A Michigan (MI) quitclaim deed allows a property’s owner (grantor) to transfer ownership and interest in a property to another party or buyer (grantee) without the title search process. A MI quitclaim deed often works well when transferring property between family members, such as when adding or removing a spouse from the deed.
A warranty deed is different than a quitclaim deed. A warranty deed indicates the title is free of potential issues. Sometimes people will mistakenly call a quitclaim deed a “quick claim deed,” “quit claims deed,” or a “quit claim deed.”
Important Laws & Requirements
Laws: § 565.152
Wording: Michigan law requires the language “A.B. quitclaims to C.D.” followed by a description of the property. Then it must say “for the sum of” followed by the price.
Signing: § 565.201 requires that the grantor sign the document in front of a notary public.
Recording: All quitclaim deeds in Michigan must be filed with the Michigan Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located.
How to Write & File a Quitclaim Deed in Michigan
Step 1: Download the MI quitclaim deed form.
Step 2: Add the name and address of the preparer under “Prepared By” on the first line of the document.
Step 3: Add the return address under “After Recording Return To.” This is typically the name and address of the grantee, but it could be a different party. This will be the person who receives the deed when the Register of Deeds is finish recording and filing it.
Step 4: Add the county where the property is to the appropriate blank.
Step 5: In the next area, write the full name of the grantor, followed by the term “grantor.” Underneath that, write the grantor’s home address, including the county.
Step 6: State the name of the grantee after the words “hereby quitclaims to.” After the name, write the term “grantee.” You will need to add the grantee’s address, with the county.
Step 7: On the spaces separated by the $ sign, write the price paid for the property. First, write it in words. Then, write the numerical value.
Step 8: Write the county where the property is located again. Then, add the legal description of the property. This starts with the address, then the parcel number, and finally the legal description of the property. Add an attachment if there is not enough space.
Step 9: Take the deed to a notary public for the grantee to sign. The notary public will also need to sign and notarize the document.
Step 10: Submit the Michigan quitclaim deed to the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Submit any filing fees along with the deed. Filing fees are specific to the individual county.