Which of the following is not a requirement for a valid deed?

A valid deed must meet certain criteria to effectively transfer title to real property. Understanding these criteria helps clarify why one of the options is not a requirement.

Acknowledgment, while important in the context of recording a deed and establishing its authenticity, is not a strict requirement for the validity of the deed itself. The essential elements for a deed to be valid include a legal description of the property, the signature of the grantor, and words of conveyance. These components ensure the deed identifies the property being transferred, confirms the intent of the grantor to transfer ownership, and provides a clear, written expression of that intent.

The legal description ensures that the property in question is precisely defined, avoiding any ambiguity about the property being conveyed. The grantor's signature is crucial because it indicates that the person transferring the property is doing so voluntarily and with legal authority. Finally, the words of conveyance explicitly express the intent to transfer an interest in the property, confirming the nature of the transfer.

While acknowledgment is significant for the purpose of public record and may affect the deed’s enforceability against third parties, it is not a necessary component for the deed to be valid between the parties involved. This distinction is why the claim regarding acknowledgment stands out in the context of