Deed Recording Requirements in Maine
Maine deeds must be acknowledged by the grantor before recording, and Maine imposes a real estate transfer tax split equally between grantor and grantee.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Maine at a glance
- Notary acknowledgment
- Required to record
- Witnesses
- None
- Transfer tax
- State tax applies
- Exemptions may apply
The rules in Maine
Does a deed need to be notarized in Maine?
Maine requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.
How many witnesses does a deed need in Maine?
None. Maine does not require witnesses to sign a deed.
Is there a real estate transfer tax in Maine?
Yes. Maine charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.
Where do the Maine rules for deeds come from?
They come from 33 M.R.S. 203, Need for acknowledgment, 36 M.R.S. 4641-A, Real estate transfer tax imposed and 36 M.R.S. 4641-C, Exemptions. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Maine compares
Maine is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.
What this means in practice
Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.
Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.
A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.