Transfer on Death Deed Laws in Washington
Washington allows transfer on death deeds under the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, and the deed must be recorded with the county auditor before the owner's death.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Washington at a glance
- TOD deed allowed
- Yes
- Uniform act adopted
- Yes
- RCW chapter 64.80.
- Recording rule
- Before the owner's death
- Recorded with the auditor of the county where the property is located.
The rules in Washington
Does Washington allow transfer on death deeds for real estate?
Yes. TOD deed allowed in Washington: yes.
Has Washington adopted the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act?
Yes. Uniform act adopted in Washington: yes. RCW chapter 64.80.
When must a transfer on death deed be recorded in Washington?
Recording rule in Washington: Before the owner's death. Recorded with the auditor of the county where the property is located.
Where do the Washington transfer on death deed laws come from?
The rules above come from Wash. Rev. Code 64.80.060. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.
What this means in practice
Where a transfer on death deed is allowed, it generally has to be signed with the same formalities as an ordinary deed and recorded in the land records of the county where the property sits. A deed that is signed but never recorded within the time the statute requires may have no effect, so check the recording rule before relying on one.
A transfer on death deed usually covers only the property it describes. It does not replace a will, and other assets still pass under a will, a trust or the intestacy rules. Keeping the deed consistent with your other estate planning documents helps avoid conflicting instructions.
Creditors, Medicaid estate recovery and property tax rules can still reach property that passes by a transfer on death deed in some situations. If the property is mortgaged, jointly owned or the beneficiary situation is complicated, consider having a local real estate or estate planning attorney review the deed.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
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