What is a Quitclaim Deed in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, a quitclaim deed is used to transfer property from an owner (“Grantor”) to a new owner (“Grantee”), without any promises or guarantees about the property’s title. Quitclaim deeds are a quick way to transfer property but they offer the lowest security among real estate deeds in Mississippi.
The most common use of quitclaim deeds is between parties with high levels of trust, such as family members or close friends.
What is the Difference Between a Quitclaim Deed and a Warranty Deed in Mississippi?
The main difference between quitclaim deeds and warranty deeds in Mississippi is that a quitclaim deed provides less security to the Grantee.
A warranty deed provides legal protection to the new owner because it confirms that the Grantor owns the property and has the right to make a transfer.
Warranty deeds are mostly used for real estate transactions in Mississippi. Quitclaim deeds, on the other hand, are used for transfers between family and friends.
How Do Quitclaim Deeds Work in Mississippi?
Laws surrounding quitclaim deeds are found in Chapter 89 of the Mississippi Code, titled Real and Personal Property.
In Mississippi, a quitclaim deed must clearly state the Grantor’s intention to “quitclaim” and “release” the property to the Grantee. Terms such as “grant, bargain, sale,” which imply warranty, are avoided.
In most Mississippi counties, quitclaim deeds are filed at the Chancery Court Clerk’s Office where the property is located. However, ten counties have two recording districts.
If the property falls within one of the counties listed below, the deed must be filed according to the corresponding district:
- Bolivar County – Cleveland, Rosedale
- Carroll County – Carrollton, Vaiden
- Chickasaw County – Houston, Okolona
- Hinds County – Jackson, Raymond
- Harrison County – Gulfport, Biloxi
- Jasper County- Bay Springs, Paulding
- Jones County – Ellisville, Laurel
- Panola County – Batesville, Sardis
- Tallahatchie County – Charleston, Sumner
- Yalobusha County – Coffeeville, Water Valley
Can You Prepare Your Own Quitclaim Deed in Mississippi?
You can prepare your own quitclaim deed in Mississippi. A professional drafter is not legally required.
The information of the individual who drafted the deed, however, must be listed under “Prepared by,” including their name, address, and phone number. If an attorney or a surveyor is involved, their bar number or license must also be included.
Mississippi Quitclaim Deed Requirements
For the quitclaim deed to be legally valid in Mississippi, it must follow certain state-specific rules.
Formatting Requirements
Formatting requirements for quitclaim deeds in Mississippi include:
- Paper: 20lb weight; clear white colored only.
- Font size: minimum ten points.
- Text color: must be black, blue, or any dark color clearly reproducible.
- Margins: first page, minimum 3 inches on top for Recorder; minimum 0.75 inches on all remaining pages and sides.
- Single-side print only.
- No permanent binding; no stapling attachments; individual pages may be stapled.
First Page Requirements
The following content is required to be on the first page (below the 3-inch margin) of all quitclaim deeds filed in Mississippi, after July 2009:
- The Grantor’s name and address.
- The Grantee’s name and address.
- The preparer’s name, address, and phone number.
- Return name and address.
- The title “Quitclaim.”
- Property’s legal description.
- If an existing description is used, include the previous deed’s book, page number, and date of registration.
- The following guidelines should be followed when drafting the property’s legal description:
- Include descriptors such as section, township, range, and, if available, one or more quarter sections.
- List determinable sections or subdivisions where available.
- Include officially platted subdivisions, official surveys, or commonly used unofficial subdivisions or surveys.
If there isn’t enough space on the first page for all required information, include the reference to the page where the information is found.
Content Requirements
The remaining content requirements for quitclaim deeds in Mississippi include:
- Property address.
- Property’s homestead status.
- Taxpayer’s name and mailing address.
- Granting clause – a statement describing the transfer the parties have agreed to.
- Consideration clause – the value or the amount of money exchanged.
Who Signs a Quitclaim Deed in Mississippi?
For a quitclaim deed to be legally valid in Mississippi, it must be signed by the Grantor. A notary public must acknowledge the Grantor’s signature.
If the Grantor is married and the property is identified as a homestead, both spouses must sign the quitclaim deed. Alternatively, a spousal waiver of homestead rights can be signed and attached.
How to File a Quitclaim Deed in Mississippi
Here’s how to file a quitclaim deed in Mississippi:
- Prepare the quitclaim deed with the required information.
- Property Disclosure Statement.
- The Grantor must complete and provide a Property Disclosure Statement to the Grantee before the quitclaim deed is executed.
- A few transfers that are generally filed under quitclaim deeds are exempt from the Disclosure Statement requirement, including:
- Property transfers between close relatives.
- Transfers between spouses due to divorce or separation.
- Transfers of property without dwellings.
- Transfers ordered by a court.
- Transfers between co-owners.
- Once the quitclaim deed is executed, ensure the Grantor’s signature is acknowledged before a notary public.
- Finally, file the quitclaim deed at the Chancery Court Clerk’s Office in the county where the property is located.
How Much Does it Cost to File a Quitclaim Deed in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the minimum charges for filing a quitclaim deed are as follows:
- Base fee for first 5 pages: $25.
- Each additional page: $1.
- Archiving fee: $1.
- Additional recorder’s fee for noncompliant deeds: $1o.
What Taxes Are Owed on Quitclaim Deeds in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, property transfers, including transfers through quitclaim deeds, are not subject to transfer taxes. However, annual property taxes may still apply.
Moreover, federal taxes such as Gift Tax and Capital Gains Tax may also be applicable.
How Long Does a Quitclaim Deed Take to be Recorded in Mississippi?
The time it takes to record a quitclaim deed in Mississippi varies based on the county, however, most Clerk’s offices process the deed within a day.
