Real Estate Reporting Rule Exemption Checker

Do I need to file a real estate report?

Check for FinCEN Transaction Reporting Exemptions

Complete the following to check if you will need to file a FinCEN Real Estate Report for your transaction.

FinCEN Filing Requirements Quiz

- RER Exemption Checker -

Is the Property Residential?

Applies to all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and tribal lands.

Residential Property Icon

Does the property fall into any of these categories?

Restart

Lender AML Lookup and Certification Forms

Use these tools to check whether your lender has AML and SAR obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. If the lender is covered by AML/KYC requirements, the loan will exempt the transaction from FinCEN real estate reporting because that lender is already reporting. Start with the lookup that matches your lender type below, and use the certification forms when you need a signed record for your closing file.

Is Your Lender AML/SAR Covered?

- Lender AML Lookup -

Is Your Lender AML/SAR Covered?

If the lender has an AML program and files SARs, the loan may make the transaction exempt from FinCEN real estate reporting. Pick the lookup that matches your lender type.

🏦

Banks & Savings Institutions

Confirms: FDIC-insured institution with AML/SAR obligations. These institutions always have AML/SAR programs. There is no need to look this up for major banks.

1 Go to FDIC BankFind
2 Search by bank name
3 If listed → AML/SAR covered
Look Up Bank → Search by the bank's legal name or city/state. If the bank appears in results with an active FDIC certificate, it is a regulated depository institution with full AML program and SAR filing obligations. This covers national banks, state-chartered banks, and savings associations.
🏛️

Credit Unions

Confirms: Federally insured credit union with AML/SAR obligations. These institutions always have AML/SAR programs. There is no need to look this up for major credit unions.

1 Go to NCUA Credit Union Locator
2 Search by credit union name
3 If listed → AML/SAR covered
Look Up Credit Union → Search by the credit union's name or charter number. If it appears in results as an active, federally insured credit union, it is regulated under the BSA with full AML program and SAR filing obligations — the same as a bank.
🏠

Mortgage Lenders & Brokers

Confirms: State-licensed mortgage lender/originator — generally AML/SAR covered since 2012

1 Go to NMLS Consumer Access
2 Search by company name or NMLS ID
3 Look for a mortgage lender or broker license
NMLS confirms license type but is not an AML registry. For a definitive record, request a signed Lender AML Certification.
How to Look Up
Look Up Mortgage Lender → Search by company name or NMLS number. In the results, check the license type. The following NMLS categories have AML/SAR obligations under FinCEN rules:

✓ Mortgage Lender / Mortgage Company
✓ Mortgage Broker
✓ Mortgage Banker
✓ Residential Mortgage Lender
✓ Mortgage Loan Originator (company)
✓ Supervised Lender

These are all classified as "residential mortgage lenders and originators" — a subset of "loan or finance company" under the Bank Secrecy Act (31 C.F.R. § 1029). State license names vary, but any company licensed to originate residential mortgages is generally covered.

Categories like "consumer finance," "debt collector," or "money transmitter" may have different obligations — verify separately.
⚠️

Hard Money, Private & Seller Financing

No government lookup available. These lenders may or may not have AML/SAR obligations.

1 There is no database for this lender type
2 Request a signed AML/SAR certification from the lender
3 If they can't certify → treat as non-financed for FinCEN
Lenders may provide their own AML/SAR certification letter, which is also acceptable if it is materially similar to the form provided here.
Download Lender AML Form ↓ Send this one-page form to the lender before closing. It asks them to certify they are required to maintain an AML program and file SARs under FinCEN rules. If they sign it, keep it in your closing file as documentation that the transaction qualifies as "financed." If they cannot or will not certify, treat the deal as non-financed and file a FinCEN Real Estate Report.
Still not sure? Request a signed Lender AML Certification and keep it in your closing file. If the lender cannot certify, treat the transaction as non-financed for FinCEN reporting purposes.

Lender AML Program and SAR Obligation Certification

This one-page form lets a lender certify it is required to maintain an AML program and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), which helps settlement agents determine whether the transaction qualifies as a “financed transfer” under FinCEN’s real estate reporting rule. The lender signs to confirm the certification is accurate and provides a compliance contact for any follow-up.

Hard Money Lender Wire Source Account Certification

This one-page form lets a hard money lender share the exact bank and fund source account information used to send loan wires, so the settlement agent can complete FinCEN Real Estate Report payment fields when a filing is required. The lender signs to confirm the information is accurate and understands the settlement agent may rely on it for FinCEN compliance to cover liability concerns.

