A grant deed is a written instrument by which a person or entity transfers ownership of real property to another. The seller conveys the property to the buyer with a guarantee of owning the property with the right to sell. However, there are no guarantees that the title does not contain clouds or liens. Grant deeds are often used in real estate transfers.

California Section 1092 of the Civil Code governs the use of  grant deeds. Grant deeds ensure two things:

1. The seller didn’t transfer title to another party.

2. The property is free of encumbrances and liens unless otherwise stated in the deed.

Title insurance protects California buyers using this type of deed.

Quitclaim deeds are used to relinquish any interest in real property that the grantor may have, without any warranty of title or interest. Simply put, a person using a quitclaim deed quits all claims to the property, whether any exist or not. Quitclaim deeds are often used for expedient title transfers, such as in the case of a divorce when one spouse quitclaims to the other.

California government code 27280 governs the use of quitclaim deeds.

• The law requires all quitclaim deeds be signed and notarized to become valid.

• Quitclaim deeds must be recorded with the county recorder’s office to be valid.

• California provides a five-year statute of limitations to challenge the validity of a quitclaim deed.

Preliminary Change of Ownership Report

California law requires buyers and transferees of real property to file a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) when grant deeds or other documents affecting changes in ownership are recorded (Revenue and Taxation Code section 480.3). Failure to file a PCOR when required and incomplete PCORs are subject to additional recording fees of $20.

The Assessor's Office relies on information reported in PCORs to determine which events are subject to reassessment and to assist its appraisal staff arrive at fair value judgments when reassessments are required. The PCOR also provides contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses of grantees which helps staff get questions answered quickly when necessary.

View or download document templates of deeds: