How to File a Quitclaim Deed in New Hampshire

Filing a quitclaim deed in New Hampshire can help you quickly and easily transfer real estate within statutory requirements. Follow these steps to streamline your New Hampshire quitclaim deed filing.

Step 1 – Locate the Original Deed

If you are the property owner, you should have the original property deed in your possession. If you are not the owner, or you have misplaced it, you can request a copy from the county register of deeds where the property is located.

Step 2 – Identify the Legal Property Description

The legal property description should be indicated on the original deed. You can pull this information directly from the original document and transfer it to your quitclaim deed. 

Step 3 – Fill Out Your New Hampshire Quitclaim Deed Form

Quitclaim deeds must meet specific formatting standards [1] established by the register of deeds. In addition, per N.H. Rev. Stat. § 478:4-a and N.H. Rev. Stat. § 477:28, your New Hampshire quitclaim deed should include the following information: 

• Grantor’s full name, county, and state
• Grantee’s full name, complete mailing address, county, and state 
• Property transfer language, including encumbrances, exceptions, and reservations
• Legal description of transferred property, including the names of all municipalities where the property exists. This must be noted in the first sentence of the first description paragraph
• Signatures of the grantor and their spouse, if applicable
• Typed or printed name of each signing party under their respective signatures 
• Notary acknowledgment

Step 4 – Sign and Notarize the Quitclaim Deed

According to N.H. Rev. Stat. § 477:3, a quitclaim deed must be signed before a notary public, justice, or commissioner. Wait to sign your quitclaim deed until you are in the presence of the notary. Failure to do so could void the document. 

Step 5 – File the Quitclaim Deed With the Registry of Deeds

N.H. Rev. Stat § 477:3-a requires real estate conveyances, such as a New Hampshire quitclaim deed, to be officially recorded with the registry of deeds in the property’s county. If the property crosses county lines, you must register the quitclaim deed with each county where the property is located.

Step 6 – Pay Real Estate Transfer Tax and Submit Evidence of Payment

Within 30 days of the real estate transfer or recording of the deed, whichever is later, you must submit a declaration of consideration for the amount received in exchange for the property. You must also pay transfer tax as indicated under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 78-B:1, and submit evidence of payment per N.H. Rev. Stat. § 78-B:3 with an inventory of property transfer form [2].