Otsego County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

You can file your mechanic liens in person at the Otsego County Register of Deeds Office located at:

225 West Main St.
Gaylord, MI 49735

Telephone: 989-731-7551
Fax: 989-731-7519
E-mail: sdefeyter@otsegocountymi.gov

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday: 8:00 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.
CLOSED: 12:00-1:00

The Otsego County Register of Deeds Office does not publicly disclose information on recording backlog.

If your construction project is located in Otsego County, then yes, you should file your lien here.

The Otsego County Register of Deeds Office’s recording requirements are as follows:

1. Signatures must be original and names must be typed, stamped or printed beneath all written signatures. MCLA 565.201(a)(e)

2. No discrepancy in the names shall exist between the printed names of such person, as appears either in the body of the instrument, the signature, the acknowledgment or jurat. MCLA 565.201(b)

3. Instruments conveying or mortgaging any interest in real estate shall state the marital status of any male grantors. MCLA 565.221

4. The addresses of all parties must appear on any instrument by which title to any interest therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered or otherwise disposed of. MCLA 565.201(a)(f)

5. The name and address of the person who drafted the document must appear on the documents executed in Michigan. MCLA 565.201a.

6. Documents purporting to convey or encumber real estate executed in the State of Michigan before March 4, 2002, must contain two (2) witness signatures and an acknowledgement by a notary public. After March 4, 2002, documents executed in Michigan need only contain an acknowledgment by a notary public. MCLA 565.8

7. Survivor deed or survivor mortgage shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the death certificate, or shall show by Liber and Page reference that the death certificate has been recorded in the Register of Deeds office. MCLA 565.48

8. Court orders must be certified and sealed by the clerk of the court to be eligible for recording, unless otherwise ordered by the court. MCLA 565.401, 565.411

9. Documents executed in the State of Michigan after April 1, 1997, must have a 2 1/2 inch top margin and all other margins are 1/2 inch. Exemptions to this include certified documents, surveys and land corners.

10. THE DEFINITION OF A PAGE: One side of a single sheet of paper not larger than 8.5″ x 14″ with print not smaller than 10 point type, which shall be legible and on paper of not less than 20 (17 x 22-500) pound weight. MCLA 565.201(g)

11. Documents must display on the first line of print on the first page, a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences. MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (f)(ii); 565.201 Sec. 3.

NOTES:

* Blanket assignments are accepted. Blanket releases are accepted.
* Assignment and Discharge Fees: For any document which assigns or discharges more than one instrument:$3.00 shall be added to the recording fee for each additional instrument so assigned or discharged.
* Please be advised that the Register of Deeds requires a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for the return of all recorded documents.
* Documents that do not meet the requirements, including documents with more than one title, will be rejected.
* Common document errors include incorrect fee, missing individual drafter name, names not typed beneath signatures, marital status of male grantor/ mortgagor not disclosed, and notarial certificate incomplete.

Documents executed in the State of Michigan after April 1, 1997, must have a 2 1/2 inch top margin and all other margins are 1/2 inch. Exemptions to this include certified documents, surveys and land corners.

THE DEFINITION OF A PAGE: One side of a single sheet of paper not larger than 8.5″ x 14″ with print not smaller than 10 point type, which shall be legible and on paper of not less than 20 (17 x 22-500) pound weight. MCLA 565.201(g)

The Otsego County Register of Deeds Office accepts check payments. Make checks payable to Otsego County Register of Deeds.

The Otsego County Register of Deeds Office’s recording fees are as follows:

Recording Fees

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2016, RECORDING FEES FOR ALL DOCUMENTS RECORDED IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE WILL BE $30.00 PER DOCUMENT INCLUSIVE OF ALL PAGES.

**$4.00 of this fee is deposited to the Michigan State Survey & Remonumentation (MSSR) Fund. This fee is not required for fixture filings, state liens, federal liens, MESC liens, State deeds or Plats.

For any document that assigns or discharges more than one instrument, $3.00 shall be added to the fee for each instrument so assigned or discharged.

Michigan real estate transfer tax is collected on written instruments at the time of recording in accordance with MCL 207.505 (5) and MCL 207.526(6). An instrument shall state on its face the TOTAL CONSIDERATION of the real property, or a REAL ESTATE TRANSFER VALUATION AFFIDAVIT shall be filed. No fee is collected for filing this Affidavit.

This transfer tax is imposed on each transfer unless the transfer is EXEMPT from either or both acts referred to above and such exemptions are stated on the face of the instrument.

Copy Fees

Copies of all documents can be provided at the cost of $1.00 per page.

$5.00 certification fee per document

You can obtain a recorded copy of your lien in person, by mail or online.

In Person

You can visit the Otsego County Register of Deeds Office located at:

225 West Main St.
Gaylord, MI 49735

Telephone: 989-731-7551
Fax: 989-731-7519
E-mail: sdefeyter@otsegocountymi.gov

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday: 8:00 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.
CLOSED: 12:00-1:00

The Otsego County Register of Deeds Office currently maintain indexes and images through a computerized index system which begins on March 5, 1864 to the present. Every record can be retrieved and copied within a matter of minutes in the Register of Deeds office.

Copies of all documents can be provided at the cost of $1.00 per page.
A $5.00 certification fee will be charged per document.

Mail

Make checks payable to and mail copy request to:

Otsego County Register of Deeds
225 West Main St.
Gaylord, MI 49735
(989) 731-7551

Online

You can also search for Otsego County’s Land Records online at: https://rod.otsegocountymi.gov/

You may search the index free of charge and purchase PDF copies of documents via credit card at a cost of $1.00 per page. There is an additional online transaction fee of $5.00 per order.

You can get the property’s legal description from the Otsego County Register of Deeds Office in person.

You can search for Otsego County’s Land Records online at: https://rod.otsegocountymi.gov/

You can also search for property legal descriptions online with the Otsego County Equalization Department at:

Property Search