Washington County Recorder

Each city and town in Vermont maintains its own real property records. The office responsible for recording is that of the town (or city) clerk.

Recording fees are $15 per page for all documents recorded.

The Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return is $15 to file.

The payment of transfer tax is due on the date of transfer or closing date.
Transfer tax payments should not be sent to the town where the document has been recorded, but should be sent to the Department of Taxes.

A new form, the PT-173, is a payment voucher that must accompany all transfer tax payments.

* The property address is required on all documents.

* Names should be printed or typed beneath signatures.

* Names should be spelled consistently on all documents. Customers should give directions on indexing unusual last names.

* The grantor must sign the deed, and must have his signature acknowledged.

* A deed or conveyance of land that makes reference to a survey revised or prepared after July 1, 1988 may be recorded only if it's accompanied by the survey to which it refers, or cites the volume and page in the land records showing where the survey has been previously recorded.

* The form of the conveyance should include a legal description.

* Documents should be submitted on white paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches.

* Black ink, with a minimum font size of 12 point should be used.

* The first page should have a blank 3 inch top margin.

* Subsequent margins should be at least 1 inch.

All deeds conveying property require a Vermont Property Transfer Tax Return (see supplemental forms).