Find Deed Records in Macomb County
Macomb County deed records stretch back to 1818 and are freely searchable online through the county's SuperIndex system at deeds.macombgov.org, one of the most robust public deed search tools among Michigan's 83 counties. The Register of Deeds office in Mount Clemens handles all property filings for a county that includes Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and Macomb Township, making it one of the busiest recording offices in the state.
Macomb County Deed Records
Register of Deeds Office
The Macomb County Register of Deeds operates at 120 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. The main phone is 586-469-7953, fax is 586-469-5130, and email is registerofdeeds@macombgov.org. The official department page is at macombgov.org/departments/clerk-register-deeds/register-deeds.
Macomb County is one of Michigan's most densely populated counties, and the Register of Deeds office handles a very high volume of recordings every year. The county spans major suburban communities southeast of Detroit, and real estate activity throughout Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and other parts of Macomb County generates a constant stream of deed filings. The office uses state-of-the-art electronic imaging to maintain the document archive, and the SuperIndex system makes that archive freely available to the public online.
The screenshot below shows the free SuperIndex search portal at deeds.macombgov.org, which is where members of the public can search the full deed index without charge.
The SuperIndex portal allows searches by name, document type, and date range, and returns results from the full historical index dating back to 1818.
SuperIndex and Online Search Options
The SuperIndex at deeds.macombgov.org is the primary tool for online deed research in Macomb County. It is completely free to use and requires no account or registration. The index covers all recorded instruments from 1818 to present. You can search by grantor and grantee names, document type, recording date, and other criteria.
Beyond SuperIndex, the county also participates in US Land Records, accessible at uslandrecords.com. US Land Records aggregates deed indexes from multiple Michigan counties and can be useful if you are researching property across county lines. Some features on that platform may require a paid subscription, but basic searches are often available at no charge. For most Macomb County searches, however, SuperIndex is the most direct and complete tool available.
Online document copies obtained through the SuperIndex carry a $6.00 fee per document if you choose to purchase the image. Viewing index data is free; paying for the actual document image unlocks the full copy. If you need a certified copy, you will need to contact the office directly or visit in person to obtain the official certified version with the seal.
Fraud Notify Alert System
Macomb County operates the Fraud Notify Alerts system, a free service that monitors the deed index for recordings involving your name or property. When a document is recorded that matches your enrollment criteria, you receive a notification. This gives property owners an early warning if someone attempts to record a fraudulent deed, mortgage, or lien in their name without their knowledge.
Property fraud has become more common in suburban Michigan counties with high property values and active real estate markets. Macomb County's system is free to all property owners, and enrollment can be completed through the Register of Deeds office. Contact the office at 586-469-7953 or at registerofdeeds@macombgov.org to set up your alert. Seasonal or non-resident property owners who are not watching their local public records closely are particularly well served by this kind of monitoring.
Recording Fees and Transfer Tax
Macomb County follows Michigan's statewide flat recording fee of $30 per document, established under MCL 600.2657. Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 plus the per-page copy fee. These fees apply to warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, discharges, liens, and other recorded instruments.
The real estate transfer tax on most deed recordings equals $8.60 per $1,000 of the property's purchase price. This figure combines the state levy of $3.75 per $500 with the county levy of $0.55 per $500. The seller pays the transfer tax in the vast majority of transactions, and a valuation affidavit must accompany the deed at the time of recording to document the sale consideration. Certain transfers qualify for exemption, including foreclosure deeds, transfers between spouses, and some family conveyances. If your transfer is exempt, indicate the basis for exemption on the affidavit form.
Document Formatting and Requirements
Michigan law under MCL 565.201 sets the formatting standards that all recorded documents must meet. Paper must be white, at least 20-pound weight, and standard letter or legal size. The first page must reserve a 2.5-inch margin at the top for the recording stamp. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Print must be black, legible, and no smaller than 10-point font.
Every deed must include the grantor and grantee names, the legal description of the property, the drafter's name and address, and the return address for the document after recording. Grantor signatures must be notarized. Documents that fail to meet these requirements are returned unrecorded. In high-volume offices like Macomb County, document review at the counter is quick, and staff will catch formatting issues before processing your submission, so it is best to verify compliance before arriving or mailing your documents.
E-Recording Services
Macomb County accepts electronic document submissions through approved e-recording vendors under Michigan's MURPERA law at MCL 565.841. E-recording is the preferred method for title companies, lenders, and law firms that record frequently in the county. Documents submitted electronically are processed and returned with recording data much faster than paper mail submissions.
Approved Michigan e-recording vendors include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Given Macomb County's high recording volume, e-recording is a practical efficiency tool for professional users. Individual buyers and sellers who do not use e-recording accounts can still record by mail or in person at the office. Mail submissions should include the document, a check for the recording fee payable to Macomb County Register of Deeds, and a return address for the recorded document.
Cities in Macomb County
Several major cities in Macomb County have their own deed records pages with courthouse details, search tools, and filing information specific to each community.
All of these communities file their property records with the Macomb County Register of Deeds in Mount Clemens. The county office is the single repository for deed records regardless of which city or township the property is located in.
Nearby Counties
Macomb County borders Oakland, St. Clair, and Lapeer counties, each with their own Register of Deeds for property records in those areas.