Benzie County Deed Records

Benzie County deed records are maintained by the Register of Deeds office in Beulah, covering all property transfers, mortgages, liens, and other land documents filed in this northwest Michigan county. The office keeps digital images going back to the mid-1800s, and staff record over 200 different document types. Whether you need to confirm ownership, search for liens, or record a new deed, the Benzie County Register of Deeds is the primary resource for all land records in the county.

Benzie County Register of Deeds Office

The Benzie County Register of Deeds is located at the Government Center, 448 Court Place, Suite 202, Beulah, MI 49617. The mailing address is P.O. Box 377, Beulah, MI 49617. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the office by phone at 231-882-0016 or by fax at 231-882-0167.

The office is staffed by Paula Eberhart (Registrar), Isabelle Kaskinen (Chief Deputy), and Ashlee Kaskinen (Deputy). The county website at benzieco.gov provides additional contact details and guidance on recording requirements.

Benzie County also serves as a passport acceptance agent. If you need a new or renewed passport, you can apply at the Register of Deeds office. Call ahead to confirm current availability and what documents to bring.

The Register of Deeds office page on the Benzie County website shows office details, recording requirements, and contact information for the current staff.

The office page lists recording fees, document requirements, and links to frequently used forms for property transfers in Benzie County.

Recording Fees in Benzie County

The recording fee is $30 per document. This flat rate applies to deeds, mortgages, releases, and other recorded instruments, regardless of page count. The fee is set by state law under MCL 600.2657, effective October 1, 2016.

Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00. If you need a tax certificate, the fee is $5.00 for up to five legal descriptions. Each additional description beyond five costs $0.20. Tax certificates confirm whether there are any unpaid property taxes that could affect a title search.

Submit payment by check or money order made out to the Benzie County Register of Deeds. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office will return the recorded document or copies once processed.

Transfer Tax in Benzie County

Michigan charges a state real estate transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of the sale price under MCL 207.521. Benzie County adds a county transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. The combined rate equals $8.60 per $1,000 of value.

The seller typically pays the transfer tax at closing. A valuation affidavit is required with any deed that conveys property for value. This form declares the sale price and must be filed at the time of recording. Without it, the Register of Deeds may reject the document.

Some transfers are exempt from the transfer tax. Common exemptions include transfers between spouses or close family members, transfers to or from government bodies, and certain foreclosure-related conveyances. Note any exemption on the deed itself and include the appropriate affidavit. If you are unsure about your transaction, ask a title company or real estate attorney before you record.

Document Formatting Requirements

Michigan law under MCL 565.201 sets the formatting rules for all recorded documents. Meeting these standards is required. The Register of Deeds can reject documents that do not comply.

Your deed or other recorded instrument must have a 2.5-inch blank margin at the top of the first page. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Use a font size of at least 10 points. The first page must clearly show the document type, the names of all grantors and grantees, the property's legal description, and the name and address for tax bill mailing. The document preparer's name must also appear on the instrument.

If your document does not meet these requirements, the office will return it unrecorded. You will need to correct the document and resubmit. This can delay closings, so it is best to review formatting rules before signing and notarizing the deed.

The Benzie County government website homepage provides access to all county departments, including the Register of Deeds and related services.

Through the county site you can find links to other departments that handle property taxes, permits, and related records that may complement a deed search.

E-Recording and Online Access

Benzie County accepts electronic recording. E-recording lets title companies, lenders, and attorneys submit documents digitally, skip the trip to the office, and get documents back faster. The Michigan Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, MCL 565.841, authorizes county registers of deeds to accept electronic submissions.

Approved vendors include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Each vendor charges its own service fee in addition to the county recording fee. You need to create an account with a vendor before you can submit documents electronically. Once enrolled, most documents are processed within one business day.

Benzie County also offers a Property Fraud Alert service at no cost. When you sign up, you get an email notification any time a document is recorded in your name in Benzie County. This is a useful tool for property owners who want early warning of any unauthorized deed filings. Sign up through the county website or ask the Register of Deeds office for details.

Historical records in Benzie County go back to the mid-1800s. The office has digital images of older documents, making it possible to trace ownership chains on properties that have changed hands many times over the past century or more. Researchers and title examiners find this depth of records valuable for complex title searches.

Searching Benzie County Deed Records

You can search Benzie County deed records in person at the Government Center. Staff can look up documents by grantor or grantee name, document type, or recording date. Bring the property address or parcel number if you have it. This speeds up the search.

Michigan is a race-notice state. The first party to record and who lacks notice of a prior unrecorded claim generally wins a title dispute. This means recording your deed promptly after closing is critical. Do not wait. A deed that sits unrecorded leaves your ownership vulnerable if another party records first.

Common deed types recorded in Benzie County include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, easements, and judgment liens. Each type has a different legal effect. Warranty deeds offer the most protection to buyers. Quitclaim deeds transfer only what the grantor actually has, with no guarantee of clear title.

Property Transfer Affidavit

When real property changes hands in Michigan, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit with the local unit of government assessor. This must be done within 45 days of the transfer. Failure to file on time can result in a penalty of $5 per day, up to $200.

The affidavit tells the assessor that ownership has changed and triggers a review of the property's taxable value. Michigan law caps how fast taxable value can rise while a property stays with the same owner. A transfer uncaps that value. Filing the affidavit on time ensures the assessor updates the records correctly.

The Register of Deeds office does not handle the Property Transfer Affidavit directly. You file it with the township, city, or village assessor where the property is located. Ask the assessor's office which form to use and how to submit it.

Nearby Counties

Benzie County borders several other northwest Michigan counties, each maintaining its own Register of Deeds records.