Cass County Recorder Information

Land records in Cass County are recorded by the Clerk Register. The office is held by Monica McMichael.

Public workstations in the County Administration Building allow free Grantor/Grantee searches, with a $1.00 fee per page for prints. Effective June 12, 2026, Tapestry EON is available as a web-based search service with a $8.75 fee per search; copies of images are $1.00 per page. Laredo is a downloadable program for searching land records for a monthly fee. The office cannot provide in-depth title searches or abstracts.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: Clerk Register Office | Cass County, MI · Staff Directory • Clerk Register Office · Recorded Document Search | Cass County, MI

These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.

Added at recording

Other charges

Fee schedule effective October 1, 2016.

StatewideThe $30.00 recording fee includes the survey and remonumentation fee under MCL 600.2567a ($4.00 before January 1, 2043; $2.00 beginning January 1, 2043), and $5.00 of each fee goes to the county automation fund. A charter county may set its own fee schedule by ordinance or resolution, not greater than the cost of the service. Grantor/grantee searches: 50 cents per year searched, $5.00 minimum.

Copy of a plat of record (set by County): $5.00. Fax fee: $5.00. State or federal tax lien search certificate: $3.00 per name. Financing statement search certificate: $6.00 for 1 debtor name. Fixture filings and terminations of UCC or fixture filings: $30.00. Searches are performed as time permits.

Transfer tax

State Real Estate Transfer Tax. $3.75 for each $500.00 or fraction of $500.00 of the total value of the property being transferred. The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, MCL 207.525(1))

StatewideCounty real estate transfer tax (1966 PA 134): 55 cents for each $500.00 or fraction thereof of the total value in a county with a population of less than 2,000,000, and not more than 75 cents as authorized by the county board of commissioners in a county with a population of 2,000,000 or more (MCL 207.504). It is imposed on deeds and land contracts when recorded (MCL 207.502). The State Real Estate Transfer Tax is paid to the county treasurer where the property is located (MCL 207.523(3)). A taxable instrument must state the total value on its face or have a value affidavit attached.

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: MCL 600.2567 Register of deeds; fees · MCL 207.525 State Real Estate Transfer Tax Act · MCL 207.504 Rate of tax · Recording Requirements | Cass County, MI

Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.

StatewideThe first line of print on the first page must be a single statement identifying the recordable event the instrument evidences. Printed names must match the acknowledgment or jurat. The notary's name must be printed near the notary's signature. Attachments must also be 8-1/2 x 11 to 8-1/2 x 14 inches. The first 5 digits of any social security number must be obscured or removed unless law requires otherwise. A non-English instrument must have an English translation attached. The size rules do not apply to instruments executed outside Michigan or to plats. Deeds and other conveyances of title require county and local treasurer tax certificates showing taxes paid for the 5 preceding years, except for listed exceptions such as quitclaim deeds (MCL 211.135).

A notary seal is required for out-of-state notaries. A certified copy of the death certificate must be recorded with the instrument if the conveyance states "survivor of" in the grantor's section, or the instrument must show by Liber and Page reference that the death certificate has been recorded. Court orders must be certified and sealed by the clerk of the court. The phrase "other good and valuable consideration" is only allowed if an affidavit is submitted. If re-recording an original document, an affidavit is required regarding the correction.

Forms filed along with a transfer

• Property Transfer Affidavit (Form 2766, L-4260) Statewide Michigan Department of Treasury (State Tax Commission form)
  Within 45 days of a transfer of ownership, filed with the assessing office of the local unit where the property is located

Submitting documents

Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: MCL 565.201 Requirements for recording with register of deeds · MCL 211.27a General Property Tax Act · Clerk Register Office | Cass County, MI · Recording Requirements | Cass County, MI