Cheboygan County Deed Records Search

Cheboygan County deed records are maintained by the combined County Clerk and Register of Deeds office in Cheboygan, Michigan. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land instruments for all real property in the county. You can search records in person, by email at clerk@cheboygancounty.net, or by visiting the county website for online tools.

Cheboygan County Clerk and Register of Deeds

The Cheboygan County Clerk and Register of Deeds is located at 870 S. Main, Cheboygan, MI 49721. The mailing address is P.O. Box 70. You can reach the office by phone at 231-627-8808, by fax at 231-627-8453, or by email at clerk@cheboygancounty.net. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. More information is at cheboygancounty.net.

Like many smaller Michigan counties, Cheboygan combines the Clerk and Register of Deeds functions. This means the same office that handles deed recording also manages vital records, election administration, and court filings. If you are coming in specifically for deed records, let staff know at the front counter so they can direct you to the right person.

The county accepts electronic recording of documents, and staff can provide information about approved e-recording vendors. Online forms and resources related to deed recording are also available through the county website.

Finding Deed Records in Cheboygan County

You can search Cheboygan County deed records by visiting the office at 870 S. Main during business hours. Bring the name of the grantor or grantee, the parcel number, or the legal description. Staff can search the index and locate the document you need. Copies cost $1 per page and certified copies add a $5 fee.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the office at the P.O. Box 70 address. Include a description of the document you need, payment in the form of a check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Contact the office by phone or email first if you are not sure what information to include.

The county website has online forms and may also have a document search portal. Check the department page before making the trip to confirm current online access options.

The image below shows the official Cheboygan County Clerk and Register of Deeds page.

This page includes office contact information, hours, and links to forms and resources related to deed recording and land records in Cheboygan County.

The main Cheboygan County website also serves as a starting point for property-related searches.

From the county home page you can navigate to deed records, tax information, GIS mapping, and other county services all in one place.

Recording Fees and Transfer Tax

Cheboygan County charges $30 to record a single deed or other land document under MCL 600.2657. Page copies cost $1 each. For a certified copy, add $5 to the copy fee.

Michigan's real estate transfer tax applies to most deed transactions. The state rate is $3.75 per $500 of consideration under MCL 207.521. Cheboygan County adds $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. Together, the total transfer tax is $8.60 per $1,000 of sale price. Some deeds are exempt, such as transfers to correct prior errors, gifts between spouses, and certain family transactions.

E-Recording in Cheboygan County

Cheboygan County accepts e-recording under Michigan's Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, MCL 565.841. Electronic recording is a practical option for title companies and attorneys who regularly submit land instruments to the county. Approved vendors include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Each vendor handles enrollment and document submission for authorized users.

For one-time filers, mailing or hand-delivering documents may be simpler. If you submit by mail, include the recording fee, transfer tax payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office will stamp the document with the recording date and return it to you once processed. Always call ahead or check the county website to confirm current fee totals before mailing.

Document Requirements for Deed Recording

To record a deed in Cheboygan County, the document must meet the standards set by MCL 565.201. The law requires specific margin sizes, clear and legible print, the grantor's and grantee's names and addresses on the first page, a full legal description of the property, and a notarized signature from the grantor.

Documents that don't meet these standards will be rejected at the counter or returned by mail. Common issues include margins that are too narrow, a missing address for the grantee, or a legal description that doesn't match county records. Preparing the document carefully before submission avoids delays. If you are working with an attorney or title company, they typically handle formatting compliance as part of the closing process.

Transfer Tax and Easement Conveyances

Michigan's transfer tax applies not just to standard deed conveyances but also to easements and certain other property interests. The rules for what counts as a taxable conveyance can be complex in some situations. Michigan Treasury has published guidance on easement conveyances and how the transfer tax applies, which is useful for any party dealing with a less common type of property transfer in Cheboygan County.

The Michigan Treasury page on easement conveyances and transfer tax explains when the tax applies, how to calculate it, and what documentation is needed at the time of recording.

Nearby Counties

Cheboygan County is surrounded by several northern Michigan counties, each with a Register of Deeds office maintaining local land records.