Ottawa County Recorder Information

The County Clerk also serves as Register of Deeds and is responsible for recording and maintaining records for real property located in in Ottawa County.

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

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).

Tax certification: Warranty deeds, land contracts or an assignment thereof, or deeds that contain a covenant of warranty must have a tax certification from the County Treasurer's Office. The charge for this service is $5.00.

The county transfer tax rate is $0.55 per $500.
The rate of state tax is $3.75 per $500.

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

* Documents should be on paper that is not larger than 8.5 x 14 inches, and is not smaller than 8.5 x 11 inches. A page is considered to be one side. The font size should be at least 10 point in black ink.

* The top of the first page should have a top margin of 2.5 inches and a 1/2 inch margin at the top of each successive page. Each page should have inch side and bottom margins.

* Documents purporting to convey or encumber real estate executed in Michigan must have an acknowledgement by a 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 be recorded.

* The name and address of the person who prepared the document must appear on documents drafted in Michigan.

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

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

* Names should be printed or typed beneath all signatures contained in the document. No discrepancy shall exist between the signatures and the printed names.

* Only documents with original signatures can be recorded.

* The total consideration for the real property should be stated on the face of the instrument. The appropriate state and/or county exemption, or a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit shall be filed.



Quitclaim Deeds must be dated and must have a legal description.

Warranty Deeds must be dated, have a legal description, and have a Tax Certificate.

The Tax Certificate must be obtained from the County Treasurer's Office prior to recording.

Discharges must have a cross reference to the original document being assumed.

Mortgages must have a legal description.

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

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

There is no fee for filing a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit, but the instrument shall state that a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit is being filed.