What are the requirements for a valid deed?

A valid deed must meet several essential criteria to convey ownership of property effectively. One of the primary requirements is that it must be in writing. This is vital because, according to the Statute of Frauds, certain contracts, including those related to the transfer of real estate, must be documented in writing to be enforceable. Additionally, a valid deed must include consideration, which refers to something of value exchanged as part of the transaction. This could be monetary or non-monetary, but evidence of consideration indicates that a legitimate transaction is taking place.

Furthermore, the deed must be signed by the grantor (the person transferring the property). This signature signifies the grantor’s intention to relinquish their ownership rights to the grantee (the person receiving the property). Without serving these requirements, a deed would be considered invalid and would not effectively transfer ownership of the property.

While the other options may contain elements that are relevant to the broader context of real estate transactions, they do not encapsulate the fundamental requirements necessary for a deed's validity. The requirement for it to be notarized and recorded, witnessed, or included in a court filing can vary by jurisdiction and do not universally apply to all deeds.