In the state of New Mexico (NM), a quitclaim deed is used to provide a fast, efficient transfer of ownership or interest in a property from one party to the next.
A New Mexico quitclaim deed transfers property without any guarantees as to the title or even that the seller (grantor) has the right to transfer the property.
Because of the risk of a quitclaim deed in New Mexico, it is best done when both parties trust each other.
An alternative is a warranty deed. The warranty deed takes longer to file but guarantees that the title is good, free, and clear of liens and claims.
Sometimes people call quitclaim deeds “quit claims deeds,” “quit claim deeds,” or “quick claim deeds,” but these are incorrect terms for the same property transfer tool.
Important Laws & Requirements
The following are important laws and requirements regarding quitclaim deeds.
Laws
New Mexico Statute § 47-1-30
Document Requirements
All documents for recording should identify the grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer), include the grantee’s mailing address for property tax records, include a proper document title, and have at least a 1.5-inch margin at the top and bottom.
Signing
New Mexico Statute § 47-1-44 requires that a New Mexico quitclaim deed be signed by the grantor(s) in the presence of and acknowledged by a notary public.
Recording
The County Clerk’s Office records quitclaim deeds in New Mexico. Per New Mexico Statute § 14-9-1, the deed must be filed with the County Clerk in the county where the property is located.
The County Clerk also charges recording fees that must be paid for the deed to go on record. The current recording fee is $25 for each document the County Clerk records per New Mexico Statute § 14-8-15.
How to Write & File a Quitclaim Deed in New Mexico
Take the steps below to write and file a quitclaim deed in New Mexico.
Step 1 – Obtain New Mexico Quitclaim Deed Form
Find and download the New Mexico quitclaim deed.
Step 2 – Add Preparer’s Details
On the left-hand side of the header, add the name and address of the person preparing the document. Leave the header on the right-hand side blank, as this part is for the County Clerk to use.
Step 3 – Fill in ‘Return To’ Name and Address
List a name and a valid mailing address for the recipient of the final documents. This is under the words “After Recording Return To.”
Step 4 – Note Consideration
Enter the total amount paid for the property if any. First, write the amount in word form. Then, write the dollar figure numerically.
Step 5 – Write Grantor’s Name and Address
Write the grantor’s full legal name and address, county, city, and state, in that order.
Step 6 – Enter Grantee’s Name and Address
Write the grantee’s full legal name and the grantee’s address.
Step 7 – Fill in Property’s Legal Description
Add a complete legal description for the property including the property’s street address, parcel ID number, tax number, and other identifying features. You can add an attachment if needed. This information completes the first page.
Step 8 – Get Quitclaim Deed Notarized
The grantor signs and adds their printed name. This needs to be done with a notary public present. The notary will notarize the form on the same page.
Step 9 – Record Deed with County Clerk’s Office
Contact the County Clerk’s Office in the property’s county to determine the exact fees associated with the filing. Bring the signed and notarized New Mexico quitclaim deed and the fee to the County Clerk’s Office for filing.
New Mexico Quitclaim Deed Sample
Below is an example of what a New Mexico Quitclaim Deed looks like.