Property Deed
A legal document that formally transfers ownership of real property from one party to another and is recorded in public land records.
What is Property Deed?
A property deed is the legal instrument that conveys ownership of real estate from a grantor (seller) to a grantee (buyer). To be legally effective, a deed must identify both parties, contain an accurate legal description of the property, include a granting clause conveying the interest, be signed by the grantor, and be delivered and accepted by the grantee. Deeds are classified by the level of warranty they provide: a general warranty deed offers the strongest protection, with the grantor warranting clear title against all claims; a special warranty deed covers only claims arising during the grantor's ownership; and a quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor holds with no warranty at all. After signing, deeds must be recorded with the county recorder or clerk's office to provide constructive notice of the ownership change and protect against competing claims. Recording is not required for the deed to be valid between parties but is essential for legal protection against third-party claims.
Example
When a homeowner sells their property, the title company prepares a general warranty deed transferring ownership from seller to buyer at closing. The deed contains the property's legal description (lot number, subdivision, and county), the grantor's warranty that no undisclosed liens exist, and is signed and notarized by the seller. After closing, the title company records the deed with the county recorder's office, where it becomes part of the chain of title—the permanent public record of all ownership transfers.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Owning a Home