Updated April 12, 2024
A Rhode Island deed is a form that allows for the transfer of real estate ownership from a seller (grantor) to a buyer (grantee) for an amount of money (known as the consideration). These are required to be filed in every municipality at the Recorder of Deeds office (or Land Records office). Unlike in other states, the grantee’s mailing address is required to be written in the deed.[1]
Laws – Title 34 (Property), Chapter 11 – Form and Effect of Conveyances
Recording – All deeds are to be filed in the City/Town where the property is located (See List of Municipal Websites).[2][3]
Signing – All deeds are to be acknowledged before a Notary Public before being filed.[4]
Deed Types (3)
General Warranty – Guarantees the title to the property and states that there were no defects for all owners who have ever held title to the real estate.
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Quit Claim – Contains the most liability and exposure as it does not come with a warranty as to the grantor’s authority to sell or as to whether or not the title is clear.
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Special Warranty – Transfers property from one individual to another, but only guarantees the title from the previous owner to the new one.
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Rhode Island Property Search (3 steps)
In the State of Rhode Island, land records can be searched by using the City/Town’s recording office (about half of the towns have this accessibility for online search) and usually entering the Last Name of the Owner or the Book/Page numbers.
Step 1
Go to Rhode Island Land Evidence Records and select the City/Town the property is located and click on the link titled ‘Land Evidence Records’ (For this Example the City of Providence will be used).
Step 2
Enter the Last and First Name of the owner (if last is only known that is ok). After entering the details click the ‘Search’ button.
Step 3
After entering your details and submitting your query, the matching property details will be listed on the left-hand side of the page. Click on the property that you were looking for and the full details as listed with the City will be available for viewing.
