What happens when there is an error in your deed? What can you do to fix it? One option may be filing a corrective deed.

A corrective deed is an instrument used to correct a small error in a deed that has been recorded at an earlier date. Corrections can only be made to non-material errors, causing no actual change in the substance of the deed. Common mistakes include typographical errors in the legal description, misspelled names, accidentally omitted suffixes or middle initials, etc.

Major, or material, changes to the substance of the deed have a legal effect in how property is titled, and therefore require a new deed. Adding or removing a grantee, for example, or significant changes to the legal description, may all require a new deed of conveyance. When in doubt about the gravity of an error and whether a correction deed is the appropriate vehicle to address it, consult with a lawyer.

On the corrective deed, give the recording information from the previously filed document, then identify which section contains the error. Provide the correct details in the body of the deed. The corrective deed states the nature of the error and recites the date and recording information of the erroneous deed.

For the corrective deed to be valid, all parties who signed the erroneous deed must sign the corrective deed in the presence of a notarial official. If the grantor is married, Arizona requires that both spouses sign the deed (A.R.S. 33-452). Finally, the form must meet all state and local standards for recorded documents. Submit the completed corrective deed to the local recording office.

Most transfers of real property are subject to a transfer tax and must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Property Value. However, corrective deeds are exempt from both because the property has already been transferred (A.R.S. 11-1133, 11-1134).

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Contact an attorney with questions about corrective deeds or any other issues related to real property in Arizona.

(Arizona Correction Deed Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

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