Search Charlevoix County Deed Records

Charlevoix County deed records are held by the Register of Deeds office in Charlevoix, Michigan. The office has a computer index of land documents from January 1984 to the present, and staff are working to scan earlier records as well. You can search deeds, mortgages, and other land instruments online or by visiting the office in person.

Charlevoix County Register of Deeds Office

The Charlevoix County Register of Deeds is at 13513 Division Street in Charlevoix. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call 231-547-7204 or send a fax to 231-237-0106. The office website is at charlevoixcounty.org.

Jessica Porter serves as the Register of Deeds. Kendall Smith is the Chief Deputy, and Carrie Swailes handles deputy duties along with senior compliance work. This small staff manages all deed recording and indexing for Charlevoix County. If you have a question about a specific document or need help with a search, any of these staff members can assist.

The office asks that mail requests include a self-addressed stamped envelope so documents or copies can be returned quickly. If you don't include one, processing your request may take longer. For documents returned after recording, the same rule applies.

Charlevoix County Deed Records Online

Charlevoix County has a computer image index of land records from January 1984 forward. The county is in the process of scanning older documents so the archive will eventually cover a longer time span. For documents recorded before 1984, you may need to visit the office in person or contact staff to locate the record in older physical indexes.

The online index lets you search by grantor name, grantee name, and document type. Images of recorded documents can be viewed on screen. For a certified copy, you must order it from the office. The county website at charlevoixcounty.org has links to the land records search and other county services.

The Register of Deeds page on the Charlevoix County website shows search tools and office information.

The Register of Deeds page provides direct access to the document index, contact details, and instructions for recording or requesting copies of deed records.

The main Charlevoix County website links to the Register of Deeds and all other county departments.

The county home page is the starting point for finding deed records, property tax tools, GIS maps, and other resources for Charlevoix County properties.

Recording Fees and Transfer Tax

Charlevoix County charges $30 to record a deed or other land document under MCL 600.2657. This rate is the same across all Michigan counties. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies add a $5 fee on top of the copy cost.

Real estate transfers in Charlevoix County are also subject to Michigan's transfer tax. The state takes $3.75 per $500 of sale price under MCL 207.521, and the county adds $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. The combined rate works out to $8.60 per $1,000 of value. Exemptions exist for gifts between family members, corrective deeds, and certain other non-arm's-length transfers.

E-Recording Deed Documents

Charlevoix County accepts electronic recording of land documents. This is particularly useful for title companies, lenders, and attorneys who file documents regularly. Instead of mailing or hand-delivering paper documents, e-recording lets authorized users submit instruments digitally through an approved vendor. Michigan's Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act under MCL 565.841 gives counties the authority to accept e-recorded documents.

Approved e-recording vendors serving Michigan counties include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Each vendor has its own enrollment process. Once enrolled, users can submit documents and receive the recorded instrument back electronically, usually faster than by mail. Contact the Register of Deeds office to confirm current vendor acceptance before enrolling.

What to Know Before Recording a Deed

Deeds recorded in Charlevoix County must comply with the formatting requirements of MCL 565.201. These rules cover margin size, font requirements, and other presentation standards. The first page of a deed must include the grantor's name and address, the grantee's name and address, the legal description of the property, and the consideration amount or a statement of value. The document must be signed by the grantor and notarized.

Transfer tax must be paid at the time of recording for most deed types. Bring payment in the form of a check or money order when submitting documents in person. For e-recorded documents, the vendor handles the payment process. Make sure to calculate the transfer tax based on the full consideration amount before submitting.

If your deed does not meet recording requirements, the office will return it to you. Common problems include missing margins, illegible text, or an incomplete legal description. Reviewing the MCL 565.201 requirements before you prepare the document saves time and avoids rejection at the counter.

Change of Ownership Rules in Michigan

When a deed is recorded in Charlevoix County, the property assessor is notified so the ownership record can be updated. Michigan's Proposal A caps taxable value increases each year, but a change in ownership can reset the cap and allow the taxable value to climb to the state equalized value. For buyers of properties that have been held a long time, this can mean a noticeable increase in property taxes after the deed is recorded.

Michigan Treasury publishes guidance on which transfers trigger a taxable value uncapping and which do not. Transfers between spouses, some transfers to family members, and transfers that correct prior deed errors may be exempt. Check the Michigan Treasury website at michigan.gov for the full list of exempt transfers and how to document an exemption claim.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Charlevoix County in northern Michigan, each with deed records maintained by a local Register of Deeds office.