General Warranty Deed Templates by State (PDF & Word)
State-specific general warranty deed templates with full title warranties. California, Texas, Florida, New York, and 8 more states. Free PDF + Word downloads.
What this hub covers
A general warranty deed transfers real property with comprehensive title warranties from the grantor — the highest level of protection for the buyer. The grantor warrants ownership in fee simple, freedom from encumbrances, right to convey, quiet enjoyment, and ongoing defense of title against all claims, including those predating the grantor’s ownership.
Why state-specific matters
Warranty deeds create substantial ongoing seller liability and must be recorded with the appropriate state county office. Recording fees, transfer taxes, and required cover-sheet formats vary by state. State-specific templates incorporate the proper recording instructions and tax notes.
Choose Your State
California
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See California requirements →Texas
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Texas requirements →Florida
Two witnesses required — the notary may serve as one. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Florida requirements →New York
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See New York requirements →Illinois
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Illinois requirements →Delaware
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Delaware requirements →Pennsylvania
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Pennsylvania requirements →Ohio
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Ohio requirements →Georgia
One witness required, and it cannot be the notary. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Georgia requirements →North Carolina
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See North Carolina requirements →Arizona
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Arizona requirements →Michigan
Notarization alone is sufficient — no witnesses required. Recording fees and cover-sheet rules are set by the county.
See Michigan requirements →Ready to draft your deed?
Our warranty deed template and online generator produce the deed body for any state. Check your county recorder’s cover-sheet and fee rules before filing.
Open the Warranty Deed TemplateSigning requirements by state (verified July 2026)
Last verified: July 2026 against state statutes and regulatory trackers. Laws change — before relying on any row below, confirm it with the official state source. How we source and update this data is described in our Editorial Policy.
Every state requires a warranty deed to be signed by the grantor and acknowledged before a notary, then recorded with the county recorder (sometimes called the register of deeds or county clerk) where the property sits. Five states additionally require witness signatures:
| State | Witnesses required | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Two witnesses | The notary may serve as one of the two. |
| Florida | Two witnesses | The notary may serve as one; witnesses required for deeds conveying property. |
| Georgia | One witness | The witness must be someone other than the notary (who signs separately). |
| Louisiana | Two witnesses | Neither witness may be the notary. |
| South Carolina | Two witnesses | The notary may serve as one of the two. |
In the remaining 45 states, notarization alone is sufficient for recording. What varies everywhere — and is set at the county level — is the recording fee, the transfer-tax or consideration statement that must accompany the deed, and formatting rules (margins, font size, cover sheets). Our template and online generator produce the deed body; check the recorder’s website for your county’s cover-page and fee requirements before filing.
How to verify: search “[your county] register of deeds recording requirements” — county recorder sites publish checklists, and many reject non-conforming deeds the same day.
Warranty Deed FAQs
What is a warranty deed?
A legal document that transfers real estate ownership while guaranteeing the grantor holds clear, marketable title and will defend it against any claim, even from before they owned it.
What is the difference between a general and special warranty deed?
A general warranty deed guarantees the title against all defects in the property's entire history. A special (limited) warranty deed only covers the period the current owner held it.
Do warranty deed requirements vary by state?
Yes. Notarization, witnessing, and recording rules differ by state and county. Confirm filing requirements with your county recorder.
Does a warranty deed need to be notarized and recorded?
In almost every state the grantor's signature must be notarized, and the deed recorded with the county to be effective against third parties.
Is a warranty deed the same as the title?
No. The deed is the instrument that transfers ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership. Recording the deed creates the public record.