It is common for county recorders to reject a deed because it does not contain all the necessary information. In addition, there is information on the deed that will be helpful for those insuring title later on down the road. For example, the buyers’ marital status is important because someday they will be deeding the property out and the marital status will help identify necessary grantors for that transaction.

Ideally, a deed will contain all of the following:

1. unconditional signatures of all title holders (see our Claims Corner article on Omitted Mortgagor);

2. marital status for the buyer and seller;

3. date the deed was signed;

4. legal description; property address;

5. permanent index number;

6. homestead language when appropriate; and

7. language for transfer stamp exemptions, where appropriate.

Questions? Find more information in the Underwriting Index topics below:

Deed Elements and Recording Requirements in Illinois

Recording Requirements Strictly Enforced

Indiana Recording Requirements and Title Insurance Enforcement Fund

For more information, contact the Underwriting Department at 800.252.0402, ext. 2020, 312.752.1990, or legal@atgf.com. For Wisconsin, please contact ATG Wisconsin Operations at Wisconsin@atgf.com, 800.788.8989 or 262.347.0102.