A deed or property deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of real property (real estate) from a seller to a buyer. A deed must state the names of the seller and the buyer and must include a complete legal description of the property being transferred.
A deed must also include the signature of the seller, which must be acknowledged (signed) by a notary public to verify the identity of the person signing the deed and for the seller to declare to the notary that the seller signed the deed willingly and voluntarily, and was not coerced into signing it.
In Michigan, a deed is an essential legal document for transferring ownership of real property from a seller (grantor) to a buyer (grantee). To be legally effective, the deed must clearly state the names of both the seller and the buyer. It must also include a complete and accurate legal description of the property, which typically references lot numbers, subdivision names, or metes and bounds descriptions. The deed must be signed by the seller, and this signature must be notarized. The notarization process involves a notary public who verifies the identity of the seller and ensures that the seller is signing the document willingly and without coercion. This process is known as acknowledgment. Once properly executed, the deed should be recorded with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located to provide public notice of the transfer and to protect the buyer's interests.