What Happens After a Quitclaim Deed is Recorded in Mississippi?
Once a quitclaim deed is submitted to the county Clerk’s Office, it is initially checked to ensure compliance with regulations. The document is then indexed, scanned, and archived in the county’s records. The quitclaim deed will be accessible to the public within a few business days.
How Long Are Quitclaim Deeds Valid For in Mississippi?
There is no expiration for quitclaim deeds in Mississippi. However, the statute of limitations to recover property in Mississippi is 10 years.
Sources
- 1 MS Code § 89-1-37
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Effect of a conveyance without warranty. A conveyance without any warranty shall operate to transfer the title and possession of the grantor as a quitclaim and release.
- 2 MS Code § 89-1-33
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Effect of word “warrant” in conveyance. The word “warrant” without restrictive words in a conveyance shall have the effect of embracing all of the five (5) covenants known to common law, to wit: seizin, power to sell, freedom from incumbrance, quiet enjoyment and warranty of title.
- 3 MS Code § 89-1-39
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Effect of quitclaim and release. A conveyance of quitclaim and release shall be sufficient to pass all the estate or interest the grantor has in the land conveyed, and shall estop the grantor and his heirs from asserting a subsequently acquired adverse title to the lands conveyed.
Source Link - 4 MS Code § 89-1-41
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“The words “grant, bargain, sell,” shall operate as an express covenant to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, that the grantor was seized of an estate, free from incumbrance made or suffered by the grantor, except the rents and services that may be reserved
Source Link - 5 MS Code § 89-5-25 (1)
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How instrument recorded and indexed; records public; copies. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the chancery court to whom any written instrument is delivered to be recorded.. to record the same without delay, together with the acknowledgments of proofs and the certificates thereof, and also the plats of surveys..
- 6 Recording Districts
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Records in counties divided into two districts., Where it is not now so provided by law, in any county divided into two (2) districts for circuit and chancery courts…. and all conveyances shall thereafter be recorded only in the proper district..
II. State of MS Judiciary Administrative Office of Courts
Chancery Court Clerks, last updated January 17, 2024. Bolivar County Chancery Court Clerk 1st District, Rosedale, 2nd District Brenett N. Haynes Cleveland.. Carroll County Chancery Court Clerk 1st District..
- 7 MS Code § 89-5-24 (2)(a)
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Each document or instrument.. presented for recording shall have that information on the first page below the three-inch margin: The name, physical business mailing address and business or employment telephone number of the individual who prepared the document..
- 8 MS Code § 89-5-33.
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Every surveyor or other person who prepares a legal description of land or who prepares an instrument utilizing an existing description … To be accepted for recording, an instrument shall state the name, address and telephone number of the person, entity or firm preparing it. If prepared by an attorney, the instrument shall also include the attorney’s Mississippi bar number..
- 9 MS Code § 89-5-24 (1)
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Each document or instrument shall consist of one or more individual pages printed only on one (1) side. The document or instrument shall not consist of pages that are permanently bound ..printed or typed in a font no smaller than ten-point in size…. shall be on white paper of not less than twenty-pound weight..
- 10 MS Code § 89-5-24 (2)
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Each document or instrument, other than a plat..shall have that information on the first page below the three-inch margin.. name, mailing address and telephone number of every grantor, grantee. The following documents or instruments are exempt from the format requirements of this section: A document or instrument that was executed before July 1, 2009.
- 11 MS Code§ 89-5-33 (3)
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Every surveyor or other person who prepares a legal description of land .. shall (except as herein provided) include an indexing instruction which shall state the section, township and range and one or more quarter sections or governmental lots or other applicable subdivisions of each section in which the land is located..
Source Link - 12 Acknowledgement
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Land to be conveyed only by writing. An estate of inheritance or freehold, or for a term of more than one (1) year, in lands shall not be conveyed from one to another unless the conveyance be declared by writing signed and delivered.
II. MS Code § 89-3-3
Every conveyance, contract or agreement proper to be recorded, may be acknowledged…, or any judge of the county court, or before any clerk of a court of record or notary public..
- 13 MS Code § 89-1-29
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A conveyance, mortgage, deed of trust or other incumbrance upon a homestead exempted from execution shall not be valid or binding unless signed by the spouse of the owner if the owner is married and living with the spouse or by an attorney in fact for the spouse..
- 14 MS Code § 89-1-503(1)
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The transferor of any real property.. shall deliver to the prospective transferee the written property condition disclosure statement.. (a) In the case of a sale, as soon as practicable before transfer of title. (b) In the case of transfer by a real property sales contract..
- 15 MS Code § 89-1-501 (2)
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Applicability of real estate transfer disclosure requirement provisions. There are specifically excluded from the provisions of Sections 89-1-501 through 89-1-523.. Transfers made to a spouse, or to a person or persons in the lineal line of consanguinity of one or more of the transferors.. Transfers between spouses resulting from a decree of dissolution of marriage
- 16 Fees
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I. MS Code § 25-7-9 (1)
The clerks of the chancery courts shall charge the following fees. .. for each complete document.$ 1; Recording each deed.. per book and page listed where applicable.. any other document, for the first five (5) pages.$ 25; Each additional page. . . . .$ 1.00; Each additional page. . . . . $ 1.00..
II. MS Code § 89-5-24 (4)
The recorder shall record a document or instrument that does not substantially conform to the format standards specified.. payment of an additional recording fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per document or instrument.
- 17 MS Code § 15-1-7
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Limitations applicable to actions to recover land. A person may not make an entry or commence an action to recover land except within ten years next after the time at which the right to make the entry or to bring the action shall have first accrued to some person through whom he claims..