Alaska Quitclaim Deed: Requirements, Recording and Fees

An Alaska quitclaim deed follows the statutory form in AS 34.15.040, in which the grantor "conveys and quitclaims" to the grantee "all interest which I (we) have, if any," in the described land, with no warranties. To be recorded, it must be acknowledged (AS 40.17.110) and meet the state's recording requirements, and it is recorded with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office in the recording district where the land lies (AS 40.17.020), because Alaska has no county recorders. For other states, see our guide to quitclaim deed rules by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-10. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Alaska law on quitclaim deeds: the conveyancing statutes in AS 34.15, the recording statutes in AS 40.17 and the Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office rules and fees, the false-recording offense in AS 11.46.550, the municipal property tax provisions in AS 29.45, and the transfer on death deed in AS 13.48, with federal mortgage and gift-tax points where they affect a family transfer. It does not cover title insurance, a lender's own rules, municipal property tax rates or other municipal charges, or other states' laws.

What a quitclaim deed does in Alaska

Alaska writes the quitclaim deed into its statutes. Under AS 34.15.040(a), "A quitclaim deed may be substantially in the following form," and the form has the grantor, "for and in consideration of (here insert consideration)," state that the grantor "conveys and quitclaims to (here insert grantee's name or names) all interest which I (we) have, if any, in the following described real estate (here insert description), located in the State of Alaska." The warranty deed form is in AS 34.15.030.

The deed passes whatever the grantor has. Under 34.15.040(b), a deed substantially in that form, "when otherwise duly executed, is considered a sufficient conveyance, release and quitclaim to the grantee and the heirs and assigns of the grantee, in fee of all the existing legal and equitable rights of the grantor in the premises described in the deed." Section 34.15.050 adds that a deed of quitclaim and release passes all the real estate the grantor could convey by a deed of bargain and sale.

No warranties and no after-acquired title

An Alaska quitclaim carries no promises. Under 34.15.080, "No covenant is implied in a conveyance of real estate, whether the conveyance contains special covenants or not." The statutory form itself says the grantor conveys only the interest the grantor has, "if any."

A quitclaim also does not pass title the grantor acquires later. Under 34.15.075, after-acquired title passes to the grantee only under a warranty deed, or under a quitclaim deed of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act real property. For how a warranty deed compares, see quitclaim vs. warranty deeds.

The only official quitclaim "form" is the statutory text in 34.15.040; the Recorder's Office publishes formatting and fee rules, not a fill-in deed. Recorder's Office staff cannot give legal advice, and a lawyer licensed in Alaska can prepare the deed.

Alaska quitclaim deed requirements

Acknowledgment and witnesses

Under AS 40.17.110(b), "If the document to be recorded is a conveyance, power of attorney, contract for the sale or purchase of real property, or option for the purchase of real property, the document must be acknowledged." An in-state conveyance is acknowledged before a person authorized under AS 09.63.010, who endorses a certificate of acknowledgment with the date (34.15.150(a)). The Recorder's Office notes that its staff cannot notarize, and under 40.17.140(b) the Department of Natural Resources must accept remote notarization performed under AS 44.50.075.

Witnesses are not required for an acknowledged deed. A subscribing witness is an alternative way to prove execution: under 34.15.210, proof of the execution of a conveyance "may be made before an officer authorized to take acknowledgment of conveyances, and shall be made by a subscribing witness."

Legal description, addresses and format

The Recorder's Office says that where a legal description is present, it must be complete enough to locate the parcel, and that "A legal description is sufficient for purposes of recording if it contains, at a minimum, a section, township, range and meridian designation or, in the case of subdivided property, the lot, block, subdivision name, or plat number of the parcel."

A deed must "contain the mailing addresses of all persons named in the document who grant or acquire an interest under the document" (40.17.030(a)(8)) and "the name and address of a person to whom the document may be returned after recording" (40.17.030(a)(7)). It must also name the recording district, for example "Anchorage Recording District."

