Find Deed Records in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County deed records are maintained by the Register of Deeds at 200 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor, where all property transfers, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land documents for the county are recorded and indexed. The office provides online access to records dating back to 1824 through the portal at rod.ewashtenaw.org, with subscription options available for high-volume users such as title companies and attorneys.

Washtenaw County Register of Deeds Office

The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds is at 200 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Call 734-222-2260 during business hours for questions about recording, searches, or copies. The office website is at washtenaw.org/269/Register-of-Deeds.

This office records all documents that affect real property in Washtenaw County. Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, mortgage discharges, easements, and judgment liens all go through this office. Once stamped and indexed, each document becomes part of the permanent public record that anyone can access and request copies of.

Washtenaw County is one of Michigan's more active real estate markets. The presence of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor drives significant rental and commercial property activity, while suburban communities like Ypsilanti Township, Saline, and Chelsea see steady residential sales. All of this deed activity flows through the Register of Deeds office in Ann Arbor.

Recording Fees and Copy Costs

Washtenaw County charges a flat $30 recording fee per document. This applies to deeds, mortgages, releases, and most other recorded instruments regardless of page count. The fee is set by state law under MCL 600.2657, which took effect October 1, 2016.

Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee on top of the page cost. You can get copies in person at the Ann Arbor office or by mail. Mail requests need the document details, your return address, and the correct payment amount.

Washtenaw County also offers subscription access to its online portal, which may allow registered users to view and print document images directly. Check the county website for current subscription options and pricing for that service.

Online Record Search at rod.ewashtenaw.org

Washtenaw County provides online access to deed records through its dedicated portal at rod.ewashtenaw.org. Records in the system go back to 1824, making it one of the more complete online archives among Michigan's county registers. The database is searchable by grantor and grantee name, document type, and recording date.

Free public access is available for basic searching. The office also offers subscription plans for title companies, attorneys, and other professionals who need frequent or bulk access to document images. Contact the office at 734-222-2260 or check the county website for details on current subscription tiers and pricing.

If you need records that predate the online system or need certified copies, visit the office in person or submit a mail request. Very old documents may exist only in physical form in the office's historical archives.

The screenshot below shows the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds page on the county's official website.

The county site has links to the online search portal, office contact information, and guidance on recording requirements.

Real Estate Transfer Tax

Michigan charges a transfer tax on most real property sales. The state's share is $3.75 per $500 of the sale price. Washtenaw County adds $0.55 per $500. Together, the total comes to $8.60 per $1,000 of purchase price. The seller typically pays this at closing.

A valuation affidavit must accompany every deed that transfers property for value. This form discloses the actual sale price so the tax can be correctly calculated. Without it, the Register of Deeds will not record the deed. This affidavit is a standard part of closing packages in Washtenaw County, and most title companies include it automatically.

Some transfers are exempt. Transfers between spouses, certain family transfers, transfers involving government agencies, and some foreclosure-related conveyances may qualify. If your transaction is exempt, note the exemption on the deed and attach the required affidavit. An attorney or title company can help you confirm whether an exemption applies.

Recording a Deed in Washtenaw County

Michigan's document formatting standards under MCL 565.201 apply to every deed and other instrument recorded in Washtenaw County. The Register of Deeds office will reject documents that do not comply with these rules.

Required formatting includes a 2.5-inch top margin on the first page, 0.5-inch margins on all other sides, and a minimum 10-point font size. The first page must identify the document type, all party names, the legal property description, and the name and address for tax statements. The preparer's name and address must also appear.

Documents can be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically through an approved e-recording vendor. Washtenaw County accepts e-recording through Simplifile (1-800-460-5657), ePN, CSC, and Indecomm. The authority for e-recording comes from MCL 565.841, the Michigan Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. E-recording is particularly common in Washtenaw County given the high volume of real estate activity and the number of title companies and law firms operating in the area.

The screenshot below shows the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds online portal at rod.ewashtenaw.org, where records from 1824 to present are available.

The online portal is one of the more comprehensive deed record search tools available among Michigan county registers, covering nearly two centuries of recorded documents.

Michigan Race-Notice Law and Why Recording Matters

Michigan is a race-notice state. This means that in a dispute between two parties who both have a claim to the same property, the one who records first and had no prior notice of the other's claim generally wins. This is a strong legal incentive to record a deed immediately after closing.

In a busy market like Washtenaw County, delays in recording can create real risk. If a seller fraudulently attempts to convey the same property twice, the buyer who records first is protected. Holding a signed but unrecorded deed leaves you legally vulnerable. The safest approach is to get the deed to the Register of Deeds office or through an e-recording vendor as soon as possible after the transaction closes.

After recording, the buyer must file a Property Transfer Affidavit with the local assessor within 45 days. This is a state requirement and the Michigan Treasury takes it seriously. Missing the deadline results in a penalty. The affidavit reports the sale to the assessor so the property can be reassessed for tax purposes.

Common Deed Types in Washtenaw County

Warranty deeds are the standard instrument for residential sales in Washtenaw County. The seller guarantees clear title. Quitclaim deeds are common in estate transfers, between family members, and in situations where the parties prefer not to make title guarantees. Both types are recorded at the Register of Deeds office in Ann Arbor.

Other documents recorded here include mortgages, land contracts, mortgage discharges, assignments of mortgage, easements, and judgment liens. Commercial and industrial transactions in the Ann Arbor area often involve more complex recorded instruments, including development agreements, restrictive covenants, and condominium declarations. The Register of Deeds handles all of these.

If a mortgage is paid off and no discharge appears in the record, contact the lender. An unreleased mortgage clouds the title and can prevent a sale or refinance from closing. The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds office can confirm whether a discharge has been recorded for any given loan.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is the county seat and largest city in Washtenaw County. Deed records for Ann Arbor properties are filed at the county Register of Deeds office. If you own or are buying property in Ann Arbor, this is where you will record and search deed documents.

For detailed information on deed records specific to Ann Arbor, see the Ann Arbor deed records page.

Nearby Counties

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