Which document is commonly used to transfer real estate in Utah?

In Utah, as in most jurisdictions, a deed is the primary legal document used to transfer ownership of real estate. A deed provides a written record of the transfer, describing the property involved and outlining the specifics of the transaction. This document must be signed by the grantor (the person transferring the property), and it typically needs to be recorded with the county clerk to provide public notice of the new ownership and protect the rights of the grantee (the person receiving the property).

While a power of attorney can allow someone to act on behalf of another party in real estate transactions, it does not itself transfer property ownership. A bill of sale is primarily associated with the transfer of personal property, not real estate. A mortgage agreement details the terms of a loan secured by real property but does not facilitate the actual transfer of ownership.

Thus, the deed is the clearly defined instrument for conveying real estate, making it the correct choice in this context.