The Recorder's Office sets the page format. It calls for opaque white paper no larger than 8.5 by 14 inches and type no smaller than 10-point, and says, "Document must have a two-inch margin at top of first page, one-inch margins on all remaining sides and on all subsequent pages of same document." A document that cannot meet the margins is charged a $50 non-standard document fee, which also applies to two-hole punches or taped-on pages.

Recording does not make a deed valid

The recorder checks form, not substance. Under 40.17.035, "When determining whether a document may be recorded, the recorder may not (1) consider whether the contents of the document are legally sufficient to achieve the purposes of the document." A recorded deed can still be defective.

Does a spouse have to sign an Alaska quitclaim deed?

For the family home, the statute says yes, but with a limited consequence. Under 34.15.010(b), "In a deed or conveyance of the family home or homestead by a married man or a married woman, the husband and wife shall join in the deed or conveyance."

The consequence of leaving the spouse off is limited. Under 34.15.010(d), failure to join "does not affect the validity of the deed or conveyance, unless the spouse appears on the title," and the statute ties the deed's sufficiency to convey legal title to a one-year window after recording for the non-joining spouse to sue in the judicial district to set the deed aside or to record a notice of interest. Joining in the deed does not give the spouse a new ownership interest (34.15.010(c)). A married owner deeding the family home should have both spouses sign; ask an Alaska lawyer if that is not possible. If the transfer is part of a divorce, see our guide to Alaska divorce laws.

Deeds between spouses

Alaska has abolished joint tenancy other than tenancy by the entirety (34.15.130). A conveyance to a married couple creates a tenancy by the entirety unless it says otherwise, and the conveyance must recite the parties' marital status (34.15.110(b)). Under 34.15.140(c), "The right of a spouse to convey to self and the other spouse as tenants by the entirety, or as tenants in common, is confirmed."

Adding someone who is not your spouse

A quitclaim that adds a child, partner or other non-spouse does not create a right of survivorship. Alaska has abolished joint tenancy in real property except tenancy by the entirety, and "persons having an undivided interest in real property are considered tenants in common" (34.15.130). A tenant in common's share does not pass to the other co-owners automatically at death. To pass a home at death without a current transfer, an owner can use a transfer on death deed (AS 13.48), described below.

Recording a quitclaim deed in Alaska

Alaska records deeds at the state level. The Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office runs 34 recording districts, and under 40.17.020(a), a conveyance "may be offered for recording only in the recording district in which land affected by the conveyance is located." Once recorded, the deed becomes part of the public land records; see our guide to Alaska property records.

What recording does

Recording protects the new owner against later buyers. Under 40.17.080, "A conveyance of real property in the state, other than a lease for a term of less than one year, is void as against a subsequent innocent purchaser in good faith for valuable consideration of the property or a part of the property whose conveyance is first recorded. An unrecorded conveyance is valid as between the parties to it and as against one who has actual notice of it."

The protected later buyer must be innocent, in good faith, paying value, and the first to record. Record a quitclaim promptly so no one fits that description.

Recording fees

The Recorder's Office sets one statewide fee schedule:

A one-page deed costs $20 to record and a two-page deed $25, before any extra charges. Checks are payable to the Department of Natural Resources.

E-recording

The Recorder's Office accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC and ePN, and provider fees are added to the state fees. It warns: "Typically, if you are an individual submitting only a few documents annually, the service may not be available to you." Most Alaska title companies are authorized submitters.

Is there a transfer tax on a quitclaim deed in Alaska?

Alaska does not impose a state real estate transfer tax. Under AS 43.98.035, "The state may not levy or collect a sales or use tax on the transfer of real property." Title 43's only transfer-tax chapter, AS 43.30, "Inheritance and Transfer Taxes," is repealed, and Title 43 has no documentary stamp or deed excise chapter.

Boroughs and cities are barred too. Under AS 29.45.650(l) and 29.45.700(h), a borough or city "may not levy or collect a sales or use tax on the transfer of real property," and both subsections apply to home rule and general law municipalities. The recording fee is the government charge on an Alaska deed.

