Deed Recording Requirements in Utah
Utah deeds need a certificate of acknowledgment, proof of execution, or jurat to be recorded, and Utah has no real estate transfer tax.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Utah at a glance
- Notary acknowledgment
- Required to record
- Witnesses
- None
- Transfer tax
- No state tax
The rules in Utah
Does a deed need to be notarized in Utah?
Utah 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 Utah?
None. Utah does not require witnesses to sign a deed.
Is there a real estate transfer tax in Utah?
We found no state real estate transfer tax in Utah.
Where do the Utah rules for deeds come from?
They come from Utah Code 57-3-101. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Utah compares
Utah is one of 13 jurisdictions that have no state transfer tax that we found.
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.