How to buy

How to buy property in the Dominican Republic

Seven steps, from choosing the property to a title in your name.

Foreigners may own property in the Dominican Republic, land included, in their own name or through a company: the law gives them the same rights as Dominicans, save the exceptions it sets. The law: Constitución de la República (2024), art. 25; Ley 16-95 sobre Inversión Extranjera, arts. 3 b y 6; Reglamento General de Registro de Títulos (Res. 788-2022).

7: steps from choice to title
3%: transfer tax, paid once
30: business days to register

ProtectedA registered right is protected by the State

Step 1 of 7

Find the right property

You choose the property. Only its registered owner can sell it — the title deed issued by the State shows who that is.

You choose a property
The title deed shows its owner
Only the owner can sell

A registered right does not lapse with time.

Documents and participants

Documents

the title deed issued by the StateCertificado de Título
the parcel’s cadastral designationDesignación catastral

Who takes part

The buyer · The seller — the registered owner · The real estate agent

The law

Ley 108-05 de Registro Inmobiliario Reglamento General de Registro de Títulos (Res. 788-2022)

No travelYou can buy by power of attorney

Step 2 of 7

Hire a real estate attorney

Your attorney examines the property’s history and prepares the purchase; a notary certifies the deed.

Your attorney checks its history
A notary certifies the deed
You can sign by power of attorney

A power of attorney made abroad is valid with an apostille and a sworn translation, or when made before a Dominican consul.

Documents and participants

Documents

a power of attorney, if you will not attend in personPoder de representación

Who takes part

The buyer · The attorney (abogado) · The notary (notario) — a lawyer of at least five years’ standing · A Dominican consul or a foreign notary, for a power of attorney

The law

Ley 140-15 del Notariado Disposición Técnica DNRT-DT-2025-003

30business days for the registry’s answer

Step 3 of 7

Due diligence

Before signing, your attorney obtains the registry’s official certificate: who owns the property, whether the title is in force and what is entered against it.

Your attorney applies
The title registry
A certificate: the owner and any liens

The certificate costs RD$1,000 at the registry’s rate; an express service is available.

Documents and participants

Documents

the registry’s certificate of the property’s legal stateCertificación del Estado Jurídico del Inmueble
the title deedCertificado de Título
the approved cadastral plan of the parcelPlano catastral
proof that the annual property tax is paidCertificación de IPI

Who takes part

Your attorney · The title registry (Registro de Títulos) · The tax authority (DGII) · The surveyor (agrimensor)

The law

Reglamento General de Registro de Títulos (Res. 788-2022)Registro Inmobiliario: Certificación del estado jurídico Disposición Técnica DNRT-DT-2025-003

RD$1.5MAbove this sum, payment is never in cash

Step 4 of 7

Sign the purchase agreement

Price, deposit and timing are set down in the purchase agreement — in Spanish, before a notary.

Buyer and seller agree
Signed before a notary, in Spanish
Large sums: transfer, check or card

Larger purchases are paid by transfer, check or card, and the means of payment is written into the deed.

Documents and participants

Documents

the purchase agreement, or a promise of saleContrato de compraventa
the deed of sale before the notaryActo de venta
proof of paymentConstancia de pago

Who takes part

The buyer · The seller · The notary · Two bilingual witnesses, if a party does not speak Spanish

The law

Código Civil Reglamento General de Registro de Títulos (Res. 788-2022)Ley 155-17 DGII, Norma General 07-2022 DGII, Aviso 27-25

15business days the record is reserved for your purchase

Step 5 of 7

Transfer of ownership

The property becomes yours when the transfer is entered in the title registry. The deed is filed in person, remotely or online.

The deed of sale
Filed with the title registry
The property passes to you

A certificate with a priority reserve freezes the property’s record for your purchase while the sale is completed.

Documents and participants

Documents

the deed of saleActo de venta
the seller’s duplicate of the titleDuplicado del Certificado de Título
the transfer-tax receiptRecibo del impuesto de transferencia
for foreigners: a passport and a national identity documentPasaporte

Who takes part

The buyer · The seller · The notary · The tax authority (DGII) · The Registrar of Titles

The law

Ley 108-05 de Registro Inmobiliario Reglamento General de Registro de Títulos (Res. 788-2022)Disposición Técnica DNRT-DT-2025-003

3%Of the property’s value, paid once, within six months

Step 6 of 7

Closing costs and taxes

The buyer pays the transfer tax once, and small fixed contributions at registration; the notary and the attorney are paid separately.

The buyer pays
3% transfer tax, to the DGII
Small fixed fees at registration

After that, individuals pay 1% a year — only on the value above RD$10,695,494 (2026).

Documents and participants

Documents

the tax authority’s payment authorizationAutorización de pago
the receipt for the transfer taxRecibo de pago
receipts for the registration contributionsRecibos de tasas registrales

Who takes part

The buyer · The tax authority (DGII) · The property registry · Banco de Reservas, where the fees are paid

The law

Ley 288-04, art. 20 (Ley 173-07, art. 7)DGII, Norma General 03-2024 DGII, Resolución DDG-AR1-2026-00001 Registro Inmobiliario: Transferencia por venta

30business days for the registry’s decision

Step 7 of 7

Receive your title

The registry issues a new title in your name — on paper or in digital form — and the previous title is canceled.

The registry decides
A new title, paper or digital
In your name

From then on, your right is protected by the State.

Documents and participants

Documents

the new title in your nameCertificado de Título
your duplicate of the titleDuplicado del Certificado de Título
the certificate of legal state, confirming the new ownerCertificación del Estado Jurídico del Inmueble

Who takes part

The title registry · The Registrar of Titles · You, or your representative under a power of attorney

The law

Reglamento General de Registro de Títulos (Res. 788-2022)Ley 108-05 de Registro Inmobiliario

We accompany you from the first inquiry to closing

We help buyers find opportunities, arrange due diligence with trusted Dominican attorneys, and follow every step of the purchase.

Discuss a purchase Taxes and residency

General information about Dominican law, not legal advice. Your Dominican attorney confirms what applies to your purchase. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.