The Release Affidavit with Promissory Note (ROD 28) is a sworn statement published by the Government of the District of Columbia, Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), Recorder of Deeds. In it, the last known holder of a promissory note, or a title insurance company officer or licensed title insurance agent that paid it off, certifies under penalties of perjury that the note is paid, cancelled or satisfied and identifies the deed of trust that secured it. On this page you can fill out ROD 28 online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by OTR at otr.cfo.dc.gov.
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What is ROD 28?
ROD 28, Release Affidavit with Promissory Note, is a District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds form on which a noteholder, trustee, title insurance company officer or title insurance agent swears that a promissory note has been fully paid, cancelled or satisfied and describes the deed of trust securing it.
The form is headed "Know all by these presents" and is made under penalties of perjury. It has three numbered statements. Statement 1 says who the signer is: the last known holder of the attached promissory note marked "Paid" or "Cancelled," an officer of the title insurance company that disbursed funds in payment of the note, or a validly licensed title insurance agent that did so. Statement 2 says the attached promissory note has been fully paid, cancelled or satisfied. Statement 3 identifies the deed of trust: its date, the grantor(s), the trustee(s), the noteholder, the date it was recorded in the Land Records, its Instrument No. and/or Liber and Folio, and the piece or parcel of land in the District of Columbia that it constitutes a lien upon.
The affidavit is signed and then subscribed and sworn before a notary public. The form prints the address and phone number of the Recorder of Deeds, and OTR publishes it as a PDF attachment on its own publication page. It is a promissory note affidavit, not a tax return or a tax payment form.
Who needs to file ROD 28?
The people who complete ROD 28 are the ones named in statement 1 of the form:
- the last known holder(s) of the attached promissory note, which must be marked "Paid" or "Cancelled";
- an officer of the title insurance company that disbursed funds in payment of the promissory note;
- a validly licensed title insurance agent that disbursed funds in payment of the promissory note.
The signature lines also list trustee(s) and substitute trustee(s), so the form is prepared for whichever of these signers applies to the deed of trust being described. Where there is more than one signer, the form has two signature lines.
The affidavit relates to a promissory note secured by a deed of trust on land in the District of Columbia. The form does not state who may sign on behalf of someone else, so ask the Recorder of Deeds if a representative will sign.
When to file ROD 28
The triggering event is payment of the secured debt: the form states that the attached promissory note has been fully paid, cancelled or satisfied, so it is prepared once that has happened and the note has been marked "Paid" or "Cancelled." No separate due date is printed on ROD 28.
The affidavit is dated on the "IN WITNESS WHEREOF" line and sworn before a notary on the "Subscribed and sworn" line, so the signer and notary must be available together on the day it is completed. For any timing rule that applies to recording the affidavit, contact the Recorder of Deeds at (202)727-5374.
Documents you need
- The promissory note the affidavit refers to, marked "Paid" or "Cancelled," attached to the affidavit; statements 1 and 2 describe it as the attached note.
- Exhibit A, only if additional space is required to describe the deed of trust or the property; the form says to attach it in that case.
How to fill out ROD 28
Confirm your role as signer
Statement 1 covers the last known holder of the attached note, an officer of the title insurance company that disbursed funds, or a validly licensed title insurance agent. Use the form only if one of these describes you.
Mark and attach the promissory note
The note you attach must be marked "Paid" or "Cancelled." Statement 2 certifies it has been fully paid, cancelled or satisfied.
Enter the deed of trust details
In statement 3, enter the deed of trust date as mm/dd/yyyy, then the grantor(s), the trustee(s) and the noteholder.
Enter the recording information
Enter the date the deed of trust was recorded in the Land Records (mm/dd/yyyy), and its Instrument No. and/or Liber and Folio.
Describe the property
Enter the piece or parcel of land in the District of Columbia on which the deed of trust is a lien, after "known as." Attach Exhibit A if more space is required.
Enter signer names and the date
Under "IN WITNESS WHEREOF," type or print the name of each noteholder, trustee, substitute trustee, title insurance company officer or agent, and fill in the day, month and year.
Sign the affidavit
Each signer signs on a signature line. The form has two lines for noteholders, trustees, substitute trustees, title insurance company officers or agents.
Have the affidavit notarized
Sign before the notary public, who completes "Subscribed and sworn to before me" with the day, month and year, signs, and enters the commission expiration date as mm/dd/yyyy.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, dates and recording details against the deed of trust and note. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble it with the attachments described under How to submit.
How to submit ROD 28
The form names no filing channel, portal or fee. The only office details printed on it are those of the Government of the District of Columbia, Office of Tax and Revenue, Recorder of Deeds, 1101 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, phone (202)727-5374.
- Package: the signed and notarized affidavit, with the attached promissory note marked "Paid" or "Cancelled" and Exhibit A if you needed more space for the property description.
- Where to ask: call the Recorder of Deeds at (202)727-5374 to confirm how and where it accepts the affidavit, and whether any fee applies.
- Form source: the blank PDF is published on the OTR page for ROD 28 at https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/publication/rod-28-release-affidavit-promissory-note.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Attaching a promissory note that is not marked "Paid" or "Cancelled" when statement 1 describes the note that way.
- Signing without a notary present; the form includes a "Subscribed and sworn to before me" block and notary commission expiration date.
- Leaving out the Land Records recording date or the Instrument No. and/or Liber and Folio in statement 3.
- Entering dates in a format other than mm/dd/yyyy where the form prints that format, such as the deed of trust date and the commission expiration date.
- Not typing or printing the name of each noteholder, trustee, substitute trustee, title insurance company officer or agent who signs.
- Crowding a long property description into the space provided instead of attaching Exhibit A, as the form directs.
- Signing as a title insurance company officer or agent when the entity did not disburse funds in payment of the promissory note.
Frequently asked questions
What is ROD 28, Release Affidavit with Promissory Note?
ROD 28 is a District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue Recorder of Deeds form. A noteholder, title insurance company officer or title insurance agent swears that an attached promissory note is paid, cancelled or satisfied and identifies the deed of trust that secured it.
Who can sign the ROD 28 release affidavit?
The last known holder of the attached promissory note, an officer of the title insurance company that disbursed funds in payment of the note, or a validly licensed title insurance agent that did so. The signature lines also list trustee(s) and substitute trustee(s).
Does ROD 28 have to be notarized?
Yes, the form includes a "Subscribed and sworn to before me" block for a notary public, with a signature line and a commission expiration date in mm/dd/yyyy format. Sign it in front of the notary.
What do I attach to the release affidavit?
Attach the promissory note marked "Paid" or "Cancelled." If you need more room to describe the deed of trust or the land, the form says to attach Exhibit A.
Where do I send ROD 28?
The form names no filing channel. It prints the Recorder of Deeds details: Office of Tax and Revenue, 1101 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, phone (202)727-5374. Call that number to confirm how the office accepts the affidavit.
Can I fill out ROD 28 online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file or record the affidavit; you deliver it through the Recorder of Deeds' channels.
Is ROD 28 a DC property tax form?
No. ROD 28 is published by the Office of Tax and Revenue, but it is a sworn affidavit about a paid promissory note and its deed of trust. It does not report or pay tax.
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