What is a Florida Quitclaim Deed?
A Florida Quitclaim Deed is a legal instrument used to transfer whatever ownership interest a grantor holds in Florida real property to a grantee without covenants or title warranties. It is governed primarily by Florida Statutes Chapter 689.
Because Florida quitclaim deeds do not guarantee clear title, they are most commonly utilized for transfers between related parties, correcting typographical errors on prior deeds, or complying with marital settlement agreements.
Common Use Cases in Florida:
- Interspousal & Divorce Transfers: Removing an ex-spouse's name from real property following a Florida dissolution of marriage.
- Adding a Spouse to Title: Creating a tenancy by the entirety between married spouses.
- Estate Planning: Transferring Florida property into a Revocable Living Trust to bypass Florida probate administration.
- Removing Clouds on Title: Relinquishing inherited co-owner claims to facilitate a clean title search.
Crucial Rule: If you record a deed in Florida signed only by a notary without two independent adult witnesses, the conveyance is voidable under Florida law and cannot convey legal marketable title.
Legal & Statutory Requirements
To ensure this document is legally enforceable and accepted by administrative or judicial authorities, comply with these key statutory rules:
- Two Subscribing Witnesses (Fla. Stat. § 689.01): Florida law strictly requires that the grantor sign in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the deed as witnesses. One witness may also be the notary public, provided a second separate witness signs.
- Notary Acknowledgment: The deed must be acknowledged by a Florida notary public with proper jurat/acknowledgment certificate.
- Documentary Stamp Tax (Fla. Stat. § 201.02): Florida imposes a real estate transfer tax on deeds of $0.70 per $100 of consideration (Miami-Dade County is $0.60 per $100 for single family residences). If there is an existing mortgage on the property, doc stamps are owed on the remaining mortgage balance even for a gift transfer!
- Clerk Margin & Formatting (Fla. Stat. § 695.26): Requires a 3-inch top margin on the first page for the recording stamp, and 1-inch margins on other pages.
Step-by-Step Preparation & Filing Guide
Verify Legal Description & Parcel ID
Retrieve the complete legal description and 12-digit Property Appraiser Parcel ID (PIN) from the County Property Appraiser website.
Calculate Florida Documentary Stamp Taxes
Determine the total consideration or existing mortgage balance to compute the required Florida Doc Stamp tax ($0.70 per $100).
Execute Before Two Witnesses AND a Notary
Grantor signs in front of two independent adult witnesses and a licensed Notary Public. Both witnesses must print and sign their names.
Record with the Clerk of the Circuit Court
Deliver the original deed to the Recording Division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller in the county where the property is located.
Standard Florida Quitclaim Deed Preview
Review the standard format below. You can copy the template or use official packages directly for guaranteed acceptance.
QUITCLAIM DEED
THIS QUITCLAIM DEED, executed this _____ day of __________________, 20__, by first party, Grantor, [GRANTOR NAME], whose post office address is [Grantor Address], to second party, Grantee, [GRANTEE NAME], whose post office address is [Grantee Address].
WITNESSETH, that the said Grantor, for and in consideration of the sum of $10.00 in hand paid by the said Grantee, does hereby remise, release, and quitclaim unto the said Grantee forever, all the right, title, interest, claim, and demand which the said Grantor has in and to the following described lot, piece, or parcel of land, situate, lying, and being in the County of [County Name], State of Florida, to wit:
[INSERT FULL LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT, BLOCK, PLAT BOOK, AND PAGE AS RECORDED IN PUBLIC RECORDS OF [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, FLORIDA]
Parcel Identification Number: ________________________
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of:
FIRST WITNESS:
Witness 1 Signature: _______________________ Name: _______________________
SECOND WITNESS:
Witness 2 Signature: _______________________ Name: _______________________
GRANTOR:
Grantor Signature: _______________________ Name: _______________________
STATE OF FLORIDA, COUNTY OF _______________
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me by means of [ ] physical presence or [ ] online notarization, this _____ day of __________________, 20__, by [Grantor Name], who is personally known to me or produced ______________________ as identification.
Notary Public, State of Florida
My Commission Expires: ____________________
Free Word Document (.DOCX) & PDF Downloads
Whether you need to edit this document in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or print a blank PDF to fill out with pen and ink, we provide both standard file formats at no charge:
1. Florida Quitclaim Deed Word Document (.docx)
The Florida Quitclaim Deed Word document (.docx) is completely unlocked and customizable. You can type in names, paste complex legal terms or property descriptions directly, and format required signature blocks. Fully compatible with Microsoft Word 2016+, Office 365, LibreOffice, and Google Docs.
2. Florida Quitclaim Deed PDF Form (.pdf)
The Florida Quitclaim Deed PDF download is pre-scaled to standard Letter paper (8.5" x 11") with 1-inch margins required by recording offices and judicial clerks. It includes all necessary statutory notices and signature blocks formatted to guarantee filing compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record a Florida quitclaim deed without witnesses?
How much is the documentary stamp tax on a Florida deed?
Does a spouse have to sign a quitclaim deed in Florida?
Need the Verified Florida Quitclaim Deed Package?
Ensure your legal documents comply with all governing statutes on the first submission without rejection fees or legal delays.