Free Quitclaim Deed Form

A Quitclaim Deed (also written as quit claim deed) is an essential legal document that can be used to transfer or amend a title on a real estate property. These forms are sometimes known as non-warranty deeds as they provide no guarantees that the current owner (also known as a grantor) possesses full rights to the property when it is transferred to its new owner (or the grantee).

Because property laws vary in each state, every jurisdiction has its own legislation on how these deeds may be used. It is therefore crucial that your document meets your local statutory rules in order to be effective [1].

What Is the Purpose of a Quitclaim Deed?

Despite offering no guarantees on ownership rights, Quitclaim Deeds are practical for a number of purposes. They can reduce the time and paperwork necessary if you need to release ownership of a property to someone you trust or to make corrections to the title of the real estate.

Before starting your own quitclaim deed it is wise to first look over an example template to get a better idea of what is required. Use our deed sample below to get a much clearer view of what you will need to include in your final form.

There are many situations where a Quitclaim Deed can prove useful for real estate owners looking to make changes to their property’s title [2].

Below we’ve detailed some of the most important reasons you should consider using a Quitclaim Deed.

• Transfer property between family members: Easily transfer ownership rights to children, siblings, or other close family members.
• Add or remove a spouse from the title: Update property ownership after marriage or divorce, especially when spousal consent is required.
• Correct a title defect: Fix errors on the title without costly legal procedures.
• Change the owner's name on a title: Update the title if the owner’s name changes due to personal reasons or if transferring the property to a business or LLC.
• Transfer ownership to a trust: Property is often transferred to a trust for estate planning or tax purposes.

It is easy to fill out a Quitclaim Deed online from home. Using our online contract builder all you need to do is enter your information as instructed for your state and it will be entered into the appropriate template. This can then be downloaded and printed, making it now ready for signing. ready for signing.

How To File a Quitclaim Deed

Once a Quitclaim Deed has been completed and signed, it must be filed so the property title can be officially updated and changed. To do this you will need to visit your local recording office or county clerk.

Local recording offices are usually based in each county in each state. Each locality often has its own local rules and procedures for the recording process, and the time and process can vary as a result.

Regardless of the state, when you visit the office you must bring the Quitclaim Deed and a blank check to pay the filing fee. Once this process is complete the grantee(s) named in the deed will become the new official owner of the property.

Follow these steps to write a Quitclaim Deed. You can download the necessary document template and use it to easily create your own deed.

1. Insert requestor information: At the top of the document, fill in the name of the person requesting the recording and where the deed and tax statements should be mailed after recording.
2. Provide property details: Enter the Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) and Tax Parcel ID. These numbers help identify the property involved in the transfer.
3. Identify the grantor(s): Include the full legal name(s) of the grantor(s).
4. Add witness information: If required by your state or county, include a witness to the deed and have them sign in the designated section.
5. Execution date and location: Provide the date of execution and the state and county where the deed is being signed.
6. Notary section: Ensure that a notary public fills out their section, confirming the identity of the grantor(s) and their authority to sign the deed.
7. Sign and seal the deed: The grantor(s) must sign the deed, and the notary will apply their signature and official seal.

Check your local county requirements for any additional conditions before filing the deed.

The main difference between Quitclaim Deeds and warranty deeds is that Quitclaim Deeds offer no guarantee the grantor holds the title. Warranty deeds do provide this guarantee, and are preferred in standard real estate sales for fraud protection.

Other deed types, like grant, bargain and lady bird deeds, may also lack title guarantees.

If you’re in the process of transferring property between parties, some of our other documents may be of interest to you:

• Warranty Deed Form
• Special Warranty Deed Form
• Contract for Deed

Sources

[1] 507.07 Warranty And Quitclaim Deeds. 2024 Minnesota Statutes.

[2] Quitclaim Deed. Cornell Law.