Transfer ownership with limited guarantees: Special Warranty Deed
What is a Special Warranty Deed?
A Special Warranty Deed is a document used when you're transferring real property to another person and are guaranteeing that there were no defects that occurred during the time you owned it. You're not saying the property has a spotless title—just that it accrued no defects during your ownership. There's a difference, and Special Warranty Deeds can help you spell it out.
The main difference between a Special Warranty Deed and a typical Warranty Deed is that the former only promises that nothing happened to the property during the current seller's ownership. If you're the seller, you can potentially remove yourself from certain issues down the road that you had no part in. And if you're the buyer, you might be okay with this, but you should understand that this document is very different from other kinds of Warranty Deeds. Understanding legal terms can help you make a smart, informed decision.
When to use a Special Warranty Deed:
- You are selling or buying property.
- You're transferring property into a trust.
- You'd like to include warranties along with a title.
- You're in the business of buying or selling property.
Have questions about your Special Warranty Deed?
Whether you're preparing your Special Warranty Deed, reviewing one someone sent you, or just want to understand it better, here's how to get help.
- Understand what it says or review it. Use our AI legal assistant to ask questions about your Special Warranty Deed, understand what it says, and spot anything that may need a closer look.
- Ask an attorney a question. Connect with an attorney for legal information, with a written answer within one business day or a live consultation.
- Get advice on what to do. For privileged, confidential advice about your specific circumstances and next steps, book a Legal Advice Session with an attorney.
Sample Special Warranty Deed
The terms in your document will update based on the information you provide
This document has been customized over 45.7K times
Legally binding and enforceable
Consult an Attorney to ask questions or review your document
THIS SPACE PROVIDED FOR RECORDER'S USE ONLY:
WHEN RECORDED RETURN TO:
, ,
____________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL WARRANTY DEED
THE GRANTOR(S),
| - | and , a married couple,of , , , ,of , , by the in docket number |
for and in consideration of:
| - | , , , , , a single person, a married couple, |
the following described real estate, situated in at , , State of ,
Legal Description:
Tax Parcel Number:
Grantor Signatures:
| DATED:___________________________ |
| __________________________________ |
STATE OF ss:, ss:STATE OF , ss:
, COUNTY OF PARISH OF
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me, ______________________________, the undersigned officer, personally appeared, known to me (or proved to me on the oath of ______________________________) to be the persons who are described in and who executed the within and foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same.
Before me, a Notary Public (or justice of the peace) in and for said county, personally appeared the above named , who acknowledged that they did sign the foregoing instrument, and that the same is their free act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name at ________________________________, this _____ day of ____________________, _____.
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of ____________________, _____, by .
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, by means of ☐ physical presence or ☐ online notarization, this _____ day of ____________________, _____ by , who are personally known to me or who have produced ________________________________ as identification.
This instrument was acknowledged before me on this _____ day of ____________________, _____ by .
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me personally appeared , to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed same as their free act and deed.
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me, ________________________________, personally appeared , known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as for the purposes therein contained.
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me, the undersigned, Notary Public for the State of Vermont, personally appeared , to me known (or to me proved) to be the identical persons named in and who executed the above , and acknowledged that such persons executed it as such persons' voluntary act and deed.
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of ____________________, _____, by .
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
_________________________________
Notary Public
Signature of person taking acknowledgment
_________________________________
Name typed, printed, or stamped
Title (and Rank)
_________________________________
Title or rank
My commission expires _____________
_________________________________
Serial number (if applicable)
Serial number, if any
Notary Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual(s) who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF
On ____________________ before me, ________________________________, personally appeared , who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
________________________________________ (Notary Seal)
Signature of Notary Public
CountyParish
, COUNTY OF PARISH OF
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me, ______________________________, the undersigned officer, personally appeared, known to me (or proved to me on the oath of ______________________________) to be the persons who are described in and who executed the within and foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same.
Before me, a Notary Public (or justice of the peace) in and for said county, personally appeared the above named , who acknowledged that they did sign the foregoing instrument, and that the same is their free act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name at ________________________________, this _____ day of ____________________, _____.
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of ____________________, _____, by .
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, by means of ☐ physical presence or ☐ online notarization, this _____ day of ____________________, _____ by , who are personally known to me or who have produced ________________________________ as identification.
This instrument was acknowledged before me on this _____ day of ____________________, _____ by .
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me personally appeared , to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed same as their free act and deed.
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me, ________________________________, personally appeared , known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged that they executed the same as for the purposes therein contained.
On this _____ day of ____________________, _____, before me, the undersigned, Notary Public for the State of Vermont, personally appeared , to me known (or to me proved) to be the identical persons named in and who executed the above , and acknowledged that such persons executed it as such persons' voluntary act and deed.
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this _____ day of ____________________, _____, by .
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
_________________________________
Notary Public
Signature of person taking acknowledgment
_________________________________
Name typed, printed, or stamped
Title (and Rank)
_________________________________
Title or rank
My commission expires _____________
_________________________________
Serial number (if applicable)
Serial number, if any
Notary Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual(s) who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF
On ____________________ before me, ________________________________, personally appeared , who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
________________________________________ (Notary Seal)
Signature of Notary Public
___Everyone gets a copy. Anyone named in the document should receive a copy of the signed document. The original recorded Special Warranty Deed will be sent to the return address indicated on the deed after recording is complete.
Prior to filing your deed you will needed to complete Real Estate Transfer Tax Form PT-61. To electronically file this form you can visit http://www.gsccca.org/efiling/pt61/
Oregon state law requires that all deeds be recorded no more than 15 days after being signed.As a number of counties in Arkansas have two county seats you should make certain you are recording the deed in the correct office.
