Ann Arbor Property Records
Ann Arbor property records are held at two main offices: the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds handles recorded documents like deeds, mortgages, and liens, while the City of Ann Arbor maintains local assessment, permit, and parcel data. The county's FileViewer system provides online access to both historical handwritten indexes and current recorded documents. The city's STREAM portal covers permits and inspections filed after March 2022. This page covers both systems and how to use them together for thorough property research.
Ann Arbor Property Records Overview
Washtenaw County Register of Deeds
All recorded property documents for Ann Arbor are filed with the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds. The office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, easements, plat maps, and other instruments under the grantor-grantee index required by MCL 565.29.
Recording in Washtenaw County costs $30 per document under MCL 600.2567. Online document image access costs $1.20 per page by credit card, which is slightly above the standard copy rate. Certified copies are $5 per document. The Records Unit can be reached at (734) 222-3024 for questions about specific records.
| Office | Washtenaw County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N. Main, Suite 110, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
| Phone | (734) 222-6710 |
| Records Unit | (734) 222-3024 |
| Land Records (FileViewer) | rod.ewashtenaw.org |
FileViewer: Online Land Records
Washtenaw County's FileViewer system gives online access to both historical handwritten indexes and current recorded land documents. This is one of the better online research tools in Michigan because it covers older records that many counties have not yet digitized. If you're doing a deep title search on an Ann Arbor property, FileViewer is likely the most complete starting point.
The system lets you search by grantor or grantee name and review document images. Online document images cost $1.20 per page if you want to print or save them. For basic index lookups, you may be able to pull key information without downloading images. The county also offers public records access through washtenawcountycourt.org.
Ann Arbor STREAM Permits System
The City of Ann Arbor launched the STREAM permits system in March 2022 to handle building permits, inspections, rental registration, and zoning information. If you're researching improvements, additions, or code compliance history on an Ann Arbor property built out or altered after that date, STREAM is where you'll find current permit records.
STREAM replaced the older A2Trak system for new filings. Permits, inspection results, and rental registration status are all searchable by address through the STREAM portal. This information is relevant when evaluating whether a property has open permits or unresolved inspection issues that could affect a sale or refinance.
A2Trak Archive for Older Permits
Permits issued before March 2022 are in the A2Trak archive system. If you need the permit history for an Ann Arbor property going back more than a few years, A2Trak is where older records live. Together with STREAM, the two systems cover the full permit history for most Ann Arbor properties.
Older permits can reveal past additions, structural changes, or repairs that may not be obvious from a visual inspection. Reviewing permit history as part of due diligence is a standard practice for Ann Arbor buyers, especially on older homes where work may have been done over many years.
Ann Arbor Property Values and Taxes
Ann Arbor has one of the higher median home prices in Michigan, at around $417,400. Effective tax rates in Ann Arbor average about 1.58%, though they vary by zip code. The 48104 zip code runs about 1.71%, while 48108 is closer to 1.49%. Assessment notices go out each mid-March, and property owners have until the end of the March Board of Review session to appeal.
The City of Ann Arbor website provides links to the assessor's office, city tax payment tools, and other local resources. Assessment data for Ann Arbor parcels is also available through BS&A Online.
Michigan's Proposal A caps annual taxable value increases, which means a long-held Ann Arbor property may have a taxable value well below its assessed value. When the property sells, the cap lifts and the new owner's taxable value resets. Given Ann Arbor's rising home prices, the "pop-up" effect on taxable value after purchase can be substantial.
Michigan Recording and Title Law
Michigan is a race-notice state under MCL 565.29. A buyer who records first without knowledge of a prior unrecorded claim wins the priority dispute. Recording your deed promptly after closing is critical. An unrecorded deed is vulnerable to claims by later purchasers who had no notice of it.
Deed requirements under MCL 565.201 include grantor and grantee names, a legal description, and a proper acknowledgment. Michigan's Marketable Record Title Act (MCL 565.101) clears most title defects older than 40 years, which is particularly relevant in Ann Arbor where many properties have ownership histories going back several decades.
Nearby Cities
Ann Arbor is the only qualifying city in Washtenaw County. For property records in neighboring counties, these nearby cities in other Michigan counties each have their own pages.
Washtenaw County Property Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. All property documents for Ann Arbor are recorded at the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds. The county page has full details on office hours, recording procedures, the FileViewer online system, and fees.