Antrim County Deed Records

Antrim County deed records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in Bellaire, Michigan, with computerized records going back to January 1990 and historical deed books covering transactions to 1856. The office offers online access through Laredo and Tapestry, accepts e-recording through Simplifile or EPN, and provides a free Property Fraud Alert service. This page explains how to search, copy, and record property documents in Antrim County.

Antrim County Register of Deeds Office

The Antrim County Register of Deeds mailing address is P.O. Box 376, Bellaire, MI 49615. Phone: 231-533-6683. Fax: 231-533-8317. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The office page is at antrimcounty.org. A drop box is available for after-hours document submissions, and a public search terminal is accessible by appointment.

Staff can help with recording questions, index searches, and copy requests. If you plan to use the public terminal for a more in-depth search, calling ahead to schedule your visit is required. Walk-in searches without an appointment may not be accommodated if staff are occupied with other tasks.

Historical deed books from May 1993 back through 1856 are kept at the office. Microfilmed copies of those older records are stored in an underground facility for preservation. This dual-storage approach protects against loss in the event of a disaster at the main office and is common practice for county archives holding irreplaceable historical documents.

Searching Antrim County Deed Records Online

Antrim County deed records from January 1990 to the present are accessible online through Laredo and Tapestry. Laredo is a subscription platform used by title companies, lenders, and law firms. Tapestry is a pay-per-search option that works for users who need occasional access. Both platforms let you search by grantor and grantee name, instrument type, and date range.

For transactions recorded in book form from May 1993 back to 1856, online access is not available. Those searches require either a visit to the Bellaire office or a written request. Bring or include a legal property description or the names of the parties to help staff locate the right deed book and page. Staff can provide copy quotes before you finalize a mail request.

The Antrim County office also notes that records from January 1990 to May 1993 exist in the computer system but predate the earlier book-form records in that overlap window. If you are searching across that boundary, you may need to check both the digital index and the physical books to ensure complete coverage.

Note: Public terminal access at the Antrim County office requires an advance appointment. Call 231-533-6683 to schedule.

Recording Deed Records in Antrim County

Michigan law sets a $30 flat recording fee per document under MCL 600.2657. Antrim County charges an additional $3.00 per instrument for additional instruments on the same page. Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus the per-page fee. Make checks payable to the Antrim County Register of Deeds.

Every document submitted for recording must meet the standards in MCL 565.201. The statute covers required margins, minimum font size, paper weight, and the layout of the first page. Submitting a document that does not meet these rules can result in rejection or a non-standard document surcharge. Title professionals prepare documents to these standards as a matter of routine, but individual filers should review MCL 565.201 before submitting.

You can drop documents in the drop box outside the office for after-hours delivery. During business hours, bring documents to the counter or send by mail. Include a return envelope and the correct payment when mailing. The office stamps each recorded document with the date and instrument number and returns the original.

Electronic Recording in Antrim County

Antrim County accepts e-recording through Simplifile and EPN. Electronic submission lets title companies, lenders, and law offices deliver documents without a trip to Bellaire or a mailing delay. Michigan's MURPERA law, codified at MCL 565.841, authorized counties to accept e-recorded documents starting in 2010.

To use Simplifile, call 1-800-460-5657 or sign up online. EPN operates through a similar platform. Both vendors charge service fees on top of the county's $30 recording fee. Documents submitted electronically during business hours are typically processed the same day. This is faster than mail and more convenient than in-person delivery for firms recording frequently in the county.

Property Fraud Alert in Antrim County

Antrim County offers a free Property Fraud Alert program. The service monitors the deed index for documents recorded using your name or parcel number and sends a notification when a match is found. This gives you the chance to act quickly if someone files a fraudulent deed or mortgage against your property.

Property fraud is a real risk in areas with active real estate markets. Fraudsters sometimes target vacant land or properties owned by people who live elsewhere. A deed can be recorded without the real owner's knowledge, and if the fraud goes undetected for months, it becomes harder and more expensive to correct. The free alert does not block unauthorized filings, but it shortens the window between when fraud happens and when you find out about it. Contact the Antrim County Register of Deeds at 231-533-6683 to sign up.

The Michigan Treasury change of ownership page outlines how recorded deed transfers affect property tax assessment, which is relevant any time a new document appears on your parcel's record.

Transfer Tax on Antrim County Deed Records

Antrim County property transfers are subject to combined state and county transfer taxes. The state rate is $3.75 per $500 of value under MCL 207.521. The county rate is $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. Combined, the total is $8.60 per $1,000. The seller typically pays at closing. Certain transfers are exempt, including gifts between family members, transfers between spouses, and transfers to qualifying trusts.

A transfer tax valuation affidavit must be included with every deed at recording, even for exempt transfers. The affidavit records the sale price and the basis for any exemption. The county assessor uses this information to update the property's taxable value under MCL 211.27a, which uncaps the assessed value when ownership changes. Buyers in Antrim County should review current assessed values and anticipate higher taxes in the year after closing.

Historical Land Records in Antrim County

Antrim County deed records date back to 1856. The oldest records document early land grants and private transfers from the period when much of northern Michigan was being settled and surveyed. These historical deed books are kept at the office in Bellaire, with microfilm backups stored in an off-site underground facility for long-term preservation.

Researchers and title abstractors working on older parcels often need to trace ownership through multiple decades of deed books. The physical index guides you to the right volume and page for each transaction. Staff can walk you through the index search process if you are unfamiliar with it. For genealogy work, deed records can show when a family acquired or sold land, the amount paid, and the legal description of the parcel at the time of sale.

The computerized records from January 1990 forward are accessible through Laredo or Tapestry without a visit. For anything before 1990, plan on an in-person visit or a detailed written request to the office.

Note: Microfilm copies of historical Antrim County deed books provide a backup record, but the originals at the Bellaire office remain the authoritative source for all certified copy requests.

Nearby Counties

Antrim County borders several counties in northwest lower Michigan, each with its own Register of Deeds for local property records.