Kent County Recorder

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

All Warranty Deeds, Land Contracts, or an Assignment thereof, or any Deed that contains a covenant of Warranty must have a Tax Certification from the County Treasurer's office: $5.00 per deed, up to 25 parcels / .20 cents per additional parcel over 25. Please make checks for Tax Certifications payable to Kent County Treasurer.

Transfer tax is based on the amount of consideration paid for the interest being transferred. There is no transfer tax for mortgages in the state of Michigan. The county transfer tax is $1.10 per $1000. The state transfer tax is $7.50 per $1000.

FORMATTING AND MARGIN REQUIREMENTS

- Documents should be submitted on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper or 8.5 x 14 inch white paper. Any attachments included in the document must also conform to this.

- Printing should be in black ink, at least 10 point font.

- Documents submitted for recording must be legible.

- At the top of the first page of the document, the margin should be at least 2.5 inches. All remaining sides of each page must be at least 1/2 an inch.

- On the first line of print on the first page, a document title should be given that identifies the purpose of the document.

DOCUMENT GUIDELINES

- Signatures in document must be original. Names must be typed, printed, or stamped underneath all written signatures.

- There should be no discrepancy between names printed in notary acknowledgement and names printed underneath signatures.

- Documents of conveyance shall be acknowledged by a notary public.

- Any instruments conveying or mortgaging any interest in real estate must state the marital status of any male grantors.

- The grantees name and mailing address should be given in the deed.

- The name and address of the person who prepared the document must be contained within the document.

- If an instrument of conveyance states "survivor" in the grantor section, a certificate of death must be recorded, or the instrument shall reference by Liber and Page number that the certificate of death has been recorded in the Register of Deeds office.

- All warranty deeds, land contracts, assignments, or any deed that contains a covenant of warranty must have a tax certification from the County Treasurer's Office.

MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX

- The transfer tax is imposed on contracts for the sale or exchange of real estate or any interest therein, or any combination of the foregoing or assignment
or transfer thereof. Transfer tax is also imposed on deeds of instruments of conveyance of real property or any interest therein, for a consideration.

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

- The tax shall be upon the person who is the seller or grantor.

- In the case of an exchange of two properties, the deeds transferring title to each are subject to tax, and in each case, the tax shall be computed on the basis of the actual value of the property conveyed.

- If a conveyance affects 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.

- Documentary stamps can be purchased only in the county where the property is located.

EXEMPTIONS FROM TRANSFER TAX

For a complete list of exemptions, visit the Kent County Register of Deeds webpage. The following are only common exemptions:

- instruments with a value of consideration less than $100.

- conveyances from husband to wife or vice versa creating or disjoining a tenancy.

- quit claim deeds to correct flaws in titles, where the title is already vested in the grantee.

- conveyances between parent and child.