Free North Carolina Quitclaim Deed Form

North Carolina quitclaim deeds need ample information to ensure validity and protection. An effective quitclaim deed includes the following elements:

• Grantor and grantee information: Include the name and address of both the grantor and grantee.

• The recorded deed’s return address: Provide a return address for the recorded deed to be sent after verification and filing.

• A legal description of the property: Use the original property deed to copy the legal description of the property, including the metes and bounds, subdivision, county, district, and militia districts.

• Statement of warranty: Note any warranties applying to the property or transfer. For a quitclaim deed, include a statement regarding the lack of guarantees.

• Record of consideration: Document any consideration given in exchange for the property, including any payment or services. Typically, only a nominal consideration amount, such as ten dollars, is recited in the deed itself.

North Carolina state laws include specific formatting standards for a quitclaim deed. Use the following guidelines, laid out in NC Stat § 161-14, when creating your form:

• Standard size or legal size paper (8 1/2 x 11 inches or 8 1/2 x 14 inches)
• Black ink only, with printing on one side of the page
• Handwritten text completed in pen
• Fonts no smaller than nine points, with many counties preferring a 10-point font or higher
• A 3″ margin on the top of the first page
• 1/2″ margins on the rest of the page or pages
• A clear title that identifies the document as a quitclaim deed

Legal Templates’s free North Carolina quitclaim deed form offers customizable terms and state-compliant terms. Use our document, available in PDF and Word format, to document the transfer of property.

Writing and filing a quitclaim deed in North Carolina requires the proper information, structure, and processes. Use the steps below to create and implement an effective North Carolina quitclaim deed.

1. Gather Information

Collect information about the property and the parties involved in the deed. Ensure you have the original property deed to prove the grantor’s ownership and their right to transfer the property. Include the name and contact information for both the grantor and grantee and identify each party’s role in the transaction.

2. Complete the North Carolina Quitclaim Form

Fill out the required sections of the quitclaim form, including the legal property description. This description can be copied from the initial property deed to ensure complete and accurate data. You can also include a property disclosure form to detail the property’s condition and any issues that existed at the time of transfer.

The terms of the form should also include the terms of the transfer and any warranties provided by the grantor. A quitclaim deed typically does not contain any warranties and may consist of language to establish the lack of liability for the grantor. Ensure the terms of your quitclaim deed clearly distinguish it from other types, such as a warranty deed.

3. Sign and Notarize

Once you complete the form, the grantor must sign and have the form notarized. According to NC Stat § 47-38, the grantor’s signature must include a notary acknowledgment for the quitclaim deed to be valid. The grantor will most likely need to provide a government-issued ID to obtain notarization.

4. Record the Deed

The completed form must be submitted to the correct offices to create proof of the transfer of ownership. NC Stat. § 47H-2 requires quitclaim deeds to be recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the property is located. The grantor should file the form and pay any associated filing fees, unless the terms of the deed state otherwise.

Quitclaim deeds in North Carolina include a combination of state and federal fees and taxes. The exact cost of your form may vary depending on the type and value of the property, as well as the length of time the grantor has owned it. Consider the fees and taxes to determine how much a quitclaim deed costs in North Carolina.

County Filing Fees

North Carolina requires you to file your quitclaim deed with the county where the property is located. During this filing process, the county charges a recording fee of $26 for a standard instrument that is neither a deed of trust nor a mortgage. An additional fee of $4 per page applies for each page beyond the first 15. The individual recording the deed assumes responsibility for these fees unless the agreement states otherwise.

Real Estate Transfer Taxes

North Carolina also assigns a real estate transfer tax of $1 per $500 of property value. However, NC Stat. § 105-228.29 includes the exemptions to the real estate transfer tax in the following cases:

• Transfers due to the terms of a will
• Gift transfers
• When no consideration in property or money is paid for the property
• When the property is used to secure a debt

US Gift Taxes

In addition to the county and state costs, the federal US gift taxes also apply to a North Carolina quitclaim deed. The IRS applies taxes to any amount of the property value that exceeds the 2025 gift limit of $19,000. If your transfer of property requires you to file gift taxes, use IRS Form 709 to record the portion of the gift that exceeds the annual exclusion amount.

Capital Gains Taxes

North Carolina also charges a capital gains tax if the value of the property at the time of transfer is significantly higher than the amount the grantor originally paid for it. The capital gains tax in North Carolina is a flat rate of 4.25% for the 2025 tax year.