The Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form is a sworn statement published by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer, printed on the form as the Affidavit as to Succession Under a Transfer on Death Deed (O.R.C. Section 5302.22). It identifies the beneficiaries of a recorded Transfer on Death Deed, attaches the owner's death certificate and states that title now vests solely in the beneficiaries. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the Fiscal Officer at the link below.
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What is Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form – Cuyahoga County, OH?
The Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form is a sworn affidavit, published by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer, stating that real estate held under a Transfer on Death Deed now vests solely in the named beneficiaries after the owner's death.
The printed title is Affidavit as to Succession Under a Transfer on Death Deed, with a reference to O.R.C. Section 5302.22. The caption reads State of Ohio, County of Cuyahoga. By signing it, the affiant swears to the facts the form lists: who the named beneficiaries are, who created the Transfer on Death Deed, when that person died and where, and that a certificate of death issued by the Ohio Department of Health & Vital Statistics is attached.
The form also identifies the deed and the property: the date the deed was signed, the date it was recorded, its Document No. in the Cuyahoga County Records, the property address and the Permanent Parcel No. The legal description is not typed on the form; it says "See Attached."
The form states its purpose in its last paragraph: it is executed to show that title now vests solely in the named beneficiary or beneficiaries, and to enable the County Auditor's office to transfer ownership into the name of the present sole owner and out of the name of the deceased owner.
The Fiscal Officer's Real Estate Services Forms page also lists a separately named Transfer on Death Designation Affidavit. This form is the one that refers to the decedent's death and death certificate.
Who needs to file Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form – Cuyahoga County, OH?
The main group is beneficiaries of a Transfer on Death Deed recorded in Cuyahoga County who need ownership of the real estate moved into their name after the owner has died. One person completes and swears the affidavit as the affiant, and the form lists the beneficiary or beneficiaries in whose name title now vests, together with each one's relationship to the decedent.
The form applies only when all of these are true:
- the property is covered by a Transfer on Death Deed, the kind of deed the form cites under O.R.C. Section 5302.22;
- that deed was recorded, so you can enter its recording date and Document No. in the Cuyahoga County Records;
- the person who created the deed has died, and a certificate of death is available to attach.
The form does not say who may act as the affiant, and it has no section for a representative signing on someone else's behalf. If you are unsure whether you may sign, ask the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer before you go before the notary. The form is not a substitute for the Transfer on Death Deed itself and does not create one.
When to file Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form – Cuyahoga County, OH
Complete the affidavit after the owner who created the Transfer on Death Deed has died, because the form asks for the date of death and attaches the certificate of death. The form prints no due date and no filing window of its own.
Before you start, gather the details of the recorded deed: the date it was signed, the date it was recorded and its Document No. in the Cuyahoga County Records, plus the property address and Permanent Parcel No. The date lines at the bottom (the day, month and year of "SWORN TO BEFORE ME") are completed when you sign in front of the notary, so leave them for that appointment.
Documents you need
- Certificate of death for the owner who created the Transfer on Death Deed, issued by the Ohio Department of Health & Vital Statistics; the form states it is attached to the affidavit.
- Legal description of the property; the form says "Legal Description – See Attached," so it goes with the affidavit.
How to fill out Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form – Cuyahoga County, OH
Enter the affiant's name
On the line after "I," write the full name of the person swearing the affidavit. This person later signs on the line marked Affiant.
Identify the decedent
Enter the name of the person who created the Transfer on Death Deed, the date of death and the city and state where the decedent was a resident.
Enter where the decedent died
Write the place and state of death. The form states that the certificate of death issued by the Ohio Department of Health & Vital Statistics is attached, so have it ready.
Describe the Transfer on Death Deed
Enter the name of the person who signed the deed and the date on the deed. Then enter the date it was recorded and its Document No. in the Cuyahoga County Records.
Enter the property details
Write the property address and the Permanent Parcel No. Attach the legal description, as the form says "Legal Description – See Attached."
Name the new sole owner
List the name or names in which title now vests solely and enter their relationship to the decedent. On the last line, enter the name of the deceased owner.
Sign before a notary
Sign on the Affiant line only in front of a notary public. The notary completes the day, month and year of "SWORN TO BEFORE ME," the "Prepared By" line and the notary signature.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, dates, the Document No. and the parcel number against the recorded deed and the death certificate. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, sign it before the notary and assemble the attachments.
How to submit Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form – Cuyahoga County, OH
The form itself names no submission channel: it prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule. It says only that the affidavit is executed to enable the County Auditor's office to transfer ownership into the name of the present sole owner and out of the name of the deceased owner.
What the form requires you to have ready:
- the affidavit, signed by the affiant in front of a notary public, who completes the "SWORN TO BEFORE ME" block;
- the certificate of death, attached as the form states;
- the legal description of the property, attached as the form states ("Legal Description – See Attached").
The Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer publishes this form among its real estate documents on the Real Estate Services Forms page. That page notes that documents there must be prepared in accordance with ORC 317.114, Standard format of instruments to be recorded, and it lists Transfer and Recording Procedures. Check those procedures, or contact the Fiscal Officer, for where and how to deliver the package and whether any fee applies. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the Fiscal Officer's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Signing the affidavit before you meet the notary; the form says it is sworn to and subscribed in the notary's presence.
- Sending the affidavit without the certificate of death, which the form states is attached.
- Leaving out the legal description, since the form refers to an attachment instead of printing one.
- Omitting the recording date or the Document No. in the Cuyahoga County Records, which identify the Transfer on Death Deed.
- Leaving the Permanent Parcel No. or the property address blank or entering one that does not match the recorded deed.
- Naming the new sole owner or owners without entering their relationship to the decedent.
- Filling in the day, month and year of the notary block yourself before the oath is taken.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form?
It is a sworn affidavit, printed as the Affidavit as to Succession Under a Transfer on Death Deed (O.R.C. Section 5302.22), that shows title to real estate now vests solely in the named beneficiaries after the owner's death. It also enables the County Auditor's office to change the owner of record.
Is this a Cuyahoga County property tax form?
No. It is a title and ownership affidavit, not a tax form: it has no tax amounts or payment lines. Its stated purpose is to enable the County Auditor's office to move ownership from the deceased owner to the present sole owner. For tax questions, contact the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer.
Does the affidavit have to be notarized?
Yes, the form is built to be sworn before a notary. It reads "SWORN TO BEFORE ME and subscribed in my presence," with blanks for the day, month and year and a Notary Public line. Sign the affiant line only when the notary is present.
What do I attach to the Affidavit of Transfer on Death?
Attach the certificate of death issued by the Ohio Department of Health & Vital Statistics, which the form says is attached, and the legal description of the property, which the form says is attached ("See Attached").
Where do I find the Document No. and parcel number for the form?
Take them from the recorded Transfer on Death Deed. The form asks for the date the deed was recorded, its Document No. in the Cuyahoga County Records, the property address and the Permanent Parcel No.
Where do I submit the Affidavit of Transfer on Death?
The form prints no address or portal. It says the affidavit enables the County Auditor's office to transfer ownership. Check the Fiscal Officer's Transfer and Recording Procedures, listed on its Real Estate Services Forms page, or contact the office for delivery details.
Is there a deadline to file this affidavit?
The form prints no deadline. It is completed after the owner's death, since it states the date of death and attaches the certificate of death. For any timing rule, ask the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer.
Can I fill out the Affidavit of Transfer on Death Form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer and does not file or notarize the affidavit; you still sign before a notary and deliver it through the Fiscal Officer's channels.
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