What Is a General Warranty Deed? (2026)

Understanding a General Warranty Deed

What is a general warranty deed for? A general warranty deed is a document that transfers ownership of a property while making two critical claims:

• The property is free and clear of liens, creditor claims, and other title defects.
• If any title defects arise later, the seller will be responsible for them.

This deed is useful for protecting buyers. If you have a warranty deed and a creditor later claims the home was used to secure the previous owner’s debt, you wouldn’t have to lose the house.

Key Elements and Covenants Included

These deeds include six “covenants of title”:

• Seisin: The seller has the right to sell the property.
• Right to Convey: The seller is authorized to transfer the title.
• Against Encumbrances: There are no undisclosed liens or other title issues.
• Quiet Enjoyment: The new owner won’t be bothered by other parties trying to claim ownership.
• Warranty: The seller (or their insurance company) will defend the buyer against later title claims.
• Further Assurances: If needed, the seller will supply additional documents to clear the title.

If any problems surface later, the seller will be held responsible.

Get Access to All 66 ConsumerShield Legal Templates

When to Use This Type of Deed

General warranty deeds are used for most real estate transactions. However, if there’s no need for this level of protection (like if you’re transferring property to a family member), it may not be necessary.

How It Compares to Other Deed Types

It’s important to avoid confusing a general warranty deed with a special warranty deed. Special warranty deeds guarantee that no title defects or liens arose during the current property owner’s period of ownership. However, there may be previous defects that the current owner doesn’t know about.

These deeds are commonly used in foreclosure sales and commercial real estate transactions. You can generate a special warranty deed with us in a few minutes.

Both general warranty deeds and special warranty deeds offer more protection than quitclaim deeds. With a quitclaim deed, the seller relinquishes any interest they have in the property, but the deed offers no protection against other ownership claims, liens, or title defects.

Steps to Execute and File the Deed

Usually, creating a general warranty deed involves the following steps:

• Obtaining a state-specific deed form
• Filling out details of the property and parties involved
• Signing the deed before a notary
• Filing it with the registrar of deeds or the county recorder

You can use our online template to generate a general warranty deed quickly and easily.

What Is a General Warranty Deed For?

When you buy a piece of real property, the deed you choose can potentially protect you from major problems down the line. ConsumerShield offers a range of legal templates and guides to help you find the right deed for your situation.