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The District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds, an administration of the Office of Tax and Revenue, is the official repository of all land records and general public instruments for the District of Columbia. The office is responsible for the collection of all recordation and transfer tax and filing fees on instruments being recorded and maintains these records for public inspection.
Recording Fees
DC ST47-1433(c) - $250.00 Penalty is due for all Deeds of title that are submitted for recording later than (30) thirty calendar days from its execution date.
a) One hundred fifty dollars ($150) for the recordation of any and all deeds of trust, mortgages, modifications to deeds of trust, amendments to deeds of trust, or amended and restated deeds of trust;
b) Twenty-five dollars ($25) for the recordation of all other documents;
c) Two dollars and twenty- five cents ($2.25) per page for a copy of a document; and
d) Two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) per document for certification of a copied document.
e) The surcharge fee ($6.50 per document) remains in effect and is an additional fee to (a) and (b) above.
All checks must be for the exact amount of fees and/or taxes due at the time of recording, completed and made payable to DC Treasurer.
Please direct all questions or comments to Recorder of Deeds, Ida Williams, at (202) 442-8610 or [email protected]
Document Formatting Requirements
A complete legal description is required on each document, which includes the lot number, square number, subdivision and reference information as recorded with the Office of the Surveyor.
The Assessment and Taxation (A & T) Lot number is required as part of legal description for all properties that are assigned such a number.
Names and/or signatures of all grantors (party giving title) and/or grantees (party receiving title) must be listed in the document and names must be in print. All signatures must be acknowledged and notarized.
"Return to" mailing address must be legibly printed on every document brought in for recording.
A completed Tax Form (FP7C) is required for all Deeds, Trusts, Modifications and Amendments to a Deed of Trust; Memorandum of Leases; Easement Agreements.
All notarized documents must include the notary seal, signature, name, and expiration date.
All documents or attachments must be completely legible for recording.
- The grantor(s) signature must be acknowledged. Documents must include grantor and grantee names.
- Documents can be submitted on 8.5 x 11 paper or 8.5 x 14 paper. Printing can be double-sided.
- Documents must be accompanied by a Document Intake Sheet.
- The recorder accepts notarial documents from other jurisdictions.
- After completion, forms can be mailed to the Recorder of Deeds.
Historical note: Congress created the Record of Deeds in 1863, and in 1869 this city agency was given the job of "recording all deeds, contracts, and other instruments in writing affecting the title or ownership of any real estate or personal property" in the city. The holders of this job have been appointed by US presidents.