Property tax after a quitclaim in Alaska

Property tax in Alaska is a municipal matter. Under AS 29.45.110(a), "The assessor shall assess property at its full and true value as of January 1 of the assessment year."

The deed can matter for one exemption. Under 29.45.030(e), "The real property owned and occupied as the primary residence and permanent place of abode by a resident who is (1) 65 years of age or older; (2) a disabled veteran; or (3) at least 60 years of age and the widow or widower of a person who qualified for an exemption under (1) or (2) of this subsection is exempt from taxation on the first $150,000 of the assessed value of the real property." The same subsection allows only one exemption per property, and it bars the exemption if the assessor finds, after notice and hearing, "that the property was conveyed to the applicant primarily for the purpose of obtaining the exemption." The exemption requires a written application under municipal procedures. Because the person must own and occupy the home, ask the municipal assessor before deeding it out of that person's name.

Mortgages and quitclaim deeds

Alaska's deed statutes deal with title, not the loan. A deed does not remove anyone from a mortgage; only the lender can release a borrower. Under 12 CFR 191.5(b)(4), if the lender and the new owner agree in writing, before the transfer, that the new owner will be obligated on the loan, then on that agreement "a lender shall release the existing borrower from all obligations under the loan instruments."

Federal law limits when a lender can call a home loan due because of a transfer. Under 12 U.S.C. 1701j-3(d), for a loan on residential property with fewer than five dwelling units, a lender may not use a due-on-sale clause for certain transfers, including a transfer where the borrower's spouse or children become an owner and a transfer on the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety. The federal regulation, 12 CFR 191.5(b), applies these limits to a loan on a home occupied or to be occupied by the borrower, and covers:

• a transfer where the spouse or children become an owner, or a transfer from a divorce decree, legal separation agreement or property settlement by which the spouse becomes an owner, where the person taking title occupies or will occupy the property (12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(v));
• a transfer into a living (inter vivos) trust in which the borrower is and remains the beneficiary and occupant, unless the borrower refuses to give the lender reasonable means of notice of later transfers (12 CFR 191.5(b)(1)(vi)).

These limits are conditional, and a lender keeps the right to enforce the clause if a later event disqualifies the transfer (12 CFR 191.5(b)(5)). Transfers outside the listed categories, such as to a sibling or friend, are not covered. Talk to the lender before signing. Federal servicing rules also recognize a "successor in interest," such as a spouse or child who receives an ownership interest from a borrower (12 CFR 1024.31).

Federal gift tax on a quitclaim to a family member

Giving property away by quitclaim can be a gift for federal tax purposes. The IRS says the gift tax "applies to the transfer by gift of any type of property." For 2026, "the annual exclusion for gifts remains at $19,000" per recipient. The IRS lists gifts to your spouse among gifts that are not taxable and says the donor is generally responsible for paying any gift tax. If your spouse is not a U.S. citizen, the IRS limits tax-free gifts to that spouse to an annual exclusion of $194,000 for 2026.

The IRS also says the recipient's basis in gifted property is generally the same as the donor's basis. Ask a tax professional before deeding a home as a gift; this page does not give tax advice.

Deed fraud protections in Alaska

Alaska makes a fraudulent recording a felony. Under AS 11.46.550, a person commits offering a false instrument for recording in the first degree, a class C felony, if, "knowing that a written instrument relating to or affecting property or directly affecting a contractual relationship contains a false statement or false information, and with intent to defraud, the person presents or offers it to a public office or a public servant intending that it be registered, filed, or recorded or become a part of the records of that public office or public servant."

The Recorder's Office publishes property fraud guidance for anyone who believes "your property could be fraudulently taken or recordings could have occurred without your knowledge and/or consent." It suggests searching the recorder's database by name and legal description, checking with the municipal taxing authority, reporting to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, local law enforcement and the Attorney General's Office, and consulting an attorney.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center gives the same advice nationally: "Check if your County Recorder, Register of Deeds, County Appraisal District, or County Clerk’s Office offer notification services and send an automated email or text when a legal document is recorded using your name" (IC3 PSA I-061626-PSA).

