As you consider how to file a quitclaim deed in Michigan, there are several steps you should prepare to take.
Step 1: Gather Relevant Paperwork and Documentation
Check the current title to the property to get its legal description and gather all the forms you need, including a quitclaim deed template. Collecting this paperwork before you begin can make it much easier to handle your property transaction.
Step 2: Fill out the Quitclaim Deed
Include all the information required for a quitclaim deed, including information about the grantor and grantee and a legal description of the property. If using a template, ensure you fill it out completely, leaving no missing information.
Step 3: Sign
Sign the deed as the grantor. While most states require the grantor to be in the presence of a notary public, Michigan is a little more flexible. Mich. Comp. Laws § 565.8 states that the grantor can sign before a notary, clerk of a court of record, or judge.
A notary will likely be the easiest to locate for most private real estate transactions. Don’t sign the form until you’re in their presence since they need to witness the signature to validate it. You must provide a government-issued ID for proof of identity.
Step 4: File the Deed
Mich. Comp. Laws § 565.201 states that quitclaim deeds should be recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the property exists, not the county where the transaction took place or the one where either party lives. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2567 notes that you will need to pay a $30 filing fee when submitting the deed.
Step 5: Have the Grantor Complete a Property Transfer Affidavit
Per Mich. Comp. Laws § 211.27a(10), the buyer (grantee) must file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form 2766) with the assessor for their property’s township or city. This form confirms their acceptance of the property. They must file it within 45 days of the transfer date.
