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Deed Recording Requirements in the District of Columbia

A D.C. deed must be signed, sealed, and acknowledged to be recorded, no witnesses are required, and both a deed transfer tax and a deed recordation tax (1.1 percent each, 1.45 percent at higher values) generally apply.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

District of Columbia at a glance

Notary acknowledgment
Required to record
Witnesses
None
Transfer tax
State tax applies
Exemptions may apply

Sources

Last checked

The rules in District of Columbia

Does a deed need to be notarized in the District of Columbia?

District of Columbia requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.

How many witnesses does a deed need in the District of Columbia?

None. District of Columbia does not require witnesses to sign a deed.

Is there a real estate transfer tax in the District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.

Where do the District of Columbia rules for deeds come from?

They come from D.C. Code 42-401, D.C. Code 42-306, D.C. Code 47-903 and 1 other source. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.

What this means in practice

Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.

Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.

A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.