Washington County Deed Records
Washington County deed records are held at the County Clerk's Office in Fort Edward. The office records, files, and maintains all documents and maps related to real property in the county. Online access is available through the IQS search system. The clerk also handles court records, business certificates, pistol permit renewals (through the sheriff), and a range of other public filings. The mortgage tax rate in Washington County was set at 1.25% as of April 2020. The office sits at the Municipal Center on Broadway, and you can reach staff by phone at 518-746-2170.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk's Office
The Washington County Clerk's Office is located at the Municipal Center, 383 Broadway, Building A, Fort Edward, NY 12828. The office serves residents by recording, filing, and maintaining court records, land records, and other public documents. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Call 518-746-2170 for information about filing or searching deed records.
The clerk's office handles a wide variety of tasks. Beyond recording deeds and mortgages, the office issues assumed business name certificates and partnership certificates. Pistol permit renewals go through the Washington County Sheriff's Office, not the clerk. The dual role of the clerk means this office manages both land records and court filings, which is standard across New York counties.
Online Land Records Search
Washington County provides online access to land records through the Search IQS system. You can search by name, date, document type, and other criteria. The system covers deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and related documents. It is a useful starting point for a title search or quick ownership check without making a trip to Fort Edward.
For records not available online, contact the clerk's office directly. Older documents may only exist in physical form at the Municipal Center. Staff can help you find what you need if you provide names, approximate dates, or any other details about the property or transaction you are researching.
Recording Fees
The base fee to record a document in Washington County is $40. The cover page costs $5. Each page beyond the first is $5. Additional names beyond two are $0.50 each, and each cross-reference costs $0.50. These fees apply to deeds, mortgages, and most other recorded documents.
The RP-5217 form costs $125 for residential and farm properties, or $250 for other types. The TP-584 filing fee is $5. The state transfer tax is $4 per $1,000 of the consideration. If the property is residential and sells for $1 million or more, the mansion tax adds 1%. All fees and taxes must be paid at recording.
Copy and Certification Fees
Copies of recorded documents cost $0.65 per page, with a minimum charge of $1.30. Certified copies are also $0.65 per page but have a minimum of $5. Exemplified copies cost $15. If you are requesting copies by mail, include all relevant details so staff can locate the right document. Checks should be made payable to the Washington County Clerk.
Mortgage Tax
As of April 1, 2020, the Washington County mortgage tax rate is 1.25%. This applies to all mortgages recorded in the county. The New York State mortgage recording tax has several parts. The basic state component is 50 cents per $100 of the mortgage amount. County and special components add to this. For residential properties with one or two units, the first $10,000 of the mortgage is exempt from part of the tax.
The 1.25% rate covers the combined state and county portions. Form MT-15 has the full breakdown. This tax is paid to the county clerk when the mortgage is presented for recording. No mortgage will be accepted without payment of the full tax amount. Your closing attorney or title company will calculate this as part of the settlement process.
Recording Requirements
Every deed filed in Washington County must meet New York State standards. The document must be in writing, signed by the grantor, and acknowledged before a notary public. You need to include Form RP-5217 completed in Adobe Acrobat and a signed TP-584. The deed must contain a full legal description of the property, the names and addresses of all parties, and the tax map parcel number.
Recording the deed gives constructive notice to the public. This means anyone searching the records can see that the property changed hands. An unrecorded deed is valid between buyer and seller but offers no protection against a later purchaser who records first. File your deed promptly after closing to protect your interest.
Property Research Resources
The Washington County Real Property Tax Service provides property information online. Assessment data and tax map details are available through their system. This can help you find parcel numbers before searching for deeds at the clerk's office.
The state's Municipal Data Portal shows 10 years of property sales in Washington County. The data comes from RP-5217 forms and is updated weekly, though local review can add a delay. For historical property research, the New York State Archives holds older documents and maps that may be useful.
Understanding the 1.25% Mortgage Tax
The 1.25% rate took effect on April 1, 2020. It covers both the state and county portions of the tax. Before that date, the rate was lower. If you are reviewing old closing documents, the mortgage tax amount may not match current rates. The tax applies to the full loan amount, minus the residential exemption on the first $10,000. Your closing attorney or title company handles the math as part of the settlement statement. Washington County is not in the MCTD, so there is no extra surcharge on top of the 1.25%.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several other counties in the Capital Region and Adirondack area: