Conveyance is the legal process of transferring ownership of real property from one party to another. It is the formal act of making someone the new owner — and it requires specific legal steps to be valid. The primary instrument of conveyance is the deed, which must be properly drafted, signed by the grantor (seller), acknowledged before a notary, physically delivered to the grantee (buyer), and recorded with the county recorder's office to provide constructive notice to the world.
Different types of deeds provide different levels of protection for the buyer. A general warranty deed offers the strongest protection — the grantor guarantees clear title and warrants against all defects, past and present. A special warranty deed offers limited warranties — only against defects that arose during the grantor's ownership. A quitclaim deed offers no warranties at all — the grantor simply conveys whatever interest they may have, without any guarantee that they actually own anything. The type of deed used depends on the transaction type, the relationship between parties, and local custom.
For a conveyance to be legally effective, several elements must be present. The grantor must have legal capacity (be of sound mind and legal age) and must act voluntarily — a deed signed under duress or coercion can be voided. The deed must contain a valid legal description that accurately identifies the property being conveyed. The deed must include words of conveyance (such as "grant," "convey," or "transfer"). And the deed must be delivered to and accepted by the grantee — merely signing a deed is not enough; it must actually be given to the new owner.
Recording the deed is technically not required for the conveyance to be effective between the buyer and seller — but it is essential for protecting the buyer's rights against third parties. An unrecorded deed means the public records still show the old owner, which could allow the grantor to sell the same property to someone else or take out a new mortgage against it. Recording provides constructive notice that eliminates these risks.
At closing, the conveyance is completed when the deed is signed and delivered. The title company then records the deed with the county, typically on the same day or the next business day. At Beycome Title, we prepare the deed, coordinate notarization, and handle recording — ensuring the conveyance is properly executed every step of the way. Get your free closing quote.