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Free Michigan Quitclaim Deed Form
Use this free Michigan quit claim deed form to transfer property. Fill out the form, download your deed, and notarize it before recording with your county.
Michigan Quit Claim Deed Form
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.
Michigan Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in Michigan, 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 Register of Deeds in the county of the property
- ✓State Transfer Tax: $3.75 per $500; County Transfer Tax: $0.55 per $500
- ✓Property Transfer Affidavit (PTA) must be filed with local assessor within 45 days
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in Michigan
After the County Register of Deeds records your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or the designated address. Within 45 days of the transfer, the grantee must separately file a Property Transfer Affidavit (PTA) with the local city or township assessor; failure to file on time results in a daily penalty. The PTA notifies the assessor of the ownership change and triggers a review of whether the property's taxable value should be uncapped.
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Michigan
Michigan quit claim deeds are most often used in divorce settlements, where one spouse transfers their interest in the marital home to the other. Michigan residents also use them to transfer property into revocable living trusts for estate planning, to add or remove a co-owner from a title, and to move property from personal ownership into an LLC.
Michigan Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan 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 Michigan.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in Michigan?
You file the deed with the County Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Michigan has 83 counties, each with its own Register of Deeds. Recording fees vary by county.
Are there transfer taxes in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan imposes a State Transfer Tax of $3.75 per $500 of the consideration (or $7.50 per $1,000) and a County Transfer Tax of $0.55 per $500 (or $1.10 per $1,000), for a combined rate of $8.60 per $1,000. Certain transfers are exempt, including transfers between spouses, transfers to a surviving co-owner, and transfers from an individual to a trust where the grantor is the sole beneficiary.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Michigan?
Yes. Transfers between spouses are exempt from Michigan transfer taxes. Other family transfers may also qualify for an exemption depending on the circumstances. Confirm the exemption with the County Register of Deeds or a Michigan real estate attorney. Remember that regardless of the transfer, the grantee must file the Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor within 45 days.
What is the Property Transfer Affidavit in Michigan?
The Property Transfer Affidavit (PTA) is a state-required form (L-4260) that must be filed with the local city or township assessor within 45 days of recording a deed. It notifies the assessor of the transfer so that property taxes can be reviewed and updated. Filing the PTA late results in a penalty of $5 per day, capped at $200. The PTA also triggers a review of whether the property's taxable value should be uncapped (assessed at the current state equalized value) or remain capped under Michigan's Proposal A.
Are there exemptions to the Michigan Real Estate Transfer Tax?
Michigan provides exemptions from the state and county transfer taxes for transfers between spouses, transfers from a person to their own revocable trust, transfers between a parent and child with no consideration, transfers to a government entity, and certain other transactions. The exemption must be claimed on a signed Affidavit of Exemption filed at the time of recording.
What to Bring When Recording Your Michigan Quitclaim Deed
Before you go to the recording office, make sure you have everything on this list to avoid delays.
- 1Executed deed (signed and notarized)
- 2Recording fee (paid to the County Register of Deeds or County Clerk)
- 3Property Transfer Affidavit (filed with the local assessor within 45 days of transfer — not at recording)
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