In a property transfer, what document is primarily used to formalize the transaction?

The document primarily used to formalize a property transfer is the deed. A deed serves as the legal instrument that conveys ownership of real property from one party to another. It identifies the granter (the person transferring the property) and the grantee (the person receiving the property), and it must be executed in accordance with state laws, which typically include the need for a signature, notarization, and recording in the appropriate land registry office.

In the context of property transfers, a lease agreement, while important, pertains to the temporary rental of property and does not signify ownership transfer. A mortgage contract involves the financing aspect of purchasing property but does not itself transfer ownership; it secures the loan with the property. A property deed of trust serves to secure a loan through real estate and typically involves three parties: the borrower, the lender, and a trustee, but it is not the primary document used to transfer ownership. Thus, the deed is the essential document that formally executes the transfer of property rights.