You may legally add someone else's name to the title of your property at any time. Doing so gives the other person partial ownership of the land. Adding a name to a land title is known as "transferring" the title--even if your name remains on the deed as well. This is a common practice for individuals who get married and want to add their new spouse to the land title or would like to give adult children a valid claim to the property. Although a quit claim deed is often used to remove an individual's name from a land title, it can also be used to add a name.
Step 1
Discuss your decision with anyone who jointly owns the property with you. Adding an additional person to the land title without the permission of a joint property holder could have legal consequences. Make sure all property owners are in full approval of adding someone else to the land title before you do so.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Obtain a quit claim deed form. You may download this form online for a fee, request one from your attorney, or type one up yourself if you are certain of the exact information you need to include.
Step 3
Fill out the required information about the property such as its location address, size and current monetary value.
Step 4
List your name and the names of any other property owners in the section of the deed marked "Grantor."
Step 5
List the names of all current property owners, in addition to the new owner, in the section marked "Grantee."
Step 6
Take the quit claim deed to a notary public to have the document notarized. Provide a copy of the new deed to each person who holds a stake in the property.
Step 7
File the notarized deed at the land records office in the county where the property is located. This office is usually called the County Clerk's Office, County Recorder's Office, Register of Deeds or Land Registry Office, depending on the county and state in which it is located.
Tip
Not all quit claim deeds will look exactly the same. That is OK. As long as the deed contains the required information and valid signatures, it can be considered legally binding.
Warning
If you are adding someone to the title who is not an immediate family member, this could result in higher property taxes. Whenever there is a change in the ownership of a property, it gives the tax assessor the right to adjust the value of the property and increase the property taxes.
If you add someone’s name to your land title to help them qualify for a loan or credit, you could lose your home if the individual fails to repay the debt.
Video of the Day