Completion Time Frame: 15 – 20 days (simultaneous with procedure 2)
Completion Costs: ROD 10
Points to Note:
A non-encumbrance certificate (“Certificación de Registro de Derechos Reales Accesorios”) must be obtained from the Property Registry in order to ensure that the property has no liens and there are no other conflicts related to it.
The time varies in each district. In Santo Domingo it takes about 15-20 days, while in the interior of the country it is faster.

Step 2: Site inspection to establish the exact location of the property

Completion Time Frame: 2 days (simultaneous with Step 1)
Completion Costs: ROD 5,000 – 12,000
Points to Note:
A surveyor (“agrimensor”) inspects the site in order to establish the exact location of the property.
This is not mandatory, but a way the buyer has to protect against potential problems.

Step 3: Notarization of the sale purchase agreement

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: 0.25 – 1% of the property price
Points to Note:
After the agreement is reached and the documentation has been exchanged by the parties, the sale purchase agreement must be notarized by the public notary.

Step 4: Request the valuation of the property at the Dirección General de Impuestos (Tax Authority)

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
The parties must submit an application to the Dirección General de Impuestos (Tax Authority) for the valuation of the property.
An appointment for the inspection of the property is scheduled. The valuation will be used in the calculation of taxes.

Step 5: An inspector of the Tax Authority verifies the value of the property

Completion Time Frame: 14 days
Completion Costs: no cost
Points to Note:
An inspector of the Tax Authority visits the property in order to verify its value.

Step 6: Payment of taxes at the Dirección General de Impuestos (Tax Authority)

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: 3% of property value (transfer tax) + ROD 20 (Stamp duty)
Points to Note:
After the inspection is over and the value of the property is calculated, stamps and taxes must be paid at the Dirección General de Impuestos (Tax Authority) before registering the transfer.
The following obligations must be paid according to the fiscal reform introduced by the new Ley Nº 173-07 de Eficiencia Recaudatoria:
Transfer tax: 3% of property value
Tax according to Law 33-91: ROD 20

Step 7: Apply for registration at the Property Registry

Completion Time Frame: 20 – 30 days
Completion Costs: Already paid in Step 6
Points to Note:
After all payments have been made and all documents are ready, the buyer will apply for registration of the property under his name at the Property Registry.
The registrar will analyze the documentation and, if everything is correct, will register the property under the name of the buyer and will set the date for giving the new title to the buyer.
This procedure takes about 20 to 30 days in Santo Domingo.
The new Ley de Registro de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria, passed on March 2005 to replace the previous law from 1947, introduced changes into the system seen up to now. The registrar has no more than 15 days to qualify the transfer.

The documentation shall include:
Notarized sale purchase agreement (obtained in Step 3)
Receipts of tax and stamp payments (obtained in Step 6)