Minnesota Quitclaim Deed

What Is a Minnesota Quitclaim Deed?

A Minnesota quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor currently has in Minnesota real estate, without deed warranties. It is commonly used for known-party, family, divorce-related, trust, entity, or title-clearing transfers when the parties understand that no warranty protection is being given.

When to Use a Quitclaim Deed in Minnesota

• Transferring property between family members or former spouses when no deed warranty is intended.
• Moving real estate into or out of a trust or closely held entity, when appropriate.
• Clearing a title issue when a no-warranty quitclaim deed is the correct curative instrument.
• Using a no-warranty deed where the parties know and accept the title-risk allocation.

Minnesota Requirements for Quitclaim Deeds

• Signing: The grantor signs the deed. If the property is a married owner's Minnesota homestead, both spouses generally must sign the conveyance unless a statutory exception applies.
• Notarization: Minnesota deeds must be acknowledged before a notary or other authorized officer before recording.
• Witnesses: Minnesota does not require witnesses for ordinary quitclaim deeds recorded by acknowledgment.
• Recording: Record the deed with the County Recorder for abstract property or the Registrar of Titles for registered (Torrens) property in the county where the property is located.
• Deed Tax / eCRV: Minnesota deed tax generally applies to taxable consideration, with a minimum tax for low- or no-consideration transfers. Many transfers over $3,000 require an electronic Certificate of Real Estate Value (eCRV), unless an exemption applies.
• Well Disclosure: If wells are present or previously disclosed, Minnesota well-disclosure requirements may apply unless a valid prior certificate is already on file and no changes are needed.
• Required Details: Minnesota deeds generally need the drafter's name and address and the name and address of the person to receive property-tax statements.
• Legal Description: Use the full legal description from a prior deed, title commitment, survey, or other reliable title source. A street address or parcel number alone is usually not enough.

Quitclaim Deed vs Warranty Deed in Minnesota

A quitclaim deed provides no deed warranties and is not the usual buyer-protection deed for an arm's-length sale. A Minnesota warranty deed provides statutory warranty covenants. Minnesota does not have a separate statutory grant-deed category; a “grant deed” label should not be assumed to provide a distinct Minnesota warranty category without reviewing the actual deed wording.