About Deed Document Preparation
Deed preparation requires accurate owner, grantee, legal-description and vesting information. Recording packages may also require transfer declarations, preliminary ownership reports or county-specific cover sheets.
A deed can affect ownership, taxes, financing, benefits and estate planning. The customer must provide the requested deed type and vesting; the office cannot recommend how title should be held or advise about consequences.
California availability: This page concerns self-help document preparation for California matters. Services, procedures and pricing vary by independently owned office.
Documents and information commonly requested
The exact package depends on the customer’s selected service, instructions and local requirements. Common items may include:
- Grant or quitclaim deed when selected
- Legal property description
- Vesting language supplied by customer
- Change-of-ownership report
- Transfer-tax declaration
- Recording cover documents
How document preparation works
Provide the current recorded deed, assessor information and exact transfer and vesting instructions. The office prepares the selected documents and explains any courier or recording service it offers.
You remain responsible for reviewing the completed documents, confirming that your information and directions were entered correctly, signing where required and meeting applicable deadlines. Ask the local office which clerical filing, recording, publication, notary or service options it offers.
Common questions
What does deed document preparation include?
Where offered, preparation may include a customer-selected deed, ownership report, transfer declaration and recording cover documents.
Is deed document preparation available at every California By The People office?
No. Service availability, process, timing and pricing vary among independently owned California offices. Contact the office that would prepare your documents.
Can a By The People office tell me what choices to make?
No. The customer must select the service and provide the decisions and information used to prepare the documents. Offices do not provide legal advice or representation.
Are filing, recording, publication or service fees included?
Third-party charges are separate unless the local office specifically states otherwise in its written quote.