Closing costs in West Virginia
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in West Virginia — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses West Virginia'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
- 0.33%
- customarily seller-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$30
- charged per page of the document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$3.50 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
West Virginia in the national transfer-tax dataset
0.33%, #19 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $680 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
- #19 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- West Virginia: $1,320
- County coverage
- 0
- 0 with a city-tax field
West Virginia transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, review date not provided.
How closing costs work in West Virginia
The biggest closing-cost variable in West Virginia is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 0.33% and is customarily seller-paid. West Virginia's excise tax on real-estate transfers is $1.10 per $500 (0.22%) for the state portion and $0.55 per $500 (0.11%) for the county base portion — combined base $1.65/$500 (0.33%). Counties may adopt an additional levy up to a combined maximum of $2.75/$500 (0.55%) under W.Va. Code § 11-22-2. A $20 per instrument affordable housing fee also applies. Seller pays.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $1,320 , 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, West Virginia title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. West Virginia 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: W. Va. Code § 11-22-2 (excise tax); § 59-1-10 (recording fee). Official source ↗
West Virginia closing cost calculator
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Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (0.33%, customarily seller-paid), county recording fees (charged per page of the document, around $30), and title insurance. West Virginia does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in West Virginia?
West Virginia's real-estate transfer tax is 0.33% and is customarily seller-paid. West Virginia's excise tax on real-estate transfers is $1.10 per $500 (0.22%) for the state portion and $0.55 per $500 (0.11%) for the county base portion — combined base $1.65/$500 (0.33%). Counties may adopt an additional levy up to a combined maximum of $2.75/$500 (0.55%) under W.Va. Code § 11-22-2. A $20 per instrument affordable housing fee also applies. Seller pays.
Who pays closing costs in West Virginia?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
No. West Virginia 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
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