Georgia Deed Change Checklist
For gift and divorce transfers: adding or removing a spouse, giving property to family, or a divorce transfer
Use this before you order. Our order form takes about 10 minutes.
1. Is this a gift or divorce transfer?
- Gift: no money changes hands. Examples: adding a spouse, adding or removing a family member, or giving the home to a child.
- Divorce transfer: one spouse takes the home from the other, including when one spouse buys out the other's share.
- Not covered by this checklist: a sale to a buyer, a closing where money goes to a seller, property outside Georgia, or ownership that's in dispute.
2. Who's on your deed today?
- Get a copy of your most recent recorded deed. You can get it from your county's Clerk of Superior Court, or we can retrieve one for you at georgiapropertydeed.com/get-copy-of-deed/.
- Write each owner's name exactly as it appears on that deed. Record names matter. If a name has changed since (marriage or divorce), note both.
3. Details to have ready
- Property address and county
- Parcel ID number (on your property tax bill or the county assessor's website)
- Full legal names of everyone who will own the home after the change
- How the new owners will hold title (for example, jointly with right of survivorship). Not sure which is right for you? That's a question for your own attorney.
- Divorce transfers: have your final divorce decree handy.
4. Who signs, and how
- Each current owner who is giving up or sharing ownership signs the new deed.
- Georgia deeds are signed in front of a notary plus one other witness who isn't named on the deed. Any notary works, such as at your bank or a shipping store, or you can add our mobile notary (+$150).
- Each signer brings a current government-issued photo ID.
5. Good to know
- Changing the deed doesn't change who owes the mortgage. Ask your lender about the loan.
- Property tax: this year's bill stays in the prior name, and next year's is updated to the new owner. Ask your county tax assessor whether you need to file or update a homestead exemption.
- For gift tax, income tax or transfer tax questions about your situation, ask a tax professional.
6. Cost and timing with georgiapropertydeed.com
- $295 flat: title search, attorney-prepared deed, prepaid FedEx return label and county recording included. Optional mobile notary: +$150.
- Your deed is prepared within 2 business days. After you sign and send it back, we file it with the county, and recording takes up to 1 week. It's about 2 weeks from order to recorded deed.
7. Share this with anyone else involved
| Who needs to see this before you order? | Name | Have they looked it over? |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse / co-owner / family member | ____________ | ☐ |
| ____________ | ____________ | ☐ |
Agree on three things together: who signs, the exact names, and how title will be held.
Ready? Start your deed transfer at georgiapropertydeed.com/start-your-deed-transfer/. The form takes about 10 minutes.
Questions? Call (404) 939-6223, Mon–Fri 9–5 ET.
We are a document-preparation service, not a law firm, and we don't give legal advice. Deeds are attorney-prepared.