The grantor is the person or entity transferring ownership of real property through a deed. In a standard home sale, the seller is the grantor — they are "granting" ownership to the buyer (the grantee). The grantor must have legal authority to convey the property, must act voluntarily, and must sign the deed in the presence of a notary public for the deed to be valid and recordable.
Verifying the grantor's authority to convey is a critical part of the title search and closing process. If the property is owned by multiple parties — such as a married couple or co-owners — all owners must sign as grantors. A deed signed by only one co-owner conveys only that person's interest, not the entire property. If the property is held in a trust, the trustee signs as grantor on behalf of the trust, and the title company must verify the trustee's authority through the trust agreement. Corporate-owned property requires an authorized officer to sign, supported by a corporate resolution.
The grantor's marital status can also affect the conveyance. In many states, a married person's spouse may have property rights (such as homestead rights, dower, or curtesy) even if they are not on the title. To ensure a complete conveyance, the non-titled spouse may need to join in signing the deed or sign a separate waiver. Florida's homestead laws, for example, require both spouses to sign the deed when selling a homestead property, regardless of whether both names are on the title.
The type of deed the grantor uses determines the level of warranties they provide. A general warranty deed creates the broadest personal liability — the grantor warrants the title against all defects, past and present. A special warranty deed limits liability to the grantor's ownership period. A quitclaim deed provides no warranties. The purchase agreement typically specifies which type of deed the grantor will provide.
At closing, the settlement agent verifies the grantor's identity (through government-issued ID), confirms their authority to convey, ensures all required parties have signed, and obtains proper notarization. At Beycome Title, we handle this verification process meticulously — whether the grantor is an individual, married couple, trust, corporation, or estate. Our remote closing technology allows grantors to sign from anywhere via secure video notarization. Get your free quote.