Filing a quitclaim deed in Ohio correctly is essential to protecting both the grantor (the party giving or selling the property) and the grantee (the party receiving the property). Following the statutes laid out in Ohio Code §§ 5301 and 5302 will ensure that both parties receive the protection they need and that the transaction goes smoothly.
Step One – Gather All Information and Paperwork
There are several things you may need to fill out an Ohio quitclaim deed and ensure that you have legally completed the transaction. These may include:
- The current title to the property, which will include the legal description, the owner, and other relevant information you may need to include in your quitclaim deed
- An Ohio quitclaim deed template
- Form DTE 100 or Form DTE 100(EX), if needed
By collecting all paperwork before you begin, you can make the paperwork much faster and easier to complete, which can help you feel more confident about the outcome of the transaction.
As you gather information, look up the county in which the property is located to determine whether the county assesses an additional transfer tax. While Ohio does have a state transfer tax of $1 per $1000 of property value, each county has the right to assess its own transfer tax, which can add to the tax burden the grantor will face when selling the property.
Step Two – Fill Out the Quitclaim Deed
If you are using a template, make sure you fully fill out all information in the template or omit information that does not apply to your specific real estate transaction. Failure to include that information may mean that the notary will not stamp the deed or that the County Recorder’s Office will not accept it. Do not sign or date the deed until in the presence of a notary.
Step Three – Have the Document Notarized
Under Ohio Stat. § 5301.01(A), the grantor will need to sign the quitclaim deed in the presence of a notary and have the document notarized in order for it to be valid.
Step Four – Take the Quitclaim Deed to the Relevant County Recorder’s Office
In order to ensure that the quitclaim deed is recorded properly, take it to the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the property is located, as per Ohio Stat. § 5301.25. Make any needed copies of the new deed before submitting it.
When you submit the deed at the County Recorder’s Office, you will need to arrange to pay the recording fee for that document, which starts at $34 for a simple one-page document. You can expect to pay $8 for additional pages.
