Grant Deed
A grant deed conveys property ownership with limited warranties. Learn how grant deeds differ from warranty deeds and when they’re used.
Definition
A grant deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of real property from a grantor to a grantee. In a grant deed, the grantor warrants that they have not previously conveyed the property to someone else and that the property is free of undisclosed encumbrances created during their ownership. However, unlike a general warranty deed, a grant deed offers limited protection because it does not guarantee against defects arising before the grantor’s ownership. Grant deeds are commonly used in states like California and may be acceptable for simple transfers where the buyer has less need for extensive warranties.
Why It Matters
A grant deed carries a narrow promise: the seller has not already sold the property to someone else and has not created hidden encumbrances during their own ownership. It says nothing about the decades before them. That limit is fine when title insurance covers the earlier history, and a real exposure when it does not.
Examples
A grant deed transfers a Vancouver home and warrants only the seller's own period of ownership, leaving a 1970s boundary error outside its protection.
A buyer accepts a grant deed on a bank-owned property, where the lender will warrant its own tenure but nothing before the foreclosure.
A family transfers property between relatives by grant deed, which is enough because the title history is already known to everyone involved.
Tips
Match the deed to the risk. A general warranty deed covers the full chain of title, a grant deed covers only the current owner, and a quitclaim covers nothing.
Washington transfers usually use a statutory warranty deed. If someone offers a grant deed or quitclaim instead, ask directly what part of the history they are declining to stand behind.
Whichever deed you receive, buy the owner's title policy. The deed is a promise from one person, the policy is coverage from an insurer.
Related Terms
Quitclaim Deed
A quitclaim deed transfers any interest without warranties. Learn when quitclaim deeds are used and ...
Warranty Deed
A warranty deed provides the greatest title protection, with promises against prior claims. Learn di...
Deed
A deed is the legal document that transfers real property ownership. Discover types of deeds and ess...
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