Can a Quitclaim Deed be signed electronically?

Yes in most cases. Electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the state and county accept electronic executions and any consumer disclosures are followed.

Is notarization always required?

Most states require a notary acknowledgment for deeds to be recorded. Some states also require witnesses; review county requirements before execution to ensure recordability.

Can a quitclaim deed remove a mortgage?

No. A quitclaim transfers ownership interest but does not discharge liens or mortgages. Lenders must release mortgages via payoff or satisfaction documents.

What if the legal description is wrong?

An incorrect legal description can lead to recording rejection or ambiguous title. To correct, prepare and record a corrective deed referencing the original instrument and county record.

How do I record the deed after signing?

Submit the executed, notarized deed to the county recorder in the county where the property lies, include payment for recording fees, and retain the stamped recorded copy for your records.

Can a quitclaim deed be revoked?

Once recorded, a quitclaim deed generally cannot be unilaterally revoked; a subsequent corrective or reconveyance deed executed by the parties is required to change title interests.

Quitclaim Deed

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What a Quitclaim Deed Is and When It’s Used

A Quitclaim Deed is a legal instrument that transfers whatever interest a grantor has in real property to a grantee without making warranties about title. It conveys the grantor’s present interest, if any, rather than guaranteeing the property is free of liens or defects. Quitclaim deeds are commonly used for transfers between family members, to clear clouds on title, to correct clerical errors, or to remove an ex-spouse from title after divorce. Because they offer no title protection, recipients often follow up with title searches or insurance before relying on the conveyance.

Why a Quitclaim Deed Is Chosen for Certain Transfers

Quitclaim deeds offer a fast, low-cost mechanism to transfer ownership interests when warranty protections are not required. They simplify intra-family transfers, marital property changes, and clean-up of title issues where purchase warranties are unnecessary or unwanted.

Who Commonly Uses a Quitclaim Deed

Typical users of quitclaim deeds include individuals and entities dealing with non-sale transfers of property or title corrections.

Homeowners transferring property to family members, where speed and simplicity matter more than title warranties.
Divorcing spouses or domestic partners removing one party from title per settlement terms or court orders.
Heirs, trustees, or trust administrators consolidating or adjusting title interests during estate or trust administration.

For transactions where buyer protection is needed, parties generally prefer a warranty deed or title insurance instead of a quitclaim deed.

Representative Signatories and Their Roles

Grantor — Property Owner

Typically the current owner who conveys their interest. The grantor must have capacity to transfer and should sign in the presence of the required notarial or witness process under state law.

Grantee — Recipient

The person or entity receiving the interest. The grantee should verify the legal description and consider a title search or insurance to understand risks associated with the quitclaim transfer.

Essential Fields Found on a Quitclaim Deed

Grantor Name: Full legal name

Grantee Name: Full legal name

Property Description: Street address or parcel

Legal Description: Metes and bounds or lot-block

Consideration: Dollar amount or nominal value

Notary Acknowledgement: Notary signature and seal

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Using an incomplete legal description or street address only, which can render the instrument ambiguous and delay recording.
Failing to match the grantor’s name exactly to government ID, causing rejection by the recorder or title companies.
Skipping the required notary or witness steps for the jurisdiction, leading to an invalid or unrecordable deed.
Not checking for outstanding liens or mortgage encumbrances; quitclaim conveys the grantor’s interest but does not clear liens.

Filling Out a Quitclaim Deed: Step-by-Step

Follow these core steps to complete a quitclaim deed carefully and in the order below to reduce recording delays and legal risk.

01

1. Identify Parties: Enter grantor and grantee full names
02

2. Insert Legal Description: Use exact deed or county description
03

3. State Consideration: Record dollar amount or nominal value
04

4. Sign and Notarize: Grantor signs; notarization per state law

How the Quitclaim Deed Transfer Process Flows

Understanding the sequence from preparation through recording helps set expectations for timelines and responsibilities.

Prepare Document: Draft deed with accurate legal description
Execute Deed: Grantor signs before notary or witnesses
Record With County: Submit deed to county recorder for indexing
Deliver Recorded Copy: Provide the grantee with the recorded deed

Checklist for Completing a Digital Quitclaim Deed Workflow

Set up a repeatable workflow to collect signatures, notarization, and recorded documents in order.

