Estate Planning for Washington County, Oregon Property Owners
For most Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Washington County property passes through the Circuit Court — even simple Oregon probates run 4+ months and start with $278 in filing fees.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Washington County
A transfer on death deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Washington 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 Washington County are recorded with the County Clerk at 155 North First Avenue, Suite 130, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Phone: 503-846-8752. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Recording costs $86 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. 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.
Washington County accepts e-recording through Simplifile. E-recording available via Simplifile.
Second-largest county by population. Only Oregon county with a local real estate transfer tax, grandfathered by ORS 306.815(4). Fee of $86 effective Aug 1, 2025. Washington has NOT raised its PLC fee post-HB 3175. Credit/debit card payments incur 2.45% fee (minimum $1.50).
Washington County's $86 base recording fee sits at the low end of the Oregon range ($81 to $138).
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Washington County
Address
155 North First Avenue, Suite 130Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
E-recording
Available via Simplifile
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $86 |
| Each additional page | $5 |
First-page total of $86 (effective Aug 1, 2025), $5 each additional page. Washington County is the only Oregon county with a local transfer tax ($1 per $1,000 of consideration), grandfathered under ORS 306.815(4). TOD deeds are exempt — no consideration passes at recording.
ORS 205.320(1)(d)(A); ORS 205.323(1)
Transfer tax
None. Oregon levies no state real estate transfer tax, and ORS 306.815(1) bars cities, counties, and districts from imposing one. State; Washington County transfer tax: $1 per $1,000 of consideration. Grandfathered by ORS 306.815(4), which exempts any transfer tax whose ordinance was "in effect and operative on March 31, 1997" — Washington County's predates that date and is the only such tax still operative in Oregon. local. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (A TOD deed conveys nothing at recording (ORS 93.967: it does not transfer any interest during the transferor's life) and carries no consideration, so there is no consideration to measure the $1/$1,000 tax against. Transfers by gift, devise, or inheritance are separately exempt.). Washington County is the only Oregon county with a real estate transfer tax. The grandfather clause in ORS 306.815(4) is keyed to a DATE (March 31, 1997), not to the county by name — no new local transfer tax can be created. Tax due within 15 days of recording.
Second-largest county by population. Only Oregon county with a local real estate transfer tax, grandfathered by ORS 306.815(4). Fee of $86 effective Aug 1, 2025. Washington has NOT raised its PLC fee post-HB 3175. Credit/debit card payments incur 2.45% fee (minimum $1.50).
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 Washington 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 Washington County are recorded with the County Clerk at 155 North First Avenue, Suite 130, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Call 503-846-8752 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Washington County costs $86 for the first page plus $5 for each additional page; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Washington 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, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Reach the office at 503-846-8752. 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 Washington 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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