In Ohio, title to real property can be transferred from one party to another by executing a grant deed. A standard grant deed conveys an interest in real property to the named grantee with covenants that the title is free of any encumbrances (except for those stated in the deed) and that the grantor holds an interest in the property and is free to convey it. These covenants should be explicitly made in the text of the deed.

In Ohio, a lawful grant deed includes the grantor's full name, mailing address, and marital status; the statement "for valuable consideration paid"; and the grantee's full name, mailing address, marital status, and vesting. Vesting describes how the grantee holds title to the property. Generally, real property is owned in either sole ownership or in co-ownership.

For Ohio residential property, the primary methods for holding title in co-ownership are tenancy in common and survivorship tenancy. An estate conveyed to two or more people is considered a tenancy in common, unless a survivorship tenancy is declared (Ohio Rev. Code Section 5302.20(a)).

As with any conveyance of realty, a grant deed requires a complete legal description of the parcel. Contact the county auditor to verify the legal description prior to recording. In Ohio, any deeds that modify a legal description or contain a new legal description require the name and address of the surveyor who created the legal description (Ohio Rev. Code Section 5301.25(B)). All new metes and bounds descriptions prepared by a registered surveyor must be accompanied by a signed and sealed plat of survey.

Ohio law requires deeds to include a reference to the instrument granting title to the current grantor (Ohio Rev. Code Section 5301.011). That document's volume and page or instrument number should appear on the face of the deed, as well as the county where the document is filed.

Ohio recognizes dower rights, which means that if a married man or woman owns an interest in real property, his or her spouse automatically holds an interest in 1/3 of the real property, if they have not relinquished or been barred from it (Ohio Rev. Code Section 2103.02). As such, if the grantor is married and his or her spouse retains dower rights to the property being conveyed, the spouse must relinquish his or her dower rights. If applicable, the spouse's name should appear on the face of the deed. Consult a lawyer with questions regarding dower rights and release.

Detail any restrictions associated with the property and sign the deed in the presence of a notary public or other authorized official. Finally, the form must meet all state and local standards for recorded documents. Submit the deed to the appropriate county auditor's office before recording, to update the county's tax list (Ohio Rev. Code Section 319.20).

Record the deed at the recorder's office in the county where the property is located. Contact the same office to confirm accepted forms of payment. A Conveyance Fee Statement (Form DTE 100, or DTE 100EX if claiming an exemption) must be signed by the grantee and filed with the deed.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Contact an attorney with questions about grant deeds, or for any other issues related to the transfer of real property in Ohio.

(Ohio Grant Deed Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

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