When real estate in California is owned by joint tenants and one of the owners dies, the remaining owner(s) can clear the title by recording an affidavit of Death of a Joint Tenant.

Joint tenancy is a way for two or more people to own property in equal shares so that when one of the joint tenants dies, the property can pass to the surviving joint tenant(s) without having to go through probate court.

The affidavit should be recorded in order to be binding on others. Take a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased joint tenant and your affidavit to the recorder's office in the county where the real property is located.

(California Affidavit of Death of Joint Tenant Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

How to Use This Form

Select your county from the list above
Download the county-specific form
Fill in the required information
Have the document notarized if required
Record with your county recorder's office

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Common Uses for Affidavit Death of Joint Tenant

Establish legal standing to manage a decedent's real property
Establish the identity of the surviving property owner
Record evidence of a property owner's passing with the county
Document the death of a property owner for public record
Update county records to reflect the death of a property owner
Confirm the passing of a trustor or grantor for title purposes
Clear title defects caused by a missing death record

Compare other California deed forms and documents

Quitclaim Deed Gift Deed Warranty Deed Special Warranty Deed Grant Deed Deed Corrective Affidavit Transfer on Death Deed Transfer on Death Revocation Transfer on Death Affidavit Interspousal Transfer Grant Deed Grant Deed for Life Estate Easement Deed Termination, Cancellation of Easement / Right of Way Special Durable Power of Attorney for the Sale of Property Special Durable Power of Attorney for the Purchase of Property Affidavit of Surviving Spouse Long Form Deed of Trust Assignment of Deed of Trust Substitution of Trustee and Full Reconveyance Deed of Full Reconveyance Memorandum and Notice of Agreement Full Release of Memorandum and Notice of Agreement Assignment of Leases and Rents Release of Assignment of Leases and Rents. Personal Representative Deed Disclaimer of Interest Preliminary Notice Notice of Completion Notice of Mechanics Lien Mineral Deed Mineral Deed with Quitclaim Covenants Notice of Pending Action Release of Notice of Pending Action Certificate of Trust Trustee Deed Upon Sale

Important: County-Specific Forms

Our affidavit death of joint tenant forms are specifically formatted for each county in California.

After selecting your county, you'll receive forms that meet all local recording requirements, ensuring your documents will be accepted without delays or rejection fees.

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