Disclaimer: Estimates based on current Georgia statutes and recording fee schedules. Not legal, tax, or financial advice — confirm with a licensed Georgia escrow officer or closing attorney. Full Disclaimer →
Georgia · Real estate transfer tax

Georgia Closing Costs: Transfer Tax & Recording Fees

Georgia charges $1.00 for the first $1,000 or fraction, plus $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction (equivalent to $1.00 per $1,000 of value). This page shows exactly how that tax is calculated, the current deed-recording fee, and how confident the local-overlay finding really is.

Jurisdiction Data Card — Georgia Researched Aug 21, 2026
Tax rate:$1.00 for the first $1,000 or fraction, plus $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction (equivalent to $1.00 per $1,000 of value)
Governing authority:Georgia Department of Revenue
Statutory basis:O.C.G.A. § 48-6-1
Local-overlay confidence:NOT AFFIRMATIVELY PROVEN NEGATIVE
Primary sources: Georgia Department of Revenue Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court fee schedule
Georgia's tax scales with price: $1.00 for the first $1,000 or fraction, plus $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction (equivalent to $1.00 per $1,000 of value).

Transfer tax and deed-recording fee only — excludes title insurance, escrow, lender fees, and mortgage-recording fees.

Total Georgia Transfer Tax & Recording Fee

Transfer tax and deed-recording fee only. Excludes title, escrow, and standard lender fees.

Real estate transfer tax

Recording Fee

⚠️ The Department of Revenue states the seller is statutorily liable, although a sales contract frequently shifts payment to the buyer.

Worked Example: $400,000 Georgia Purchase

Real estate transfer tax$400.00
Deed filing fee$25.00
Total included amount$425.00

This is a tax-module example, not a complete settlement statement — title, escrow, lender, and mortgage-recording charges are not included.

How Georgia's Transfer Tax Works

Georgia imposes $1.00 for the first $1,000 or fraction, plus $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction (equivalent to $1.00 per $1,000 of value), under O.C.G.A. § 48-6-1. The Department of Revenue states the seller is statutorily liable, although a sales contract frequently shifts payment to the buyer.

Local Overlay Confidence

Research found no material local transfer-tax overlay, but no primary source was located that expressly negates every possible local levy — treat this as "not affirmatively proven negative," not a guarantee.

What Georgia Charges to Record a Deed

Deed filing fee: $25.00, under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77.

Understanding Closing Costs in Georgia

Closing costs are the fees and charges required to finalize a real estate purchase, separate from your down payment and the home's purchase price. Beyond the Georgia transfer tax and recording fee calculated above, a typical closing includes a handful of other charges: a loan origination fee charged by your lender, an appraisal fee to confirm the home's value, a home inspection fee, a title search and title insurance premium (a lender's policy is required by most lenders, and an owner's policy is optional but recommended), an escrow or settlement agent fee, and prepaid items such as homeowners insurance and the property tax and mortgage interest your lender collects upfront into escrow. Which of these apply, and how much each one costs, depends on your lender, your loan program, and the title or escrow company handling your closing — this calculator covers only the government-charged transfer tax and recording fee shown above, not the full closing cost picture.

What Affects Your Total Closing Costs

Several factors shape how much you'll actually pay at closing on a Georgia property, beyond the transfer tax and recording fee shown above. Loan type matters: FHA loans add an upfront mortgage insurance premium, VA loans add a funding fee (waived for some veterans and service members), and USDA loans add a guarantee fee, while conventional loans typically don't carry a comparable upfront charge. Property type matters too — condos and homes in planned communities often require an extra fee for HOA document review or a resale certificate, and multi-unit or investment properties can carry higher title insurance premiums than a standard single-family purchase. County and municipality matter as well: recording fees, and in some states local transfer taxes, can vary from county to county, so the figures on this page reflect the Georgia statutory default — always confirm with the specific county recorder's or clerk's office where you're closing. Finally, purchase price and loan amount drive costs that scale with value, including title insurance premiums, percentage-based origination fees, and the transfer tax calculated above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Georgia charge a real estate transfer tax?
Yes. Georgia imposes a real estate transfer tax of $1.00 for the first $1,000 or fraction, plus $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction (equivalent to $1.00 per $1,000 of value), under O.C.G.A. § 48-6-1.
How confident is this local-overlay finding?
NOT AFFIRMATIVELY PROVEN NEGATIVE. Research found no material local transfer-tax overlay, but no primary source was located that expressly negates every possible local levy — treat this as "not affirmatively proven negative," not a guarantee.
What does Georgia charge to record a deed?
Deed filing fee: $25.00, under O.C.G.A. § 15-6-77.
Who customarily pays this tax — buyer or seller?
The Department of Revenue states the seller is statutorily liable, although a sales contract frequently shifts payment to the buyer.
Does the purchase price change the total shown here?
Yes — Georgia's tax is calculated as $1.00 for the first $1,000 or fraction, plus $0.10 for each additional $100 or fraction (equivalent to $1.00 per $1,000 of value), so the total scales directly with your purchase price. The recording fee shown is flat and does not change.
Who typically pays closing costs in Georgia?
Closing cost responsibility is set mainly by the purchase agreement rather than a fixed state formula in most cases. Buyers typically pay their own loan-related fees — origination, appraisal, and the lender's title insurance policy — while sellers commonly pay the real estate commission and, in many markets, the owner's title insurance policy. Local custom varies, so ask your real estate agent how closing costs are typically split where you're buying in Georgia.
Can closing costs be negotiated?
Yes. Many closing cost line items are negotiable between buyer and seller as part of the purchase offer, and lender fees can often be shopped and negotiated between lenders. It's common for buyers to request a seller credit toward closing costs, particularly when a market favors buyers.
Are closing costs tax-deductible?
Some are, some aren't, and the rules differ for a primary residence versus a rental or investment property. Loan origination points paid to reduce your interest rate are often deductible in the year you pay them; costs like title insurance, appraisal fees, and recording fees typically aren't deductible but can usually be added to your home's cost basis. This is general information, not tax advice — a CPA can confirm what applies to your specific purchase.
Does this calculator include lender fees or title insurance?
No. This calculator isolates the government-charged transfer tax and deed-recording fee for Georgia shown in the sources above — it does not include lender origination fees, appraisal costs, title insurance premiums, escrow fees, or prepaid items. Those vary by lender and title company and should be confirmed on your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure.
Methodology & sources: Researched via Manus AI primary-source research (task m2PUrFvMvM8h5nyPmjSJzS) and independently spot-checked. Statutory basis: O.C.G.A. § 48-6-1. Recording fee source: Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court fee schedule. Last verified August 21, 2026. Tax law changes — always confirm current rates with your escrow officer, closing attorney, or the Georgia Department of Revenue before relying on this estimate for a real transaction. Spotted an error? Contact us.