What is often a legal requirement for deed validity across most jurisdictions?

A common legal requirement for the validity of a deed across most jurisdictions is the presence of witness signatures. While specific requirements can vary from one jurisdiction to another, many places mandate that a deed must be signed by the grantor in the presence of one or more witnesses to ensure the authenticity and intent of the transaction. Witness signatures serve to provide an additional layer of assurance that the deed was executed voluntarily and without coercion. This is important in legal contexts where the validity of the deed may be challenged, as having credible witnesses can help confirm that all legal formalities were properly observed.

Notarization, while important and often required for certain transactions or to provide a further level of verification, is not universally required for a deed to be valid in all jurisdictions. Public announcements and verification by real estate agents are not standard legal requirements for the validity of a deed.