Washington D.C. Property Records

Washington, D.C. property records are official documents and reports that contain valuable information about property and its owners. They drastically impact the local real estate market and homeowners. Some of the records perform functions, and others are simply informational. It's better to review them all so you can fully understand a property and its history.

Sources of Property Records in the District of Columbia

Although you might expect all property records to be in one place, they are not. In Washington, D.C., property records are spread throughout the state, including in the courts, local government offices, private companies, title companies, and others.

For example, if you need to file a new deed after buying a house, you must visit the recorder of deeds office. Although the state has no counties, it is considered the equivalent of a county. You can find the OTR Recorder of Deeds address on the state website.

Property taxes are also handled at the state level, and the Washington D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue handles assessing property, billing homeowners, collecting property taxes, and liens and foreclosures if someone defaults on their annual property taxes.

You need a building permit whenever you build, demolish, or renovate. The District of Columbia issues them at the state level. You must contact the Washington D.C. Department of Buildings to apply for a permit and wait until you receive it before starting work.

According to the Washington D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue, "The 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."

How Property Records are Maintained in the District of Columbia

The Washington D.C. Recorder of Deeds office has a process for recording all new documents. First, they stamp them with the date, time, and filing code. Then, they make them a public record accessible to anyone.

Accessing Records at the Recorder of Deeds in the District of Columbia

Property records are public records, and anyone can access them anytime. You can visit the Washington D.C. Recorder of Deeds office during regular business hours and ask to see records. If you want copies, you will have to pay a small fee. You can also search for land records using the state tool.

Recorder of Deeds Locations in the District of Columbia

The recorder of deeds office in the District of Columbia has only one address. Please use the address below and regular business hours.

Hours of Operations: Recording Documents - 9 am to 3 pm Document Research - 9 am to 4 pm

Although the District of Columbia operates slightly differently than other states, it still has the same kinds of property records. When you put it all together, there are quite a few types. Some of the most common types of property records you will find in Washington, D.C., are:

Many people embark on a property history search to find out more about a specific property. Property records are public, so it is entirely legal for anyone to search for them. Thankfully, you have many options available when searching. Try the methods below to see what works for you.

Online Property Record Search

You can first try a basic online property record search. Type the full property address into a Google search bar and review the results. You will probably see realty websites and general information, but not necessarily what you need.

In-Person Property Record Search

Visit the Washington, D.C. OTR Recorder of Deeds office to request records. By law, they must supply you with them. However, if you need certified copies, you will have to pay a small fee.

Using Property Record Indexes

Property indexes litter the internet. Many have legitimate information and use reputable sources. However, others source from sketchy repositories and do not update their records regularly. Be careful when using these indexes.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The best way to search is to use the entire property address, including the street, city, and zip code. This method will give you the best results.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You can sometimes search using the owner's name but may also get many wrong results, as many people share the same name.

Owing a piece of the capital is an amazing thing. Although living in the District of Columbia is pricey, it's an exciting part of the county. But you must maintain your property to retain its value, and if you have a mortgage, you have to make regular payments with interest.

Every piece of real property has its own legal property description. These appear in deeds, mortgages, appraisals, assessments, and other documents. The description has map coordinates and descriptive terms like natural landmarks to make it easy to find.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys measure the land to derive map coordinates and exact boundaries. They are used before building new construction, installing utilities, and in boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

A boundary dispute occurs when someone thinks another party is trespassing on their land. They sometimes take the guilty person to court and let the judge decide. The courts often hire professional surveyors to map the exact boundaries to put an end to the issue.

Encumbrances like liens appear readily in property records and can be damaging to the property and its owners. Too many liens indicate a severe financial problem. Liens also lower the value of the property and make it harder to sell. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those over which you have some control. You choose to use your home as collateral when you take out a mortgage, home equity loan, or other financing. Even voluntary liens can lead to foreclosure and the loss of your home.

Involuntary Liens

You do not have any control over involuntary liens. These are imposed by creditors or tax authorities when you fail to pay your debt. These almost always lead to foreclosure and the loss of the home.

Property records are paramount in real estate sales and other realty-related transactions. Before the sale, many of the people involved (realtors, appraisers, title companies, buyers, sellers, attorneys, etc.) use property records to research the property and learn more. New records will also be created during the process and replace older ones.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

A property history search can help you learn more about a property and make a smarter decision when buying it. Before buying, consider the taxes, value, insurance, and other items.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

Before selling a property, you must disclose certain material defects to potential buyers. The most common things to disclose are asbestos and lead paint. If you are not the property's original owner, you can consult property records to learn more.

Title Searches and Insurance

Anyone with a mortgage must buy title insurance. Title insurance protects the lender and the owner against any legal claims on the property that occur after the sale. Your attorney or title company will perform a property title search to look for any potential issues that could sully the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in the District of Columbia

Foreclosures occur when a homeowner fails to pay their mortgage for three months or more. The process can last months and, eventually, result in the sale of the home at auction. Foreclosure homes are valued lower than fair market value and can be complicated to sell. They do appear in public property records, but most buyers won't want to deal with the hassles.

Pre-Foreclosures in the District of Columbia

Pre-foreclosure homes are in the process of foreclosure but have not yet been sold at auction. This is a prime time for investors to swoop in and offer the buyer money to absolve their debt. The investor picks up the home cheaply and can sell it for a profit.

When was the House Built?

If you want to find out when the house was built, contact the recorder of deeds office and ask for the first building permit for that property. That will tell you when it was built and who first owned it.

Property values are essential information that anyone buying or selling property should know. These values can change rapidly based on the local housing market, inflation, and other economic factors. These values appear in property records like appraisals, assessments, mortgages, etc. The median home price in Washington, D.C., is $599.900.

Assessments and Appraisals

Private and government officials use assessments and appraisals to value property for different reasons. For instance, state tax officials in Washington, D.C., use assessments to set tax rates.

Private appraisers use complex formulas and software to determine the value of a property for mortgages and estate planning.

There is no "privacy" in public property records. Once something is made public, it remains so for as long as public property records support it. When you purchase a property, your name and address will appear in public property records.

Accessing Public Property Records

Anyone has the legal right to access property records at any time. You can visit the District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds office or use their online tool to find them. You can also find them in other ways. Certified copies are available for a small fee.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public as part of transparency laws. First, they preserve the public chain of title, showing everyone who has ever owned a certain property. These are documented through deeds. Second, they prevent any one government office from having too much power over the people.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

It's difficult these days to protect all your personal information, which can expose you to identity theft and fraud. However, you can minimize your exposure by asking property records repositories and government offices to remove anything about you beyond your name and address.

When you need to rely on property records, it's best if they are up-to-date and accurate. It's your responsibility to keep your records updated. The agency in charge of them will not know to update them automatically as things in your life change.