The 2025 Legislative session passed the following House Bills that affect recording fees, effective July 27, 2025. Please refer to the Klickitat County Auditors Office, Recording page (Recording Forms) for updated Recording Fee Schedule. 

2025 Bills that Passed

HB 1858 Eliminating Exemptions for Assignments and Substitutions

The exemption for assignments and substitutions has been rescinded.  On July 27, the fee for these documents will go from $18.00 for the first page to $301.00 for the first page.  (The exemption for the Urban Planning Surcharge, $2.50, was not eliminated.)  As usual, you will need to address the changeover when documents arrive with either underpayments or overpayments.  Effective date, July 27.

HB 1498 Marriage Surcharges

This bill creates a surcharge of $100 on marriage licenses issued. The surcharge funds a co-responder program for domestic violence incidents. A new state code for the Treasurer’s A8 monthly report will likely be coming but I haven’t received it yet.  Effective date, July 27.

HB 1260 Administrative Portion of Local Housing Surcharge

This bill does not impact recording directly. It slightly changes how the local portion of the housing surcharge is allocated to the cities and county. It clarifies that cities receive the full 10% administration costs allowance that counties receive. In many counties, the Treasurer performs the allocation. Please ensure that your Treasurer is aware of this bill. Effective date, July 27.