Deed Forms

deed is a form used for transferring ownership of a property from one person or entity to another. Once completed, the deed must be recorded with the local county recorder, where it becomes public record of the property title. Each state has requirements for deeds and their recording, as well as the types of deeds that are recognized.

Last updated July 6th, 2025

deed is a form used for transferring ownership of a property from one person or entity to another. Once completed, the deed must be recorded with the local county recorder, where it becomes public record of the property title. Each state has requirements for deeds and their recording, as well as the types of deeds that are recognized.

By State


By Type (6)

Deed of Trust – Transfers the property title to a trustee as collateral until a home loan is repaid by the borrower.

 

Download: PDF, MS Word, ODT


General Warranty Deed – Guarantees that the grantor has full property rights and the title is free of defects and encumbrances.

 

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Lady Bird Deed – Names a beneficiary to receive the property after the owner dies. Permitted in Florida, Michigan, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia.

 

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Quit Claim Deed – Offers no protection for the grantee with regard to the quality of the title and assurances of ownership.

 

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Special Warranty Deed – Similar to a general warranty deed, but only provides assurances for the time the grantor owned the property.

 

Download: PDF, MS Word, ODT


Transfer on Death Deed (TODD) – Arranges for property to be transferred at the time of the grantor’s death. Recognized in 29 states.

 

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What is a Deed?

deed is a legal document used for transferring legal title to a property from a grantor to a grantee. By completing and signing a deed, the grantor effectively releases any interest they have in the property.

Deeds can also correct or change the listed owners and information on a title. In some states, certain deed types can be used to name a beneficiary to receive ownership after the grantor’s death or to hold the title as collateral on a loan.

Signing Requirements

The table below contains the signing requirements for deeds in all 50 states.

View State Requirements

Alabama 1 Witness OR Notarization § 35-4-20
Alaska Notarization § 34-15-150
Arizona Notarization § 33-401(B)
Arkansas 2 Witnesses AND Notarization §§ 18-12-104, 18-12-201
California Notarization § 1189
Colorado Notarization §§ 38-30-126(1), 38-35-103
Connecticut 2 Witnesses AND Notarization § 47-5
Delaware Notarization § 122
Florida 2 Witnesses AND Notarization §§ 695.26(1)(d), 689.01(1)
Georgia 1 Witness AND Notarization §§ 44-2-1544-5-30
Hawaii Notarization § 502-41
Idaho Notarization § 55-805
Illinois Notarization § 765 ILCS 5/20
Indiana Notarization § 32-21-2-3(a)
Iowa Notarization § 558.20
Kansas Notarization § 55-2205
Kentucky 2 Witnesses OR Notarization § 382.130
Louisiana 2 Witnesses AND Notarization § 1839
Maine Notarization § 203
Maryland Notarization § 4-101(a)(1)
Massachusetts Notarization § 183-29
Michigan Notarization § 565.8
Minnesota Notarization § 507.24(Subd. 2)(a)
Mississippi Notarization § 89-3-1(1)
Missouri Notarization §§ 442.130, 15.152.030
Montana Notarization § 70-21-203
Nebraska Notarization § 76-211
Nevada Notarization § 111.105
New Hampshire Notarization § 477:3
New Jersey Notarization § 46:14-2.1(a)
New Mexico Notarization § 14-8-4
New York Notarization § 306
North Carolina Notarization § 47-17
North Dakota Notarization § 47-19-03
Ohio Notarization § 5301.01(A)
Oklahoma Notarization 16 § 26
Oregon Notarization § 93.410
Pennsylvania Notarization 21 § 42
Rhode Island Notarization § 34-11-1
South Carolina 2 Witnesses AND Notarization (Notary can act as 1 witness) § 30-5-30(B)
South Dakota 1 Witness OR Notarization § 43-25-26
Tennessee 2 Witnesses OR Notarization § 66-22-101(a)
Texas 2 Witnesses OR Notarization § 12.001(b)
Utah Notarization § 57-3-101(1)
Vermont Notarization § 341(a)
Virginia 2 Witnesses OR Notarization § 55.1-600
Washington Notarization § 64.04.020
West Virginia 2 Witnesses OR Notarization § 39-1-2
Wisconsin Notarization §§ 706.05(2)(a), 706.06
Wyoming Notarization § 34-1-113

Where to Record a Deed

After signing the deed in accordance with state requirements, the grantor must file it with the county or district recorder.

The directory of recording offices for each state is listed in the table below.

View State Recording Offices

STATE COUNTY RECORDERS
Alabama County Judge of Probate’s Office
Alaska District Recorder’s Office
Arizona County Recorder’s Office
Arkansas County Recorder’s Office
California County Recorder’s Office
Colorado County Clerk and Recorder’s Office
Connecticut Town Clerk’s Office
Delaware Recorder of Deed’s Office (Kent | New Castle | Sussex)
Florida County Clerk’s Office
Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Office
Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances
Idaho County Recorder’s Office
Illinois County Clerk & Recorder’s Office
Indiana County Recorder’s Office
Iowa County Recorder’s Office
Kansas Kansas Register of Deeds
Kentucky County Clerk’s Office
Louisiana Clerk of Court’s Office
Maine County Registry of Deeds
Maryland Land Records Office (in County Circuit Court)
Massachusetts County Registry of Deeds Office
Michigan County Register of Deeds Office
Minnesota County Recorder’s Office
Mississippi Chancery Clerk’s Office
Missouri County Recorder of Deeds’ Office
Montana County Clerk and Recorder
Nebraska County Register of Deeds
Nevada County Recorder’s Office
New Hampshire County Registry of Deed’s Office
New Jersey County Clerk or Register of Deeds
New Mexico County Clerk’s Office
New York County Clerk or City Register (Outside NYC – Inside NYC)
North Carolina County Register of Deeds Office
North Dakota County Recorder’s Office
Ohio County Recorder’s Office
Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office
Oregon County Recorder’s Office
Pennsylvania County Recorder of Deeds Office
Rhode Island Recorded in City/Town (List of Cities & Towns)
South Carolina Clerk of Court or Register of Deeds
South Dakota County Register of Deeds Office
Tennessee County Register of Deeds
Texas County Clerk’s Office
Utah County Recorder’s Office
Vermont Town/County Clerk’s Office
Virginia County Circuit Court Clerk
Washington County Auditor
West Virginia County Clerk’s Office
Wisconsin County Register of Deed’s Office
Wyoming County Clerk’s Office

Important Terms to Know

  • Conveyance – The transfer or assignment of property ownership from one person or entity to another.
  • Encumbrance – A claim against a property, such as:
    • CC&Rs (Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions) – Also known as deed restrictions, these can restrict the usage, appearance, and maintenance of the property.
    • Easements – Provides a third party with the right to use the land, such as a right-of-way or a utility line.
    • Encroachment – Occurs when an object extends into the property. Examples include trees, shrubbery, fences, or sheds and other outbuildings.
    • Liens – A lien is a third-party claim on property. The property acts as collateral and can be claimed if the debtor defaults.
  • Grantee – The person or entity receiving ownership of the property.
  • Grantor – The person or entity transferring property to the grantee.
  • Notary Acknowledgment – The act of verifying the identity of the signer and acknowledging their signatures on the document (“notarization”).
    • All states require notarization or permit it as an authentication method for deeds.