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Free Wisconsin Quitclaim Deed Form
Use this free Wisconsin quit claim deed form to transfer property. Fill out the form, download your deed, and notarize it before recording with your county.
Wisconsin 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.
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. The Form PE-500 is forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and the local assessor updates property tax ownership records based on the recorded deed. The grantee is responsible for Wisconsin property taxes from the date of transfer and should update their mailing address with the local assessor.
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 and both spouses generally need to sign to convey marital property. Estate planning transfers into revocable living trusts are common, and parents transfer lake homes, farms, and other real estate to children and grandchildren.
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.
What to Bring When Recording Your Wisconsin 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)
- 2eRETR (Electronic Real Estate Transfer Return) — required and must be completed before recording
- 3Recording fee (paid to the Register of Deeds)
- 4Spouse signature required if property is a homestead (marital property state)
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