Closing costs in South Dakota
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in South Dakota — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses South Dakota's actual rates.
- Transfer tax
- 0.1%
- customarily seller-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$30
- charged per page of the document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$4.00 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
South Dakota in the national transfer-tax dataset
0.1%, #29 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $240 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
- #29 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- South Dakota: $400
- County coverage
- 0
- 0 with a city-tax field
South Dakota transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, reviewed 2026-Q2.
How closing costs work in South Dakota
The biggest closing-cost variable in South Dakota is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 0.1% and is customarily seller-paid. South Dakota's real estate transfer fee is $0.50 per $500 of value (0.10%), paid by the seller.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $400 , before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are charged per page of the document and run around $30 for the deed.
For title insurance, South Dakota title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. South 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: S.D. Codified Laws § 43-4-21. Official source ↗
South Dakota closing cost calculator
Pre-set to South Dakota. Adjust your price, down payment and loan type.
Current source data is loading. Until it finishes, the amount shown is a server-rendered static example and the controls are disabled.
Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (0.1%, customarily seller-paid), county recording fees (charged per page of the document, around $30), and title insurance. South Dakota does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in South Dakota?
South Dakota's real-estate transfer tax is 0.1% and is customarily seller-paid. South Dakota's real estate transfer fee is $0.50 per $500 of value (0.10%), paid by the seller.
Who pays closing costs in South Dakota?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in South Dakota is customarily seller-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 South Dakota?
No. South 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.
Know when closing-cost rates change
One short email when a state changes its transfer tax, recording fees, or title rules — the same dataset behind every estimate on this site. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.