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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — Pennsylvania
Use this free Pennsylvania quit claim deed form to transfer real property between individuals, family members, corporations, or trusts. Deeds are recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Pennsylvania imposes a Realty Transfer Tax of 1% (state) plus 1% local, for a combined 2% rate. Transfers between family members may qualify for an exemption from the local transfer tax.
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania quit claim deeds are used most often to transfer property between spouses in connection with divorce, to add a new spouse to a title after marriage, and to transfer real estate from individuals into revocable living trusts. Given Pennsylvania's significant inheritance tax, estate planning transfers during the grantor's lifetime are common. Parents gift homes to adult children. Real estate investors in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other markets move property into LLCs. Correcting errors in previously recorded deeds is also a frequent use.
Pennsylvania Quit Claim Deed Form
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in Pennsylvania, 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 of Deeds in the county of the property
- ✓Realty Transfer Tax: 1% state plus 1% local, combined 2% total
- ✓Transfers between spouses and certain family members may qualify for exemption
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in Pennsylvania
After the County Recorder of Deeds records your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or designated address. Recording times and fees vary by county. The Recorder of Deeds notifies the county board of assessment, which updates property tax ownership records. Pennsylvania property taxes are assessed at the county, municipal, and school district levels. The grantee should update their mailing address with all three taxing bodies. The grantee is responsible for Pennsylvania property taxes from the date of transfer.
Pennsylvania Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in Pennsylvania?
You file the deed with the County Recorder of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Pennsylvania has 67 counties, each with its own Recorder of Deeds. Recording fees vary by county.
Are there transfer taxes in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania imposes a state Realty Transfer Tax of 1% of the consideration and a local Realty Transfer Tax of 1% (some municipalities charge up to 2%), for a typical combined rate of 2% to 3%. Transfers between spouses and certain other close family members may qualify for an exemption from the local transfer tax, though the state 1% tax still applies in most cases.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania provides a partial exemption from the local Realty Transfer Tax for transfers between lineal relatives (parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren), brothers and sisters, and spouses. The state 1% tax may still apply. Confirm the exemption with the Recorder of Deeds or a Pennsylvania real estate attorney.
Are there exemptions to the Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax?
Pennsylvania provides exemptions or reduced rates for transfers between spouses (state tax may be exempt), transfers between lineal relatives (local tax exemption may apply), transfers to government entities, corporate mergers in some circumstances, and transfers with no consideration. The exemption is claimed on the Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value (Form REV-183) filed at the time of recording.
What is a legal description and where do I find it in Pennsylvania?
A legal description in Pennsylvania is typically a metes and bounds description for older or rural property, or a lot and block reference for platted subdivisions. Some counties also use plan and lot references tied to recorded subdivision plans. You can find the legal description on your existing deed, your title insurance commitment, or through the county recorder's online search. A street address alone is not a valid legal description in Pennsylvania.
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