How to Change a Quitclaim Deed

Quitclaim deeds are used to change the ownership of a piece of real estate. These documents can add and remove vested owners of real estate. If you need to change the ownership of a property, even if it is only to change the legal name, you must execute a quitclaim deed. These documents are straightforward, but they must be witnessed by a notary public.

Speak with all vested owners of the property. A vested owner is a part owner, whether he uses the property as a residence or not. To accurately execute the deed, all vested owners must consent, sign and date the document.

Hire a notary public for one hour. It should take no longer to sign, witness and stamp the conveyance document. Most attorneys are notary publics. It is a good idea to use a real estate attorney for the execution--these professionals are familiar with deeds and property conveyance.

Schedule a meeting between yourself, the person being removed or added (if applicable), all other vested owners on the property and the notary public. Make sure everyone brings two forms of identification, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID.

Execute the quitclaim deed. Make sure the blank deed accurately reflects the state in which the property is located. Everyone must sign their full, legal name and date. The notary must witness all dates and signatures, confirm the IDs, sign, date and affix her stamp (usually an embossed seal) to the document.

Make copies of the document for all parties. Bring the original to the registry of deeds or property records office for the town in which the property is located. You need to pay a recording fee (usually no more than $50). An abstractor will officially record the quitclaim deed in the county records. Write down the book and page in which the deed is recorded. It is now legal.