not. Bona fide gifts with no consideration are generally exempt, though you still file the affidavit noting the exemption. Assumed mortgage debt can still be taxable.
Does a Washington quitclaim deed need to be notarized?
Yes. The grantor must sign in front of a Washington notary public, with a complete acknowledgment.
Does Washington's community property law affect a quitclaim deed?
It can. Transfers affecting community property may need both spouses involved, even if only one is currently on title.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.