Whatcom County, Washington Recording Fees
Recording a deed in Whatcom County costs about $304.50 and a mortgage about $319.50 (a 2-page deed ($303.50 + $1.00) and a 16-page deed of trust ($304.50 + 15 x $1.00)), per the Whatcom County Auditor, Recording Division's fee schedule. Washington's recording fee schedule (RCW 36.18.010, layered with homeless-housing and affordable-housing surcharges added 2019-2021) is set at the state level and charged identically by every county auditor, including Whatcom: $303.50 for the base document plus $1.00 per additional page. Corrected Oct 18, 2026: a deed of trust is $304.50 for the first page under the statewide schedule (Snohomish County Schedule of Recording Fees, January 2024).
Fee schedule
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deed, first page | $303.50 |
| Deed, each additional page | $1 |
| Mortgage, first page | $304.50 |
| Mortgage, each additional page | $1 |
Whatcom County closing costs → Washington transfer tax → Whatcom County home buyer guide →
County transfer tax
Whatcom County unincorporated and every incorporated city in Whatcom County (Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas): 0.5% of the price, paid by the seller. Washington transfer tax →
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to record a deed in Whatcom County?
$303.50 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, about $304.50 for a typical deed, per the Whatcom County Auditor, Recording Division's fee schedule.
And the mortgage?
$304.50 for the first page and $1 per additional page, about $319.50 for a typical mortgage or deed of trust. The buyer pays this at closing.
Sources
- Whatcom County Auditor, Recording Division fee schedule
- Washington Department of Revenue, Local Real Estate Excise Tax Rates, effective January 1, 2026
Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. All sources.
Whatcom County closing costs → Whatcom County home buyer guide →
Fees as published by the recorder; e-recording and courier charges may apply. General information, not legal advice.
Whatcom County overview