Gift Deed
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE
This Gift Deed conveys real estate as a gift for natural love and affection, without monetary consideration. Iowa imposes NO real estate transfer tax when there is no consideration (Iowa Code 428A.1(1)(a)(1)), and a Declaration of Value is generally not required for an exempt no-consideration transfer. Because no Declaration of Value is filed, the deed must instead carry the Groundwater Hazard certification language on its first page (Iowa Code 558.69(8A)). A transfer to a married couple vests as a joint tenancy unless otherwise stated (Iowa Code 557.15). The donee takes the donor's carryover basis (IRC 1015). Obtain title insurance for complete protection.
GIFT DEED
State of Iowa
[3-INCH TOP MARGIN REQUIRED FOR RECORDING INFORMATION]
RECORDING INFORMATION
After Recording Return To:
Name: ________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
City, State, ZIP: _____________________________
Address Tax Statement To:
Name: ________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
City, State, ZIP: _____________________________
Prepared By:
Name: ________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
Iowa Bar No. (if attorney): ___________________
PROPERTY INFORMATION
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| County | [COUNTY NAME], Iowa |
| Property Address | [STREET ADDRESS, CITY, IA ZIP] |
| Parcel ID Number | [PARCEL ID] |
| Legal Description | See Exhibit A |
| Consideration | None — gift for natural love and affection |
GROUNDWATER HAZARD CERTIFICATION (Iowa Code 558.69(8A))
Because this is an exempt no-consideration transfer for which no Declaration of Value is submitted, the following statement is included on the first page of this deed in lieu of a Groundwater Hazard Statement:
"There is no known private burial site, well, solid waste disposal site, underground storage tank, hazardous waste, or private sewage disposal system on the property as described in Iowa Code Section 558.69."
☐ The above certification is true (no conditions present); no Groundwater Hazard Statement is filed.
☐ A condition IS present — a completed Groundwater Hazard Statement is attached and filed with the recorder.
TRANSFER TAX EXEMPTION (Iowa Code 428A)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Consideration | $0.00 (gift — no consideration) |
| Real Estate Transfer Tax | $0.00 (EXEMPT) |
| Recording Fee | $[AMOUNT] |
| Total Due | $[TOTAL] |
Exemption Claimed (Iowa Code 428A.4)
☐ No consideration — no tax under Iowa Code 428A.1(1)(a)(1); Declaration of Value not required.
☐ Deed between parent and child, without actual consideration — Iowa Code 428A.2(11).
☐ Consideration of $500 or less — Iowa Code 428A.2(21).
☐ Other exemption: ________________________________
This instrument is excepted from the real estate transfer tax. Signed: ________________________ (grantor/grantee or agent, per Iowa Code 428A.4).
PARTIES AND RELATIONSHIP
GRANTOR (Donor / Current Owner):
Name: [GRANTOR FULL LEGAL NAME]
Mailing Address: [FULL ADDRESS]
Marital Status:
☐ A single person
☐ A married person, spouse joining
☐ A married person, conveying separate property
Entity Type (if applicable):
☐ An Iowa limited liability company
☐ An Iowa corporation
☐ A [State] limited liability company registered in Iowa
☐ A [State] corporation registered in Iowa
☐ Trustee of [Trust Name]
GRANTEE (Donee / New Owner):
Name: [GRANTEE FULL LEGAL NAME]
Mailing Address: [FULL ADDRESS]
Relationship to Grantor: ☐ Child ☐ Grandchild ☐ Spouse ☐ Parent ☐ Sibling ☐ Other: __________ ☐ No family relationship
Manner of Holding Title:
NOTE: Per Iowa Code 557.15(3)(a), a transfer to a married couple vests as a JOINT TENANCY unless otherwise stated.
☐ As a single person
☐ As husband and wife (vests as joint tenancy per IC 557.15)
☐ As joint tenants with right of survivorship
☐ As tenants in common (____% and ____%) — MUST BE EXPRESSLY STATED
☐ As an Iowa limited liability company
☐ As an Iowa corporation
☐ As Trustee of [Trust Name]
CONVEYANCE (GIFT)
Consideration — Natural Love and Affection
This conveyance is a GIFT, made for and in consideration of the natural love and affection the Grantor holds for the Grantee, and for no monetary consideration. No money or other valuable consideration has been or will be paid by the Grantee.