Setting	Required Action
Document Format	PDF with fillable fields
Signer Authentication	Email plus SMS or ID verification
Notary Handling	Schedule RON or in-person notary
Final Storage	Store recorded PDF in secure repository

Digital Signing and Notarization Considerations

Many jurisdictions accept electronically signed deeds and remote online notarization, but requirements vary by state.

File Formats: PDF or PDF/A recommended
Authentication: Email link plus optional KBA or SMS
Notarization: RON accepted where permitted

Confirm the county recorder and state notary rules before relying on an electronic or remote notary process to ensure the deed will be accepted for recording.

Timing: Recording and Processing Expectations

Recording timelines and deadlines differ by county; prepare for variable processing times and immediate steps following execution.

Execution Date:

Date grantor signs; may affect priority

Record Promptly:

Record as soon as possible to protect priority

Recorder Processing:

County turnaround varies from same day to several weeks

Certificate Delivery:

Recorded copy returned to filer or agent

Tax Notifications:

Recording may trigger tax assessments or transfer tax filings

Key Milestones from Draft to Recorded Deed

Use these numbered milestones to track progress and identify who is responsible at each stage.

01

1. Drafting

Prepare deed with correct legal description and consideration details.

02

2. Execution and Notarization

Grantor signs in notary’s presence or via authorized RON process.

03

3. Recording

File the executed deed with the county recorder for indexing and official recordation.

04

4. Distribution

Acquire stamped recorded copy and distribute to grantee, lender, or title company as needed.

Core Elements That Make a Quitclaim Deed Effective

A complete deed combines clear party identification, an accurate legal description, and proper execution to be accepted by recorders and title companies.

Clear Parties

Exact legal names for grantor and grantee to match public records and avoid ambiguity in title transfer.

Legal Description

A precise metes-and-bounds or lot-and-block description copied from a prior recorded instrument ensures property boundaries are unambiguous.

Consideration Statement

A specific amount or nominal consideration clarifies the nature of the transfer for recording and tax purposes.

Execution and Notary

Grantor signature with required notary or witnesses per state statute, plus notary seal and acknowledgment language.

Recording Instructions

Include return address or party to receive recorded copy, and any required recording cover letters or transfer tax forms.

Attachments

Exhibits like prior deed references, affidavits, or lien releases that provide context for the recorder or title company.

Consequences and Risks of an Incorrect Quitclaim Deed

Unmarketable Title: Buyer or grantee risk of title defects

Liens Remain: Outstanding mortgages or liens survive the transfer

Recording Rejection: County may refuse defective instruments

Tax Exposure: Potential transfer tax or reassessment

Invalid Conveyance: Missing notarization or incorrect signatures

Disputes: Post-transfer ownership challenges or litigation

Basic eSignature Pricing Comparison for Deed Workflows

Platform pricing and features affect cost of eSignature-enabled quitclaim deed workflows; signNow is listed first for direct comparison against major alternatives.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions About Quitclaim Deeds

Answers to common questions about validity, electronic signing, recording, and next steps after executing a quitclaim deed.

Need help? Contact support

Can a Quitclaim Deed be signed electronically?
Yes in most cases. Electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the state and county accept electronic executions and any consumer disclosures are followed.
Is notarization always required?
Most states require a notary acknowledgment for deeds to be recorded. Some states also require witnesses; review county requirements before execution to ensure recordability.
Can a quitclaim deed remove a mortgage?
No. A quitclaim transfers ownership interest but does not discharge liens or mortgages. Lenders must release mortgages via payoff or satisfaction documents.
What if the legal description is wrong?
An incorrect legal description can lead to recording rejection or ambiguous title. To correct, prepare and record a corrective deed referencing the original instrument and county record.
How do I record the deed after signing?
Submit the executed, notarized deed to the county recorder in the county where the property lies, include payment for recording fees, and retain the stamped recorded copy for your records.
Can a quitclaim deed be revoked?
Once recorded, a quitclaim deed generally cannot be unilaterally revoked; a subsequent corrective or reconveyance deed executed by the parties is required to change title interests.

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