Find Ingham County Deed Records
Ingham County deed records are maintained by the Register of Deeds at the courthouse in Mason, located at 341 S. Jefferson, Room 201. Ingham County includes Lansing, Michigan's state capital, and covers a high volume of property transactions. The office accepts e-recording and handles in-person requests Monday through Friday. Vault access for records before 1960 requires an appointment. This page covers the search tools, recording procedures, fees, and resources available for Ingham County deed records.
Ingham County Deed Records
Ingham County Register of Deeds Office
The Ingham County Register of Deeds is at 341 S. Jefferson, Room 201, Mason, MI 48854. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The vault, which holds physical deed books and older recorded instruments, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Access to pre-1960 records in the vault requires an appointment. Call 517-676-7216 to schedule. You can also fax the office at 517-676-7287. The department homepage is at the Ingham County Register of Deeds website.
It is worth noting that Lansing, Michigan's state capital, is in Ingham County. This means the county handles deed records for a large urban area as well as surrounding townships. The volume of recorded instruments is higher here than in many Michigan counties, which is reflected in the level of staffing and the depth of the online record system.
The Ingham County Register of Deeds office also provides information on Michigan Legal Help resources for residents who need help understanding deed documents or the recording process. Staff can point you to legal aid contacts for Ingham County if you need guidance on a specific deed or title issue. The office itself cannot provide legal advice, but they can refer you to the right place.
The screenshot below shows the Ingham County official website, from which the Register of Deeds department can be reached directly.
The Ingham County website provides links to all county departments, including the Register of Deeds, the Treasurer, and the Assessor's office.
Ingham County Deed Records Search Options
The Ingham County Register of Deeds offers online deed record access through its public portal. You can search by grantor or grantee name to find recorded documents. The online system covers current records and gives you document details without an in-person visit. Visit the department page to access the search portal.
For records before 1960, the vault holds physical deed books. These require an in-person visit with an appointment. Call 517-676-7216 to schedule vault access. Staff will assist you in locating the right liber and page for a historical deed. This is useful for estate settlement work, title disputes, or genealogical research involving older Ingham County properties.
The county accepts e-recording for new document submissions. Approved vendors for Michigan e-recording include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. E-recording is widely used by title companies and law firms operating in Ingham County given the high volume of real estate closings that take place here each year. Documents submitted electronically are returned with a recording stamp, typically faster than mail submissions.
Recording Fees and Transfer Tax in Ingham County
The recording fee for deeds and other instruments in Ingham County is $30 per document, as set by MCL 600.2657. Copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page. Certification of a document adds a $5 fee.
Michigan's real estate transfer tax applies when property is conveyed for consideration. The state charges $3.75 per $500 of value under MCL 207.521. Ingham County charges $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. Combined, that is $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price. Transfer tax is paid at recording. Exempt transfers include certain family conveyances, deed corrections, and transfers for nominal consideration. The Michigan Treasury transfer tax page lists the full exemption schedule.
What Ingham County Deed Records Include
Ingham County deed records cover all recorded property instruments in the county. The Register of Deeds maintains an index of documents by grantor and grantee name, making it possible to trace the ownership history of any parcel. Each recorded document has a liber and page number or instrument number assigned at the time of recording.
Documents recorded in Ingham County include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, land contracts and memoranda of land contracts, mortgage documents, assignments, discharge of mortgage, easements, covenants and restrictions, liens, lis pendens notices, plats, and condominium master deeds. Given Lansing's role as the state capital, Ingham County records also include a higher proportion of government and institutional property transfers than many other Michigan counties.
Property Transfer Affidavit and Tax Obligations
Under MCL 211.27a, a buyer who purchases property in Ingham County must file a Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor within 45 days of the transfer. The affidavit is filed with the city or township assessor, not with the Register of Deeds. Missing the deadline triggers a penalty on the tax bill.
The Michigan Treasury provides the current Property Transfer Affidavit form and instructions on its change of ownership page. Ingham County includes both the city of Lansing and numerous townships, each with its own assessor. Make sure to file with the assessor for the specific jurisdiction where the property is located, not just with the county.
Lansing properties may also be subject to city-level transfer and tax requirements. Check with the City of Lansing assessor if the property is within city limits. The Ingham County Equalization Department handles county-level assessment questions and can direct you to the right assessor for a specific address.
Deed Recording Standards Under MCL 565.201
All deeds recorded in Ingham County must meet the format requirements of MCL 565.201. Required elements include margins of at least 2.5 inches at the top of the first page and 0.5 inches on other sides, a minimum 10-point type size, identification of the preparer, and a clear legal description of the property. Deeds that do not meet these requirements will be rejected and returned without recording.
E-recording under MCL 565.841 (MURPERA) allows documents that meet these standards to be submitted digitally. The same formatting rules apply whether the document is submitted in paper or electronically. Title companies and attorneys familiar with Michigan recording standards can confirm compliance before submission.
Additional Resources for Ingham County Property Research
The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains resources relevant to deed research in all Michigan counties. The statewide Register of Deeds page explains recording rules and links to county-specific information. The transfer tax page provides current rates and exemption details. For questions about easements and whether transfer tax applies, see the easement conveyances page.
For legal aid in Ingham County, the Ingham County Bar Association can provide referrals. The Register of Deeds office itself references Michigan Legal Help resources for residents who need guidance on recording procedures or deed forms. If you have a title dispute or need help with a deed preparation, a licensed Michigan real estate attorney should be your first contact.
Nearby Counties
Ingham County is bordered by several mid-Michigan counties, all with their own Register of Deeds offices.