Gogebic County Deed Records Search

Gogebic County deed records are maintained by the Register of Deeds office in Bessemer, serving this Upper Peninsula county along the Wisconsin border. The office records all property transfers, mortgages, easements, liens, and other land documents filed in Gogebic County. An Internet Land Records Search System is available for online access, and the office also offers passport acceptance and Livescan fingerprinting services. All recorded documents form the permanent public record of property ownership in Gogebic County.

Gogebic County Register of Deeds Office

The Register of Deeds is at 200 N. Moore St., Bessemer, MI 49911. You can reach the office by phone at 906-667-0381, by fax at 906-663-4660, or by email at rdeeds@gogebic.org. The county website at gogebiccountymi.gov provides details on services and recording requirements.

The office handles all property-related recordings for Gogebic County. That includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, easements, releases, and liens. Once recorded, all documents are part of the public record and can be searched by anyone.

Gogebic County also offers Livescan fingerprinting at the Register of Deeds office. The fee is $70 and an appointment is required. Call 906-667-0381 to schedule. Passport applications are accepted as well. Check with the office on current availability and what documents you need to bring for passport services.

The Gogebic County Register of Deeds page on the county website shows office contact details, hours, and available services.

The department page includes information on recording procedures, fees, and how to access the Internet Land Records Search System for Gogebic County.

Recording Fees in Gogebic County

The recording fee is $30 per document. This flat fee covers deeds, mortgages, releases, and other land instruments regardless of page count. Michigan law under MCL 600.2657 set this rate statewide, effective October 1, 2016.

Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an additional $5.00. A tax certificate showing whether there are unpaid taxes on a property costs $5.00 and covers up to five legal descriptions. If your request covers more than five descriptions, add $0.20 per additional description.

Pay by check or money order. For mail requests, include the document details, your payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The office will return the recorded document or copies to you by mail. Call 906-667-0381 to confirm the exact amount needed before sending a request.

Transfer Tax in Gogebic County

Michigan's real estate transfer tax has two parts. The state charges $3.75 per $500 of value under MCL 207.521. Gogebic County adds $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. The combined rate is $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price.

The seller pays the transfer tax in most transactions. A valuation affidavit must accompany any deed that conveys property for value. This form states the actual sale price. Without it, the office will not record the deed. The affidavit becomes part of the public record along with the deed.

Some transfers are exempt. Transfers between spouses, certain family transfers, and conveyances involving government bodies may qualify for an exemption. The exemption must be clearly noted on the deed, and the correct affidavit must be attached. A title company or real estate attorney can help confirm whether your transaction qualifies before you go to record.

Document Formatting Requirements

Every document recorded in Gogebic County must follow the formatting rules in MCL 565.201. The Register of Deeds will reject any document that does not meet these standards.

The first page must have a 2.5-inch blank top margin. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches wide. Text must be at least 10-point font. The first page must clearly state the document type, the names of all grantors and grantees, the full legal description of the property, the mailing address for tax statements, and the name of the person who prepared the document.

If any of these items are missing or the margins are off, the document will be returned unrecorded. You will need to make corrections and start over. This can cause delays, especially if the document has already been signed and notarized. Review formatting before the signing to avoid these issues.

The Gogebic County government website gives access to county offices, including the Register of Deeds and departments related to property taxes and land use.

Through the county site, you can find resources for property owners in Gogebic County, including tax payment information and assessor contacts in each township.

Online Records Search in Gogebic County

Gogebic County provides an Internet Land Records Search System. This tool lets you search recorded documents online without visiting the office. You can look up records by grantor and grantee name, document type, or recording date. This is useful for buyers, sellers, title examiners, and attorneys who need to verify ownership or check for liens before a closing.

Check the county website at gogebiccountymi.gov for the current link to the search portal and any access instructions. Some systems require a free account to search, while others are open to the public without registration.

Michigan is a race-notice state. That means the first party to record a deed and who had no prior knowledge of another unrecorded claim generally holds the stronger legal title. Recording promptly after any property transaction is essential. A signed but unrecorded deed offers less protection than one that has been filed with the Register of Deeds.

Common Deed Types in Gogebic County

The Register of Deeds records a range of instruments. The most common are warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds. Warranty deeds include a guarantee that the title is free of undisclosed claims. Quitclaim deeds transfer only what the grantor owns, with no guarantee of title clarity.

Mortgages and mortgage discharges are also filed frequently. When a lender releases a mortgage after full repayment, a discharge must be recorded to clear the lien from the title. If a discharge is missing from the record, the property's title remains clouded and future sales can be delayed.

Land contracts, easements, and judgment liens round out the most common document types. Each affects property ownership in a different way, and all must be recorded to be enforceable against future buyers. In Gogebic County, which has significant timberland and recreational properties, easement deeds and access agreements are frequently recorded alongside standard residential transfers.

Property Transfer Affidavit Requirements

When property changes hands in Gogebic County, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor within 45 days of the transfer. This step is required by Michigan law and applies to all taxable property sales.

The affidavit notifies the assessor that a transfer occurred and triggers a review of taxable value. Michigan limits how fast a property's taxable value can rise while it stays with the same owner. A transfer lifts that cap. Filing the affidavit on time ensures the tax records reflect the new owner correctly and that any assessment adjustment takes effect for the next tax year.

Late filing results in a penalty. File the affidavit with the assessor for the township, city, or village where the property is located. The Register of Deeds does not handle this filing. Ask the local assessor's office for the correct form and instructions.

Nearby Counties

Gogebic County borders other Upper Peninsula counties, each with its own Register of Deeds for local property records.