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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — Wisconsin
Use this free Wisconsin quit claim deed form to transfer real property between individuals, family members, corporations, or trusts. Deeds are recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Wisconsin imposes a Real Estate Transfer Fee of $0.30 per $100 of value. Transfers between family members may qualify for an exemption; a completed Real Estate Transfer Return (Form PE-500) is required at recording.
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in Wisconsin
Wisconsin quit claim deeds are most often used to transfer property between spouses in connection with marriage or divorce, and to gift property from parents to adult children. Wisconsin is a marital property state (similar to community property), and both spouses generally need to sign to convey marital property. Estate planning transfers into revocable living trusts are common across the state. Parents transfer lake homes, farms, and other real estate to children and grandchildren. Real estate investors use quit claim deeds to move property into LLCs.
Wisconsin Quit Claim Deed Form
Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in Wisconsin, 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
- ✓Real Estate Transfer Return (Form PE-500) required at recording
- ✓Must be recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county of the property
- ✓Real Estate Transfer Fee: $0.30 per $100 of value (family transfers may be exempt)
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in Wisconsin
After the Register of Deeds records your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or the designated address. Recording times and fees vary by county. The Register of Deeds forwards the Form PE-500 to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, which uses it to maintain transfer data. The local assessor updates property tax ownership records based on the recorded deed. Wisconsin property taxes are collected by municipal and county treasurers. The grantee should update their mailing address with the local assessor. The grantee is responsible for Wisconsin property taxes from the date of transfer.
Wisconsin Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in Wisconsin?
You file the deed with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Wisconsin has 72 counties, each with its own Register of Deeds. Recording fees vary by county.
Is there a transfer tax in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin imposes a Real Estate Transfer Fee of $0.30 per $100 of consideration (or $3.00 per $1,000). Transfers between certain family members, transfers with no consideration, and other qualifying transactions may be exempt from the transfer fee. The exemption is noted on Form PE-500 filed at the time of recording.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin provides a broad exemption from the Real Estate Transfer Fee for transfers between lineal relatives (parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren) and between spouses. Confirm the exemption with the Register of Deeds or a Wisconsin real estate attorney. Form PE-500 is required even for exempt transfers.
Are there exemptions to the Wisconsin Real Estate Transfer Fee?
Wisconsin exempts transfers between lineal relatives (parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren) and their spouses, transfers between spouses, transfers to trusts where the grantor is the primary beneficiary, and transfers to government entities. The exemption is claimed on Form PE-500 at the time of recording.
What is a legal description and where do I find it in Wisconsin?
A legal description in Wisconsin is typically a government survey description for rural property (township, range, section) or a lot and block description for platted subdivision property. You can find the legal description on your existing deed, your title insurance commitment, or through the county Register of Deeds or assessor's website. A street address alone is not a valid legal description for a Wisconsin deed.
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