Washington County, ME Property Records
Property records in Washington, Maine document ownership, land characteristics, assessed values, tax information, and recorded transactions for real estate within the town. These records may include deeds, parcel maps, tax cards, property descriptions, transfer history, exemptions, and mortgage or lien documents. They are useful for confirming ownership, researching property boundaries, reviewing tax assessments, preparing for a purchase or sale, and conducting legal or historical property research.
Official Washington property information is typically maintained by the Town of Washington for local tax and assessing records, while deeds and other recorded land documents are filed with the Knox County Registry of Deeds. Users can access recorded land documents through the county’s official property records page or contact the Washington town office for municipal assessment and tax records.
Washington County, ME Property Records & Statistics
Washington County has a median rent of $637, far below the Maine median of $919.50 and the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing makes up 17.61% of occupied homes, above the state's 15.75% and below the national 21.81%, so renting is somewhat more common here than across Maine as a whole.
The median home value is $139,100, well under the state's $203,575 and the national $173,750, making the county one of the least expensive places to buy a home in Maine. The median property tax rate of 1.04% is lower than the state rate of 1.13% but still above the national rate of 0.74%.
The median household income is $53,214.50, below both the state figure of $64,220.25 and the national figure of $65,108. Lower earnings help explain the lower rents and home prices. Employment is the weakest part of the picture: the unemployment rate of 3.11% is higher than Maine's 2.19% and the national 2.87%.
In all, Washington County offers very affordable housing, a moderate property tax rate by Maine standards, and a slightly larger renter share than the state, alongside lower incomes and higher unemployment than both comparison areas.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Washington
Washington County's property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 35,416 total parcels, including 14,948 residential and 635 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 95.36% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. The recorder holds 36,064 deeds and 16,441 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 13,500 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 35,416 |
| Residential Parcels | 14,948 |
| Commercial Parcels | 635 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 95.36% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 36,064 |
| Mortgage Records | 16,441 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 13,500 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 1,488 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records track a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents a loan moving from one holder to another, and a release shows that the loan was repaid and the lien lifted from the property.
Washington County has 35,489 assignment and release records, including 4,717 assignment documents and 30,772 release documents. Assignments were recorded from January 3, 2005, to August 18, 2025, and releases from January 3, 2005, to August 19, 2025.
For property research, these records help show whether earlier mortgages were discharged, which lenders have been involved with a property, and whether any liens may still be open before a sale or refinance. The Washington County Registry of Deeds in Machias is the official source for the recorded documents.
How to Search Washington County, ME Property Records
Washington County's recorded property documents are kept by the Washington County Registry of Deeds at 85 Court Street in Machias. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at 207-255-6512. Assessment details for the county's 35,416 parcels are maintained by each municipality.
The Washington County Registry of Deeds page on the county website provides office information and recording details. To search recorded deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases online, use the official records search.
Enter an owner name, document type, or date range, then review the results and open the record that matches your property. Deed records are available from May 21, 1993, and mortgage records from January 3, 2005, so older documents may need to be requested from the Registry.
For assessed values or tax bills, contact the assessor or tax collector in the town where the property is located.
Washington Registrar of Deeds
The Washington County Probate Office is located at 85 Court Street, Machias, ME, 04654 and can be reached at 207-255-6512. Office hours are Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Records can be accessed through i2k.uslandrecords.com or the official website washingtoncountymaine.com.
Washington County Registry of Deeds
Washington County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Washington County property records by address?
The official records search works primarily by name, date, and document type. For address-based assessment details, contact the assessor in the town where the property is located. The Registry of Deeds in Machias, at 207-255-6512, can help locate recorded documents.
How can I find property owners in Washington County?
The latest recorded deed lists the grantee who took title. Look for it in the records search, which has deeds from May 21, 1993. Town assessors also keep current owner names for tax billing, so a call to the local office can confirm who is on record.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Washington County?
Each municipality sets assessed values for the properties within it, so contact the local assessor. County tax records reflect the 2024 assessment year. The Registry of Deeds holds the deeds and mortgages that document a property's sales and loans.
Where can I find Washington County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills are issued and collected by the town where the property is located. Contact the municipal tax collector for bill copies and payment history. The Registry of Deeds at 85 Court Street, Machias, does not collect taxes, but staff can answer questions about recorded liens.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Washington County?
Search deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases through the official records search. You can also visit the Registry of Deeds at 85 Court Street, Machias, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or call 207-255-6512 with a specific request.
Where can I access Washington County parcel maps and GIS information?
Tax maps in Maine are usually maintained by the municipality. Contact the assessor's office in the town where the property is located and ask for its tax map or any online viewer it offers. The county has 35,416 parcels, many in rural areas, so local offices are the best source for current boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Washington County?
Permit and zoning rules are handled by each town. Call the municipal office or code enforcement officer where the property is located to learn which permits a project needs and which zoning rules apply. The county Registry of Deeds records documents but does not issue permits.
How can I create a list of property owners in Washington County?
No single county owner list is published. You can collect owner names by searching deeds in the records search and by asking local assessors for their records. For larger requests, call the Registry of Deeds at 207-255-6512 to ask what can be provided.