Access Sanilac County Deed Records
Sanilac County deed records are kept at the Register of Deeds office in Sandusky, where staff record and index all property transfers, mortgages, easements, liens, and other land instruments affecting real estate in the county. Whether you need to confirm ownership, check for liens, or trace the history of a parcel, the Sanilac County Register of Deeds is the primary source for this information.
Sanilac County Deed Records
Sanilac County Register of Deeds Office
The Sanilac County Register of Deeds is located at 60 W. Sanilac Ave., Sandusky, MI 48471. Call 810-648-3212 during business hours with questions about document recording, searching, or copy requests. The county website at sanilaccounty.net has contact information and may include guidance on office services.
This office records all documents that affect real property in Sanilac County. Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, mortgage discharges, easements, and judgment liens all go through this office. Once recorded, each document is indexed and becomes part of the permanent public record that anyone can access.
Sanilac County is largely rural, with significant farmland and some Lake Huron shoreline. Property activity in the county includes agricultural land sales, residential transfers, and waterfront transactions, all of which generate deed records at this office. The county seat of Sandusky is a small community, so the office operates on a personal scale where staff often know the area well.
Recording Fees and Copy Costs
Sanilac County charges a flat $30 recording fee for most documents. This applies to deeds, mortgages, releases, and other instruments regardless of page count. The fee is set by state law under MCL 600.2657, which took effect October 1, 2016 and standardized recording fees across Michigan.
Copies are available for $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 certification fee. Certified copies are often needed for legal matters, lender requirements, or estate administration. You can request copies in person at the office or by mail. Mail requests should include the document details, your return address, and payment for the correct amount.
Call the office before mailing a request to verify current payment options and confirm you have the right document details. Getting this right upfront avoids delays.
Real Estate Transfer Tax in Sanilac County
Michigan charges a real estate transfer tax on most property sales. The state portion is $3.75 per $500 of value. Sanilac County adds $0.55 per $500. Together, the total comes to $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price. The seller typically pays this tax at the time of closing.
A valuation affidavit must accompany any deed that conveys property for value. This form discloses the actual sale price so the transfer tax can be calculated correctly. The Register of Deeds will not record a deed subject to transfer tax without this form. Make sure it is complete and signed before presenting the deed for recording.
Some transfers are exempt from the tax. Transfers between spouses, transfers to or from government entities, and certain foreclosure-related deeds may qualify. If an exemption applies, note it on the deed and attach the proper affidavit. A title company or real estate attorney can help you determine whether an exemption fits your situation before you file.
Document Formatting and Recording Requirements
Michigan law under MCL 565.201 establishes formatting rules for all documents recorded in the state. The Sanilac County Register of Deeds applies these rules and will reject documents that do not comply.
The first page must have a 2.5-inch top margin. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Font must be 10 points or larger. The first page must show the document type, names of all parties, the legal description of the property, and the name and address where future tax statements should be sent. The preparer's name and address must also appear on the document.
Documents can be submitted in person at the Sandusky office, by mail, or electronically through an approved e-recording vendor. In-person submissions are usually processed the same business day. After recording, the document is stamped with the date, time, liber number, and page number, which become the official record of filing.
E-Recording in Sanilac County
Sanilac County accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. This allows title companies, lenders, and attorneys to submit documents digitally without visiting the office. The document is processed and returned electronically, which is generally faster than mailing.
Approved e-recording vendors include Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. Contact the vendor of your choice to set up an account. The legal authority for e-recording comes from MCL 565.841, the Michigan Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act.
The Sanilac County government website provides information about the Register of Deeds office and its services. The screenshot below shows part of that site.
Visit the county website to check for updates on office hours, fees, or any new online search options that may become available.
Searching Sanilac County Deed Records
You can search deed records in person at the Register of Deeds office in Sandusky. Staff can help you find documents by grantor or grantee name, liber and page number, or date range. Bring as much detail as you have about the property or the parties involved to make the search go faster.
Check the county website at sanilaccounty.net for any current online search options. Availability of online access can change, so it is worth checking before making the trip to Sandusky if you are coming from a distance.
Michigan is a race-notice state. This means the first party to record a deed, without prior notice of another claim, generally wins in a dispute over ownership. Recording quickly after closing protects your title. Do not hold on to a signed deed.
The Michigan Treasury provides guidance on change of ownership reporting that applies to every deed transfer in Sanilac County. The image below shows part of those Treasury guidelines.
After a deed is recorded, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor within 45 days. Missing this deadline can result in a penalty.
Common Deed Types Recorded in Sanilac County
Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common documents recorded at the Sanilac County Register of Deeds. A warranty deed includes a seller's guarantee that the title is free of defects. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever the grantor holds without any guarantee about the title's quality.
Other documents recorded here include mortgages, land contracts, mortgage discharges, easements, and judgment liens. Land contracts are fairly common in rural Sanilac County, where buyers and sellers sometimes prefer seller financing over bank loans. Under a land contract, the buyer takes possession while the seller retains legal title until the final payment is made. Both the land contract and the eventual deed should be recorded.
If a mortgage has been paid off and the lender has not filed a discharge, contact the lender immediately. An unreleased mortgage clouds the title and can prevent a future sale or refinance from closing. The Register of Deeds office can confirm whether a discharge is on record for a given mortgage.
Nearby Counties
Sanilac County borders several other Michigan counties, each with its own Register of Deeds office for local property records.