Deed
Deed: A signed written document that transfers ownership of real property (land and buildings) from one person (the grantor) to another (the grantee). A deed usually must describe the property, be signed by the grantor and be delivered to the grantee; recording it in the county land records gives public notice of the transfer. The kind of deed determines what promises, called warranties, the grantor makes about the title.
What deed means
Put simply, deed is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where deed comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses deed in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Debtor: a person who owes money or another obligation.
- Declaration: a written statement of facts signed under penalty of perjury. In federal matters, 28 U.S.C. § 1746 allows an unsworn declaration in place of an affidavit in many situations.
- Declaration of Independence: the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies were independent of Great Britain and explaining why.
- Declaration of trust: a document in which a property owner states that they now hold certain property as trustee for others, or for themselves and others. It creates a trust without transferring the property to a different person. The Restatement (Third) of Trusts § 10 lists declaration as one way to create a trust.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.