Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Marriages

Real Property

  • I recorded a document with the Recorder’s Office and later received a letter from the Assessor’s Office stating they are unable to update their records and that I need to re-record my document.

    This situation can occur for a variety of reasons. The Recorder’s Office and the Assessor’s Office operate under different statutory requirements and serve different functions. As a result, a document that meets the recording requirements of the Recorder’s Office may not contain all of the information needed by the Assessor’s Office to update its records.

    If the Assessor’s Office has notified you that corrective action is required, you should contact the Assessor’s Office directly for information regarding their requirements. You may also wish to consult with an attorney or other qualified legal professional for assistance.

    The Recorder’s Office is prohibited from providing legal advice or preparing legal documents. Therefore, we are unable to advise you on how to correct your document or whether re-recording is necessary.

  • How do I add someone to the title of my property?

    Typically, you would need to record a new conveyance document in the Washoe County Recorder's Office to change how title is held on your property. You can obtain document forms from your title company, local office supply stores, or an attorney. Our recording requirements and fees are available on our website.

  • How do I remove a deceased joint tenant's name from the title of my property?

    Typically, you will need to record a new transfer document to remove the deceased joint tenant from the ownership of the property. Sometimes, a type of Affidavit may be used in this situation. A death certificate must be included. If you are unsure of the type of forms you need to record, please seek legal advice for guidance.

  • How can I find easements on my property?

    Here are your options:

    1. Search the Washoe County Recorder's Office records: You can visit the Washoe County Recorder's Office in person or access their online documents at the searching and document copy ordering website to determine if there are any easements associated with your property.

    2. Hire a Title Company: Title companies have expertise in researching property records and can assist you in identifying any easements tied to your property. This is often a convenient option if you are unfamiliar with conducting property record searches.

  • How do I get the title to my house?

    You can visit the Washoe County Recorder's Office in person or access their online documents at the searching and document copy ordering website to obtain a copy of your property title.

  • Does the Washoe County Recorder's Office provide Homestead forms?

    The Washoe County Recorder's Office provides Homestead and Abandonment of Homestead forms in the office and online.  Click here to download the forms.

  • How long is my homestead good for?

    To learn how long a homestead declaration remains valid and to review other homestead requirements in Nevada, you can refer to the Homestead Act found in Chapter 115 of the Nevada Revised (NRS 115).

  • I just paid off my house. How do I get my deed?

    Unlike the title to a car, possession of the deed does not in itself imply ownership of real property. Therefore, the original deed identifying you as the owner is typically retained by the homeowner at the time of occupancy. If at any time you'd like an official plain or certified copy of your deed, please contact our office at 775-328-3660 with the document number and we can mail or fax it to you. If you are unsure of the document number, you may contact the Assessor's Office for a title history of the property or search the Recorder's online database.

    Additionally, once a mortgage is satisfied (paid off), a reconveyance document or satisfaction of mortgage document is typically sent by the lender to be recorded.

  • How is a lien removed?

    For almost every type of document that places a lien on real property, a related recordable document reverses the original action. These documents are called releases, satisfactions, terminations, cancellations, and reconveyances.

  • What if a lien is still listed on my credit report after it's been paid?

    If a lien is still listed on a credit report after it has been paid off, you should contact the organization or person who filed the lien against the property. They should be able to provide a recordable document that states that the lien has been satisfied and released.

  • How do I find out who owns a property?

    You can contact the Washoe County Assessor's Office for ownership information at 775-328-2277. For a very recent transfer of ownership you can search our records online. You will need to have either the name of the buyer or the seller.

  • When a Deed of Trust/Mortgage is paid off, who records the release document and returns it to the property owner?

    A reconveyance document or satisfaction of mortgage document is typically sent by the lender, either directly to our office or to the homeowner, to be recorded.

  • I want to see my property lines; I think my neighbor’s fence is on my property.

    If you believe your neighbor's fence is on your property and you want to verify your property lines, here are some steps you can take in Washoe County:

    1. Obtain a Recorded Map:
    You can visit the Washoe County Recorder's Office in person or access their online documents at the searching and document copy ordering website to search for recorded maps.


    2. Hire a Licensed Surveyor:
    The Recorder's Office does not conduct property surveys or help locate property corners. To accurately determine your property lines, you will need to hire a licensed surveyor. You can find qualified surveyors in the "Surveyors" section of the local phone directory or online.

    3. Check Recorded Documents:
    You can review property deeds and legal descriptions, which may include details about your property boundaries.  You can visit the Washoe County Recorder's Office in person or access their online documents at the searching and document copy ordering website to search for these documents.

    4. Addressing Disputes:
    If your neighbor's fence is indeed encroaching on your property, this is considered a private matter. The Recorder’s Office does not get involved in such disputes. You may need to consult a legal professional to resolve the issue.

  • Does the Recorder's Office provide searching services?

    The Recorder's Office does not provide searching services. Although, documents recorded within this office are available for public search through our self-service portal.

    The grantor/grantee index provided on this website will enable the searching of the public records in the Washoe County Recorder's official records. Our records, by statute, are indexed by name (last name, space, first name; no comma). You will need at least one of the parties' names and approximate date of the transaction to do a search. You may also search for information by a specific field or combination of fields presented here. This will help you limit your search. You will not be able to search by address, legal description or tax parcel number.

    For additional information by Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), please contact the Washoe County Assessor at 775-328-2277 or visit the Assessor's website.

  • What is a title search and how do I get one?

    A title search is a full property search showing ownership and all related property information. Please contact a title company directly for more information about requesting a title search on your property. A fee may be involved.

Recording Notification Service