Most counties will not accept your deed for recording until proof all transfer taxes have been paid. Some towns will affix a town stamp to the deed when you have paid the required taxes.
A cover sheet must be created through ACRIS (Automated City Register Information System) www. nyc.gov before the deed can be recorded.
Cattaraugus County and Chautaugua County require a carbon copy of the information contained in the deed, not the deed, for each of the townships affected by the deed. The information needed in this information sheet includes: Date of conveyance, Consideration given, Name of Grantor(s) and Grantee(s), Mailing Address of the Grantee(s) and the Legal Description of the property conveyed.
If you are a resident of Cook County and this Special Warranty Deed is for a transfer of residential real estate:
Grantor must sign the deed in front a notary. The notary is required by law to get the Grantor's right thumb print on their Notary Report.
Unless your notary is an employee of a principal, employee or agent of a Title Insurance Company, Title Insurance Agent, Financial Institution or attorney, the notary must deliver an original Notarial Record within 14 days of notarizing the document to the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County along with a filing fee of $5.00. If your notary is one of the above they may retain the record at their place of employment
Ask the Registry Employee prior to recording your deed to verify if you deed should be recorded or registered. The deed will be invalid if it is recorded or registered in the wrong place.
Additional Documents Required to File with Your Special Warranty Deed:
A Illinois Declaration of Value form must be filed with your deed. You will need to obtain this form from your County Recorder.
The Grantor must fill out a Declaration of Value, Ground Water Hazard Statement and pay transfer taxes on the property before the deed will be accepted for recording.
A Nevada Declaration of Value form must be filed with your deed. You will need to obtain this form from your County Recorder.
Real Estate Transfer Statement Form 521 will need to be completed and filed with your deed. You can obtain this form from your County Recorder or online at http://www.co.cheyenne.ne.us/Form521.pdf.
Within 30 days of recording your deed you will need to file a Declaration of Consideration statement with the Department of Revenue Administration. This form can be found on the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration Website.
Each County has its own transfer tax and property ownership forms, which must be filed and recorded with your deed. You can obtain these forms by contacting the County Registrars Office where the property being transferred is located.
A Certificate of Real Estate Value must be filed with your deed. You will need to contact your County Recorders Office to obtain this form.
Preliminary Change in Ownership Form must be completed and filed with your deed. You can complete this form at the County Assessor's Office when you file your Special Warranty Deed.
Affidavit of Consideration: Must be completed and filed with your deed if:
a) If the full consideration is not stated in the deed
b) When an exemption to Realty Transfer Fee is claimed
c) If the transfer involves Class 4 property (commercial, industrial or apartments)
d) If the transfer involves "new construction"
Click here if you would like to print this form:
www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pdf/other_forms/lpt/rtf1ee.pdf
Statement of Value must be filed with your deed in duplicate-
www.revenue.state.pa.us/revenue/lib/revenue/rev-183.pdf
Real Estate Transfer Tax (From PT-61) form must be filed prior to recording your deed (This form should be completed and submitted online at http://www.gsccca.org/efiling/pt61/)
Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit must be filed with your deed
http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/forms/RealEstExcsTx/RealEstExTxAffid_E.pdf.
If you are in Asotin, Clark, Pacific, Skamania or Whatcom County you will need to contact your County Treasurer or Recorder to get the correct Affidavit.
Real Estate Excise Tax Supplemental Affidavit must be filed in addition to the Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit with your deed if you are claiming an exemption to the tax
http://dor.wa.gov/content/getaformorpublication/formbysubject/forms_reet.aspx
Affidavit of Property Value will be provided by your County Recorder if it is required
State of Maryland Land Instrument Intake Sheet must be filed with your deed
http://www.courts.state.md.us/courtforms/circuit/intakesheet.html
Well Disclosure Statement must be filed with your deed if wells are on the property being transferred and the number of wells has changed since the last Well Disclosure Statement was filed.
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/disclosures/certificateform.pdf
In the Parish of Orleans, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Register of Conveyances and Records of Mortgages will need to provide you with a certificate that will be attached to your deed stating the Grantor owns the property free and clear of debt. Make sure you obtain this certificate prior to recording your deed.
It will be necessary for either a Grantor or Grantee to execute the consideration statement at the end of this deed verifying the amount of the consideration paid.
Special Warranty Deed FAQs
-
What is the difference between a Special Warranty Deed and a regular Warranty Deed?
Unlike a Warranty Deed, where the grantor will defend the title to the property against any claims whatsoever, including those resulting from defects under any prior ownership, a Special Warranty Deed only guarantees the title against defects caused during the grantor's ownership of the property.
-
What kind of protection and risks does a Special Warranty Deed present to a buyer?
Buyers should be aware that a Special Warranty Deed does not provide as comprehensive protection as a general Warranty Deed, as it does not cover title issues that may have existed before the seller's ownership.
They should conduct thorough due diligence, including title searches and inspections, to identify any potential title issues or defects not covered by the seller's limited warranty.
-
Can a Special Warranty Deed protect against future claims?
No, a Special Warranty Deed only protects the buyer against title defects or claims that may have arisen during the seller's ownership period. It does not protect against future claims or defects that may arise after the sale.
-
How is a Special Warranty Deed executed and recorded?
To execute a Special Warranty Deed, the seller signs the deed in the presence of a notary public, and the deed is then recorded with the appropriate county or local government office where the property is located. Recording ensures that the transfer becomes part of the public record and provides notice to third parties.
