How to Remove Joint Owner Name From a House Deed w/o Mortgage
Either party can remove a co-owner's name from a house deed without a mortgage on the house with the consent of the other owner. The co-owner must agree to relinquish ownership rights. By completing a quit claim deed, the owner quits his interest in the home.
To transfer the property out of one of the two owners name there are two documents that must be filed with the County Register of Deeds. The first is the Quit Claim Deed and the second is the Real Estate Transfer Statement Form 521, the second being a state Department of Revenue form.
The Quit Claim Deed will have to be completed and signed by both parties, and notarized. The Form 521 has to be completed fully but does not have to be notarized.
In many states the quit claim deed form is a real property deed which conveys only that interest in the property in which the grantor has title. Quit claim deeds do not guarantee good title to the property. Grant and warranty deeds guarantee that the grantor has full title to the property or the interest the deed states is being conveyed.
The legal spelling of a quit claim deed varies by state, including the use of quitclaim or quit deed. This type of deed is sometimes called a "quick" claim deed due to its frequent use to quickly resolve disputes in title or change title between family members.
To receive full ownership of the property follow these steps
Step 1: Obtain a quitclaim deed form. The register of deeds in the county where the house is located is supposed to keep this type of deed form. Sometimes they will tell you to have an attorney draft it. You have the right to obtain it from the county Treasurer or Register of Deeds upon request without paying an attorney. It is required the form have a three inch margin at the top.
Step 2: Fill out the quitclaim deed form. Insert the other person’s name in the space marked "grantor" and your name in the space designated "grantee” because you are assuming full ownership from the other person.
Step 3: Include the legal description of the property in the space on the form set aside for this purpose. You take the legal description off the current deed to the property, which is available through the register of deeds. Most states now have a web site where property information can be obtained online.
Step 4: Sign the quitclaim deed in front of a notary public. Both parties will need to be present and sign at that time. After it is notarized, two copies should be made, one for each of you to keep for your records.
Step 5: File the original notarized quitclaim deed at the register of deeds office. Pay the required filing fee. The fee differs from one county to another.
A quitclaim deed is a basic legal instrument that transfers whatever interest the other owner has in the house to you. It is commonly used when the transfer is between relatives and also in the event of a divorce. Using the quitclaim deed allows you to transfer that interest without undertaking a full-blown title search. This is why it is sometimes also referred to as a Quick Claim Deed, or Quickclaim Deed as well as Quit Claim Deed and Quitclaim deed.
