Find Deed Records in Saginaw County

Saginaw County deed records are maintained by the Register of Deeds office at 111 S. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw, where staff record and index all property transfers, mortgages, liens, easements, and related land documents for the county. The office offers free public workstations for on-site searching and supports e-recording for title professionals and lenders who file documents regularly.

Saginaw County Register of Deeds Office

The Saginaw County Register of Deeds is located at 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI 48602. Call 989-790-5270 during regular business hours with questions about recording, searching, or requesting copies. The county website at saginawcounty.com provides additional contact details and may include guidance on document submission.

This office records all documents that affect real property in Saginaw County. That includes warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, discharges, land contracts, easements, and judgment liens. Once the office accepts and stamps a document, it enters the permanent public record. Anyone can search those records or request copies at any time.

The office provides free public workstations. If you want to search records without paying for staff assistance, you can use those terminals yourself. Bring the property address, the owner's name, or the liber and page number to speed up your search.

Recording Fees and Copy Costs

Saginaw County charges a flat $30 recording fee for most documents. That covers deeds, mortgages, releases, and other standard instruments. The fee does not depend on the number of pages. This statewide rate was established under MCL 600.2657, which took effect October 1, 2016.

Copies cost $1.00 per page. A certified copy adds a $5.00 certification fee on top of the per-page cost. Certified copies are often required by lenders, courts, or title companies. You can get copies in person or by mail. Mail requests should include the document details, a return address, and a check or money order for the correct amount.

Call ahead before mailing to confirm the exact fee and the current acceptable payment methods. Having the right amount saves time and avoids delays in processing your request.

Real Estate Transfer Tax

Michigan imposes a real estate transfer tax on most property sales. The state portion is $3.75 per $500 of the sale price. Saginaw County adds $0.55 per $500. Combined, the total is $8.60 per $1,000 of value. The seller typically pays this tax at closing.

A valuation affidavit must accompany every deed that conveys property for value. This form discloses the actual sale price so the county can calculate the transfer tax correctly. Without it, the Register of Deeds may refuse to record the deed. The affidavit is a standard part of most real estate closings in Michigan.

Some transfers are exempt. Common exemptions include transfers between spouses, transfers to or from a government agency, and certain foreclosure-related conveyances. If your transfer qualifies, note the exemption clearly on the deed and attach the proper affidavit. A title company or attorney can help confirm whether an exemption applies.

The Michigan Treasury website has resources explaining transfer tax rules and exemptions. If you are unsure whether a transfer is taxable, check the Treasury site or consult a professional before recording.

How to Record a Deed in Saginaw County

Michigan law sets strict formatting rules for recorded documents under MCL 565.201. Documents that do not meet these standards can be rejected. The Register of Deeds office will not make corrections to your document.

The first page must have a 2.5-inch top margin. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Font must be at least 10-point. The document must show the type of instrument, the names of all parties, a legal description of the property, and the name and address where tax statements should be sent. The name of the person who prepared the document must also appear.

You can submit documents in person at the office, by mail, or electronically through an approved e-recording vendor. In-person submissions are typically processed the same day. Mail submissions take longer. E-recording is the fastest option for professionals who file frequently.

After recording, the office stamps the document with the date, time, liber number, and page number. Keep the original recorded document in a secure place. These stamped details form the chain of title for the property.

E-Recording in Saginaw County

Saginaw County accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. This lets title companies, lenders, and attorneys send documents digitally without visiting the office. The vendor receives, reviews, and routes the document for recording, then returns the stamped copy electronically.

Approved vendors include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Each vendor operates independently and has its own setup process. Contact the vendor of your choice to open an account. The Register of Deeds office can confirm which vendors are currently active if you need help choosing.

The Michigan Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, codified at MCL 565.841, gives county registers the authority to accept electronic submissions. Saginaw County uses this option to serve the legal and title community more efficiently.

The Michigan Treasury's guidance on change of ownership reporting applies to all property transfers recorded in Saginaw County. The screenshot below shows part of those guidelines.

After a deed is recorded, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor within 45 days of the transfer date. Missing this deadline can result in a penalty from the assessor's office.

Searching Records at the Saginaw County Register of Deeds

The Saginaw County Register of Deeds office provides free public workstations for record searches. You can search by grantor or grantee name, by liber and page number, or by date range. Staff are available to answer questions, though they cannot provide legal advice about what you find.

The county website may include links to an online property search tool. Check saginawcounty.com for current online access options. Third-party property data sites may also index Saginaw County records, though those sources are unofficial and may lag behind the county's own database.

Michigan is a race-notice state. That means the first buyer who records a deed and does not have prior notice of another claim generally wins in a dispute over ownership. Recording quickly after closing protects your interest. Do not delay.

The Michigan Treasury also publishes guidance on easement conveyances and transfer tax rules. The resource below is useful for anyone dealing with easements or right-of-way transfers in Saginaw County.

Easement transfers can be complex. Review this Treasury resource or speak with a real estate attorney if your transaction involves an easement or right-of-way.

Common Deed Types in Saginaw County

The Register of Deeds records many types of documents. The most common are warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds. A warranty deed includes a seller's promise that the title is free of claims. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever the grantor owns, with no guarantee at all.

Other documents recorded at this office include mortgages, land contracts, mortgage discharges, assignments of mortgage, easements, and judgment liens. All of these must be recorded to affect the public record. An unrecorded deed or mortgage can leave a party unprotected against future buyers or lenders who have no notice of the claim.

When a loan is paid off, the lender must record a discharge or release. If your mortgage is paid but you do not see a discharge in the records, contact your lender. A missing discharge can cloud your title and create problems when you sell or refinance.

Land contracts are also common in this area. Under a land contract, the buyer takes possession but the seller keeps legal title until the full price is paid. Both the land contract and the eventual deed should be recorded. The Saginaw County Register of Deeds handles these documents routinely.

Saginaw County Register of Deeds Office

The screenshot below shows the Saginaw County government website, which includes information about the Register of Deeds office and its services.

The county site can help you find office hours, staff contacts, and any updates to recording procedures or fees.

Check the county website before visiting or mailing documents, as hours or procedures can change without much advance notice.

Nearby Counties

Saginaw County borders several other Michigan counties, each with its own Register of Deeds office handling local property records.