A deed must be in writing.
A deed is not the title to the land but merely an instrument, which transfers title.
A deed must conform to all the elements of state law for it to be a legal instrument.
A deed does not have to be recorded at a county courthouse to be legal. Recording a deed merely publishes the deed and gives notice to everyone else in the world interested in the identified property that there has been a change in ownership.
A deed must be signed by a seller, then delivered to a buyer for a change in title to have occurred. (The buyer must accept title.)