Estate Planning for Wasco County, Oregon Property Owners
For most Wasco County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Wasco County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court. The two tools that keep a Wasco County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Skipping this planning step means the Circuit Court decides who receives the property: a simple Oregon probate takes 4+ months and opens with $278 in court filing fees.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Wasco County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Wasco County property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerkduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Before recording, a Oregon transfer on death deed needs notary acknowledgment. The deed must be recorded before the owner's death to take effect.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Wasco County are recorded with the County Clerk at 401 East 3rd Street, Suite 100, The Dalles, OR 97058. Phone: 541-506-2530. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed for lunch).
Recording costs $123 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under Oregon law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the County Clerk before submitting.
Wasco County accepts e-recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile.
First page fee rose from $105 to $123 effective Jun 16, 2026: HB 3175 removed the $10 cap in ORS 203.148 and Wasco County Ordinance #26-001 (passed Mar 18, 2026) raised the Public Land Corner Preservation fee from $10 to $28. Death certificates are now fully exempt from the PLC fee and record at $95. Office relocated from 511 Washington St to 401 E 3rd St (Feb 18, 2025). Domain changed from wascocounty.org to wascocountyor.gov.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Wasco County
Address
401 East 3rd Street, Suite 100The Dalles, OR 97058
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed for lunch)
E-recording
Available via Simplifile
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $123 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
Oregon charges $5 for EVERY page including the first (ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A)) — there is no flat base fee and no "first N pages" threshold. The first page costs more only because flat per-document surcharges are added once per instrument: $76 state minimum ($5 page + $1 OLIS + $10 A&T + $60 affordable housing, per ORS 205.323(1)(a)-(c)), plus this county's local surcharges, for a $123 first-page total. Each additional page is $5. All three state surcharges apply to a TOD deed — it is in none of the ORS 205.323(2)/(3) exemption lists. PLC fee increased from $10 to $28 effective Jun 16, 2026 (HB 3175 / Wasco County Ordinance #26-001), raising all ORS 205.130(2) instruments by $18. Death certificates are exempt from the PLC fee and record at $95.
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
First page fee rose from $105 to $123 effective Jun 16, 2026: HB 3175 removed the $10 cap in ORS 203.148 and Wasco County Ordinance #26-001 (passed Mar 18, 2026) raised the Public Land Corner Preservation fee from $10 to $28. Death certificates are now fully exempt from the PLC fee and record at $95. Office relocated from 511 Washington St to 401 E 3rd St (Feb 18, 2025). Domain changed from wascocounty.org to wascocountyor.gov.
Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the Circuit Court — not just the house. For a Wasco County family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Data sourced from Oregon statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for Wasco County are recorded with the County Clerk at 401 East 3rd Street, Suite 100, The Dalles, OR 97058. Call 541-506-2530 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Wasco County costs $123 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Wasco County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile. Paper recording by mail or in person is also accepted.
The County Clerk is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed for lunch). Reach the office at 541-506-2530. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in Oregon must be signed in front of a notary before the County Clerk will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the Wasco County signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the County Clerkduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the Oregon TOD deed form.
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