Transfer on death deeds as an alternative

If the goal is to pass a home at death rather than now, Alaska authorizes a transfer on death deed under AS 13.48, the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act. The deed must have the formalities of a recordable deed, state that the transfer occurs at the transferor's death, may not name beneficiaries only as a class, and "must be recorded before the transferor's death in the public records in the office of the recorder in the recording district where the property is located" (13.48.050).

Section 13.48.120 gives an optional statutory form. A challenge to a TOD deed for fraud, duress or undue influence must be started within 12 months after the transferor's death (13.48.045). For what happens when an owner dies without one, see our guide to Alaska probate.

Common myths about Alaska quitclaim deeds

• "A quitclaim deed gives the new owner warranties." No covenant is implied in any Alaska conveyance (34.15.080), and the statutory form conveys only the interest the grantor has, "if any."
• "A quitclaim is not valid until it is recorded." An unrecorded conveyance "is valid as between the parties to it and as against one who has actual notice of it" (40.17.080). Recording protects against a later innocent purchaser who records first.
• "If the recorder accepted it, the deed is valid." The recorder may not consider whether a document's contents are legally sufficient (40.17.035).
• "A deed without my spouse's signature is void." Not automatically. Under 34.15.010(d), failure to join does not affect validity unless the spouse appears on the title, and the statute ties the deed's sufficiency to convey legal title to a one-year window after recording for the spouse to sue to set it aside or record a notice of interest.
• "A quitclaim takes me off the mortgage." No. Only the lender can release a borrower (12 CFR 191.5(b)(4)).

Related

• Quitclaim deed rules by state
• Alaska property records
• Quitclaim vs. warranty deeds
• Alaska divorce laws
• Alaska probate

This article provides general legal information about Alaska law on quitclaim deeds, verified on 2026-10-10. It is not legal or tax advice. For your situation, contact the Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office (which cannot give legal advice), a legal aid office, or a lawyer licensed in Alaska.

Last updated: 2026-10-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a quitclaim deed in Alaska?

The grantor signs the deed and acknowledges it before an authorized officer (AS 40.17.110, 34.15.150). The deed must include the mailing addresses, return-to address and recording district that 40.17.030 requires, and it is recorded with the Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office in the recording district where the land lies (40.17.020).

Does a quitclaim deed need to be notarized in Alaska?

Yes, to be recorded. A conveyance must be acknowledged (40.17.110(b)), and the Department of Natural Resources must accept remote notarization performed under AS 44.50.075 (40.17.140(b)). Recorder's Office staff cannot notarize.

How much does it cost to record a quitclaim deed in Alaska?

The Recorder's Office charges $20 for the first page and $5 for each additional page, so a two-page deed costs $25. A document that misses the margin standards is charged a $50 non-standard document fee.

Do you pay transfer tax on a quitclaim deed in Alaska?

Alaska does not impose a state real estate transfer tax; AS 43.98.035 says the state may not levy or collect a sales or use tax on the transfer of real property. Boroughs and cities are barred from it too (AS 29.45.650(l), 29.45.700(h)).

Does my spouse have to sign a quitclaim deed in Alaska?

For a deed of the family home or homestead by a married person, the spouses shall join (34.15.010(b)). Failing to join does not affect validity unless the spouse appears on the title, and the statute ties the deed's sufficiency to convey legal title to a one-year window after recording for that spouse to sue or record a notice of interest (34.15.010(d)).

Where do I record a deed in Alaska?

With the Department of Natural Resources Recorder's Office, in the recording district where the land is located (40.17.020(a)). Alaska has no county recorders.

Does a quitclaim deed remove me from the mortgage?

No. Under 12 CFR 191.5(b)(4), a lender releases a borrower only when the lender and the new owner agree in writing, before the transfer, that the new owner is obligated on the loan.