No-Build Certification Form

This form is signed by the buyer to confirm they do not intend to build a home on the vacant land being purchased. Settlement agents use it to determine whether a FinCEN report is required for the transaction. Have the buyer sign it before closing and keep it in your file.

FinCEN reporting

Done for You.

FincenRealEstateReport.com files with FinCEN for you in 3 Easy Steps. Pay only after closing with some plans and recover costs during settlement in many states.

FinCEN real estate report A white number 1 with a long shadow on a blue square background with rounded corners.

Order reports in 1 minute with a simple & secure tracking portal.

Start a report online with only a few data points and we’ll gather the rest. Integrations with leading software providers and OCR options automate order creation.

FinCEN real estate report A white number 2 centered on a blue square background with a long shadow extending to the lower right.

We gather info & confirm FinCEN filing ready before your closing.

Our U.S. team reaches out to buyers and sellers with secure links, answers regulatory questions, and guides customers through an easy 5 minute online submission. 150K completed to date.

FinCEN real estate report A bold white number 3 is centered on a blue square background, with a long shadow extending to the lower right.

We file for you after closing. Pay only if your transaction closes.

We manage reminders and validate data. Receive daily email digests of all file statuses, or log in to review any record. We file, and you are billed only for completed, closed filings. All filings insured. 

Video Demos

Watch how we reduce your report time from 3 hours to 2 minutes. Place an order with a quick form or an AI tool and we do the rest.

More than collection and submission. See a FinCEN process proven across 150,000 completed FinCEN BOIR reports.

Watch how buyers and sellers move through an easy, stress-free process designed to minimize questions and closing delays.

Pricing

NO UPFRONT PAYMENT

OPTION A

Pay After Filing

Sign up free. Only billed after closing when the report is filed. No fees for deals that fall through.

Only pay per report

Per Closing – $189 per report

BEST REPORT PRICE

OPTION B

Prepaid Report Credits

Prepay to reduce your per-report price. Credits  used for closed transactions. Credits last 1 year.

Example bundles

50 Credits – $150 per report

100 Credits – $120 per report

What exemptions exist for the RRE Rule?

Real Estate Reporting Rule Exemptions

Starting December 2025, a report is required for every residential real estate transaction that meets ALL of the conditions below (unless an exemption from the lists that follow applies) :
 
  1. The buyer is an LLC, corporation, trust, or other legal entity (not an individual)
  2. The purchase is made without a traditional bank loan (such as purchases made in cash, crypto, seller financing, private loans, hard-money loans, etc.)
  3. The property is 1-4-family residential real estate located anywhere in the United States
 
Exemptions for Some Property Transfers
The reason for the transfer is One of the following exemptions
 
  • Death of an individual, including a transfer made under a will or trust
  • Divorce or dissolution of a marriage or civil union
  • Transfer to a bankruptcy estate
  • Court-ordered transfer or a transfer supervised by a court
 
Exemptions for Some Buyer Entities
The Buyer’s Entity is One of the following exempt entities (including a wholly owned subsidiary of one of these)
 
  • Securities reporting issuer (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(i))
  • Governmental authority (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(ii))
  • Bank (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(iii))
  • Credit union (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(iv))
  • Depository institution holding company (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(v))
  • Money service business (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(vi))
  • Broker or dealer in securities (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(vii))
  • Securities exchange or clearing agency (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(viii))
  • Exchange Act registered entity (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(ix))
  • Insurance company (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(xii))
  • State-licensed insurance producer (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(xiii))
  • Commodity Exchange Act registered entity (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(xiv))
  • Public utility (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(xvi))
  • Financial market utility (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(xvii))
  • Investment company (15 U.S.C. 80a-3(a))
 
Exemption for Some Buyer Trusts
The Buyer’s Trust is One of the following exempt trusts
 
  • A trust that is a securities reporting issuer (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(i))
  • A trust whose trustee is a securities reporting issuer (31 CFR 1010.380(c)(2)(i))
  • A statutory trust created or authorized under the Uniform Statutory Trust Entity Act (or as enacted by a State) because these are reported as an entity instead.
  • An estate-planning trust where (1) the transfer is for no consideration and (2) the transferor/seller (and/or their spouse) is also the settlor or grantor of the trust

Be Ready for FinCEN in 45 Minutes

FinCEN Masterclass Webinar Video

Prepare your team in 45 minutes to confidently handle the FinCEN Real Estate Report through a focused webinar masterclass covering required workflows, best practices, and free implementation resources.

FinCEN real estate report Screenshot of a blue Contents page with 12 labeled boxes organized in a 3x4 grid, outlining topics such as regulation, reporting, transaction analysis, resources, and compliance steps.