As a business and real estate attorney who has prepared and reviewed hundreds of Georgia deeds over the past 12 years, I’ve helped families, investors, and business owners successfully transfer property ownership without unnecessary delays or costs. One of the most common questions I receive is: How do I transfer a property deed in Georgia myself? The good news is that in most straightforward situations—such as adding a spouse, transferring to a living trust, or gifting to children—you can do it with the correct Georgia deed transfer forms and a few simple steps.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through every aspect of how to transfer property deed in Georgia, explain which deed is right for your situation, and provide a free, attorney-drafted Georgia Quitclaim Deed and Warranty Deed template you can download instantly at the end of this article.
A deed transfer in Georgia is the legal process of changing ownership (title) of real estate from one person or entity (the grantor) to another (the grantee). Until a properly executed deed is recorded with the Superior Court Clerk in the county where the property is located, the transfer is not complete in the eyes of the state or third parties such as lenders and title companies.
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A. § 44-5-30), a deed must be in writing, signed by the grantor, witnessed by two people (one of whom must be a notary public), and delivered to be valid.
| Deed Type | Level of Protection | Most Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Quitclaim Deed | No warranty of title | Transfers between family, into trusts, divorce settlements |
| Warranty Deed | Full warranties | Traditional real estate sales with title insurance |
| Limited Warranty Deed | Warranties only during grantor’s ownership | Bank-owned (REO) and investor sales |
| Security Deed | Mortgage document | Used when borrowing money (not a transfer of ownership) |
For 85% of non-sale transfers I handle for clients, we use a Georgia quitclaim deed because it is simple, fast, and requires no title search when transferring between trusted parties.
Download the proper form for your situation. I’ve made my two most-requested templates available for free below.
Required information includes:
Georgia still requires two witnesses in 2025—one must be the notary. Remote online notarization (RON) is now fully accepted under O.C.G.A. § 44-2-26.
Most non-sale transfers (love and affection, to trusts, between spouses) are exempt from transfer tax. You still must file the electronic PT-61 form at gsccca.org and print the confirmation page to attach to your deed.
Recording fees in 2025 average $25–$45 for the first five pages plus $2 per additional page. Many counties (Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, etc.) now require eRecording through services like Simplifile or CSC.
Click the links below to instantly download my attorney-drafted, county-accepted templates:
These templates have been used successfully in all 159 Georgia counties and are updated for the 2025 recording requirements.
According to the Georgia Department of Revenue and O.C.G.A. § 48-6-2, the following transfers are exempt when the correct exemption code is listed on the PT-61:
Source: Georgia Department of Revenue – Real Estate Transfer Tax
For simple transfers between family members or into your own trust, most people successfully use the templates above. However, I always recommend consulting a licensed Georgia real estate attorney if:
Can I file a deed online in Georgia?
Yes—over 110 counties now accept eRecording. Check your county at gsccca.org.
How long does it take for a deed to show up after recording?
Typically 2–6 weeks for the physical deed to be returned, but the transfer is effective the moment it is recorded.
Does Georgia have a transfer tax on quitclaim deeds?
Only if actual money changes hands above $100. Most family transfers are $0 tax.
Transferring a property deed in Georgia in 2025 is straightforward when you use the correct Georgia deed transfer forms and follow the recording requirements. Thousands of Georgians save $500–$2,000 every year by handling simple transfers themselves using attorney-drafted templates.
Download your free Georgia quitclaim or warranty deed template today and complete your transfer with confidence.
Disclaimer: This article and the free templates provided are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change and your situation may have unique factors. Always consult a licensed Georgia attorney or title professional before recording any deed. Sources: Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), Georgia Department of Revenue, O.C.G.A. Title 44.