Updating your name on your Texas property deed after marriage, divorce, or a legal name change is a simple but important process that ensures your property records reflect your new legal name. You will need a General Warranty Deed that transfers the property from your old name to your new name, signed in front of a notary and recorded with the county clerk.
Update Your Name on Your Deed After Your Name Changes
If you have recently changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other legal reason, it may be necessary to update your name on the deed to your real estate property. This process ensures that the county property records reflect your current name, which is important for ownership verification and future transactions.
Why You Need to Update Your Deed
Updating your name on the property deed may be important for:
- Legal accuracy: Your property deed should reflect your current legal name.
- Future transactions: Having the correct name on your deed will simplify any future sales or transfers of the property.
Good to know: If you own more than one property, you may need to update your name on the deed for each one.
Steps to Update Your Name on Your Deed
Fortunately, it is a very simple process to update your deed. There are a few, simple steps to take:
After You Update Your Name on Your Deed
Update Your Name for Co-Owned Property
Although not required, if your real estate property is co-owned by your spouse or other person, we suggest that your co-owner also sign the new deed. Your co-owner’s name can be updated on the new deed if needed.
Good to know: When you plan to have a new deed prepared to update your name on an existing property deed that is co-owned, it may be a good time to consider adding the Right of Survivorship. The Right of Survivorship ensures that, if one owner passes away, the property automatically transfers to the surviving owner by bypassing the lengthy probate process.
Adding the Right of Survivorship is included in our fee to prepare your General Warranty Deed if requested.
FAQ
Do I need to update my property deed if I change my name after marriage or divorce?
Yes. If your legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, or another reason, updating your property deed ensures the county property records match your current name. This helps avoid confusion in future transactions or ownership verification.
How do I update my name on a Texas property deed?
You’ll need to have a new General Warranty Deed prepared to transfer the real estate property from your old name to your new name. Be sure to sign the deed in front a notary and record it with the county clerk located in the country the property is in. The recording fee is around $40, depending on the county.
What information should be included in the new property deed?
The deed should clearly identify both your previous and new names, such as:
“Grantor: Jane Smith, now known as Jane Roberts”
“Grantee: Jane Roberts.”
This format ensures the county records properly reflect your updated legal name.
Will updating my deed also update my mortgage or tax records?
No. Updating your deed does not automatically update your mortgage or property tax records. You’ll need to contact your mortgage company and the local tax office separately to ensure they record your new name correctly.
What if my Texas property is co-owned with a spouse or another person?
If your property is co-owned, your co-owner should also sign the updated deed. It may also be a good time to add a Right of Survivorship clause, which allows ownership to automatically transfer to the surviving owner without probate. Right of Survivorship is not automatic in Texas as it may be in other states.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, email attorney Scott Steinbach directly at scott@texaspropertydeeds.com.