As a real estate attorney who has drafted and recorded thousands of deeds across the United States, including hundreds in Arkansas over the last 12 years, I created this comprehensive guide to help homeowners, investors, and families understand how to transfer property in Arkansas correctly and affordably. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions, the main types of land deeds in Arkansas, current 2025 recording requirements, and – most importantly – free, attorney-drafted downloadable deed templates that I personally use in my practice (updated for Arkansas Code Title 18 as of November 2025).
Important Disclaimer: This article and the free templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your specific situation may have tax, Medicaid, or lien implications. Always consult a licensed Arkansas attorney or title professional before recording any deed.
Choosing the correct deed is the single most important decision when you transfer property in Arkansas. Here are the four deeds you will use 99% of the time:
| Deed Type | When to Use | Warranty Level | Most Common Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Warranty Deed | Selling property for money | Full warranty against all title defects | Traditional home sale |
| Special Warranty Deed | Selling “as-is” or commercial property | Warranty only for the period you owned it | Flippers, LLC sales |
| Quitclaim Deed | Adding/removing spouse, gifting to family, transferring to LLC or trust | No warranty whatsoever | Divorce, estate planning |
| Deed Without Warranty (Non-Warranty Deed) | Foreclosure sales, tax sales, probate | No warranty (similar to quitclaim but preferred by courts) | Sheriff deeds, executor deeds |
Use the table above. If you’re unsure, a quitclaim deed is almost always safe for family transfers, while buyers paying cash or getting a loan will demand a general or special warranty deed.
Every deed recorded in Arkansas must be accompanied by this form, even $0 transfers. Download the current version here: Arkansas DFA Real Property Transfer Tax.
Transfer tax rate (2025): $3.30 per $1,000 of consideration (or fraction thereof). Many counties waive or reduce for family transfers.
Arkansas does not require attorney preparation, but the deed must meet minimum statutory formatting (Arkansas Code § 18-12-104). I have provided four free templates below that already comply.
Grantor(s) must sign in front of a notary. Arkansas now accepts remote online notarization (RON) under Act 820 of 2021.
Recording fees average $15 first page + $5 each additional page (varies slightly by county). Bring original signed deed + completed transfer tax form.
Click any link to download the Microsoft Word (.docx) version. These are the exact templates my office uses daily.
Use a Quitclaim Deed. Consideration = “love and affection” or $1. Many counties exempt from transfer tax with proper affidavit.
Quitclaim Deed from individual(s) to the LLC. I recommend adding “mail tax statements to” the LLC address.
General Warranty Deed if you want to offer full protection; Special Warranty Deed if selling “as-is.”
Quitclaim Deed from the spouse giving up interest. Often filed with the divorce decree.
Quitclaim or General Warranty Deed into the trust name (e.g., “John Smith, Trustee of the Smith Revocable Trust dated ___”).
No, Arkansas is a “layman state” – you can prepare and record your own deed. However, I strongly recommend at least a 15-minute consultation for transfers over $100,000 or involving trusts/estates.
No. Only Lady Bird Deeds (Enhanced Life Estate Deeds) and properly funded revocable trusts avoid probate in Arkansas.
$3.30 per $1,000 (state) + possible county surtax. Many family transfers qualify for $0 with correct documentation.
Yes – over 40 counties now accept e-recording through services like Simplifile or CSC.
Transferring property in Arkansas is straightforward when you use the correct deed type and follow the recording rules. I created these free templates because I saw too many families pay $300–$600 for something that takes me less than five minutes to prepare.
Download the template you need, fill in the blanks, have it notarized, and record it at your county circuit clerk. You’ll save hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars.
Again, this is not legal advice. If your situation involves mortgages, liens, divorce, Medicaid planning, or large estates, please consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.
Safe transferring!
Sources: Arkansas Code Title 18 (Real Property), Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, IRS Publication 530 (for federal tax implications of transfers).