If you are adding a spouse to title, removing a former spouse, transferring property to a family member, moving real estate into a trust, handling an inheritance, or cleaning up ownership records, a Michigan 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, county recording rules, transfer tax questions, and the Michigan Property Transfer Affidavit.
The good news is that the process is manageable once you understand the steps and know which issues to check before recording.
Important Michigan Recording Note:
Michigan quitclaim deeds are recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located.
Most quitclaim deeds are used for family transfers, trust transfers, estate planning, divorce-related transfers, and other situations where the property is not being sold on the open market.
After many Michigan real property transfers, the new owner must also file a Property Transfer Affidavit, also called Michigan Form 2766, with the local assessor.
Michigan transfer tax may apply when a deed transfers property for taxable value or consideration. However, most common quitclaim deed situations may qualify for exemptions.
Learn more about Michigan Transfer Tax Exemptions.
What You Need Before Filling Out the Deed
Before you start typing names into a deed form, gather the information that Michigan recording offices commonly expect.
- Current deed or property record
- Grantor’s full legal name and mailing address
- Grantee’s full legal name and mailing address
- Legal description of the property
- Michigan county where the property is located
- Drafter name and address
- Return mailing address after recording
- Consideration amount, transfer value, or exemption information
- Transfer tax payment or exemption wording
- Property Transfer Affidavit for filing with the local assessor after the transfer
How to Fill Out a Michigan Quitclaim Deed
Step 1: Identify the Correct County Register of Deeds
Michigan deeds are recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located.
This matters because recording in the wrong county can delay the transfer and may require the deed to be corrected or re-recorded.
Step 2: Enter the Drafter and Return Information
Michigan deeds commonly need the name and address of the drafter.
The deed should also show where the recorded document should be returned after the Register of Deeds records it.
Step 3: Enter the Grantor Information
The grantor is the current owner transferring their interest in the property.
Use the grantor’s full legal name. The name should match the current deed, or the deed should make any name difference understandable.
Step 4: Enter the Grantee Information
The grantee is the person receiving the property interest.
Michigan deeds generally need the grantee’s address, including a street number address or post office address.
Step 5: Add the Legal Description
Use the legal description from the current deed or official property records.
A street address may help identify the property, but it usually is not enough by itself for deed recording.
Step 6: State the Transfer Purpose Clearly
A quitclaim deed can be used for many different reasons. The recording and tax treatment may be different for a sale, gift, spouse transfer, trust transfer, divorce-related transfer, or estate-planning transfer.
If the deed is exempt from transfer tax, Michigan recording practice generally expects the exemption to be stated on the face of the deed or recording instrument.
Step 7: Review Transfer Tax and Exemptions
Many Michigan quitclaim deeds are not traditional real estate sales.
If money is changing hands, transfer tax may apply. If the transfer is between family members, part of a divorce, connected to estate planning, or involves a trust, exemption rules may apply instead.
Before recording, determine whether transfer tax is due and whether an exemption should be claimed.
Step 8: Sign and Notarize the Deed
The grantor signs the deed, and the deed generally needs a notary acknowledgment before recording. Michigan law allows the grantor to sign before a notary public, a clerk of a court of record, or a judge.
Names should be printed or typed beneath signatures, and the names in the notary acknowledgment should match the printed names beneath the signatures.
Michigan allows Remote Online Notarization (RON), so a video call can sometimes take the place of an in-person visit. Check with your county Register of Deeds first to make sure they'll accept a remotely notarized deed. More on our Remote Online Notarization by State page.
Step 9: Record the Deed
Submit the signed and notarized deed to the county Register of Deeds with the required recording fee, transfer tax payment if due, and exemption wording if claimed.
Depending on the county, recording may be handled in person, by mail, or through approved electronic recording systems.
Step 10: File the Property Transfer Affidavit
Recording the deed is not always the final step.
After many Michigan real property transfers, the new owner files the Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor for the city or township where the property is located.
Why the Property Transfer Affidavit Matters
The Michigan Property Transfer Affidavit is separate from the quitclaim deed.
In plain English, the deed updates ownership in the county land records, while the Property Transfer Affidavit helps the local assessor update assessment and property tax records.
This is one of the extra steps that can surprise people who thought the deed was the only form involved.
Transfer Tax Without Making the Page All About Taxes
Because most quitclaim deeds are used for non-sale transfers, transfer tax should be viewed as something to check, not something to panic over.
Michigan can impose state and county transfer taxes when a deed transfers property for taxable value. But exemptions may apply to many family, trust, divorce, estate, or other qualifying transfers.
The important point is to identify the correct treatment before recording so the deed is not delayed or rejected.
Michigan Signing and Recording Notes
- Michigan deeds are recorded with the county Register of Deeds.
- The deed should be recorded in the county where the property is located.
- Signatures generally need to be original for paper recording.
- Names should be printed or typed beneath signatures.
- The notary acknowledgment should match the printed names beneath the signatures.
- The grantee address should be included.
- The drafter’s name and address should be included.
- The return address should be included.
- Transfer tax may apply unless an exemption applies.
- The Property Transfer Affidavit is generally filed separately with the local assessor.
Official Michigan Sources
Common Michigan Quitclaim Deed Mistakes
- Recording in the wrong county
- Using only the street address instead of the legal description
- Forgetting the drafter’s name and address
- Leaving out the grantee address
- Failing to print or type names beneath signatures
- Using names in the notary acknowledgment that do not match the printed names beneath signatures
- Assuming a quitclaim deed automatically avoids transfer tax
- Failing to state the exemption on the face of the deed when an exemption is claimed
- Forgetting to file the Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor
- Confusing recording the deed with filing the Property Transfer Affidavit
How This Fits Into the Michigan Quitclaim Deed Process
A Michigan quitclaim deed can be a practical way to update ownership, especially for family, trust, estate planning, and divorce-related transfers.
The key is to prepare the deed carefully, notarize it correctly, record it in the right county, and handle any affidavit or exemption issue before it becomes a recording problem.
Michigan Quitclaim Deed FAQ
Where do I record a Michigan quitclaim deed?
Record the deed with the Register of Deeds in the Michigan county where the property is located.
Does a Michigan quitclaim deed need to be notarized?
Yes. Michigan deeds conveying real estate generally need a notary acknowledgment before recording.
Does Michigan require printed names beneath signatures?
Yes. Michigan recording rules generally require names to be printed or typed beneath signatures.
Does a Michigan quitclaim deed avoid transfer tax?
Not automatically. Most quitclaim deeds are non-sale transfers and may qualify for exemptions, but the exemption should be reviewed and claimed properly.
Is the Property Transfer Affidavit the same as the deed?
No. The deed is recorded with the county Register of Deeds. The Property Transfer Affidavit is generally filed separately with the local assessor.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.