Different types of deeds are available to transfer real property in Missouri. The simplest form, the quitclaim deed, allows you to transfer real property without making any warranties regarding the property title.
No warranties mean that the owner (the grantor of the interest in the property) makes no legally enforceable promises that there are no claims or liens against the property.
The only thing the quitclaim deed does is transfer whatever interest the grantor has in the property to someone else, the grantee.
Quitclaim deeds are often used in Missouri in divorce or other situations involving property transfers between family members.
Read on for more information about the Missouri quitclaim deed statutes and a free printable quitclaim deed for Missouri.
Missouri Quitclaim Deed Laws and Requirements
Under Missouri law, a quitclaim deed must be in writing, contain the legal description of the property, and meet specific signing and acknowledgment requirements.
You will need to record the deed and pay a recording fee.
Laws
You can find the laws governing deeds in Missouri in Chapter 442 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
Legal Description
In a quitclaim deed, you should include the property’s complete legal description which contains more than just the street or mailing address.
The Recorder of Deeds where the property is located can help you or you can find the legal description in previous deeds.
Signing
Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 442.130, the grantor must sign the deed in the presence of a notary public. Without the grantor’s signature, the deed is invalid.
Acknowledgments
According to Missouri Revised Statutes Section 442.130, a notary public or another court officer must acknowledge the grantor’s signature.
Terminology
Missouri statutes do not provide a sample quitclaim deed. Nonetheless, using the term “quitclaim” within your deed is a good idea to ensure that a court interprets the deed as a quitclaim deed in case of a future property dispute.
Missouri Revised Statutes Section 442.130 requires that if the grantor is an individual, the deed must state whether the grantor is married or unmarried.
Transfer Tax
Missouri is one of the states in the minority that does not impose a transfer tax on real estate transfers.
Additional Documents
Some counties, like Boone County, require that a cover page be included with the deed recording.
Witnesses
Besides acknowledging the grantor’s signature, Missouri does not require witnesses for a quitclaim deed.
Recording
Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 442.400, a quitclaim deed must be recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located. You will also need to pay a recording fee.
Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 59.310, all documents must meet certain formatting requirements including the following:
- Print pages only on one side
- Do not staple or otherwise attach multiple pages
- Use a font of at least 8-point type
- Ensure that the document is sufficiently legible
- Use white paper or light-colored paper not less than 20-pound weight
- Do not use watermarks or visible inclusions (except for plats and surveys)
- Use black or dark ink for signatures
- Ensure a top margin of at least three inches and a margin of at least three-fourths of an inch everywhere else
How to Write and File a Quitclaim Deed in Missouri
Follow the steps below to write and file a quitclaim deed in Missouri.
Step 1: Obtain a standard quitclaim form or use an online form to start drafting your quitclaim deed.
Step 2: Include the following on the first page of each quitclaim document.
- The title of the document
- The date of the transfer
- All grantors’ names
- All grantees’ names
- Statutory addresses
- A legal description of r the property
- Reference book and page numbers, if applicable
Step 3: Send the deed to the County Recorder of Deeds where the real property is located by mail or electronic filing, if available.
- If the recording is accepted, you will receive a file-stamped document from the Recorder. If there are errors that you need to address, then the Recorder will send the MI quitclaim deed back to you with the reason for the rejection.
- Sometimes, they may accept the document with errors and charge you an additional $25 fee.
Sample Missouri Quitclaim Deed
Below is an example of what a Missouri quitclaim deed looks like.
Missouri Quitclaim Deed Sample
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