Alcona County Property Records
Alcona County property records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Harrisville and cover deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, and plat maps filed since the county was organized. If you need to search Alcona County property records, the office handles requests in person and by mail. Most documents recorded after the mid-1900s are indexed and can be located by name or parcel number. For older or more complex searches, visiting the office in Harrisville is the most reliable option. The Register of Deeds staff can guide you through the process and help you find what you need.
Alcona County Property Records Overview
Alcona County Register of Deeds
The Alcona County Register of Deeds is the official custodian of all land records in the county. The office is located at 106 5th Street in Harrisville. You can reach the Register of Deeds by phone at (989) 724-5361. If you need to send a fax, the number is (989) 724-5839. The Treasurer's office, which handles tax and assessment records, is at (989) 724-5370.
Alcona County is a smaller, rural county on the northeastern shore of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Because of its size, the Register of Deeds office has more limited digital resources than larger Michigan counties. That said, staff are accessible and knowledgeable about local records. In-person visits tend to be the fastest way to complete a thorough property records search.
| Address | 106 5th Street, Harrisville, MI 48740 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (989) 724-5361 |
| Fax | (989) 724-5839 |
| Treasurer | (989) 724-5370 |
| County Seat | Harrisville |
Search Alcona County Property Records
There are three main ways to search Alcona County property records. The first is to visit the Register of Deeds office in Harrisville. Staff can help you search the grantor-grantee index, which organizes records by the names of buyers and sellers. This index is required under MCL 565.28, which mandates that every county maintain a searchable index of all recorded instruments.
The second option is to mail your request. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, a clear description of the property or parties involved, and a check or money order for any applicable fees. Copy fees in Michigan are $1 per page, and certified copies cost $5 per document. For a mail search, allow extra time for processing.
The third option is to call the office at (989) 724-5361 for basic information. Phone searches are limited and work best for simple questions like confirming a recorded document number or getting the current owner of a parcel. For full document searches, in-person or mail requests are better.
Note: Alcona County has limited online search tools, so plan for an in-person or mail request if you need complete document copies.
Types of Alcona County Property Records
The Register of Deeds maintains a wide range of land documents. Deeds are the most commonly searched record type. Warranty deeds transfer full title with guarantees from the seller. Quitclaim deeds transfer only whatever interest the grantor holds. Both types are filed here and indexed by grantor and grantee name.
Beyond deeds, the office holds mortgages and mortgage discharges, land contracts, easements, and assignments. Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens are also recorded here. These liens can affect whether a property has a clear title, so checking for them is a key step in any real estate transaction. Plat maps and surveys are on file as well and show parcel boundaries, subdivision layouts, and lot dimensions.
UCC fixture filings are another document type handled by this office. These relate to personal property attached to real estate and can affect lenders' security interests. If you are researching a commercial property or a property with significant improvements, check for UCC filings as part of your search.
Michigan follows a race-notice recording system under MCL 565.29. Under this rule, the first party to record a deed without prior notice of a competing claim wins the priority dispute. This makes timely recording critical for any buyer or lender. Documents that do not meet the formatting standards set by MCL 565.201 are subject to a $25 non-standard document penalty on top of the regular recording fee.
Recording Requirements for Alcona County
All documents submitted for recording in Alcona County must comply with Michigan's statewide standards. Under MCL 565.201, the first page must have a 2.5-inch top margin. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Paper must be white, 8.5 by 11 inches, at least 20-pound weight. Font must be at least 10 points. Text and ink must be black.
Each document must involve a single recordable event. You cannot combine, say, a deed and a mortgage discharge into one filing. The drafter's name and address must appear on each document, as required by MCL 565.201a. Names must be printed below all signatures so they can be easily read. Documents that do not meet these rules will be accepted but charged the $25 non-standard penalty.
The standard recording fee is $30 per document. For each instrument that is assigned or discharged, an additional $3 fee applies. Transfer taxes are also due at recording. The county transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 of value, and the state transfer tax is $7.50 per $1,000. These are paid at the time of recording and apply to most deed transfers.
Michigan Laws and Alcona County Property Records
Michigan's Marketable Record Title Act, codified at MCL 565.101, plays an important role in Alcona County real estate. Under this law, a 40-year chain of title is generally enough to clear most defects in land ownership. For mineral rights, the period is 20 years. This matters in Alcona County, where some properties have split surface and mineral estates dating back generations.
Mortgage discharges are governed by MCL 565.41, which sets timelines for lenders to release liens after payoff. If a discharge is not recorded in time, the lender can face penalties. Borrowers who have paid off a mortgage should verify that the discharge has been properly filed with the Alcona County Register of Deeds.
The full text of Michigan's property recording laws is available through the Michigan Compiled Laws database. You can look up individual code sections, read statute text, and check for recent amendments. The State Tax Commission, reachable at michigan.gov/taxes, handles assessment appeals and property tax matters at the state level.
These tools are useful supplements to an official search at the Register of Deeds.
Assessment and Tax Records in Alcona County
Alcona County property assessments are handled separately from the Register of Deeds. The county Treasurer and local township assessors manage tax and assessment records. Under Michigan law, property is assessed at 50% of its true cash value. Proposal A limits how much taxable value can increase each year: the cap is either the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower. When a property sells, taxable value resets to the assessed value in the next tax year.
If you want to look up current assessed values, contact the Alcona County Treasurer at (989) 724-5370. The Michigan Treasury website also has tools for checking property tax status and applying for exemptions. The Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit and other programs may affect what a property owner owes each year.
Note: Assessment records are held by the Treasurer and local townships, not the Register of Deeds, so you may need to contact both offices for a complete picture of a property's tax and ownership history.
State Resources for Alcona County Property Records
Several state-level resources can help with Alcona County property records research. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs handles UCC filings at the state level. You can reach LARA at michigan.gov/lara or by phone at 517-322-1144. State-level UCC searches are important for commercial properties and situations where personal property is tied to real estate.
The Michigan Unclaimed Property database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov is another useful resource. It contains unclaimed funds that may relate to past real estate transactions, escrow accounts, or title proceeds. You can search by name or business name at no cost.
The lead-in screenshot below comes from the Michigan Treasury site, which is the central hub for property tax information in Michigan.
Michigan Treasury property tax portal
The Treasury site lets you check tax status, look up exemption programs, and find contact information for county-level offices across Michigan, including Alcona County.
Cities in Alcona County
Alcona County has no cities that meet the population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. Harrisville is the county seat and largest community, but it falls well below the qualifying threshold. If you are researching property records for any city or township in Alcona County, contact the Register of Deeds in Harrisville directly.
Nearby Counties
Alcona County borders three other Michigan counties. Each has its own Register of Deeds office for property records within that jurisdiction.