There's no form that simply "edits" a deed. To change who's on title in California, you record a new deed that transfers the relevant interest. Which deed fits depends on the relationship and the reason for the change.
Adding someone to title
- Adding a spouse — couples typically use an interspousal transfer deed, which is exempt from transfer tax and avoids reassessment.
- Adding a child or other relative — usually a grant or quitclaim deed. Be careful here: adding someone can be treated as a partial change in ownership and may affect property taxes, and Proposition 19 narrowed the parent-child reassessment exclusion. Check with your county assessor before acting.
There’s no form that edits a deed. To change who’s on title, you record a brand-new one.
Removing someone from title
- Removing an ex-spouse (divorce) — an interspousal transfer deed or quitclaim deed transfers their interest to the spouse keeping the home.
- Removing a co-owner who has died — if the property was held in joint tenancy, the survivor typically records an affidavit of death of joint tenant with a certified death certificate to clear the deceased owner from title. (This is a different document from a deed.)
The mortgage is separate
This is the point people most often get wrong: a deed changes title, not the loan. Removing an ex-spouse from the deed does not remove them from the mortgage — that requires a refinance or payoff. Likewise, adding someone to title doesn't add them to the loan.
Taxes and reassessment
Some title changes are exempt from transfer tax and reassessment (transfers between spouses, funding your own trust); others can trigger reassessment (adding certain relatives, especially after Proposition 19). Because the consequences vary by situation, treat this as general information and confirm with your county assessor or a professional. We prepare the deed you direct and don't give legal or tax advice.
How SimpleDeeds handles it
Tell us who's coming on or off title and the property address. We research the current vesting and legal description, prepare the correct deed and county forms, and record it after notarization — flat $295.