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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — Maine
Use this free Maine quit claim deed form to transfer real property between individuals, family members, corporations, or trusts. Deeds are recorded with the Registry of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Maine imposes a Real Estate Transfer Tax of $2.20 per $500 of value, split equally between grantor and grantee (each pays $1.10 per $500).
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Maine
Maine quit claim deeds are most often used to transfer property between spouses in connection with marriage or divorce, to gift property from parents to children, and to move real estate into revocable living trusts for estate planning. Maine's large rural landscape means farmland, woodland, and waterfront property are frequently transferred between family members using quit claim deeds. Real estate investors use them to transfer property into LLCs. Correcting prior deed errors or resolving boundary disputes by exchange of quit claim deeds are also common uses in Maine.
Maine Quit Claim Deed Form
Maine 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.
Maine Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in Maine, 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 Registry of Deeds in the county of the property
- ✓Real Estate Transfer Tax: $2.20 per $500 of value (split equally between grantor and grantee)
- ✓Certain transfers may be exempt from transfer tax
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in Maine
After the Registry of Deeds records your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or the designated address. Recording times vary by county. The Registry updates the public land records, and the municipal assessor uses the recorded deed to update property tax ownership. Maine property taxes are assessed and collected at the municipal level, so the grantee should notify the local assessor of their correct mailing address. The grantee is responsible for Maine property taxes from the date of transfer.
Maine Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Maine?
Yes. Maine 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 Maine.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in Maine?
You file the deed with the Registry of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Maine has 16 counties, each with its own Registry of Deeds. Recording fees vary by county.
Is there a transfer tax in Maine?
Yes. Maine imposes a Real Estate Transfer Tax of $2.20 per $500 of the value transferred. By law, the tax is split equally: the grantor pays $1.10 per $500 and the grantee pays $1.10 per $500. Certain transfers are exempt, including gifts between family members where there is no consideration, transfers to government entities, and other qualifying transactions.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Maine?
Yes. Transfers between family members are common in Maine and may qualify for an exemption from the Real Estate Transfer Tax if there is no monetary consideration. Confirm the exemption with the Registry of Deeds or a Maine real estate attorney before filing.
Are there exemptions to the Maine Real Estate Transfer Tax?
Maine provides exemptions for transfers with no consideration (gifts), transfers between spouses (in some circumstances), transfers to government entities, deeds in lieu of foreclosure in certain situations, and other specified transactions. The exemption must be claimed on the Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration form filed at the time of recording.
What is a legal description and where do I find it in Maine?
A legal description is the formal identification of a parcel of real estate. Maine uses metes and bounds descriptions for most rural and coastal property, and lot and block descriptions for platted subdivisions. You can find the legal description on your current deed, your title insurance commitment, or through the county Registry of Deeds. A street address is not a valid legal description for a deed in Maine.
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