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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — Massachusetts
Use this free Massachusetts 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 or district where the property is located. Massachusetts imposes an Excise Tax (Documentary Stamps) of $4.56 per $1,000 of value. Exempt transfers include those between spouses and certain family gifts.
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Massachusetts
Massachusetts quit claim deeds are used most often to transfer property between spouses in connection with divorce or marriage, to add a family member to an existing title, and to move real estate into revocable living trusts. Given Massachusetts' relatively high property values, estate planning transfers are particularly common. Parents and grandparents gift homes and investment property to family members. Real estate investors use quit claim deeds to transfer property between related entities. Clearing an old title defect or completing a transfer that was previously recorded incorrectly are also common uses in the state.
Massachusetts Quit Claim Deed Form
Massachusetts 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.
Massachusetts Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in Massachusetts, 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 or district of the property
- ✓Excise Tax (Documentary Stamps): $4.56 per $1,000 of value
- ✓Transfers between spouses and certain family gifts may be exempt
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in Massachusetts
After the Registry of Deeds records your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or the designated address. Recording times vary by registry. The Registry notifies the local Board of Assessors of the transfer so that property tax records are updated. Massachusetts property taxes are assessed and collected at the municipal level. The grantee should confirm their mailing address with the local assessor to ensure future tax bills are delivered correctly. The grantee is responsible for Massachusetts property taxes from the date of transfer.
Massachusetts Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in Massachusetts?
You file the deed with the Registry of Deeds serving the county or district where the property is located. Massachusetts has multiple registries, including separate districts within some counties (for example, Middlesex County has Northern and Southern districts). Recording fees vary by registry.
Is there a transfer tax in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts imposes an Excise Tax of $4.56 per $1,000 of consideration (expressed as documentary stamps affixed to the deed). The tax is paid by the seller or grantor. Transfers between spouses, transfers from a deceased person's estate to a beneficiary, and transfers with no consideration may qualify for an exemption.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Massachusetts?
Yes. Transfers between family members are common in Massachusetts. Transfers between spouses and transfers with no monetary consideration may be exempt from the Excise Tax. Confirm the exemption with the Registry of Deeds or a Massachusetts real estate attorney before filing.
Are there exemptions to the Massachusetts Excise Tax?
Massachusetts provides exemptions for transfers between spouses where there is no consideration beyond the assumption of a mortgage, transfers from a grantor to their own revocable trust where the grantor is the sole beneficiary, certain corporate reorganization transfers, and transfers to government entities. The exemption must be noted on the deed and the accompanying coversheet at the time of recording.
What is a legal description and where do I find it in Massachusetts?
A legal description in Massachusetts is typically a metes and bounds description for older property, or a lot and plan reference for property in a recorded subdivision. You can find the legal description on your current deed, your title insurance commitment, or through the Registry of Deeds online search. Massachusetts has comprehensive online deed search tools for most registries. A street address alone is not valid for a Massachusetts deed.
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