Cowlitz County, WA Property Records
Property records in Cowlitz, Washington provide important information about land, homes, and commercial parcels within Cowlitz County. These records may include ownership details, parcel numbers, assessed values, property tax information, legal descriptions, sales history, maps, and recorded documents such as deeds or liens. They are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, researchers, and professionals who need to verify ownership, review tax assessments, understand property boundaries, or support real estate and legal transactions.
Users can access official Cowlitz property records through Cowlitz County government offices, including the Assessor’s Office for parcel and valuation information and the Auditor’s Office for recorded documents. For online access, start with the county’s official Cowlitz property records resources, where users can find assessment tools, parcel information, and guidance on requesting related records.
Cowlitz County, WA Property Records & Statistics
Cowlitz County has a median rent of $1,020.50, essentially level with the Washington median of $1,019 and well above the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing is 25.67% of occupied homes, in line with the state's 25.55% and higher than the national 21.81%.
The median home value is $338,000, slightly above the state's $318,300 and nearly double the national $173,750. The median property tax rate of 0.77% matches the state rate of 0.77% and is a little above the national 0.74%, so owners face typical taxes for Washington.
Median household income is $79,821, higher than the state's $68,789 and the national $65,108, which gives residents more room to handle housing costs. The unemployment rate of 2.83% is lower than both the state's 3.02% and the national 2.87%.
Overall, Cowlitz County resembles the state average on rent, tax rates and renter share, while offering higher incomes and lower unemployment.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Cowlitz
Cowlitz County property records include assessor data, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuations and foreclosure filings. The county has 57,176 total parcels, including 40,114 residential and 1,593 commercial parcels, and tax records cover 98.68% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. The Recorder holds 113,908 deeds and 79,255 mortgages, with valuation data for 31,885 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 57,176 |
| Residential Parcels | 40,114 |
| Commercial Parcels | 1,593 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 98.68% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 113,908 |
| Mortgage Records | 79,255 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 31,885 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 11,389 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records follow a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows a loan transferred to another lender or servicer, and a release shows that the debt was satisfied and the lien removed.
Cowlitz County has 128,455 assignment and release records. They include 16,546 assignment documents and 111,587 release documents, along with 322 other documents, recorded from January 3, 2005, through August 28, 2025.
Buyers, owners and researchers use these records to confirm that earlier mortgages were released, follow a loan across lenders, and spot liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance.
How to Search Cowlitz County, WA Property Records
Cowlitz County recorded documents are held by the Cowlitz County Auditor's Office at 207 N 4th Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and the phone number is 360-577-3002. The county has 57,176 parcels, 113,908 deed records and 79,255 mortgage records.
The Cowlitz County recording page explains recording services and requirements. To look up deeds, mortgages, assignments and releases, use the Cowlitz County Auditor's records search. Companies that file electronically can use the Cowlitz County electronic recording page.
To search, enter a name, document type or date range in the records search and open the results. Deeds are available from January 1, 1989, and mortgages from May 31, 2002, through August 28, 2025. For parcel and assessment data, contact the Assessor through the county website with an address, owner name or parcel number.
Call the Auditor's Office if a document doesn't appear online.
Cowlitz Registrar of Deeds
The Cowlitz County Probate Office is located at 207 N 4th Avenue, Kelso, WA, 98626 and can be reached at 360-577-3002. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through co.cowlitz.wa.us or the official website co.cowlitz.wa.us.
Cowlitz County Auditor's Office
Cowlitz County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Cowlitz County property records by address?
Use the Assessor's parcel search on the Cowlitz County website and enter the address. The Auditor's records search finds recorded documents by name or date. If nothing matches, shorten the address or call 360-577-3002.
How can I find property owners in Cowlitz County?
Owner names appear on assessor records and recorded deeds. Search the Cowlitz County Auditor's records by name to find deeds. The county has 57,176 parcels and 113,908 deed records, with filings from January 1, 1989.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Cowlitz County?
The county Assessor sets assessed values, and the records show the 2024 assessment year. Find a parcel's value through the Cowlitz County website. The Washington Department of Revenue explains assessments and appeals.
Where can I find Cowlitz County property tax bills and payment records?
The county Treasurer bills and collects property taxes. Look for statements and payment options on the Cowlitz County website under the Treasurer, and have your parcel number ready. The Auditor's Office at 360-577-3002 can direct you to the right department.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Cowlitz County?
Search deeds, mortgages, assignments and releases through the Auditor's records search. Recording details are on the Recording page. The office is at 207 N 4th Avenue, Kelso, open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Where can I access Cowlitz County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps and GIS tools are published through the Cowlitz County website. Maps show parcel lines for reference only and are not legal surveys. For exact boundaries, consult the Assessor or a licensed surveyor.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Cowlitz County?
Permits and zoning in unincorporated Cowlitz County are handled by the county's building and planning departments, linked from the Cowlitz County website. Properties in Longview, Kelso or other cities follow city rules, so contact the city planning office.
How can I create a list of property owners in Cowlitz County?
The online search returns one record at a time. For a list of owners, ask the Assessor through the Cowlitz County website about parcel data, or call the Auditor at 360-577-3002 about bulk recorded-document requests and fees.