Spokane, Wa Public Records
Start here to route Spokane public records: search City Clerk for municipal files, Spokane County for property and recordings, and Washington state for vital certificates and certified copies.
On this page:
Where To Start
- Start with the City Clerk to search ordinances, minutes, resolutions, contracts, and submit a public records request or ask for certification if needed.
- Check the County Recorder for deeds, liens, easements, and plats recorded against Spokane properties.
- Search parcels by address or parcel number with the County Assessor to confirm ownership, assessed value, and legal description.
- Use the City permitting lookup to review building permits, inspections, or code enforcement history for a Spokane address.
- Request birth or death certificates from the state; obtain marriage documents through the county rather than the City.
Record Routing
- City ordinances, minutes, contracts → City Clerk
- Recorded deeds, liens, plats → County Recorder
- Parcels, values, legal descriptions → County Assessor
- Property tax bills, payments → County Treasurer
- Building permits, inspections, code cases → City Permitting/Planning
Search Inputs
- Ordinance or resolution number
- Council meeting date
- Parcel number (APN)
- Property address
- Grantor/grantee name
- Permit or business license number
Source Map
| Source / Office | Best For | Search Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Clerk | Ordinances, resolutions, minutes, contracts, administrative records | Keyword or date index; submit public records request; request certified copies when available | Municipal records for Spokane are centralized with the Clerk. |
| County Recorder | Deeds, liens, easements, plats, real estate recordings | Grantor/grantee or document type index; request copies | All property recordings for Spokane addresses are filed at the county. |
| County Assessor | Parcel ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions | Search by parcel number or address; view assessment data | Parcels within Spokane are assessed at the county level. |
| County Treasurer | Property tax bills, payment status, tax history | Search by parcel number or address; confirm balances or payment history | County collects and tracks ad valorem taxes for Spokane parcels. |
| City Permitting/Planning | Building permits, inspections, planning cases, code enforcement | Permit or address lookup; request file copies if not online | Permits and inspections within Spokane city limits are issued by city departments. |
| State Vital Records | Birth and death certificates | Identity-based application; request certified copies | Vital records in Washington are issued by the state, not the City. |
Spokane Public Records FAQs
How do I request a certified copy of a city record in Spokane?
Submit a public records request to the City Clerk and specify certification. Some items are informational only. Vital and marriage certificates are obtained from state or county offices.
Where can I get a deed or lien for a Spokane property?
Use the County Recorder index by grantor/grantee, parcel number, or document type and request copies of the recorded deed, lien, or plat.
Can I verify property taxes for a Spokane address online?
Search with the County Treasurer by parcel number or address to confirm current balance and tax history. Official receipts or certified statements may require a request.
What if I only have a street address and no parcel number?
Start with the County Assessor’s address lookup to obtain the parcel number, then reuse that parcel ID with the Recorder and Treasurer searches.