Statute of Frauds. Washington's statute of frauds declares certain contracts judicially unenforceable if such contracts are not in writing. The statute of frauds applies to every contract for a conveyance of real estate or every contract that creates an encumbrance upon real estate. 

The statute of frauds generally applies to year-to-year tenancies and requires such leases be in writing. Tenancies with a duration of more than one year must also be acknowledged.

Acknowledgement. Deeds, mortgages, and other instruments in writing required to be acknowledged must be acknowledged before authorized persons, such as notaries. An authorized person, by certificate of acknowledgment, certifies the person is known to the authorized person as the one who signed the instrument in the presence of the authorized person on the date stated, and the person signed freely and voluntarily. An authorized person certifies the acknowledgment by signature and official seal.

Recording. A lease for more than two years may be recorded in the county's recorder's office.
 
A memorandum of lease is a recordable instrument used to put third parties on notice of a lease interest encumbering real property. The memorandum of lease outlines the specific terms of a lease agreement. 

Leases do not require acknowledgement, witnesses, or seals. To be recorded, leases or memorandums of a lease must have the lessee's and lessor's signatures acknowledged.