If you are adding a spouse to title, removing a former spouse, giving property to a family member, moving real estate into a trust, handling an inheritance, or cleaning up ownership records, an Arizona quitclaim deed may be the document you are looking for.
The deed itself is often the simple part. The details that cause confusion are usually the legal description, notarization, where to record the deed, whether the Affidavit of Property Value is required, and whether both spouses need to sign because Arizona is a community property state.
The good news is Arizona is one of the more affordable states for this kind of transfer: there's no transfer tax at all, and a genuine gift quitclaim deed is specifically exempt from the paperwork that applies to a typical sale.
Good News About Arizona Transfers:
Arizona's constitution specifically bars any tax, fee, or stamp on conveying an interest in real property. Recording a quitclaim deed with the County Recorder triggers no transfer tax of any kind.
Most deeds also need an Affidavit of Property Value, but Arizona specifically exempts a quitclaim deed with no money changing hands, a deed of gift, and a deed recorded to satisfy a court order, such as a divorce decree. For an exempt transfer, you note the exemption code on the deed instead of attaching the affidavit.
Community Property Needs Both Spouses' Signatures:
Arizona law makes a conveyance of community real estate invalid unless both spouses execute and acknowledge the deed. This applies even if only one spouse's name currently appears on the title. Assuming one spouse can sign alone is one of the most common mistakes on an Arizona quitclaim deed.
What You Need Before Filling Out the Deed
Before you start typing names into a deed form, gather the information Arizona county recorders commonly expect.
- Current deed or property record
- Grantor's full legal name
- Grantee's full legal name and mailing address
- Complete legal description of the property
- Arizona county where the property is located
- The assessor's parcel number, if required by your county
- Both spouses' signatures, if the property is community property
- Notary acknowledgment for the grantor's signature
- An Affidavit of Property Value, or the applicable exemption code
- Return mailing address after recording
- Recording fees
How to Fill Out an Arizona Quitclaim Deed
Step 1: Enter the Preparer and Return Address Information
Include the name and address of whoever prepared the deed, plus the mailing address where the recorded deed should be returned. Arizona reserves a top margin of at least 2 inches on the first page for the county recorder's information.
Step 2: Enter the Grantor Information
The grantor is the current owner transferring their interest in the property.
Use the grantor's full legal name, matching the current deed.
Step 3: Enter the Grantee Information
The grantee is the person receiving the property interest.
Include the grantee's full legal name and mailing address.
Step 4: Choose the Ownership Wording Carefully
If there is more than one grantee, and the deed doesn't say otherwise, Arizona defaults to tenants in common. Married couples can instead choose community property with right of survivorship, which passes the property automatically to the surviving spouse. Be specific about which form of ownership you intend.
Step 5: Add the Legal Description
Use the complete legal description from the current deed or official county property records. A street address may help identify the property, but it is not a substitute for the full legal description.
Step 6: Check Whether the Property Is Community Property
If the property is community property, both spouses must sign and acknowledge the deed for it to be valid, even if only one spouse's name is on the current title. This is a firm requirement under Arizona law, not just a best practice.
Step 7: Sign and Notarize the Deed
The grantor must sign the deed before a notary public for the deed to be lawfully recorded. The grantee doesn't need to sign, though adding the grantee's signature is sometimes done for extra clarity.
Arizona allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) , which lets you meet with a notary by secure live video instead of traveling to an office.
Before choosing online notarization, confirm your county recorder will accept a remotely notarized deed. Learn more on our Remote Online Notarization by State page.
Step 8: Add the Affidavit of Property Value or Exemption Code
If your transfer involves a real sale price, attach a completed Affidavit of Property Value (Department of Revenue Form 82162). If your transfer is exempt, such as a no-consideration quitclaim deed, a gift, or a court-ordered transfer, note the applicable exemption code directly on the deed instead.
County recorders can reject a deed that includes neither the affidavit nor a valid exemption notation.
Step 9: Record the Deed
Submit the signed and notarized deed, along with the Affidavit of Property Value or exemption notation and the recording fee, to the County Recorder in the county where the property is located.
Record promptly, since a later recorded deed can create confusion in the chain of title. Most Arizona counties, including Maricopa and Pima, also accept electronic recording through approved vendors.
Does Arizona Have Transfer Tax?
No, and it's not just a policy choice. Arizona's constitution, through the 2008 Protect Our Homes measure, specifically bars any new tax, fee, or stamp on conveying an interest in real property. Recording a quitclaim deed doesn't trigger a documentary tax, deed tax, or transfer tax of any kind.
Separately, most deeds need an Affidavit of Property Value, which is a reporting requirement rather than a tax, and it comes with real exemptions. A quitclaim deed with no money changing hands, a deed of gift, and a deed satisfying a court order are all exempt from needing the affidavit; you simply note the exemption code on the deed instead.
Two things worth knowing separately from Arizona's own rules: federal gift tax can apply to large gifts above the annual exclusion, and a recipient who receives property for little or no payment generally takes over the original owner's cost basis, which can affect capital gains tax if the property is sold later.
Arizona Signing and Recording Notes
- Arizona deeds are recorded with the County Recorder in the county where the property is located.
- The grantor's signature must be notarized.
- Community property conveyances are invalid unless both spouses sign and acknowledge the deed.
- Arizona has no real estate transfer tax of any kind, by constitutional rule.
- A no-consideration quitclaim deed is exempt from the Affidavit of Property Value.
- Exempt deeds must note the specific exemption code on the face of the document.
- Use the complete legal description, not just the street address.
- Tenants in common applies by default unless the deed states another ownership form.
- The first page must reserve at least a 2-inch top margin for the recorder.
- Assuming a quitclaim deed changes responsibility for a mortgage is a common misconception.
Official Arizona Sources
Common Arizona Quitclaim Deed Mistakes
- Recording in the wrong county
- Assuming one spouse can sign alone on community property
- Using only the street address instead of the legal description
- Leaving out both the Affidavit of Property Value and an exemption code
- Forgetting that the deed needs a notary acknowledgment
- Leaving off the grantee's mailing address
- Not checking a specific county's formatting requirements
- Using unclear ownership wording when there is more than one grantee
- Delaying recording after signing
- Assuming a quitclaim deed changes responsibility for a mortgage
How This Fits Into the Arizona Quitclaim Deed Process
An Arizona quitclaim deed can be a practical way to update ownership, especially for family gifts, trust transfers, estate planning, and divorce-related transfers.
The key is to prepare the deed carefully, confirm whether community property rules require both spouses to sign, notarize it correctly, note the right exemption code if the transfer qualifies, and record it with the right county recorder.
Arizona Quitclaim Deed Options
For Arizona, you may use the Arizona-specific quitclaim deed resources below. If you prefer a broader DIY legal form package or document preparation service, those options are also available.
Arizona Quitclaim Deed Forms
Arizona-specific quitclaim deed forms and related property transfer information.
Arizona Quitclaim Deed FAQ
Where do I record an Arizona quitclaim deed?
Record the deed with the County Recorder in the Arizona county where the property is located.
Does Arizona charge a real estate transfer tax?
No. Arizona's constitution specifically bars any tax, fee, or stamp on conveying an interest in real property, so recording a quitclaim deed triggers no transfer tax.
Does an Arizona quitclaim deed need an Affidavit of Property Value?
Most deeds need one, but Arizona specifically exempts a quitclaim deed with no money changing hands, along with gifts and court-ordered transfers. Exempt deeds note the exemption code instead.
Do both spouses need to sign?
If the property is community property, yes. Arizona law makes a conveyance of community real estate invalid unless both spouses sign and acknowledge it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.