Closing costs in North Dakota
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in North Dakota — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses North Dakota's actual rates.
- Transfer tax
- 0%
- customarily none-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$20
- charged per page of the document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$4.00 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
North Dakota in the national transfer-tax dataset
0%, #37 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $640 below 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
- #37 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- North Dakota: $0
- County coverage
- 0
- 0 with a city-tax field
North Dakota transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, reviewed 2026-Q2.
How closing costs work in North Dakota
The biggest closing-cost variable in North Dakota is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 0% and is customarily none-paid. North Dakota has NO real-estate transfer tax. The prohibition is constitutional: Article X, Section 27 (added by Measure 2 in 2014) bars the state and any county, township, city, or other political subdivision from imposing any mortgage taxes or any sales or transfer taxes on the mortgage or transfer of real property. As a result there are also no local/county/city transfer-tax add-ons anywhere in the state.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $0 , before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are charged per page of the document and run around $20 for the deed.
For title insurance, North Dakota title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. North Dakota does not require an attorney at closing — a title or escrow company typically handles settlement, though you can hire an attorney if you want one. 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: N.D. Const. art. X, § 27 (transfer-tax ban); recording fee N.D. Cent. Code § 11-18-05. Official source ↗
North Dakota closing cost calculator
Pre-set to North Dakota. Adjust your price, down payment and loan type.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (0%, customarily none-paid), county recording fees (charged per page of the document, around $20), and title insurance. North Dakota does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in North Dakota?
North Dakota's real-estate transfer tax is 0% and is customarily none-paid. North Dakota has NO real-estate transfer tax. The prohibition is constitutional: Article X, Section 27 (added by Measure 2 in 2014) bars the state and any county, township, city, or other political subdivision from imposing any mortgage taxes or any sales or transfer taxes on the mortgage or transfer of real property. As a result there are also no local/county/city transfer-tax add-ons anywhere in the state.
Who pays closing costs in North Dakota?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in North Dakota is customarily none-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 North Dakota?
No. North Dakota does not require an attorney at closing; a title or escrow company typically handles settlement. You may still choose to hire one.
Closest transfer-tax comparisons
Algorithmic neighbors by verified transfer-tax rate, not a static related-links block.
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