Last updated: November 1, 2026
Short answer: To add or remove a name on your house title in Avondale, AZ, the owner signs a new deed in front of a notary, and it's recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder for $30. A deed changes who owns the home, but it doesn't change who owes the mortgage. Talk with a title company or attorney before you sign anything.
Key takeaways
- Under A.R.S. § 33-401, a deed must be in writing, signed by the owner giving up the interest, and acknowledged before a notary.
- The Maricopa County Recorder charges $30 per document and can't give legal advice, provide deed forms or notarize.
- Each deed needs an Affidavit of Property Value unless an exemption under A.R.S. § 11-1134 applies, such as a gift or a transfer between spouses or between parent and child for little or no money. The exemption is noted on the deed.
- Federal law (12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3) says a lender can't use the due-on-sale clause when a borrower's spouse or children become owners, or for a transfer to a spouse under a divorce decree.
Want to talk it through? Book a time to chat with me (free, 30 minutes, 9 AM–7 PM Arizona time).
¡Qué tal! I'm Rosie Armenta. Family life changes, and the name on the house sometimes needs to change too. Maybe you want to add your son or daughter so the house is easier to pass on, add a new spouse, or take an ex's name off after a divorce. It sounds like simple paperwork, but a deed is a legal document with tax and loan effects. Here's what to know before you sign, in plain words.
How do I add someone to my house title in Arizona?
You sign a new deed that conveys the home from you to you and the other person. Arizona law (A.R.S. § 33-401) says a deed must be in writing, signed by the person giving the interest, and acknowledged before a notary. Then it's recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder.
The deed also says how you'll hold title together. A.R.S. § 11-1134 mentions two common ways: community property with right of survivorship (for spouses) and joint tenancy with right of survivorship (for two or more people). Each one has different effects when someone passes away or wants to sell, so ask your attorney or title officer which fits your goal.
How do I remove an ex-spouse from my house title?
Usually the ex signs a deed giving their interest to you, or a court order handles it. Arizona is a community property state: under A.R.S. § 25-211, property bought during the marriage is generally community property, with some exceptions. So even if only one name is on the title, ask your attorney how the divorce decree treats the house. My guide on selling a house during a divorce in Avondale covers the options if you'd rather sell.
Does taking a name off the deed take it off the mortgage?
No. The deed and the loan are two different things. Someone can be removed from the title and still owe the mortgage, or be added to the title without being on the loan. Usually only the lender can release a borrower, often through a refinance or the lender's own approval process. Ask your loan servicer before you record a deed.
Will the lender call the loan due? Federal law (12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3) lists transfers where a lender can't use its due-on-sale clause on a home with fewer than five units, including when a borrower's spouse or children become owners, a transfer to a spouse under a divorce decree, and a transfer into a living trust where the borrower stays a beneficiary. Other transfers may not be protected, so ask first.
Which deed or option fits my situation?
| Situation | What's often used | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Adding a spouse | New deed, often as community property with right of survivorship | Ask how it fits your estate plan |
| Adding an adult son or daughter | New deed, often as joint tenancy with right of survivorship | It may be a gift, and they share ownership now |
| Removing an ex after divorce | A deed signed by the ex, or a court order | The ex may still be on the mortgage |
| Leaving the home to someone later | A beneficiary deed (A.R.S. § 33-405) | It doesn't give them ownership until death |
| Fixing a mistake on a deed | A corrective deed | Ask the title company to review it |
Do I pay a tax when I add my son or daughter to the title?
Giving part of your home away can be a gift for federal tax purposes. The IRS says the annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000 per person for 2026, and gifts above that may require a gift tax return (Form 709). The person giving the gift generally pays any gift tax.
There's also a long-term effect. IRS Publication 523 explains that someone who receives a home as a gift generally uses the giver's tax basis, while an inherited home generally gets a basis equal to its value at the date of death. That difference can change the tax when the home is sold later, so talk with a CPA first. My guide on what a beneficiary deed is in Avondale explains one alternative.
How do I add or remove a name on my title, step by step?
- Decide your goal. Adding a co-owner now, leaving the home later, or removing an ex all call for different tools.
- Talk with an attorney or title company. The Recorder's office can't prepare deeds or give legal advice.
- Call your loan servicer. Ask how the change affects the mortgage before you record.
- Sign the deed before a notary. Bring photo ID.
- Add the affidavit or exemption. Include an Affidavit of Property Value, or note the A.R.S. § 11-1134 exemption on the deed.
- Record the deed. The Maricopa County Recorder charges $30 per document, and photo ID is required for in-person or kiosk recordings.
- Sign up for Maricopa Title Alert. It's free and emails you when a document is recorded under your name.
Ready to talk about your home and your family's plans?
Whether you're keeping the home, adding someone or thinking about selling, start by knowing what it's worth with a free home value report. My guide on buying a house with a relative as a co-borrower covers buying together. You can also call or text me at 623-295-5770.
Send this to a family member you're planning with, so you're both asking the right questions.
Want to talk through your family's plans for the house? Book a time to chat with me (free, 30 minutes, 9 AM–7 PM Arizona time), or call or text me at 623-295-5770.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add my son or daughter to my house deed in Arizona?
The owner signs a new deed, in front of a notary, conveying the home to the owner and the son or daughter. It's then recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder. Talk with an attorney and a CPA first, since it may be a gift.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Maricopa County?
The Maricopa County Recorder charges $30 per document. An attorney or title company may charge separately to prepare the deed.
Do I need an Affidavit of Property Value to add someone to my deed?
Usually one is required, but A.R.S. § 11-1134 exempts some deeds, like gifts and little-or-no-money transfers between spouses or between parent and child. The exemption must be noted on the deed.
Does removing my ex from the deed remove them from the mortgage?
No. The deed and the loan are separate. Only the lender can release a borrower, often through a refinance. Ask your loan servicer first.
Can my lender call my loan due if I add my spouse to the title?
Federal law (12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3) says a lender can't use the due-on-sale clause when a borrower's spouse or children become owners of a home with fewer than five units.
Is adding someone to my deed a gift?
It can be. The IRS annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000 per person for 2026, and larger gifts may require Form 709. A CPA can tell you how it applies to you.
Can the Maricopa County Recorder help me fill out a deed?
No. The Recorder's office says it can't give legal advice, provide forms, help complete documents or notarize. Use an attorney, title company or estate planner.
How can I protect my home from deed fraud?
Sign up for Maricopa Title Alert, a free service from the Recorder's office that emails you when a document is recorded under your name.
This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Please talk with a licensed attorney, CPA, or lender about your situation.
About the authors
Rosie Armenta | West USA Realty. She works with Mariela Armenta, a licensed agent on her team. Avondale (85392) is their home base, and they help buyers and sellers across the West Valley in English and Spanish. Book a time to chat with Rosie (free, 30 minutes), or call or text 623-295-5770. Selling? Get a free home value report.
Rosie Armenta | West USA Realty | Equal Housing Opportunity
Information was checked on November 1, 2026, from A.R.S. §§ 33-401, 11-1133, 11-1134, 11-475 and 25-211, 12 U.S.C. § 1701j-3, the Maricopa County Recorder's recording fees and Title Alert pages, the IRS gift tax FAQ and IRS Publication 523 (2025). Every family is different, so your attorney, CPA and lender confirm what applies to you.