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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — Illinois
Use this free Illinois quit claim deed form to transfer real property between individuals, family members, corporations, or trusts. Deeds are recorded with the County Recorder (Cook County uses the Recorder of Deeds). Illinois imposes a Real Estate Transfer Tax of $0.50 per $500 of value at the state level; counties and municipalities may impose additional transfer taxes.
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Illinois
Illinois quit claim deeds are used most often to transfer property between spouses in connection with marriage or divorce, or to add a family member to an existing title. Transferring property into a revocable living trust is a very common estate planning tool in Illinois, particularly for residents who want to avoid the state's probate process. Parents gift homes and land to adult children, and real estate investors transfer property into LLCs. Chicago and other municipalities have their own transfer taxes in addition to the state and county taxes, which can make urban transfers more costly than rural ones.
Illinois Quit Claim Deed Form
Illinois Quit Claim Deed Form
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Your deed needs to be notarized before recording
All quit claim deeds must be notarized to be legally valid. Notarize online from your phone or computer — no travel required, available 24/7.
Illinois Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in Illinois, make sure the document meets these requirements:
- ✓Deed must be in writing and signed by the grantor(s)
- ✓Grantor's signature must be acknowledged before a notary public
- ✓Property must be identified by its legal description
- ✓Deed must name the grantor(s) and grantee(s) by full legal name
- ✓Must be recorded with the County Recorder in the county of the property
- ✓State Real Estate Transfer Tax: $0.50 per $500 of value
- ✓County and municipal transfer taxes may also apply
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in Illinois
After the County Recorder (or Cook County Recorder of Deeds) processes your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or the designated return address. Recording times and fees vary by county. The recorder notifies the county assessor of the ownership change so that property tax records are updated. In Illinois, the grantee should also verify that the county assessor has the correct mailing address for future tax bills. The grantee is responsible for Illinois property taxes from the date of transfer.
Illinois Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires the grantor's signature to be acknowledged before a notary public before the deed can be recorded. Online notarization through a service like NotaryLive is accepted in Illinois.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in Illinois?
You file the deed with the County Recorder in the county where the property is located. Cook County uses a separate office called the Recorder of Deeds. Recording fees vary by county. Chicago also has its own municipal office with different requirements, so confirm the filing location for Cook County property.
Is there a transfer tax in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois imposes a state Real Estate Transfer Tax of $0.50 per $500 of value (or $1.00 per $1,000). Counties may impose an additional county transfer tax, and municipalities, particularly Chicago, impose their own local transfer taxes. For a Chicago property, the combined state, county, and city transfer tax can be significant.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Illinois?
Yes. Family transfers are common in Illinois. Transfers between spouses and certain other family transfers may qualify for an exemption from the state and county transfer taxes. Confirm the exemption requirements with the County Recorder or a local real estate attorney, particularly if the property is in a municipality with its own transfer tax.
Are there exemptions to the Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax?
Illinois provides exemptions for transfers between spouses where there is no actual consideration, deeds made pursuant to a will or intestate succession, transfers to government entities, corporate mergers and reorganizations, and certain other transactions. The exemption must be claimed on the Real Estate Transfer Declaration (PTAX-203) filed at the time of recording.
What is a legal description and where do I find it in Illinois?
A legal description is the formal property identification used in all recorded documents. In Illinois, subdivision property uses a lot and block number within a recorded plat. Other property may use a government survey (township, range, section) or metes and bounds description. You can find the legal description on your current deed, your title insurance policy, or through the county recorder's website. A street address is not a valid legal description.
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