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California deed packet
A California quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor may have, if any, without title warranties. Download the editable Word deed and step-by-step completion and recording checklist.
Is this the right deed type? A quitclaim deed transfers only the interest the grantor may have, if any — it includes no title warranties.
This download includes 2 documents in editable Word format. Complete them on your own computer, then print, sign, and record.
Packet is delivered in Word format; no blank PDF of the deed is included.
A simple three-step workflow; the packet guides you through each one.
Gather the current deed or title record and the exact legal description of the property before you start.
Complete the blank deed and follow the included state guidance for signing, acknowledgment, and related requirements.
Confirm your county recorder's cover sheets, transfer forms, fees, and local practices, then submit the executed deed.
See page 1 of the actual blank form and review a plain-language outline of what appears on page 1. The complete formatted packet is delivered after checkout.
QUITCLAIM DEED.
Recording and return information: recording-requested-by, return-to, and mail-tax-statements fields, alongside the space reserved for the county recorder.
Parcel number: the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), with the note that the Documentary Transfer Tax declaration is made under Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911.
Recording and party information: the county and city (or unincorporated area) where the property is located; grantor and grantee names, mailing addresses, marital status, vesting, and signing capacity; street address and tax-statement mailing address.
Consideration: the stated consideration for the transfer.
Quitclaim conveyance — no warranty of title: the grantor quitclaims and releases to the grantee all right, title, and interest in the described property, if any, without warranties of any kind.
About this California form
A California quitclaim deed is a legal document used to transfer whatever ownership interest a person (the grantor) currently holds in a property to another party (the grantee), without providing any guarantees about the title's history. It makes no promises that the property is free of liens, mortgages, or other encumbrances. The grantee accepts the property entirely "as is" regarding the title status.
The primary difference is the level of title protection. A California grant deed or warranty deed includes promises from the seller that the title is clear and defendable. A quitclaim deed provides zero warranties, leaving the new owner responsible for any historical title issues.
PublicLegal-authored self-help deed form. Provided for customers to complete with their own transaction information and submit to the proper local recording office. Recorder offices and state agencies may require separate supplemental forms, taxes, fees, or cover sheets, and requirements vary by jurisdiction and transaction. Review the product notes and confirm local recording requirements before relying on any completed deed.
ILRG provides self-help deed forms and download support. Attorney-reviewed PublicLegal-authored deed forms are provided for you to complete with your own transaction information. Deed recording requirements, supplemental forms, transfer taxes, title-company practices, and legal suitability vary by jurisdiction and transaction. If you are not 100 percent satisfied after purchasing from us, contact us for a refund.
Yes, if the property is a marital homestead or subject to community property rules, California law dictates that both spouses sign the deed to release their rights.
You must take the original, notarized deed to the County Recorder in the jurisdiction where the property is physically located and pay the required recording fee.
No, a deed only transfers the property title. It does not eliminate your financial obligation to pay an existing mortgage. You remain responsible for the loan unless the lender explicitly agrees to a refinance or assumption.
Yes, California has county-level transfer taxes (typically ~$1.10 per $1,000 of value). LA County and some cities charge additional local transfer taxes. These fees apply when filing the deed.
Yes, you can draft your own deed as long as it strictly adheres to California's legal requirements for formatting, legal description, and notarization.
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever right, title, or interest the grantor may have in the property, if any. It does not include warranties about ownership or title condition, so the grantee accepts the title risk.
Quitclaim deeds are commonly used between parties who already know each other — for example certain family transfers, moving property into a trust, or adding or removing a name — where everyone understands there are no title warranties. They are often not the first choice for an arm's-length sale.
The packet includes the blank state-specific deed in editable Word format plus a separate completion instructions and checklist document. A completed sample PDF may be offered as an optional add-on.
Recording offices review formatting, execution requirements such as notarization, and any required supplemental forms or fees, which vary by county. The included instructions cover the general process; confirm your county's current requirements before you record.
It depends on your goals and how much title protection the grantee needs. Compare the deed types available for California before choosing, and consult a professional for advice on your situation.