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Updated 8-14-23. Notary Signing Agents deal with a wide variety of documents during a loan signing. In this article, we answer some frequently asked questions about conveyance deeds.
What is a conveyance deed?
A conveyance instrument is a document used to transfer a real property title from the current owner (the “grantor”) to a buyer (the “grantee”). The specific type of conveyance deed used to convey tile varies depending on state law, but here are some common examples NSAs may encounter:
General Warranty Deed: A document which conveys the grantor’s interest in and title to the property. A General Warranty Deed also warrants that if the title is defective or has a “cloud” (such as a tax lien or mortgage claim on the title) the grantee may hold the grantor liable.
Quitclaim Deed: A document that transfers the owner’s current interest in a title to the grantor. A quitclaim deed does not guarantee the grantor’s ability to convey title.
Grant Deed: A grant deed transfers title to real property or a real property interest from the grantor to the grantee and warrants that the grantor owned the title to the transfer.
Do conveyance deeds require notarization?
A deed must be signed by the grantor and, as a condition to recordation, be acknowledged before a Notary. A few states allow proof of execution by subscribing witness in lieu of an acknowledgment if the grantor is unable to appear in person before a Notary.
What types of loan document packages include a conveyance deed?
Conveyance deeds are encountered during transactions in which a property is being sold to or purchased by a new owner or buyer. They are also used when a title is being transferred to a family member. Another type of transaction involving a conveyance deed is when an individual place their home in a living trust. Finalizing a refinance transaction may require the home to be taken out of the trust and then placed back into the trust afterward. When this happens, Signing Agents may encounter one more conveyance deeds among the documents in the loan package.
David Thun is the Assistant Managing Editor with the National Notary Association
Related Articles:
Signing Agent Document FAQ: Compliance Agreements
Additional Resources:
The Notary Signing Agent’s Loan Documents Sourcebook