Kalamazoo County Recorder

The Register of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining records for real property located in Kalamazoo County.

Regardless of the number of pages, all documents will cost $30.00 to record, this cost is inclusive of the Michigan Remonumentation and Register of Deeds Automation fees.

For a document that assigns or discharges more than 1 instrument $3.00 for each instrument assigned or discharged (in addition to the $30.00 flat fee).

There is no fee for filing a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit.

Any applicable Michigan Real Estate Transfer Tax is due at the time of recording.
The rate of Kalamazoo County tax is $0.55 per $500 and under or fraction thereof.
The rate of Michigan state tax is $3.75 per $500 and under or fraction thereof.

A tax certificate must be obtained from the County Treasurer's office prior to recording any of the following (MCLA 211.135): WARRANTY DEEDS, A DEED which contains a covenant of warranty, LAND CONTRACT, PURCHASERS AGREEMENT of a Land Contract to an individual.
Fee for tax certificate: For up to 15 descriptions - $5.00. Each additional description - $0.20.

Properties located within the City of Kalamazoo must obtain an additional city tax certificate. The Kalamazoo City Treasurer's office handles this function. Contact them at Kalamazoo City Hall, 241 W South St, Kalamazoo MI 49007, or by phone at 269-337-8036. The fee for a city tax certificate is $10.00.

* Documents must contain original signatures, with the corresponding names typed, stamped, or printed beneath all signatures. This also applies to the signature of the notary public.

* Instruments conveying or mortgaging any interest in real estate must state the marital status of any male grantors.

* The complete name and mailing address of the grantee needs to be supplied.

* The name and address of the person who drafted the instrument should be included in the deed.

* A legal description of the property needs to be included in the deed.

* A warranty deed needs a tax certificate, but a quit claim deed does not.

* The address of all parties must appear on any instrument by which title to any interest therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of.

* Real estate documents of conveyance must be acknowledged by a judge, clerk of the court of record, or notary public.

* When an instrument of conveyance states 'survivor' in the grantor's section, a certified copy of the death certificate or proof of death must also be recorded.

TRANSFER TAX AND TAX CERTIFICATES

- A tax certificate must be obtained from the County Treasury office prior to recording a warranty deed, a deed containing a covenant of warranty, a land contract, or a purchaser's agreement of a land contract to an individual.

- Properties located within the city of Kalamazoo must obtain an additional city tax certificate.

- An instrument of conveyance that is subject to the tax imposed shall state on its face the total consideration of the real property, or a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit shall be filed.

- Transfer tax imposed by each act will be collected unless the transfer is exempt from either or both acts and such exemptions are stated on the face of the document.

- The tax shall be upon the seller or grantor.

- Conveyances affecting real property situated in more than one county must state the portion of the sale price attributable to each parcel lying in the separate counties. Transfer tax must be paid to each county for that portion of the sale price.

- Instruments must state that a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit is being filed.

For a complete list of exemptions, visit the Kalamazoo County webpage. The following are a list of common exemptions:
a) instruments with a consideration of $100 or less.
b) instruments evidencing transfers or contracts that are not to be performed wholly within the state of Michigan.
c) instruments given as security or discharge.
d) instruments evidencing leases.
e) conveyances from a husband or wife or vice versa creating or disjoining a tenancy.
f) instruments to confirm titles already vested in grantees, such as quit claim deeds to correct flaws in titles.

MARGINS AND FORMATTING

* Instruments executed after April 1, 1997 must have a blank margin of at least 2.5 inches on the top of the first page. All remaining sides of each page
should be at least 1/2 an inch.

* On the first line of printing on the first page (below the 2.5 inch top margin), a document title should be given. This should indicate the purpose of the document and should be as simple as 'warranty deed' or 'quit claim deed.'

* Document should be in 10 point type and can be printed or typed. Printing or typing should be in black ink.

* Paper should be at least 8.5 x 11 inches, but no larger than 8.5 x 14.