Which legal document is used to transfer ownership of real estate?

The legal document specifically utilized to transfer ownership of real estate is a deed. A deed serves as a formal agreement that conveys the interest in a property from the seller (the grantor) to the buyer (the grantee). It contains essential information, such as the identities of the parties involved, a description of the property being transferred, and the signature of the grantor.

A deed is critical because it not only signifies the transfer of ownership but also includes warranties regarding the title, thereby protecting the buyer from future claims on the property. It is recorded in public records to provide official notice of the ownership change.

While leases govern the rental agreements between landlords and tenants, they do not transfer ownership; instead, they secure a right of use for a specified period. Title refers to the legal right to own a property but is not a document that transfers ownership—it's the de facto proof of ownership. Contracts are broader agreements that can include various types of business transactions, including the sale of real estate, but they do not serve as the vehicle for actual ownership transfer. The deed is the definitive instrument that finalizes and documents the change in property ownership.