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California quitclaim deed

A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has in a property — no more, no less — and makes no promises about it. That makes it fast and simple, but it isn't right for every transfer.

Updated June 20262 min readPrepared by a California LDA
CaliforniaQUITCLAIM
Grant deed TWO IMPLIED WARRANTIES No earlier transfer to someone else No hidden encumbrances by the grantor Quitclaim deed NO WARRANTIES You receive whatever interest exists — no promises about title
A quitclaim transfers your interest with no promises attached.

A quitclaim deed is the most bare-bones way to transfer California real estate. The grantor "quitclaims" — gives up — whatever interest they hold to the grantee, with zero warranties. If the grantor owns the property outright, the grantee gets it outright. If the grantor's interest is partial or defective, that's exactly what the grantee receives. The deed makes no representation that the grantor owns anything at all.

When a quitclaim deed makes sense

Because it's simple and quick, the quitclaim is common in transfers built on trust rather than arm's-length protection:

A quitclaim hands over whatever you have — which could be everything, or nothing at all.

The catch most people miss

Because a quitclaim carries no warranties, title insurers are often reluctant to rely on one. A new owner who took title by quitclaim may have trouble getting a clean title policy or selling later without extra steps. For a real purchase between strangers, a grant deed — backed by title insurance — is usually the safer instrument. Quitclaims shine where the parties already know and trust each other.

Requirements and taxes

A California quitclaim deed needs the grantor and grantee names, the legal description, vesting, the parcel number, and a notarized signature, recorded with a PCOR and transfer-tax declaration. Many quitclaim transfers — gifts, transfers to your own trust, transfers between spouses — are exempt from documentary transfer tax, with the exemption stated on the deed. Whether the transfer affects property taxes is a separate change-in-ownership question; check with your county assessor. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How SimpleDeeds prepares your quitclaim deed

Send us the name and the property address. We research the legal description and vesting, prepare the quitclaim deed and county forms, and record it after notarization — flat $295. We prepare the deed at your direction and don't give legal advice.

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Have us prepare and record it for you.

One flat price from a registered California Legal Document Assistant. Give us a name and a property address — we handle the research, the forms, and the recording.

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Related guides

Deed type

Grant deed

The standard California deed, with two implied warranties.

Deed type

Interspousal transfer deed

Transfers between spouses, exempt from transfer tax.

Use case

Add or remove a name

Marriage, divorce, adding a child, or removing a co-owner.

FAQ

Does a quitclaim deed remove someone from a mortgage? +
No. A quitclaim changes who is on title, but it does not change who is on the loan. The mortgage remains the responsibility of whoever signed it until it's refinanced or paid off.
Is a quitclaim deed safe for buying a house? +
It's generally not used for arm's-length purchases because it offers the buyer no warranties and title insurers may not rely on it. A grant deed is more common for sales.
Do I owe tax on a quitclaim transfer? +
Often not — gifts, transfers to your own revocable trust, and transfers between spouses are commonly exempt from documentary transfer tax. The exemption is stated on the deed.
Can a quitclaim deed be reversed? +
Once recorded, a quitclaim is effective. 'Undoing' it requires the new owner to transfer the interest back with another deed. There's no automatic reversal.