Resources · October 2026

DC closing deadlines for title and settlement companies

Federal TRID sets the disclosure dates. The District adds a hard recording deadline, its own good funds rule, and licensing, insurance and notice rules for title producers. Here is what the D.C. Code, DISB and the Office of Tax and Revenue say, with the source for each rule.

Record within 30 days

The deadline. Within 30 days after a deed or other document is signed, the transferee, and the holder of a security interest, must record a fully acknowledged copy with the Recorder of Deeds, including the lot and square number. If day 30 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next day that isn’t (§47-1431(a)).
What it covers. Transfers of title, life estates, leases or ground rents of 30 years or more, transfers of an economic interest, and deeds of trust and mortgages (§47-1431(a)).
The penalty. Failing to record a deed as required adds a $250 penalty. It doesn’t apply to security instruments, and it can be waived (§47-1433(c)). OTR’s recording page calls this a $250 late fee for recording more than 30 days after signing.

We didn’t find a D.C. statute that sets a deadline for the lender to fund or for the settlement agent to disburse, like Virginia’s two-business-day rule. Follow your lender’s and underwriter’s instructions on timing.

Licensing with DISB

No one can act as a title insurance producer for D.C. property without a D.C. license (§31-5041.02(a)). The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) says handling escrow, settlement or closing funds and conducting a settlement both require a title producer or title attorney license, and every D.C. settlement must have at least one person with a current license present.

Coverage a business entity must carry (§31-5041.02(c)(1A)):

Errors and omissions insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence or claim
A surety bond of at least $200,000, with the District as obligee
A fidelity bond or similar policy of at least $200,000 covering employees and contractors (sole proprietors and LLCs with no employees are exempt)

Individual producers need at least $500,000 of E&O coverage and $200,000 of surety coverage, through their employer or on their own. Closing protection letters don’t count as a substitute (§31-5041.02(c)).

Escrow and good funds

Escrow, settlement and closing funds go into a fiduciary trust account unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Keep each file’s funds identifiable in your records, and use them only as the instructions or settlement statement allow (§31-5041.06(a)).
Good funds. You can disburse only after deposits for that same transaction, at least equal to the disbursement, are in. Those deposits must be cash, wires the producer has unconditionally received, checks that have been finally paid, certified or other depository checks covered by the Expedited Funds Availability Act, or ACH credits the bank treats as available (§31-5041.06(d)).
The $3,000 exception. You may accept a check of up to $3,000 that hasn’t been finally paid before disbursing (§31-5041.06(d)(3)).
Interest goes to the party who deposited the funds, less administrative costs, unless instructions, a court order or law say otherwise (§31-5041.06(c)).
Producers with fiduciary trust accounts need an annual audit by an accountant, or an audit by an insurer at the insurer’s expense. Some attorneys are exempt (§31-5041.06(f)).

The Recorder of Deeds

The Recorder of Deeds is part of the Office of Tax and Revenue, and its page describes an eRecording option. Its general recording requirements include:

A full legal description: lot, square, subdivision and Office of the Surveyor reference, plus the A&T lot number if there is one
A completed FP-7/C tax form for deeds, deeds of trust, deed of trust modifications and leases of 30 years or more
A Security Affidavit for every residential deed of trust and modification
Printed and signed names for all grantors and grantees, with every signature notarized
A clear “return to” address, and checks for the exact amount payable to the DC Treasurer

Producers must also name the title insurer on every document they record (§31-5041.02(b)(1)(A)).

Who pays the closing taxes

The seller (transferor) is responsible for the deed transfer tax, and the buyer is jointly and severally liable if it isn’t paid (§47-903(c)). All parties to the deed are jointly and severally liable for the recordation tax (§42-1103(c)). For amounts, use our closing tax calculator.

Title notices on residential closings

The commitment. Furnish the title commitment no later than closing unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Its first page must carry the bold statement that begins “Please read the exceptions and the terms shown or referred to herein carefully” (§31-5041.05(a)).
Lender-only policy notice. When only a lender’s policy is ordered on an owner-occupied purchase, give the buyer a written notice, on a form the Commissioner prescribes or approves, when the commitment is prepared. It explains that the lender’s policy protects only the lender and that an owner’s policy is available. Keep the signed notice at least three years after the policy’s effective date (§31-5041.05(b)).

Dates to put on every DC file

Lender-only policy notice given when the commitment is prepared, if no owner’s policy is ordered (§31-5041.05(b))
Title commitment furnished no later than closing (§31-5041.05(a))
Good funds in for every disbursement (§31-5041.06(d))
Signing date of the deed and deed of trust, and the recording deadline 30 days later (§47-1431(a))
Recording date with the Recorder of Deeds
Signed lender-only notice kept at least three years after the policy date (§31-5041.05(b))

And for the office: the annual escrow audit (§31-5041.06(f)) and keeping your E&O policy and bonds in force (§31-5041.02(c)).

Federal TRID dates still apply

None of this replaces the federal timing rules. The Closing Disclosure still has to be received three business days before consummation, and refinances still wait out the right of rescission. See TRID business days, explained, or count a file’s dates with the closing deadline calculator.

Keep every date in one place

Closing Desk tracks the deadlines on every open file and puts the ones that need someone today at the top. Our free tax calculator covers DC recordation and transfer taxes.

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Other state guides: Virginia · Maryland · All resources

This is a general summary of District of Columbia law as of October 2026, not legal advice. DISB and OTR rules, lender instructions, underwriter requirements and later changes to the law can add to it; check the current D.C. Code and your underwriter for each file.