Presque Isle County Deed Records

Presque Isle County deed records are filed with the County Clerk and Register of Deeds office in Rogers City, Michigan. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, and other instruments affecting real property in the county. You can search records in person at the office, by mail, or through resources linked from the county website. This guide covers how to find deed records, what fees apply, how to get copies, and where to look for related property information.

Presque Isle County Clerk and Register of Deeds

The Presque Isle County Clerk and Register of Deeds is at 151 E. Huron Ave., P.O. Box 110, Rogers City, MI 49779. Call 989-734-3288 to reach the office. This combined office handles deed recording alongside other county clerk functions such as vital records, election records, and court administration. When you visit or call specifically about deed records, mention that at the start so staff can help you quickly.

The county website is at presqueislecounty.org. From there you can find department contact information, office hours, and links to county services. Hours can change for holidays or staff events, so call or check the website before making the trip from outside Rogers City.

Like most rural Michigan counties, Presque Isle combines the Clerk and Register of Deeds roles under one department. This is common in counties with smaller populations where combining functions keeps costs down for taxpayers. It does mean the staff handles a wide range of requests, so patience during busy periods is appreciated.

How to Search Deed Records in Presque Isle County

In-person searching is the most direct way to find deed records in Presque Isle County. Visit the office at 151 E. Huron Ave. during business hours. You will search the grantee/grantor index by name or look up records using a parcel number or legal description. Staff can help you find the right document in the index and pull a copy from the record books or digital system.

If you cannot visit in person, the office accepts mail requests. Write a letter with the property address or legal description, the names of the parties, and an approximate date range. Include a check for copy fees and a return envelope. Call the office at 989-734-3288 first to confirm the total amount needed and the correct mailing address for your request type.

The county website at presqueislecounty.org may have additional search tools or links to online document portals. Check the Register of Deeds or Clerk page before your visit for the latest access options.

The image below is from the official Presque Isle County website, which links to county departments and resources including the Register of Deeds.

The county site includes department listings, phone numbers, and links relevant to deed records and land information in Presque Isle County.

Recording Fees and Transfer Tax

Presque Isle County charges $30 to record a single deed or other land instrument under MCL 600.2657. That flat fee applies regardless of page count for most standard documents. Page copies from the office cost $1 each. A certified copy carries an added $5 certification fee on top of copy costs.

Michigan real estate transfer tax applies to most deed transactions. The state portion is $3.75 per $500 of value under MCL 207.521. Presque Isle County collects an additional $0.55 per $500 under MCL 207.501. Combined, that is $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price. Some transfers are exempt. Gifts between family members, deeds used to correct errors in prior recordings, and certain tax-related transfers may qualify for an exemption. Ask the office or consult an attorney if you are unsure whether your deed is subject to transfer tax.

E-Recording and Submission Options

Michigan law under MCL 565.841, the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (MURPERA), allows counties to accept documents submitted electronically by approved vendors. E-recording is widely used by title companies, mortgage lenders, and law firms who file large volumes of documents.

Approved e-recording vendors that serve Michigan counties include Simplifile (reach them at 1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Contact the Presque Isle County Clerk office directly to confirm which vendors are currently accepted and what the enrollment process involves. Not all small Michigan counties accept all vendors, so verify before assuming your preferred platform works here.

For individuals or one-time filers, mailing or hand-delivering documents is often simpler. If you mail a deed for recording, include the correct fee, transfer tax payment, and a return envelope so the office can send back the stamped original. The office can tell you by phone what to include and how to calculate the total amount due.

Deed Recording Requirements Under Michigan Law

Michigan deed recording rules are set by MCL 565.201. A valid deed must include the full legal names of the grantor and grantee, a legal description of the property, a statement of consideration or an exemption claim, and the grantor's signature. The deed must be notarized before it can be recorded.

Deeds also need a completed Property Transfer Affidavit (PTA) filed with the local assessor. The PTA triggers reassessment of the property's taxable value and is a separate requirement from the deed itself. Failure to file the PTA can result in penalties. More on the state's transfer tax rules and forms is at michigan.gov/taxes/property/transfer-tax.

The Michigan Department of Treasury also maintains guidance on change of ownership rules at michigan.gov/taxes/property/change-ownership. This resource explains what triggers a reassessment, which transfers are exempt from uncapping, and how to handle specific situations like inheritances and divorces.

This Michigan Treasury page explains when a property transfer triggers a taxable value uncapping and what exemptions apply under state law.

Easements and Other Recorded Instruments

The Presque Isle County Register of Deeds records more than just warranty and quitclaim deeds. Easements, land contracts, mortgages, discharge of mortgage documents, liens, and right-of-way agreements are all filed here. If you need to confirm whether a property has an easement or a lien on it, searching the deed index by parcel or owner name is the place to start.

Easement conveyances in Michigan have specific real estate transfer tax implications. The Michigan Department of Treasury has a resource on how easements and conveyances are treated under state transfer tax rules at michigan.gov/taxes/property/forms/information/easement-conveyances-and-real-estate-transfer-tax.

Attorneys, title companies, and landowners dealing with easement transfers should review this page before recording to understand what taxes may apply.

Related Property Records in Presque Isle County

Deed records are just one part of the full property record picture. The Presque Isle County Equalization Department maintains assessment data and taxable value information. The county treasurer's office holds tax payment records and can tell you if taxes are current on a parcel. For delinquent tax information, the Michigan Department of Treasury has resources at michigan.gov/treasury.

GIS and parcel mapping tools, when available, can help you identify parcel boundaries, confirm legal descriptions, and locate adjacent properties. Some Michigan counties provide free public GIS portals online. Check the Presque Isle County website for any available mapping tools. If the county does not have a standalone GIS portal, the Michigan Center for Geographic Information at michigan.gov may have statewide layers that include parcel data.

For title searches, a licensed title company or real estate attorney can run a full chain of title search going back decades. The deed index at the Register of Deeds office is the source for that research, and it can be done in person or through an agent.

Nearby Counties

Presque Isle County borders several other northern Michigan counties, each with its own Register of Deeds office.