Tuscola County Recorder Mechanics Lien Filing

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

125 W Lincoln St
Caro, MI 48723

Phone: 989-672-3840

Office Hours

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed 12:00PM-1:00PM, Weekends and holidays

You can also send your documents to the following mailing address:

Tuscola County Register of Deeds
125 W. Lincoln Street, Suite 400
Caro, MI 48723-1591

Correct fees and self-addressed stamped envelopes must accompany the recordings. Check all documents and fees thoroughly before submitting. Submission of incorrect fees will cause a rejection of the request.

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

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

The Tuscola 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. MCL 565.201(1)(a) & (c)

2. No discrepancy shall exist between names printed in the notary acknowledgement and as printed beneath signatures. MCL 565.201(1)(b)

3. Instruments conveying or mortgaging any interest in real estate shall state the marital status of any male grantors. MCL 565.221(Note: marital status is designated by the terms married or single)

4. The address of the grantees in each deed of conveyance or assignment of real estate shall contain the street number address or post office address. MCL 565.201(1)(d)

5. The name and address of the person who drafted the document must appear on the documents. MCL 565.203

6. Documents purporting to convey or encumber real estate executed in Michigan require an acknowledgement by a judge, clerk of a court of record or a notary public within this state. MCL 565.8; form: LAND 565.47, MCL 565.265; 565.267

7. A certified copy of the death certificate or proof of death must be recorded or have been recorded and referenced by Liber and Page on said document when “survivor” is indicated on the document. MCL 565.48

8. Court orders must be certified and sealed by the clerk of the court and may not be altered in any way. MCL 565.401; 565.411

9. The document submitted for recording must be legible. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(iv)

10. Documents must have a margin of unprinted space 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. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(i)

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

12. The type on the form must be printed with black ink; type size at least 10-point type. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(iii) & (iv)

13. The paper on which the document is printed must be white and not less than 20-pound weight. MCL 565.201(1)(e)(iv) & (1)(f)(iv)

14. The size of the document and any attachment thereto must be at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches and no more than 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(v) & (vi)

15. Unless required by state or federal law or court order, no more than 4 sequential digits of any social security number may appear on the instrument. MCL 565.201(1)(g)

16. Instruments shall not purport to evidence more than one recordable event. MCL 565.201(3)

17. When a subdivision plat has been recorded, the legal description within the instrument shall specify the block, lot(s), and plat name. MCL 560.255

18. All documents of conveyance that contain warranties and/or covenants must be certified by the county Treasurer that all taxes have been paid before submission for recording.

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

1. The document submitted for recording must be legible. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(iv)

2. Documents must have a margin of unprinted space 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. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(i)

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

4. The type on the form must be printed with black ink; type size at least 10-point type. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(iii) & (iv)

5. The paper on which the document is printed must be white and not less than 20-pound weight. MCL 565.201(1)(e)(iv) & (1)(f)(iv)

6. The size of the document and any attachment thereto must be at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches and no more than 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches. MCL 565.201(1)(f)(v) & (vi)

The Tuscola County Register of Deeds Office accepts cash, checks and money orders. Checks must have the account holder’s and bank’s name and address on them and may not exceed the appropriate expiration period. Checks made payable directly to the Register of Deeds for the correct amount will be accepted.

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

Recording Fees

For entering and recording any deed, mortgage, lis pendens, certified copy, or other instrument: Flat fee of $30.00.

Any document which assigns or discharges more than one instrument (same names only), $3.00 shall be added to the recording fee for each additional liber and page so assigned or discharged.

For posting more than one reference with liber and page – $3.00 each.
$4.00 of the recording fee is deposited to the Michigan State Survey & Remonumentation (MSSR) fund. (The $4.00 MSSR fee is not assessed on fixture filings, state liens, federal liens, MESC liens, state deeds, plats or tax reversion documents (MCL 600.2567a (4) ).

Add $3.00 for each additional liber and page to be indexed/posted.

Fixture Filings

For any new Fixture Filings or amendments, assignments, continuations, partial releases, and discharges (MCL 440.9525) – $30.00.

For a copy of any Fixture Filing – $1.00 per page.

All UCC’s, amendments, assignments, continuations, partial releases and terminations are filed with the Secretary of State.

Tax Certificates

A tax certificate must be sent directly to the Tuscola County Treasurer’s office prior to recording any of the following (MCLA 211.135) :

Warranty Deed – Any deed which contains a covenant or warranty.

Land Contract – Assignment of land contract with warranty clause.

Master Deed for Condominium.

Only send said document with the Treasurer’s office $5.00 certification fee. Once you receive the stamped certified document back then send all documents in the order needed to be recorded with exact recording fees to our office.

Any tax certification questions please contact the Tuscola County Treasurer office at 989-672-3890.

Copy Fees

Copy, real estate records – $1.00 per page.
Copy, Fixture Filing – $1.00 per page.
Copy, State or Federal Tax Lien – $1.00 per page.
Copy, Plats of Record – $1.00 per page.
Certification of any of the above copies – $5.00 per document.
State Tax Lien search certificate – $3.00 per name.
Federal Tax Lien search certificate – $3.00 per name.

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

In Person

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

125 W Lincoln St
Caro, MI 48723

Phone: 989-672-3840

Office Hours

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed 12:00PM-1:00PM, Weekends and holidays

The Register of Deeds office needs the liber and page where the document was recorded; or, the year, the parties names, and the legal description in order to find the document.

All copies are $1 per page and must be paid for at time of purchase.

Online

Land record indexes are available online from December of 1988 to present at:
https://countyfusion7.kofiletech.us/countyweb/login.do?countyname=TuscolaMI

Mail

You can send your copy request to the following mailing address:

Tuscola County Register of Deeds
125 W. Lincoln Street, Suite 400
Caro, MI 48723-1591

Correct fees and document information must be submitted. Use online search to obtain the liber and page. All mail requests for copies need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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

Tuscola County’s land record indexes are available online from December of 1988 to present at:
https://countyfusion7.kofiletech.us/countyweb/login.do?countyname=TuscolaMI

You can also search for property legal descriptions online with the Tuscola County Equalization Department at: https://www.tuscolacounty.org/equalization/