How to Write a Grant Deed in California
A California grant deed is a legal form used to transfer real property ownership from one entity to another entity. It is one of the most important forms an owner of real property can hold because it is the evidence of ownership conveyed by the seller. Because it is so important, the form must be written and completed correctly in order to convey and hold clear title. All except the form's title should be in 14-point Times New Roman type.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Type the recording request at the top left portion of the page. This information states the name of the escrow company that requests the recording of the deed. Use this format:
Recording requested by: Name of escrow company
-
2
State the name of the person who will receive the deed below the recording request in this manner:
And when recorded please return this deed and tax statements to: Name of Person
-
-
3
Type "California Grant Deed" in 28-point bold letters in the center of the page below the name of the person who will receive the deed.
-
4
Prepare the documentary transfer tax section. California's documentary transfer tax was $1.10 per $1,000 conveyed in early 2011. A property worth $200,000 had a transfer tax of $220 at that time. Spouse-to-spouse transfers and transfers among related family members are exempt from the tax.
Type the section's four lines as follows:
[ ] This transaction is exempt from the documentary transfer tax
[ ] The documentary transfer tax is $_______________ and is computed on:
[ ] the full value of the interest in the property conveyed
[ ] the value less the value of liens of encumbrances remaining at the time of the sale.
-
5
Type the location line, which states the property's location. Use this format:
The property is located in an [ ] unincorporated area. [ ] the city of _____.
-
6
Prepare the conveyance section to show the full name of the seller and buyer and the property's legal description. The format is:
For a valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Name of Seller
hereby grant(s) to: Name of Buyer
the following real property in the City of _____, County of _____, State of California: Legal Description of Property
-
7
Type the deed's signature section, which is where each seller signs.
Date: _____ Seller: _____
Date: _____ Seller: _____
-
8
Prepare the notary section at the bottom of the form. All California grant deeds must be notarized at the signing, and the notary completes this section. Use this format:
State of California
County of _____ ss:
On _____, 20__, before me, _____, a notary public in and for said state
personally appeared _____, personally known to me (or proved to me based
upon satisfactory evidence) to be the person(s) whose name(s) are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that (s)he/they executed the same in his/her/their signature on the instrument the person(s) or entity on behalf of which they acted, executed the instrument.
__________ __________
Signature of Notary
A notary seal goes next to "Signature of Notary."
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Most title companies provide free copies of the California grant deed form, but a typed form is acceptable.
A grant deed is enforceable only if it is recorded by the county recorder in which the property is located.
Upon completion of the recording, the county recorder mails the form to the person indicated at the top of the form.
A grant deed is an important legal document that should be reviewed thoroughly by legal counsel before signing.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
More Like This
Comments
-
Why is there no property description?
