All Laws Decoded

Quitclaim Deeds and Transferring Property in Kansas

How to sign and record a quitclaim or other deed in Kansas, and whether you can use a transfer-on-death deed to avoid probate.

Short answer: A deed must be signed by the grantor or the grantor's authorized agent. It is acknowledged before a notary under Kansas notary law and recorded with the register of deeds of the county where the property is located; K.S.A. 58-2205, 58-2209, 58-2221, 79-1437c

Signing and recording a deedA deed must be signed by the grantor or the grantor's authorized agent. It is acknowledged before a notary under Kansas notary law and recorded with the register of deeds of the county where the property is located; the full name and mailing address of the person receiving the property must be given when recording. A real estate sales validation questionnaire must accompany most deeds for recording (it is not itself recorded).
Transfer-on-death deedYes. An owner can sign a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed naming one or more beneficiaries. It must be signed, acknowledged before a notary and recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the property is located before the owner's death; the statute provides the form wording. The beneficiary does not need to be told or consent, and the deed can be revoked or changed by a later recorded instrument, but not by a will. On death, title vests in the beneficiary subject to existing mortgages, liens and any state Medicaid claim.

Official forms

Free Kansas quitclaim deed template — fill in and print

More Kansas estate law

FAQ

What does a quitclaim deed need to be valid in Kansas?
A deed must be signed by the grantor or the grantor's authorized agent. It is acknowledged before a notary under Kansas notary law and recorded with the register of deeds of the county where the property is located; the full name and mailing address of the person receiving the property must be given when recording. A real estate sales validation questionnaire must accompany most deeds for recording (it is not itself recorded).
Does Kansas allow transfer-on-death deeds?
Yes. An owner can sign a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed naming one or more beneficiaries. It must be signed, acknowledged before a notary and recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the property is located before the owner's death; the statute provides the form wording. The beneficiary does not need to be told or consent, and the deed can be revoked or changed by a later recorded instrument, but not by a will. On death, title vests in the beneficiary subject to existing mortgages, liens and any state Medicaid claim.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.