Updated July 12, 2022
An Iowa deed form is used to convey real property or real estate from a grantor (seller) to a grantor (buyer). There are different deeds for different purposes. A warranty deed provides a guarantee to the buyer that the seller has clear title to the property. A quitclaim provides no guarantee. In every case, however, it is recommended that a thorough property search, also known as a title search, be completed before the transaction is consummated. Once deeds are signed and notarized, they must be filed with the recorder in the county in which the property is located.
Laws – Title XIV (Property), Chapter 558. Conveyances
Recording ( I.C.A. § 558.13 ) – All Deeds must be filed along with Groundwater Hazard bbin电竞官网官方永久ment & Declaration of Value at the County Recording Office in the property’s jurisdiction ( See County List ).
Signing ( I.C.A § 558.20 ) – A deed must be acknowledged by a notary public in the bbin电竞官网官方永久 of Iowa.
Deed Types
General Warranty – A general warranty deed is used to convey property with a guarantee from the seller running to the buyer. The seller guarantees that he or she has clear title to the property and will defend the buyer against any other claims that arise prior to the buyer’s purchase of the property.
Quit Claim – A quit claim is different from the warranty in that it provides no guarantee from the seller that he or she has a clean title or even any interest int he property. The buyer is buying whatever interest if any, the seller has in the property.
Special Warranty – The special warranty is something in between a quit claim and a warranty. It provides a guarantee from the seller to the buyer that seller has not allowed the property to be encumbered since the time that the grantor owned the property. The grantor makes no guarantee about any claims that arise before grantor acquired the property.
Iowa Property Search
A property search is necessary for the buyer to complete if he or she wants to ensure that he or she knows what exactly is being bought. This is a way to go back for a period of fifty years to see all of the times transfers of interest were recorded for the property. In order to conduct a search, you should have the name of the grantor. You can always go to the county recorders office to do a search or many states offer online searches. Iowa has a statewide search procedure that requires you to set up an account:
Step 1 – Go to This Webpage .
Step 2 – Click on “Become a Registered User” and you will be brought to a terms and conditions page.
Step 3 – Read the notices and conditions and check the boxes indicating you understand the terms and then fill in the numbers shown at the bottom and hit “submit”. You will then be brought to a page where you enter your information and click “submit”.
Step 4 – Once you create your account, you will be able to choose a county and search by your grantor’s name and begin a title search of the subject property.