Search Presque Isle County Property Records
Presque Isle County property records are filed and maintained by the Register of Deeds in Rogers City, the county seat along Lake Huron in Michigan's northern lower peninsula. The office records all documents that affect real property ownership in the county, including deeds, mortgages, land contracts, easements, liens, and plat maps. You can access Presque Isle County property records in person at the Rogers City courthouse, submit a written request by mail, or use online third-party tools to search for basic ownership and parcel information.
Presque Isle County Property Records Overview
Register of Deeds Office
The Presque Isle County Register of Deeds is the official keeper of all real property records in the county. The office is located at the Presque Isle County Courthouse in Rogers City. It maintains the grantor-grantee index required by MCL 565.28, which is the primary tool for finding recorded documents by party name.
| Address | 151 E. Huron Ave., Rogers City, MI 49779 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (989) 734-3288 |
| Fax | (989) 734-6580 |
| Recording Fee | $30 flat per document |
| Copy Fee | $1 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5 per document |
How to Find Property Records
To search Presque Isle County property records in person, visit the Register of Deeds office in Rogers City. You can search by grantor or grantee name, and staff can help with more complex requests. For a mail search, write to the office with the property owner's name, the approximate year of the document, and the type of document you need. Include a check or money order for the copy fees.
Online resources offer a faster first step for many searchers.
These third-party tools are useful for quick lookups, but official copies of recorded documents must come from the Register of Deeds office directly.
What Documents Are Recorded
The Presque Isle County Register of Deeds holds all instruments affecting real property in the county. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most frequent recordings, along with mortgages, land contracts, and mortgage discharges. Construction liens, federal and state tax liens, easements, plat maps, and condominium documents are also recorded here.
Because Presque Isle County includes significant shoreline along Lake Huron, many recorded documents involve riparian rights, waterfront easements, and shoreline access. Buyers of waterfront property should review these records carefully before closing.
The Michigan Department of Treasury provides oversight of property tax administration and maintains resources for county treasurers and assessors statewide.
Treasury resources help property owners in Presque Isle County understand tax obligations, exemptions, and the annual assessment process.
Document Recording Standards
Documents filed with the Presque Isle County Register of Deeds must meet the requirements of MCL 565.201. The first page needs a 2.5-inch top margin. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Text must be black ink, at least 10-point font, on white paper. Each document can only cover one recordable event.
Names must be typed or printed clearly beneath all signatures. The drafter's name and address must appear per MCL 565.201a. The property tax identification number must be on the first page. Documents that do not meet these standards may be returned or accepted at a higher non-standard fee.
Original signatures are required. Photocopied or faxed documents are not accepted for recording.
Recording Priority and Title Law
Michigan is a race-notice state under MCL 565.29. The first buyer to record a deed without knowledge of a prior unrecorded claim wins. This rule makes quick recording after closing very important, especially in areas like Presque Isle County where vacation and second-home buyers may be less familiar with the process.
Under the Marketable Record Title Act, MCL 565.101, a 40-year chain of recorded title generally clears earlier defects. This is especially relevant in northern Michigan counties with long property histories involving timber, mining, and state land transactions.
Transfer Taxes and Property Taxes
Real estate transfers in Presque Isle County carry two transfer taxes. The county charges $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price. The state adds $7.50 per $1,000. Both are collected at closing and are typically handled by the title company or attorney.
Michigan property is assessed at 50% of true cash value. The Proposal A cap limits annual taxable value increases to the lesser of the rate of inflation or 5%. When property sells, taxable value resets to state equalized value, which can significantly raise taxes for the new owner. Presque Isle County's assessor's office handles individual parcel assessment questions.
Other Property Record Sources
The county treasurer holds records of property tax payments, delinquencies, and tax foreclosures. The county clerk maintains court records related to boundary disputes, foreclosure cases, and probate proceedings involving real property. The equalization office manages parcel maps and assessment data.
For statewide property law research, the Michigan Compiled Laws database provides access to the full text of recording statutes, property tax law, and related legislation that applies to Presque Isle County property transactions.
Cities in Presque Isle County
Presque Isle County has no incorporated cities above the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Rogers City is the county seat and primary community. All property records for Presque Isle County are filed at the Register of Deeds office in Rogers City.
Nearby Counties
Presque Isle County borders three other northern Michigan counties. Each maintains its own separate Register of Deeds for local property records.