What Is a Maine Quitclaim Deed?
A Maine quitclaim deed is a written form used to transfer property ownership without a guarantee of a clear title. Since a quitclaim deed carries no warranty of title, it’s often used when there is an established trust between the parties. Transfers for divorce settlements or between family members often use this form. You can also use a quitclaim deed to correct title information or fund a revocable living trust.
Legal Templates’s free Maine quitclaim deed has state-compliant terms and formatting. Use our forms for an effective transfer of ownership.
What to Include in a Maine Quitclaim Deed
Your Maine quitclaim deed must include the proper information to provide a fair transfer of ownership. Record the following information with as much detail and accuracy as possible.
- Parties involved: Note the legal name and address of both the grantor giving away ownership and the grantee receiving it.
- Property description: Provide the legal description of the property using the elements listed in 33 ME Rev Stat § 651. Include the exact location, county, metes and bounds, and declaration of land or unit.
- Quitclaim terms: The terms of a Maine quitclaim deed should include language such as “quitclaim” and “release” to show the lack of liability and distinguish it from a warranty deed.
- Statement of consideration: The consideration, or the payment exchanged, should be stated on the deed. Typically, this appears as a nominal amount to show a payment was made without disclosing its value.
- Property disclosure: 33 ME Rev Stat § 173 requires property disclosures when selling real estate to a new owner. These disclosures address details about heating, insulation, water supply, and waste disposal, and note the presence of hazardous materials, known defects, or public access.
- Covenants: A quitclaim with a covenant provides a limited guarantee only for title issues that occurred during the grantor’s ownership of the property. If the grantor intends to give a covenant, they must provide a statement of the terms on the deed.
- Signatures and notarization: Per 33 ME Rev Stat § 203, quitclaim deeds must be signed by the grantor in the presence of a notary, judge, or attorney who is licensed to practice in Maine.
Sample Maine Quitclaim Deed
Legal Templates’s free Maine quitclaim deed offers customizable terms to meet your needs. Download our template in PDF or Word format to easily pass property ownership to another individual.
How Much Does a Quitclaim Deed Cost in Maine?
The exact cost for a quitclaim deed in Maine depends on the applicable taxes and fees. Factors such as the property’s value, location, and ownership may affect the total. Consider the following elements to determine how much a Maine quitclaim deed will cost.
Filing Fees
Maine has standardized state-wide recording fees for a quitclaim deed. Under 33 ME Rev Stat § 751, recording fees include:
- $19.00 for the first recorded page
- $2.00 for each additional recorded page or portion of a page
- $1.00 per name if more than four names are indexed, counting all grantors and grantees
- $3.00 county surcharge for certain registered documents
File your deed with the Registry of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Generally, the grantor will pay the filing fees unless the agreement states otherwise.
Transfer Taxes
Maine assesses its own transfer taxes for property ownership transactions. You can calculate and pay these taxes online using the Real Estate Transfer Tax Declarations (RETTD) service or download the form and submit it to the state tax assessor. Maine real estate transfers are subject to a transfer tax of $2.20 per $500 of property value. These costs are usually split evenly between the grantor and grantee.
Exemptions from these taxes are listed under 36 ME Rev Stat § 4641-D and include the following:
- Government conveyance
- Mortgage or mortgage discharge
- Deeds affecting previous deeds
- Deeds dated before October 1, 1975
- Deed of distribution
- Transfer on death deeds
Gift Taxes
The IRS imposes a federal gift tax on gifts of property. This tax is based on the property value that exceeds the annual federal gifting limit of $19,000, or $38,000 for married couples, for the 2025 tax year. Assess and file any applicable gift taxes using Form 709.
Capital Gains Taxes
In Maine, capital gains from property sales or transfers are treated as regular income and taxed accordingly. Provide the amount gained as income on your yearly tax return to determine the applicable rate and fees.
Federal capital gains taxes also apply if the property is sold for significantly more than the original purchase price. These rates can range from 0% to 15% depending on the grantor’s income and profits. Capital gains tax may be excluded if the seller meets certain residency requirements established by the IRS.
