Closing costs in District of Columbia
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in District of Columbia — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses District of Columbia's actual rates.
Estimated — not yet source-verified.Estimated — not yet source-verified. This figure is a knowledge estimate we have not yet confirmed against the official source, so this page is not indexed. Treat it as a rough guide only and verify with the state revenue department or county recorder.
- Transfer tax
- 1.1%
- customarily split-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$156
- a flat fee per document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$5.50 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Required
District of Columbia in the national transfer-tax dataset
1.1%, #3 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $3,760 above the median $640 tax at $400,000. The comparison uses the 51 source-verified state and DC records in the TallyClose dataset; null transfer-tax states count as 0% rather than being filled with an estimate.
- National rank
- #3 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- District of Columbia: $4,400
- County coverage
- 0
- 0 with a city-tax field
District of Columbia transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, review date not provided.
How closing costs work in District of Columbia
The biggest closing-cost variable in District of Columbia is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 1.1% and is customarily split-paid. The District of Columbia levies two taxes at closing. Recordation tax (buyer-paid, D.C. Code § 42-1103): 1.1% on the full price for sales under $400,000; 1.45% on the full price for sales of $400,000 or more. Transfer tax (seller-paid, D.C. Code § 47-903): same brackets — 1.1% under $400k, 1.45% at $400k+. Combined effective rate: 2.2% under $400k or 2.9% at $400k+. First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence may qualify for a reduced recordation tax of 0.725% on the first $400,000. Recording fee of $156 is a prior estimate; official fee schedule has not been re-confirmed.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $4,400 , before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are a flat fee per document and run around $156 for the deed.
For title insurance, District of Columbia title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. District of Columbia is also an "attorney state": a licensed attorney must be involved in the closing, which adds an attorney fee that title-only states don't have. Lenders here typically charge $1,400–$3,200 in origination and processing fees, and 2 months of property-tax escrow is commonly collected at closing.
Statute: D.C. Code § 42-1103 (recordation tax, buyer); § 47-903 (transfer tax, seller). Official source ↗
District of Columbia closing cost calculator
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Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (1.1%, customarily split-paid), county recording fees (a flat fee per document, around $156), and title insurance. District of Columbia also requires an attorney at closing, which adds a fee. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's real-estate transfer tax is 1.1% and is customarily split-paid. The District of Columbia levies two taxes at closing. Recordation tax (buyer-paid, D.C. Code § 42-1103): 1.1% on the full price for sales under $400,000; 1.45% on the full price for sales of $400,000 or more. Transfer tax (seller-paid, D.C. Code § 47-903): same brackets — 1.1% under $400k, 1.45% at $400k+. Combined effective rate: 2.2% under $400k or 2.9% at $400k+. First-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence may qualify for a reduced recordation tax of 0.725% on the first $400,000. Recording fee of $156 is a prior estimate; official fee schedule has not been re-confirmed.
Who pays closing costs in District of Columbia?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in District of Columbia is customarily split-paid. Buyers generally cover lender fees, the appraisal, lender's title insurance and prepaids; sellers generally cover the agent commission and, in most states, the bulk of the transfer tax. Everything is negotiable in the contract.
Do I need an attorney to close in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia is an "attorney state" — a licensed attorney must conduct or oversee the real-estate closing, which adds an attorney fee to your costs.
Closest transfer-tax comparisons
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