At closing the seller signs a document that transfers ownership to the buyer. That document is the deed. Once recorded in the public land records, it provides constructive notice of the new owner.

Common forms include general warranty deeds, which offer the strongest guarantees about title, and quitclaim deeds, which transfer only whatever interest the grantor may have. The deed must identify the parties, describe the property, and be delivered and accepted. Notarization and recording complete the process in most jurisdictions.

A defective deed can cloud title and complicate future sales. Title insurance and careful review by the closing agent reduce that risk. The deed is the enduring evidence of ownership; the mortgage is merely a lien against it.

• Legal instrument transferring property ownership
• Recorded in public land records
• Varies in the warranties it provides
• Must be properly executed and delivered