Grant Deed vs. Deed of Trust

By Jay S. Yu, Esq., Yu & Yu Law, Fullerton, California · Last reviewed October 2026

A grant deed transfers ownership of California real estate and names who owns it. A deed of trust secures a home loan: it is the borrower's agreement to repay the lender, and it does not show who owns the property. Only the grant deed tells me how title is held, which is why I need it, not the deed of trust, to prepare the deed that moves your home into your trust.

What Is a Grant Deed?

A deed (typically called a grant deed) is a legal document that shows ownership of a real property. An important and distinctive aspect of a Deed is a “legal description” of the real property in question, which can range from simply “See Exhibit A” to a multi-page legal description involving lot numbers, tract sizes, and other specific geographical descriptors. It should have your name as well as the name of the grantor (person or entity that you acquired it from). The grantor would have signed it and it should almost always be notarized.

• This is a publicly recorded document and can be acquired from the county recorder’s office in which the property is located, should you be unable to locate your document.

• The document can sometimes be called a “Quitclaim” Deed.

• If it does have an “Exhibit” or “Schedule” be sure to forward me all such attached pages along with the Deed.

• I need this document to prepare a new Grant Deed transferring the property into your living trust, so that when it passes to your beneficiaries in the future it can bypass the probate process and save them time and money.

What Is a Deed of Trust?

A deed of trust is an agreement stating that the borrower will repay the lender. It will involve various provisions regarding the terms of re-payment. It may or may not be notarized. It does not show ownership description of the property. I am not able to prepare your new Grant Deed from this document. If you own a second home, see how to put a vacation home in a trust.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently and there is no guarantee that the information in this article will be applicable or correct when you read this. You should consult with an attorney to discuss your specific situation. This article discusses California law; Jay S. Yu is licensed to practice in California.