Dearborn Property Records
Dearborn property records are maintained by the Wayne County Register of Deeds in Detroit. All deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other recorded instruments for Dearborn real estate are on file with that office. The Wayne County Land Records portal provides online access, and an additional SFFlexSuite system offers access to records going back to 1915. The Dearborn Assessor handles local property valuation for parcels within city limits.
Dearborn Property Records Overview
Wayne County Register of Deeds
All Dearborn property documents are recorded at the Wayne County Register of Deeds, located on the 7th floor of 400 Monroe St. in Detroit. The office uses a grantor-grantee index system under MCL 565.29, meaning you can search recorded documents by the grantor or grantee name.
Wayne County's recording fee structure differs from most Michigan counties. Standard documents cost $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Non-standard documents add a $25 penalty fee. Make sure your document meets Wayne County's formatting requirements before submitting to avoid the extra charge. Copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies are $5 per document.
| Office | Wayne County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 Monroe St., 7th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Phone | (313) 224-5850 |
| Online Search | waynecountylandrecords.com |
Online Access: Land Records Portal and SFFlexSuite
The Wayne County Land Records portal allows free basic name searches and access to recorded document indexes. This is the first place to check when looking for deeds, mortgages, or other recorded instruments on Dearborn properties.
For deeper historical research, the SFFlexSuite system covers Wayne County records going back to 1915. This system charges $30 for one hour of access, which is useful for title searches that need to go back several decades. If you're doing a full chain of title on an older Dearborn property, SFFlexSuite can fill in gaps that may not be available through the free portal.
For tax and assessment data, the Dearborn Assessor can be reached at (313) 943-2140. The city's assessor handles property valuation for Dearborn parcels, and you can appeal your assessment through the Board of Review each March. The City of Dearborn website provides contact information for city departments and local services.
Wayne County Transfer Taxes and Recording Costs
When a Dearborn property sells, Wayne County collects a county transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price. Michigan's state transfer tax adds $7.50 per $1,000. Both are collected at recording. Certain exemptions exist, including some transfers between family members and qualifying principal residence transactions.
Michigan property is assessed at 50% of true cash value. Annual taxable value increases are capped under Proposal A at inflation or 5%, whichever is less. Long-held Dearborn properties may have a taxable value well below the assessed value. When a property transfers, the cap lifts and the new owner's taxable value resets to the current assessed value, which can mean a meaningful increase in property taxes.
Statewide Research Tools
The Michigan Unclaimed Property portal is worth checking for any funds tied to prior Dearborn property transactions or escrow accounts. The portal is maintained by the Michigan Treasury and covers unclaimed funds from across the state.
Unclaimed property tied to real estate can include leftover escrow funds, uncashed refund checks, or deposits that were never returned. If you've recently bought or sold a Dearborn property, it's a quick check to see if any funds are waiting to be claimed.
Michigan State Tax Commission
The Michigan State Tax Commission sets standards for property assessment across the state and handles assessment equalization. If your property assessment is disputed and the Board of Review does not resolve it, the Michigan Tax Tribunal is the next step. The State Tax Commission also provides guidance on assessment procedures and exemption programs.
The Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) is one of the more important programs the State Tax Commission oversees. If Dearborn is your primary residence, filing for the PRE reduces the school operating tax portion of your property tax bill. File the exemption form with the Dearborn Assessor by June 1 or November 1 each year.
Michigan Recording and Title Law
Michigan is a race-notice state under MCL 565.29. A buyer who records first without notice of a prior unrecorded claim wins any priority dispute. For Dearborn buyers, recording your deed right after closing is the key step to protect your title. Waiting delays that protection.
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 significant for older Dearborn properties where chains of title stretch back many decades.
Nearby Cities
Detroit, Livonia, Canton Township, and Westland are nearby Wayne County cities that also record property documents with the Wayne County Register of Deeds. Each has its own page with local resources.
Wayne County Property Records
Dearborn is located in Wayne County. All property documents for Dearborn are recorded at the Wayne County Register of Deeds in Detroit. The county page covers office details, Wayne County's recording fee structure, online search access, and more.