What legal document is responsible for transferring real estate title between parties?

The legal document responsible for transferring real estate title between parties is a deed. A deed is a formal written document that provides evidence of the transfer of ownership of property, typically real estate, from one individual or entity to another. It includes essential details such as the names of the grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer), a description of the property, and often must be signed and acknowledged to be effective.

In real estate transactions, while contracts and agreements play crucial roles in outlining the terms of the sale or purchase, they do not directly transfer ownership. A title refers to the legal concept of ownership itself rather than the document facilitating the transfer. The deed acts as the instrument that signifies and formalizes that transfer of title, making it the key legal document in this context.