Ada County Property Records: How to Find Them Free
Everything recorded about a property in Ada County is public record. Here's what's available, where to find it, and how to get it without paying for subscriptions or driving to the courthouse.
Types of Ada County property records
Plat maps
Recorded subdivision drawings showing lot boundaries, dimensions, easements, and street layouts. The legal foundation for every home in a subdivision.
Where: PlatMap (free)
Records of Survey
Surveys filed by licensed surveyors after performing boundary work. More current than the original plat.
Where: PlatMap (free)
Deeds and title documents
Documents transferring ownership, recorded liens, easement grants, and other title instruments.
Where: Ada County Recorder (free online)
Assessor parcel data
Owner name, mailing address, assessed value, tax history, and parcel map.
Where: Ada County Assessor (free online)
Tax records
Current and past property tax bills, payment status, and exemptions.
Where: Ada County Treasurer (free online)
Building permits
Permitted work on a property — additions, remodels, electrical, mechanical.
Where: Ada County Development Services or city building department
Finding your parcel number
Every parcel in Ada County has a unique parcel number (also called an APN — Assessor's Parcel Number). It looks like R1234560070. You'll need it to look up tax records and official assessor data.
To find your parcel number: search by address on PlatMap and open the property detail page — the parcel number is listed there. You can also find it on your property tax bill or by searching the Ada County Assessor's website.
Plat maps vs. assessor parcel maps
The Ada County Assessor's website shows a parcel map — an approximate GIS boundary overlay. It's useful for a general picture but is not a legal boundary document and can have significant inaccuracies.
The recorded plat map from the county recorder is the authoritative legal document. It's the one used by title companies, courts, and surveyors. PlatMap provides free access to all recorded Ada County plats in their original, high-resolution form.
What's free vs. what costs money
Free
- ✓All plat maps on PlatMap
- ✓All Records of Survey on PlatMap
- ✓Assessor parcel data (online)
- ✓Recorded deeds (online via county)
- ✓Tax payment status (online)
May cost money
- –Certified copies of deeds
- –Title search and title insurance
- –New boundary survey
- –Permit history research (some jurisdictions)
- –Third-party data aggregators
Common questions
Can I find out who owns a property in Ada County?
Yes. Owner name and mailing address are public record via the Ada County Assessor. Search by parcel number or address on the assessor website.
How do I find the legal description of my property?
Your deed contains the legal description, usually referencing a plat (lot/block/subdivision name). You can access recorded deeds free through the Ada County Recorder's online search.
Are property records updated in real time?
Assessor data updates regularly but may lag several weeks after a sale. Recorded documents (deeds, plats) are updated when submitted to the county recorder.