A Release Deed is a legal document commonly used in Illinois to transfer ownership of a piece of real estate from one party to another. The Release Deed acts as a receipt for the transfer of ownership, and it is recorded with the county recorder in the county in which the property is located. There are two types of Release Deeds commonly used in Illinois: General Release Deeds and Special Release Deeds. General Release Deeds are typically used when a property is transferred between two parties who are already familiar with each other, such as family members. The deed must include the names of both the granter and the grantee, the date of the transfer, and a legal description of the property being transferred. In addition, a notary public must witness the signing of the deed. Special Release Deeds are used when a property is transferred between two parties who are not familiar with each other, such as in a sale. The deed must include the same information as a General Release Deed, as well as any special conditions or restrictions that are part of the transfer. In addition, the deed must be signed by both the granter and grantee, and it must be notarized.