Oregon Closing Costs for Buyers: How Much You'll Pay
In Oregon, an owner's title policy runs about $1,362 plus $509 for the lender's policy. Figures below come from Oregon statutes, the state's revenue and insurance regulators and filed title rate cards, read on September 11, 2026.
Transfer tax in Oregon
| Jurisdiction | Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon (state) | Oregon has no statewide real estate transfer tax. | source |
| Washington County (Portland metro) | $1.00 per $1,000 of selling price (0.1%) on transfers of real property recorded in the county, exempt for sales under $13,999; must be paid or an exemption filed within 15 days of recording | source |
More on Oregon (state)
Oregon has no statewide real estate transfer tax. In 1997 the legislature (ORS 306.815) barred any new local transfer taxes, but grandfathered the handful already in effect, Washington County is the only one that applies to typical residential sales statewide.
No separate state recordation tax; recording itself is billed as a flat per-page county recording fee (see recording_fees).
Who pays: Washington County's ordinance states liability for the transfer tax 'is between the purchaser and seller' rather than assigning it to one side by law; allocation is a matter of the sale contract. (Statewide, this only matters for Washington County sales, the rest of Oregon has no transfer tax to allocate.) Source
Worked example: On a $508,100 home located in most of Oregon there is no state or county transfer tax at all. If the same home were in Washington County, the transfer tax would be about $508 ($1 per $1,000 of price), with liability split between buyer and seller as negotiated in the sale contract.
How much is title insurance in Oregon?
On a $508,100 home in Oregon, an owner's title policy costs about $1,362 and the lender's policy about $509 when both are issued together (the simultaneous-issue discount). The seller customarily pays for the owner's policy; the buyer pays the lender's policy. Oregon uses a filed uniform rate: insurers file one rate schedule with the state, so premiums are the same from company to company and shopping only affects settlement fees. Premiums computed from Oregon Title Insurance Rating Organization (OTIRO) Oregon Rating Manual, Schedule One Basic Insurance Rate, as reproduced in AmeriTitle's published Oregon rate card.
Who pays the owner's policy: seller (by custom). The standard OREF (Oregon Real Estate Forms) residential sale agreement has the seller order and pay for the preliminary title report and the buyer's owner's policy unless the parties amend the contract to say otherwise. Source
Oregon is a filed-uniform (rating-bureau) state: all title insurers licensed in Oregon may use the single OTIRO rate manual (Basic Insurance Rate schedule), so premiums are the same across underwriters absent a special discount. Standard Coverage Owner's Policy = 100% of the Basic Insurance Rate;
Oregon-specific buyer costs on a $508,100 home
These are the line items set by Oregon law or filed rates. Lender fees, appraisal, escrow and prepaid taxes and insurance come on top and depend on your loan.
| Lender's title policy | $509 |
|---|---|
| Deed recording | $86 |
| Mortgage recording | $86 |
| State-set items, total | $681 |
Do you need a closing attorney in Oregon?
Not required. Oregon does not require an attorney to conduct or attend a residential closing. Closings are handled by licensed escrow agents (commonly title/escrow companies) under ORS Chapter 696; an attorney acting purely as an attorney is exempt from the escrow-agent licensing requirement, but using one is optional, not required. Source
Recording fees
Recording the deed costs $86 and the mortgage $86 at the Multnomah County Recording & Customer Service (Portland). Fee schedule
How much are closing costs in Oregon?
For a buyer, closing costs usually run 2% to 5% of the purchase price. On Oregon's median-priced home (about $508,100), that is roughly $10,162 to $25,405, and it is separate from your down payment. The exact figure depends on your lender, your loan, and local taxes.
What closing costs include
Closing costs are a bundle of one-time fees due at settlement: lender or origination fees, an appraisal, title insurance, escrow and settlement fees, recording fees and any Oregon transfer tax, plus prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance.
Why Oregon closing costs vary
The single biggest reason closing costs differ from state to state is transfer taxes, which states and sometimes counties and cities charge on the sale. Title insurance customs and whether an attorney is required at settlement also matter.
Frequently asked questions
How much is title insurance in Oregon?
About $1,362 for an owner's policy on a $508,100 home, plus about $509 for the lender's policy when both are issued together. Rates are filed uniformly, so the premium is the same across insurers.
Who pays closing costs in Oregon?
Transfer tax: Washington County's ordinance states liability for the transfer tax 'is between the purchaser and seller' rather than assigning it to one side by law; allocation is a matter of the sale contract. (Statewide, this only matters for Washington County sales, the rest of Oregon has no transfer tax to allocate.) The seller customarily pays for the owner's policy; the buyer pays the lender's policy, plus lender fees, appraisal and prepaid taxes and insurance. Sellers often cover part of the buyer's costs through a negotiated concession.
How much is the transfer tax in Oregon?
Oregon has no statewide real estate transfer tax. In 1997 the legislature (ORS 306.815) barred any new local transfer taxes, but grandfathered the handful already in effect, Washington County is the only one that applies to typical residential sales statewide.. Washington County (Portland metro) add local taxes on top.
Do you need an attorney to close on a house in Oregon?
No. Oregon does not require an attorney to conduct or attend a residential closing. Closings are handled by licensed escrow agents (commonly title/escrow companies) under ORS Chapter 696; an attorney acting purely as an attorney is exempt from the escrow-agent licensing requirement, but using one is optional, not required.
How much are closing costs in Oregon?
Buyer closing costs in Oregon typically run 2% to 5% of the purchase price. On Oregon's median-priced home (about $508,100) that is roughly $10,162 to $25,405, on top of your down payment.
What do closing costs include in Oregon?
Lender or origination fees, an appraisal, title insurance, escrow and settlement fees, recording fees and any Oregon transfer tax, plus prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance.
Can a buyer rebate offset closing costs in Oregon?
Oregon does not permit buyer commission rebates, so you cannot use one to offset closing costs here. Comparing lenders and shopping title and settlement services is the main way to save.
Sources
- Oregon transfer tax statute
- Who pays the transfer tax
- Oregon Title Insurance Rating Organization (OTIRO) Oregon Rating Manual, Schedule One Basic Insurance Rate, as reproduced in AmeriTitle's published Oregon rate card
- Who pays the owner's title policy
- Oregon closing attorney rule
- Multnomah County Recording & Customer Service (Portland) recording fees
- AmeriTitle Oregon Title Rate Card (OTIRO rates)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: buyer closing costs are typically 2% to 5% of the purchase price
Oregon figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Oregon title insurance at every purchase price, with a calculator →
Oregon transfer tax at every purchase price, who pays and local surcharges →
Read the full buyer closing-costs guide →
Figures are typical 2026 ranges and vary by lender, loan, and location. This is general information, not financial advice; confirm your numbers with your lender and closing agent.
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