Rhode Island deed forms
Find the right Rhode Island real estate form
Choose a category below, then select your form type and the county where the property is located.
How it works
- 1Choose a form category and document type.
- 2Select the county where the property is located.
- 3Download the county-specific form package.
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Open a category to compare form types and available options.
Quitclaim Deed
Transfer whatever interest the grantor may have, without title warranties.
Special Warranty Deed
Transfer property with warranties limited to the grantor's ownership period.
Memorandum of trust
Handle property transfers involving trusts, estates, or probate.
Mortgage
Secure a debt against real property with a mortgage instrument.
Memorandum of Contract for Deed
2 optionsDocument or release seller-financed contract-for-deed arrangements.
Purchase and Sale Agreement
Document or release seller-financed contract-for-deed arrangements.
Easement Deed
2 optionsGrant or define a right to use another parcel for a specific purpose.
Assignment of Mortgage
Assign or release rights connected with real estate instruments.
Lis Pendens
2 optionsGive public notice of litigation affecting real property title.
Rhode Island Real Estate Deeds
Delivery and Recording
A deed that is delivered to the grantee is valid and binding between the parties, even if it has not been acknowledged or recorded (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-1). However, acknowledgment and recording are required for the deed to provide constructive notice to third parties (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-4).
Because Rhode Island follows a notice recording system, an unrecorded deed is ineffective against subsequent purchasers without notice. Proper recording in the municipality where the property lies is necessary to protect priority.
Form and Execution
A conveyance of land must be made by written deed, signed by the grantor and acknowledged in accordance with Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-1). The grantor’s signature must be acknowledged before a notary public. The notary’s signature must also appear on the instrument, and the names of the signatories should be typed or printed beneath their signatures (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-1.1).
Although Rhode Island does not mandate a specific acknowledgment form, the certificate should state that the parties were known to the officer and acknowledged execution of the instrument. Acknowledgments taken outside Rhode Island are valid if made in accordance with the laws of the state where executed.
Town or city clerks may reject deeds that do not comply with statutory requirements, including omission of required addresses or recitation of the sale price.
Forms of Conveyance and Ownership
Statutory deed forms are provided in R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-12. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are commonly used, though the statutory forms are permissive and may be modified to suit the transaction.
Any person with contractual capacity may acquire and convey real property. Aliens may take, hold, transmit, and convey real estate in the same manner as citizens (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-2-1). Property may be conveyed by husband and wife or by two or more persons under any legally permissible tenancy, including joint tenancy or tenancy in common (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-3).
Because Rhode Island ties third-party protection to proper municipal recording and requires strict compliance with signature and acknowledgment formalities, careful execution and timely filing with the appropriate town or city clerk are essential to ensure that a conveyance is valid and effective against later purchasers.
Important: County-Specific Forms
After selecting your document type, you'll need to choose the specific county where your property is located. Each county in Rhode Island has unique formatting requirements that must be followed for successful recording.
Common Uses
- Transfer property between family members
- Add or remove names from property titles
- Transfer property into or out of trusts
- Correct errors in previously recorded deeds
- Gift property to others
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