Granting Clause
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
That [GRANTOR NAME] ("Grantor"), of [COUNTY] County, Iowa, in consideration of natural love and affection and without monetary consideration, does hereby GIVE, GRANT, AND CONVEY unto [GRANTEE NAME] ("Grantee"), as a present and irrevocable gift, the following described real estate situated in [COUNTY] County, Iowa, to-wit:
See Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference (the "Property")
Source of Title
This property was acquired by Grantor by [WARRANTY DEED/QUIT CLAIM DEED/OTHER] dated _________________, 20_____, recorded in Book _____, Page _____ (or Document No. _____________), in the Office of the County Recorder of [COUNTY] County, Iowa.
Property Conveyed
TOGETHER with all the tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, including:
☐ All improvements, buildings, structures, and fixtures
☐ All easements and rights-of-way appurtenant to the Property
☐ All rights in streets, alleys, and ways adjoining the Property
☐ All mineral rights (unless excepted below)
Habendum Clause
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same, together with all appurtenances thereunto belonging, unto the said Grantee, and Grantee's heirs and assigns forever, as the Grantee's own property.
WARRANTY ELECTION
The Grantor makes the following election as to warranty of title (check one):
☐ SPECIAL WARRANTY (against Grantor's own acts). Grantor covenants that Grantor has not encumbered the Property and will WARRANT AND DEFEND the title against the lawful claims of all persons claiming by, through, or under Grantor, but not otherwise.
☐ QUITCLAIM (no warranty). Grantor conveys only such right, title, and interest as Grantor may have, WITHOUT WARRANTY of title, express or implied.
NOTICE: A gift deed provides the donee no purchase-money title protection. An owner's title insurance policy is strongly recommended.
EXCEPTIONS
This conveyance is made and accepted SUBJECT TO:
Standard Exceptions
☐ Real estate taxes and special assessments not yet due and payable
☐ Building and zoning ordinances and regulations
☐ Easements and restrictions of record
☐ Highway and road rights-of-way
☐ Rights of parties in possession
Existing Mortgage / Lien
☐ None — the Property is conveyed free of any mortgage or monetary lien created by Grantor.
☐ The Grantee takes the Property SUBJECT TO the following mortgage/lien (Grantee ☐ does ☐ does not assume):
[MORTGAGE/LIEN HOLDER], recorded in Book _____, Page _____ (or Doc. No. _____)
Specific Exceptions
- [SPECIFIC EXCEPTION] — Book _____, Page _____ (or Doc. No. _____), [COUNTY] County Records
- [SPECIFIC EXCEPTION] — Book _____, Page _____ (or Doc. No. _____), [COUNTY] County Records
☐ See Exhibit B for additional exceptions
FEDERAL GIFT TAX AND BASIS NOTICE
Federal Gift Tax (26 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.; IRS Form 709)
This conveyance may be a taxable gift. The Grantor (donor) generally must file IRS Form 709 if the gift to any one donee in the calendar year exceeds the annual exclusion, and the gift may reduce the Grantor's lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. These amounts are adjusted annually by the IRS.
Carryover Basis (26 U.S.C. 1015)
The Grantee generally takes the Grantor's adjusted cost basis (carryover basis) for property acquired by gift, which affects future capital-gains tax. Consult a tax advisor.
GRANTOR REPRESENTATIONS
☐ Grantor has full power and authority to convey the Property
☐ If entity: Grantor is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
☐ Grantor is not a "foreign person" as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1445 (FIRPTA), OR ☐ Grantor is a foreign person and FIRPTA may apply
DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE
The Grantor delivers this Gift Deed with present intent to make an irrevocable gift. The Grantee accepts this gift of the Property.
________________________________________
[GRANTEE NAME] — Acceptance of Gift Date: _______________
EXECUTION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor has set Grantor's hand this _____ day of _________________, 20_____.
GRANTOR SIGNATURE(S)
Individual Grantor:
________________________________________
[GRANTOR NAME]
Spouse of Grantor (if joining):
________________________________________
[SPOUSE NAME]
Entity Grantor:
[ENTITY NAME]
By: ____________________________________
Name: __________________________________
Title: _________________________________
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (Iowa Code Chapter 9B and 558.20)
NOTE: Iowa does NOT require witnesses for deeds — only notarization is required.
