Washington County Oregon Records

Washington County property records cover land and homes in one of the largest and fastest growing parts of the Portland metro area. The county seat is Hillsboro, where the Department of Assessment and Taxation maintains ownership data, tax rolls, and assessed values. Washington County has about 600,000 residents and includes major cities like Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, and Forest Grove. Whether you need to look up a tax bill, record a deed, or verify who owns a parcel, the Washington County offices in Hillsboro are your central resource for property records.

Washington County Assessment Office

The Washington County Department of Assessment and Taxation handles property records, valuations, tax collection, and document recording. This office serves the largest suburban county in Oregon. Staff set values on every parcel, process exemptions, record deeds, and collect property taxes. The department sits at 155 N First Avenue in Hillsboro.

You can reach the Washington County Assessment and Taxation office by phone or visit in person. The lobby is open, but the county encourages use of phone, email, mail, online tools, or the drop box when possible. Staff can pull up property records by name, address, or account number. They handle questions about assessed values, tax payments, recording requirements, and exemption programs.

The department has several divisions, each with its own phone line for direct help.

Recording Documents in Washington County

The Washington County recording office handles deeds, liens, mortgages, and other land documents. All documents must meet certain standards before staff will record them. The first page needs a 3-inch by 3-inch space in the top right corner for the recording stamp. If the document lacks that space, an extra page fee of $5.00 applies. Bring the original document to the office or mail it with the correct fee.

Recording fees in Washington County are $86.00 for the first page. Each additional page costs $5.00. All fees are due at the time of recording. You can pay with cash, check, or money order. Debit and credit cards are also accepted, but a 2.45% processing fee applies with a minimum charge of $1.50. Visit the Washington County recording page for full details on document requirements.

Washington County has accepted electronic signatures on recorded documents since January 1, 2020, under ORS 93.804. This means deeds and other instruments signed with a compliant electronic signature can be filed just like those with ink signatures.

Note: The first page recording fee increased to $86.00 on August 1, 2025, so confirm the current amount before you submit your document.

Washington County Tax Payments

Washington County offers six ways to pay your property tax bill. The county makes it easy to pay online, by phone, by mail, in person, through a drop box, or via your bank's bill pay service. Each method has its own steps and fees to keep in mind.

Online payments require your property tax account number. You can pay by credit or debit card with a 2.45% processing fee and a $1.50 minimum charge. Electronic check payments cost $0.95 and take 7 to 10 days to process. You must complete all six steps in the online system for the payment to go through. By phone, call 1-888-510-9274. The same card and check fees apply as online.

You can also pay by mail. Send a check or money order to 155 N 1st Ave, Suite 130, MS 8, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Include your tax account number and payment stub. In person payments are accepted at the same address during office hours. Two drop boxes are available: one inside the front lobby during business hours, and one in the rear parking lot that is open around the clock. Bill pay through your bank works too, but send only one property per transaction.

• Online at the Washington County tax payment portal
• By phone at 1-888-510-9274
• By mail with check or money order
• In person at 155 N First Avenue, Hillsboro
• Drop box inside the lobby or in the rear lot
• Bill pay through your financial institution

Washington County Tax Assessments

Each year the Washington County assessor determines a value for every parcel. Oregon law requires the assessor to find the real market value. Under Measure 50, the state limits how fast taxable value can grow. Real market value, or RMV, is what a property could sell for. Maximum assessed value, or MAV, rises by at most 3% per year. Assessed value, or AV, is the lower of the two, and that is what your tax is based on.

The rules for this process appear in ORS Chapter 308. Washington County has a large and active real estate market, so values tend to stay close to or above MAV for most homes. The appraisal division can answer questions about how your value was set. Call (503) 846-8826 to speak with an appraiser.

If you disagree with your assessed value, you can file an appeal. The Property Value Appeals Board hears cases each year. Call (503) 846-3854 for information on deadlines and how to submit your appeal in Washington County.

Washington County Exemptions

Several programs can reduce your property tax bill in Washington County. Disabled veterans and surviving spouses may exempt part of their home value based on disability rating. Seniors age 62 and older can defer taxes until the home is sold. Farm and forest land may qualify for special assessment under ORS Chapter 307.

All exemption claims must be filed with the assessor by April 1. Late filings carry a penalty. The county also handles manufactured home assessments and veteran exemptions through specific phone lines. Call (503) 846-8741 for senior deferral, veteran exemptions, or manufactured home questions.

Note: Washington County processes a high volume of exemption claims each spring, so file early to avoid delays.

Paying Property Taxes on Time

Washington County mails tax statements each fall. Bills are due in three parts. The first third is due November 15. The second is due February 15. The last part is due May 15. Pay the full year by November 15 to earn a 3% discount.

Tax collection rules follow ORS Chapter 311. If taxes go unpaid for three years, the county can begin foreclosure under ORS Chapter 312. The Washington County tax office at (503) 846-8801 can help if you fall behind on payments. Call early to discuss your options.

Cities in Washington County

Washington County includes several major cities in the Portland metro area. All property records, tax collection, and deed recording for these cities run through the Washington County Department of Assessment and Taxation in Hillsboro. City governments handle permits and zoning but not property tax or deed records.

Other cities and towns in Washington County include Tualatin, Sherwood, Forest Grove, Cornelius, King City, Durham, and Banks. All of these fall under the Washington County assessor for property records and tax purposes.

Nearby Counties

Washington County borders Multnomah County to the east, Clackamas County to the southeast, Yamhill County to the south, Tillamook County to the west, and Columbia County to the north. If your property sits near a county line, confirm which assessor has jurisdiction. Each county in Oregon keeps its own property records and tax rolls.