Guide to filing a mechanics lien in Saginaw County

Where is the Saginaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds's Office that files mechanic liens?

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

111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48602

(989) 790-5270 – Phone
(989) 790-5278 – Fax
Email: rod@saginawcounty.com

Office Hours:
8:00 am – 4:45pm
Monday – Friday (Excluding Holidays)

Saginaw County now offers e-recording of real-estate documents, including those requiring tax certification for qualified submitters such as businesses and government agencies.

Saginaw County is currently partnering with the following vendors for E-Recording services:

Simplifile
(800) 460-5657

CSC eRecordingSolutions
(866) 652-0111

eRecording Partners Network (ePN)
(608) 616-2314

What is Saginaw County's Recording Backlog?

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

Should I file my mechanics lien in Saginaw County?

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

What are Saginaw County's requirements for recording a mechanics lien?

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

565.201 Requirements for recording with register of deeds.
Sec. 1.

(1) A register of deeds shall not receive for recording an instrument executed after October 29, 1937 unless the instrument complies with each of the following requirements:
(a) The name of each person purporting to execute the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped beneath the original signature or mark of the person, and the signature or mark is in black or dark blue ink.
(b) A discrepancy does not exist between the name of each person as printed, typewritten, or stamped beneath his or her signature and the name as recited in the acknowledgment or jurat on the instrument.
(c) The name of any notary public whose signature appears on the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on the instrument and appears on the same page near the signature of the notary public.
(d) The address of each of the grantees in each deed of conveyance or assignment of real estate, including the street number address if located within territory where street number addresses are in common use, or, if not, the post office address, is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on the instrument.
(e) If the instrument is executed before April 1, 1997, each sheet of the instrument is all of the following:
(i) Typewritten or printed in type not smaller than 8-point size.
(ii) Not more than 8-1/2 by 14 inches.
(iii) Legible.
(iv) On paper of not less than 13 (17×22—500) pound weight.
(f) If the instrument is executed after April 1, 1997, each sheet of the instrument complies with all of the following requirements:
(i) Has a margin of unprinted space that is at least 2-1/2 inches at the top of the first page and at least 1/2 inch on all remaining sides of each page.
(ii) Subject to subsection (3), displays on the first line of print on the first page of the instrument a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences.
(iii) Is electronically, mechanically, or hand printed in 10-point type or the equivalent of 10-point type.
(iv) Is legibly printed in black ink on white paper that is not less than 20-pound weight.
(v) Is not less than 8-1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long or more than 8-1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long.
(vi) Contains no attachment that is less than 8-1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long or more than 8-1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long.
(g) Unless state or federal law, rule, regulation, or court order or rule requires that all or more than 4 sequential digits of the social security number appear in the instrument, beginning on 1 of the following dates the first 5 digits of any social security number appearing in or on the instrument are obscured or removed:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), September 12, 2007.
(ii) For an instrument presented to the register of deeds by the department of treasury, April 1, 2008.
(h) If the instrument or any part of it is in a language other than English, a written English translation is attached to the instrument.
(i) If the instrument is executed after January 1, 1964, the instrument contains the name and business address of the person who drafted the instrument.
(2) Subsection (1)(e) and (f) does not apply to instruments executed outside this state or to the filing or recording of a plat or other instrument, the size of which is regulated by law.
(3) A register of deeds shall not record an instrument executed after April 1, 1997, other than an instrument described in subsection (2), if the statement required under subsection (1)(f)(ii) purports to evidence more than 1 recordable event.
(4) Any instrument received and recorded by a register of deeds, including any instrument considered duly recorded under subsection (6), is conclusively presumed to comply with this act. The requirements contained in this act are cumulative to the requirements imposed by any other act relating to the recording of instruments.
(5) A register of deeds shall not reject an instrument for recording because of the content of the instrument if the instrument complies with the provisions of this act and any other act relating to the recording of instruments.
(6) If a mortgage meets all requirements for recording under this act and a copy of the mortgage is affixed to an affidavit that is recordable under section 1a(g) of 1915 PA 123, MCL 565.451a, the register of deeds shall receive the affidavit with the accompanying copy of the mortgage for record, and the mortgage is duly recorded under this act and under section 29 of 1846 RS 65, MCL 565.29, as of the date of recording of the affidavit. To the extent that the mortgage validly creates a lien, the lien is perfected as of the date of recording of the affidavit. The amendments to this section enacted by 2014 PA 347 apply retroactively to all copies of mortgages verified by affidavit regardless of whether they are recorded on, before, or after October 17, 2014, the effective date of 2014 PA 347. However, a register of deeds shall not receive an affidavit and mortgage for record under this subsection after October 16, 2014 if more than 1 mortgage is attached to the affidavit.

What are the margin & page size requirements to file a lien in Saginaw County?

The Saginaw County Register of Deeds Office’s page requirements are as follows:

If the instrument is executed before April 1, 1997, each sheet of the instrument is all of the following:

(i) Typewritten or printed in type not smaller than 8-point size.
(ii) Not more than 8-1/2 by 14 inches.
(iii) Legible.
(iv) On paper of not less than 13 (17×22—500) pound weight.
(f) If the instrument is executed after April 1, 1997, each sheet of the instrument complies with all of the following requirements:
(i) Has a margin of unprinted space that is at least 2-1/2 inches at the top of the first page and at least 1/2 inch on all remaining sides of each page.
(ii) Subject to subsection (3), displays on the first line of print on the first page of the instrument a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences.
(iii) Is electronically, mechanically, or hand printed in 10-point type or the equivalent of 10-point type.
(iv) Is legibly printed in black ink on white paper that is not less than 20-pound weight.
(v) Is not less than 8-1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long or more than 8-1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long.
(vi) Contains no attachment that is less than 8-1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long or more than 8-1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long.

How can I make payment to the Saginaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds's Office?

The Saginaw County Register of Deeds Office accepts the following payment methods:

1. Cash
2. Check
3. Money Order
4. Credit Card (Fees Apply)

* American Express
* Discover
* Master Card
* Visa

What are the filing fees to record a mechanics lien in Saginaw County?

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

Recording Fees

$30.00 per document – MCL 600.2567(a)

Any document which assigns or discharges more than 1 instrument, $3.00 shall be added for each additional instrument so assigned or discharged – MCL 600.2567(b)

Copy Fees

$1.00 per page – MCL 600.2567(c)
$5.00 a document for certification – MCL 600.2567(d)

Over the Counter Fees

1st search free
$5.00 per search – MCL 600.2567(e)
Public workstation available in Register of Deeds office at no cost

Tax Certification

Contact the Saginaw County Treasurer for assistance

How do I get a recorded copy of my lien from the Saginaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds's Office?

You can obtain a recorded copy of your liens in person at the Saginaw County Register of Deeds Office located at:

111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48602

(989) 790-5270 – Phone
(989) 790-5278 – Fax
Email: rod@saginawcounty.com

Office Hours:
8:00 am – 4:45pm
Monday – Friday (Excluding Holidays)

Copy fees are as follows:

Copies: $1.00 per page – MCL 600.2567(c)
Certification Fee: $5.00 a document MCL 600.2567(d)

You can also submit a copy request (fees may apply) by:

* Tapestry at https://tapestry.fidlar.com/Tapestry2/Default.aspx
* E-mail
* Phone (989) 790-5270
* Fax (989) 790-5278

You will need the following information when submitting a request:

* Property owner’s name
* Address
* Approximate date of purchase