What is the effect of a void deed on transferring title?

• A. A void deed cannot transfer any title in land
• B. A void deed can transfer title to the government by default
• C. A void deed transfers title to the buyer
• D. A void deed has no effect on title transfer

Answer: (A)

A deed must be valid in order to convey title. If a deed is void, it has no legal effect from the outset and cannot operate to transfer any ownership interest in the land. That means the grantor remains the owner on record, and no title passes to the grantee. It also isn’t a default mechanism by which the government or anyone else automatically gains title. In practice, to transfer title you’d need a valid deed that meets all formal requirements and is properly delivered. A void deed is invalid from the start, whereas voidable deeds are valid until a challenge shows they should not be enforced.