Individual Acknowledgment (Iowa)
STATE OF IOWA )
) SS
COUNTY OF _____________ )
On this _____ day of _________________, 20_____, before me, the
undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa, personally
appeared ____________________________________________, to me known to be
the identical person(s) named in and who executed the foregoing
instrument, and acknowledged that he/she/they executed the same as
his/her/their voluntary act and deed.
________________________________________
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
Print Name: ____________________________
My Commission Expires: _________________
[NOTARY SEAL]
Entity Acknowledgment (Iowa)
STATE OF IOWA )
) SS
COUNTY OF _____________ )
On this _____ day of _________________, 20_____, before me, the
undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa, personally
appeared ____________________________________________, to me personally
known, who being by me duly sworn, did say that he/she is the
_________________________ [title] of _________________________________
[entity name], a _________________________ [type of entity], and that
said instrument was signed on behalf of said entity by authority of its
governing documents, and said _________________________ acknowledged the
execution of said instrument to be the voluntary act and deed of said
entity, by it and by him/her voluntarily executed.
________________________________________
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
Print Name: ____________________________
My Commission Expires: _________________
[NOTARY SEAL]
EXHIBIT A - LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Property Address:
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY], Iowa [ZIP]
Parcel Identification Number: [NUMBER]
Legal Description:
[INSERT COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION]
Example formats:
- Lot ___, [SUBDIVISION NAME], an Official Plat, now included in and forming a part of the City of [CITY], [COUNTY] County, Iowa.
- The [DIRECTION] [FRACTION] of the [DIRECTION] [FRACTION] of Section ___, Township ___ North, Range ___ [East/West] of the 5th P.M., [COUNTY] County, Iowa.
- [METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION]
County: [COUNTY], Iowa
EXHIBIT B - SPECIFIC EXCEPTIONS (If Applicable)
[List all specific encumbrances, liens, easements, and restrictions that remain after the gift]
- ________________________________________________________________
- ________________________________________________________________
IOWA RECORDING REQUIREMENTS
Filing Information
- Filing Office: County Recorder, [COUNTY] County, Iowa
- Recording Fee: Varies by county (typically $7 first page, $5 each additional page; verify locally)
- Transfer Tax: $0.00 — no consideration (Iowa Code 428A.1(1)(a)(1))
Document Requirements (Iowa Code 558)
☐ 3-inch minimum top margin for recording information
☐ Dated instrument; notarized acknowledgment (dated)
☐ Original signatures with typed/printed names below
☐ Groundwater Hazard certification language on first page (no DOV filed) OR Groundwater Hazard Statement (Iowa Code 558.69(8A))
☐ Statement of exemption from transfer tax (Iowa Code 428A.4)
☐ Complete legal description
☐ Address for tax statement
☐ Legible and reproducible; corporate seal if applicable
Statutory References
- Iowa Code Chapter 558 — Conveyances
- Iowa Code 557.15 — Joint tenancy for married couples
- Iowa Code 428A.1(1)(a)(1) — no tax when no consideration
- Iowa Code 428A.2(11) — parent/child without consideration exemption
- Iowa Code 428A.4 — recording; exemption statement
- Iowa Code 558.69 — Groundwater Hazard Statement / 558.69(8A) certification
- Iowa Code Chapter 9B — Uniform Law on Notarial Acts
TITLE INSURANCE NOTICE
IMPORTANT: A gift deed gives the donee no purchase-money title protection. Grantee is STRONGLY ADVISED to obtain an owner's policy of title insurance from a licensed title insurance company.
☐ Grantee acknowledges receipt of this recommendation
END OF GIFT DEED
Iowa Code Chapter 558
About This Template
Real estate documents transfer ownership, define who can use a property, and record agreements between buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. Deeds, purchase agreements, leases, and easements have to be drafted to meet state recording requirements, and mistakes show up at closing or years later in title disputes. Good real estate paperwork moves transactions forward quickly and avoids the kind of problems that only surface when it is time to sell or refinance.
Important Notice
This template is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Last updated: June 2026
Get your Gift Deed, done and ready to use
Fill it in for your situation, adjust it for your state, and download the finished Word and PDF. Let the AI do it in about 5 minutes, or finish it yourself in the editor. Drafting this from scratch takes hours. Finish yours in about 5 minutes for $49, one time.