Gift Deed - District of Columbia
GIFT DEED
District of Columbia
Date of deed: [__/__/____]
Grantor (Donor): [FULL LEGAL NAME], of [ADDRESS]
Grantee (Donee): [FULL LEGAL NAME], of [ADDRESS]
District property: [STREET ADDRESS, WASHINGTON, DC ZIP]
Square: [NUMBER] Suffix: [SUFFIX OR NONE] Lot: [NUMBER]
Prepared by: [NAME AND ADDRESS]
Return recorded deed to: [NAME AND ADDRESS]
1. Gift and conveyance
Grantor intends a present gift to Grantee. Grantor states that the consideration, if any, passing from Grantee or another person for this conveyance is: [DESCRIBE ALL MONEY, ASSUMED DEBT, LIENS OR OTHER VALUE / NONE]. Grantor and Grantee shall report any actual consideration accurately on the District's recordation and transfer tax return. Calling this deed a gift does not establish a tax exemption.
Select one operative grant and strike the other:
☐ For that consideration, and as a gift to the extent no consideration is paid, Grantor grants and conveys with special warranty to Grantee all of Grantor's right, title, and interest in the real property described in Exhibit A.
☐ For that consideration, and as a gift to the extent no consideration is paid, Grantor grants and conveys without warranty to Grantee all of Grantor's right, title, and interest in the real property described in Exhibit A.
The grant includes the property's improvements, fixtures, easements, rights, and appurtenances, to have and to hold forever. Grantor delivers this deed with the intent that the conveyance take effect now, subject to D.C. Code § 42-401.
The property is conveyed subject to these disclosed matters: [LIST RECORDED MORTGAGES, DEEDS OF TRUST, EASEMENTS, TAXES, LEASES, AND OTHER ENCUMBRANCES / STATE NONE KNOWN]. Any separate debt assumption must be described accurately in the District tax return and in the parties' debt documents.
2. Effect of the selected title covenant
The special warranty grant uses the words specified in D.C. Code § 42-605. Grantor warrants and will defend the property against the claims of Grantor and persons claiming by, through, or under Grantor. The without warranty grant contains no express title warranty and conveys only Grantor's interest, if any.
3. Recordation and transfer tax information
The parties identify the following facts for the separate District tax return. An exemption is claimed only when its conditions are met and supported by the return and required evidence.
Relationship: [SPOUSE / PARENT AND CHILD / GRANDPARENT AND GRANDCHILD / DOMESTIC PARTNERS / OTHER: DESCRIBE]
Money or other value paid: [AMOUNT AND DESCRIPTION / NONE]
Mortgage, lien, or other encumbrance: [TYPE, BALANCE, AND WHETHER ASSUMED / NONE]
Estimated fair market value: $[AMOUNT] Basis for estimate: [SOURCE]
☐ Family transfer without actual consideration: Claim the recordation-tax exemption in D.C. Code § 42-1102(7) and the transfer-tax exemption in § 47-902(5), subject to review of the actual relationship and consideration.
☐ Another exemption: [CITE EACH APPLICABLE RECORDATION- AND TRANSFER-TAX EXEMPTION AND STATE SUPPORTING FACTS].
☐ No exemption claimed: Determine both taxes under D.C. Code §§ 42-1103 and 47-903. When consideration is absent or nominal, those sections use fair market value as determined by the Mayor as the tax base; any additional tax depends on the statutory classification. Recordation-tax “consideration” includes mortgages, liens, and encumbrances under § 42-1101(5), so an existing debt must be reviewed before claiming the family exemption.
Attach the completed District tax return and supporting documents requested by the Recorder of Deeds. Confirm the current filing fee; D.C. Code § 42-1211(a) adds a $5 per-document surcharge. The transferee must submit this acknowledged deed for recording within 30 days after execution, subject to § 47-1431(a)'s extension when day 30 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
A gift may also have federal gift-tax consequences under 26 U.S.C. § 2501(a)(1). The parties should obtain advice on any reporting or tax due for their facts.
4. Signatures and acknowledgment
Grantor signs and seals this deed on the date stated above and delivers it to Grantee.
GRANTOR:
Signature: ______________________________ (SEAL) Date: [__/__/____]
Printed name: [GRANTOR FULL LEGAL NAME]
GRANTEE'S RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE:
Signature: ______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
Printed name: [GRANTEE FULL LEGAL NAME]
Acknowledgment of Grantor
District of Columbia, ss.:
On [__/__/____], [GRANTOR FULL LEGAL NAME] personally appeared before me, was identified by [PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE / SATISFACTORY IDENTIFICATION], and acknowledged executing this deed for its stated purpose.
Notary signature: ______________________________
Printed name: [NOTARY NAME] Commission expires: [__/__/____]
[NOTARIAL SEAL]
Exhibit A — Legal description
[INSERT COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION FROM THE VESTING DEED OR TITLE RECORD]
Prior deed instrument number and recording date: [NUMBER AND DATE]
Square: [NUMBER] Suffix: [SUFFIX OR NONE] Lot: [NUMBER]
About this template
- Last updated
- October 14, 2026
- Citations checked
- October 14, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- District of Columbia
- Category
- Real Estate
Legal authority
- D.C. Code § 42-306(b) (signed and sealed deed)
- D.C. Code § 42-401 (deed effect)
- D.C. Code § 42-601 (deed form)
- D.C. Code § 42-605 (special warranty)
- D.C. Code § 47-1431(a) (recording)
- D.C. Code § 42-1211(a) (recording surcharge)
- D.C. Code § 42-1102(7) (recordation tax exemption — transfers between spouses, parent/child, grandparent/grandchild, domestic partners, without actual consideration)
- D.C. Code § 47-902(5) (transfer tax exemption — same family/no-consideration transfers)
- D.C. Code § 42-1101(5) (consideration)
- D.C. Code § 42-1103(a)(1)(A) (recordation tax base)
- D.C. Code § 47-903(a)(1)(B) (transfer tax base)
- 26 U.S.C. § 2501(a)(1) (federal gift tax)
Real estate documents transfer ownership, define who can use a property, and record agreements between buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. Deeds, purchase agreements, leases, and easements have to be drafted to meet state recording requirements, and mistakes show up at closing or years later in title disputes. Good real estate paperwork moves transactions forward quickly and avoids the kind of problems that only surface when it is time to sell or refinance.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on October 14, 2026.
D.C. Code § 42-401 (checked October 14, 2026): "Any deed conveying real property in the District, or interest therein, or declaring or limiting any use or trust thereof, executed and acknowledged and certified as provided in §§ 42-602 and 42-306, and Chapter 12A of Title 1, and delivered to the person in whose favor the same is executed shall be held to take effect from the date of the delivery; except, that as to creditors and subsequent bona fide purchasers and mortgagees without notice of said deed, and others interested in the property, it shall only take effect from the time of its delivery to the Recorder of Deeds for record."
26 U.S.C. § 2501(a)(1) (checked October 14, 2026): "A tax, computed as provided in section 2502, is hereby imposed for each calendar year on the transfer of property by gift during such calendar year by any individual resident or nonresident."
D.C. Code § 42-1102(7) (checked October 14, 2026): "Deeds between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, or domestic partners, as defined in § 32-701(3), without actual consideration therefor;"
D.C. Code § 47-902(5) (checked October 14, 2026): "Transfers between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, or domestic partners as defined in § 32-701(3), without actual consideration therefor;"
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