Grant deed

A grant deed is used in some states and jurisdictions for the sale or other transfer of real property from one person or entity to another. Each party transferring an interest in the property, called the grantor, is required to sign it, and the signatures must be acknowledged before a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths. The grantor makes two guarantees to the grantee: that the property has not been sold to anyone else, and that it is not under any liens or restrictions not already disclosed to the buyer. Some jurisdictions use the warranty deed instead, which adds a guarantee that the grantor will defend the title against third-party claims, and the quitclaim deed is also sometimes used, though it is most often used to disclaim an interest. Before such deeds, transfer was made by a recognized act such as handing the buyer a handful of soil while reciting prescribed words before witnesses, called livery of seisin.