Updated April 07, 2022
A Virginia general warranty deed is a form that authorizes the conveyance of a property from a seller (the grantor) to a buyer (the grantee). The term “warrant” offers the guarantee to the grantee that the property does not bear any title defects such as any liens or encumbrances. The deed is usually not signed until the end of a real estate closing when the funds for the property have exchanged hands and all necessary contracts have been authorized. The deed should be filed with the Circuit Court in the jurisdiction where the property is located.
Laws – Title 55.1 Property and Conveyances
Signing Requirements – Must be signed by the grantor(s) in the presence of a Notary Public or two (2) witnesses at the Circuit Court (VA Code Ann. § 55.1-600).
Notices and Disclosures
- Capital Letters – The grantor and grantee must be listed in the first clause/sentence of the document and their names must be in capital letters (VA Code Ann. § 17.1-223).
- Statutory Form – Must contain the wording, substantially or as-is, “that he will warrant generally the property hereby conveyed” (VA Code Ann. § 55.1-354).
Recording the Deed
Per VA Code Ann. § 55.1-407(A), the deed must be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.