How to Transfer Property Title in Maricopa County Using a Quitclaim Deed

Whether you're transferring property to a family member, removing an ex-spouse from a title after a divorce, or reorganizing assets into a trust, a quitclaim deed is one of the most commonly used legal instruments in Maricopa County. For Phoenix residents navigating property law, understanding exactly how this process works and what can go wrong is essential before signing anything.

At The Legal Pass, we work with Phoenix-area residents every day to ensure their real estate documents are properly executed, notarized, and filed. This guide walks you through the entire process of transferring property title in Maricopa County using a quitclaim deed.

What Is a Quitclaim Deed?

A quitclaim deed is a legal document that transfers whatever ownership interest the grantor (the person giving up the property) holds in a piece of real estate to the grantee (the person receiving it). Unlike a warranty deed, a quitclaim deed makes no guarantees about the title's history or whether it is free of liens and encumbrances.

This makes quitclaim deeds ideal for:

Transferring property between family members (parents to children, spouses to one another)
Removing a name from a title after divorce
Moving real estate into or out of a living trust
Clearing up title defects or cloud on title issues
Gifting property with no monetary exchange

If you're buying a property from a stranger and want clean title protection, you would typically use a warranty deed instead. But for most intra-family or estate-planning transfers in Phoenix, a quitclaim deed is fast, simple, and effective.

Arizona Quitclaim Deed Requirements

Arizona law (A.R.S. § 33-401 et seq.) governs real property conveyances in the state, and Maricopa County has specific recording requirements that must be met for a deed to be valid and accepted.

A properly executed Arizona quitclaim deed must include:

The full legal name of the grantor: exactly as it appears on the current title
The full legal name of the grantee: including how they wish to hold title (sole and separate property, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, community property, etc.)
The legal description of the property: not just the street address, but the official legal description from the county records
The consideration amount: even if the property is a gift, Arizona requires a dollar figure (often listed as "$10 and other valuable consideration")
The grantor's notarized signature: the grantor must sign before a licensed Arizona notary public
An Affidavit of Property Value (APV): required by Arizona's Department of Revenue unless an exemption applies

Failure to include any of these elements can result in rejection by the Maricopa County Recorder's Office.

Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Property Title in Phoenix

Step 1: Gather Your Current Deed Information

Start by locating your existing deed. You can find it through the Maricopa County Recorder's Office website at recorder.maricopa.gov. Search for your property by name or address. Print or save the official legal description: this is different from your mailing address and must appear verbatim on your new deed.

Step 2: Determine How the Grantee Will Hold Title

Arizona law offers several ways to hold real property title, each with different implications for inheritance, taxation, and legal ownership:

Sole and Separate Property: owned individually, with no community property claim
Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship: two or more owners; upon death, the survivor automatically inherits the deceased's share without probate
Community Property: available to married couples; both spouses share equal ownership
Community Property with Right of Survivorship: combines the benefits of community property and automatic survivorship
Tenancy in Common: two or more people own specified shares; no automatic survivorship

Choosing the wrong form of ownership can have serious estate planning and tax consequences. If you're unsure which to use, The Legal Pass recommends consulting with an Arizona estate planning attorney before proceeding.

Step 3: Draft the Quitclaim Deed

You can obtain a quitclaim deed form from various sources, but accuracy is critical. The deed must match Arizona's statutory requirements and Maricopa County's formatting rules. Common errors include:

Using the wrong legal description
Misspelling the grantor's or grantee's name
Failing to include the correct county (Maricopa)
Omitting the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)

The Maricopa County Assessor's Parcel Number (found on your property tax statement) should be included on the deed for easy cross-referencing, though it is not legally required.

Step 4: Complete the Affidavit of Property Value

The Arizona Affidavit of Property Value (APV) is a separate form required by the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) for most real property transfers. It reports the sale or transfer price, which is used to determine whether transfer taxes or other fees apply.

Certain transfers are exempt from the APV requirement, including:

Transfers between spouses
Transfers into a revocable living trust
Certain corporate or LLC reorganizations
Deeds made pursuant to court order

Make sure you check the current ADOR exemption list, as these rules are updated periodically.

Step 5: Sign Before a Notary Public

The grantor, and in some cases the grantee, must sign the quitclaim deed in the presence of a licensed Arizona notary public. The notary will verify the signer's identity using government-issued photo ID, witness the signature, and apply their official notarial seal.

If you're unable to visit a notary's office, The Legal Pass offers mobile notary services throughout Phoenix and the greater Maricopa County area, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Glendale. We come to your home, hospital, care facility, or business, wherever is most convenient for you.

Step 6: Record the Deed with the Maricopa County Recorder

Once signed and notarized, the deed must be recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder's Office. As of 2025, the recording fee is $15 for the first page and $7 for each additional page. You can record in person at:

Maricopa County Recorder's Office 111 S. Third Avenue, Suite 103 Phoenix, AZ 85003

Or you can mail the documents with a check payable to the Maricopa County Recorder. E-recording through authorized vendors is also available for title companies and law firms.

The deed becomes legally effective upon recording.

Step 7: Notify the Maricopa County Assessor

After recording, notify the Maricopa County Assessor's Office of the ownership change. This ensures your property tax records are updated. You can do this by submitting a copy of the recorded deed to:

Maricopa County Assessor's Office 301 W. Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003

Common Mistakes Phoenix Residents Make with Quitclaim Deeds

Even well-intentioned property transfers can go sideways. Here are the most common errors we see at The Legal Pass:

Signing without a notary: an unnotarized deed will not be accepted for recording
Using the street address instead of the legal description: this can invalidate the deed entirely
Not researching existing liens: a quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has, including liens and encumbrances; the grantee takes on any existing problems
Forgetting to update homeowner's insurance: the policy may become void if the named insured changes
Not consulting about mortgage due-on-sale clauses: transferring a property with a mortgage may trigger the lender's due-on-sale clause

How The Legal Pass Helps Phoenix Residents Transfer Property

The Legal Pass is a professional document preparation and mobile notary service based in Phoenix, Arizona. We help residents throughout Maricopa County with:

Preparing legally accurate Arizona quitclaim deeds
Completing and filing the Affidavit of Property Value
Mobile notarization at your location: day, evening, or weekend
Guidance on Maricopa County Recorder filing procedures
Follow-up to confirm successful recording

We are not a law firm, and we do not provide legal advice. For complex situations, such as contested ownership, estate disputes, or title defects, we always recommend consulting a licensed Arizona real estate attorney.

Ready to Transfer Property in Maricopa County?

Don't risk a costly mistake on one of your most valuable assets. Contact The Legal Pass today to schedule a consultation or mobile notary appointment anywhere in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, or Glendale.

📞 Call or text us to book your appointment.
🌐 Visit our website to learn more about our Phoenix-area legal document services.

The Legal Pass is a document preparation service. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. For legal guidance, please consult a licensed Arizona attorney.