Step-by-Step Guide to Recording Quitclaim Deeds
Oregon's document-format and content rules are set by the Oregon Revised Statutes: ORS § 205.232 and ORS § 205.234
Paper and Format Requirements
To be accepted for recording, a deed presented to an Oregon county clerk must meet these standards under ORS § 205.232:
- Paper size: no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches.
- Type size: printed or typed in 10-point type or larger.
- Paper quality: good enough to be recorded photographically for the county's permanent archive.
- Grantor/grantee names and legal description: spelled out on the deed itself, not buried in a separate attached exhibit.
Documents that don't meet these standards can usually still be recorded, but ORS § 205.327 adds a flat $20 penalty on top of the regular recording fee for non-conforming instruments — worth getting right the first time.
First-Page Content Requirements
Separately from the paper-format rules above, ORS § 205.234 requires the first page of your deed to show: the title of the transaction, the direct and indirect parties' names (grantor and grantee), the true and actual consideration, and a mailing address to send future tax statements to. If your deed doesn't already include all of that, you can attach a short cover sheet carrying the missing information instead — the person recording the document prepares it, and it doesn't need to be separately signed or notarized, though it does add a small amount to the recording fee.
Notarization
An Oregon quitclaim deed must be signed and acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized official. Oregon also permits remote online notarization (RON): an Oregon-commissioned notary who has completed separate RON certification and training can notarize the signing over live video, with the signer located anywhere. Oregon also recognizes remote notarizations performed by properly authorized out-of-state notaries under its interstate-recognition rule. See our notary information page for details, or notarize a deed online directly through our online notary partner.
No Statewide Transfer Tax
Oregon law (ORS § 306.815) bars cities, counties, and other local governments from imposing a real estate transfer tax — so recording a deed in 35 of Oregon's 36 counties means paying only the county's recording fee, nothing more. The one exception is Washington County, which has a local transfer tax that predates the statewide ban and was grandfathered in.
Recording Fee
Unlike some states, Oregon does not set a single statewide recording fee — each of the 36 counties sets and periodically adjusts its own rate. Check your county's page for a link to its current fee schedule before you file, and remember that a non-conforming document adds the $20 penalty noted above on top of whatever the county charges.
FAQs About Quitclaim Deed Recording
What paper size and format do Oregon quitclaim deeds need to meet?
Under ORS 205.232, documents must be on paper no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches, printed or typed in 10-point type or larger, and of sufficient quality to be recorded photographically. Instruments that don't meet these standards can still be recorded, but ORS 205.327 adds a $20 penalty on top of the regular recording fee.
What information does the first page of an Oregon deed need to show?
ORS 205.234 requires the first page to show the title of the transaction, the direct and indirect parties' names (grantor and grantee), the true and actual consideration, and an address to send future tax statements to. If your deed doesn't already include all of that, you can attach a cover sheet with the missing information instead, for a small added fee.
Is an Oregon quitclaim deed required to disclose the sale price?
The first page must state the true and actual consideration under ORS 205.234, but Oregon has no separate mandatory transfer-tax disclosure form the way some states do — there's no equivalent to a statewide realty transfer certificate.
Does Oregon charge a real estate transfer tax on a quitclaim deed?
In 35 of Oregon's 36 counties, no — ORS 306.815 bars cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing a real estate transfer tax. The one exception is Washington County, which has a grandfathered local transfer tax that predates the statewide ban.
What happens if my Quitclaim Deed is rejected?
Rejections are usually due to formatting, missing first-page information, or an incomplete legal description, and the clerk will typically explain the reason so the deed can be corrected and resubmitted.
Can a Quitclaim Deed be recorded online in Oregon?
Many, but not all, Oregon counties support electronic recording (e-recording) through vendors such as Simplifile and CSC. Availability varies by county, and in some counties e-recording is primarily used by title companies and attorneys rather than individual filers — check your county's page for details.