Property Title & Ownership Problem Resource Center Title & Ownership

My Deed Has the Wrong Name. What Do I Do?

Published 2026-09-13 Last reviewed 2026-09-13 By Lisa C Hamilton, REALTOR®

Quick Answer

A name problem on a deed can range from a minor identity clarification to a meaningful ownership or document error. Do not record a replacement deed without understanding the problem.

Current Nevada Law: Subject to Verification

A name problem on a deed can range from a minor identity clarification to a meaningful ownership or document error. The correct cure depends on the specific problem and the facts. This article is educational information, not legal advice. Do not record a replacement deed without understanding the problem and having a qualified Nevada attorney and title professional review it.

Examples

  • Misspelled first name
  • Missing middle name
  • Maiden name
  • Former married name
  • Wrong entity name
  • Completely wrong person

First Question

Is the issue:

IDENTITY? or OWNERSHIP?

Those are very different.

Identity Example

"Jon Smith" vs "John Smith." May be resolvable through documentation.

Ownership Example

Deed accidentally names another individual. Much more serious.

What to Do

Provide the deed to title professionals and, where needed, an attorney, and let them determine the appropriate cure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an identity problem and an ownership problem?

An identity problem is usually about how your name appears (spelling, maiden name, middle name). An ownership problem is when the deed names someone else entirely. They require different treatment.

Should I record a corrected deed myself?

Do not record a replacement deed without understanding the problem. Have title professionals and, where needed, an attorney determine the appropriate cure.

Can a wrong name delay a sale?

Potentially. Address the issue with title professionals before listing whenever possible.

Lisa C Hamilton, REALTOR® with THE Brokerage, A Real Estate Firm®

Reviewed by

Lisa C Hamilton, REALTOR®, NV License S.168195

Lisa C Hamilton is a Las Vegas Valley REALTOR® affiliated with THE Brokerage, A Real Estate Firm®, helping buyers, sellers, investors, and relocating clients across Clark County and Greater Las Vegas. Lisa is not an attorney, escrow officer, title insurer, notary, CPA, lender, foreclosure consultant, mortgage servicer, tax adviser, bankruptcy professional, or HOA lien authority. She handles market value, listing strategy, sales timeline, seller-net analysis, as-is sale evaluation, buyer negotiation, and transaction coordination. Lenders and servicers control loan documents, assumption approval, release-of-liability, and funding procedures; escrow and title professionals control the settlement accounting, recorded title matters, and insurability; notaries perform notarization only as authorized; and attorneys and legal counsel handle powers of attorney, probate and estate authority, trust authority, entity authority, and any legal conclusions about ownership or title validity.

A Deed Problem Before You Sell?

Start the cure before listing if possible. Lisa can coordinate the real-estate side while title professionals review the deed.

Lisa C Hamilton is a Nevada REALTOR®, not an attorney, escrow officer, title insurer, notary, CPA, lender, foreclosure consultant, mortgage servicer, tax adviser, bankruptcy professional, or HOA lien authority. Nothing here is legal, tax, title, or financial advice, and no outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current Nevada law and the specific facts of your situation with a qualified Nevada attorney, title professional, escrow professional, lender, servicer, and tax adviser.