Find Property Records in Sanilac County
Sanilac County property records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Sandusky, the county seat in Michigan's Thumb region. The office records all instruments that affect real property ownership in the county, including deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, easements, and plats. Sanilac County is largely agricultural with some Lake Huron shoreline, and property records reflect that mix of farmland transfers, lakeshore parcels, and rural residential properties. You can access Sanilac County property records in person at the Sandusky courthouse or by submitting a written mail request.
Sanilac County Property Records Overview
Register of Deeds Office
The Sanilac County Register of Deeds in Sandusky is the official office for all real property instruments in the county. It maintains the grantor-grantee index as required by MCL 565.28. Staff can assist with name searches and document retrieval during regular business hours.
| Address | 60 W. Sanilac Ave., Sandusky, MI 48471 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (810) 648-3210 |
| Fax | (810) 648-3212 |
| Recording Fee | $30 flat per document |
| Copy Fee | $1 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5 per document |
How to Search Property Records
The grantor-grantee index is the main tool for finding documents at the Sanilac County Register of Deeds. Grantors are sellers or borrowers. Grantees are buyers or lenders. To search, bring the full legal name of one of the parties and an approximate year or date range for the transaction.
In person, you can use the index with help from office staff. For a mail search, send a written request with the party name, approximate year, and document type you need. Include a check or money order for the required fees and a return envelope if you want copies mailed back to you.
Types of Recorded Documents
The Sanilac County Register of Deeds holds all standard real property instruments. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common. Mortgages, discharge of mortgage documents, and land contracts are also frequently recorded. Easements, including agricultural access rights and shoreline easements, are on file along with construction liens, tax liens, plat maps, and condominium documents.
Farmland transactions in Sanilac County sometimes involve agricultural conservation easements, drain easements, or right-of-way documents related to county roads and drainage districts. These specialized instruments are recorded at the Register of Deeds just like any other real property document.
The Michigan Compiled Laws database provides the full text of recording statutes and related property laws that govern all transactions in Sanilac County.
The Michigan Compiled Laws database includes the recording statutes, transfer tax rules, and property assessment laws that govern property transactions and records in Sanilac County and across the state.
Document Formatting Rules
Documents recorded in Sanilac County must meet MCL 565.201 formatting requirements. The first page must have a 2.5-inch top margin. All other margins must be at least 0.5 inches. Black ink on white paper, minimum 10-point font. Only one recordable event per document.
The drafter's name and address must appear on the document per MCL 565.201a. Names must be typed or printed beneath all signatures. The property tax identification number must be on the first page. Original signatures are required. Documents that do not meet these standards may be rejected or accepted with a non-standard fee added.
Race-Notice State Law
Michigan's race-notice rule under MCL 565.29 means the first party to record without prior knowledge of a competing claim wins a title dispute. Buyers in Sanilac County should record their deeds promptly after closing.
Under the Marketable Record Title Act, MCL 565.101, a 40-year chain of title in the Sanilac County records is generally sufficient to establish marketable title and clear older defects.
Transfer Taxes and Property Assessment
Sanilac County collects a county transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of the sale price when property changes hands. The state adds $7.50 per $1,000. Both are collected at closing. Exempt transfers include certain conveyances between family members and governmental transfers defined by statute.
Michigan property is assessed at 50% of true cash value. The Proposal A cap limits annual taxable value increases to the lesser of inflation or 5%. When a sale occurs, taxable value uncaps and resets, potentially raising property taxes for the buyer. The Sanilac County equalization office handles assessment questions and parcel data.
The Michigan Department of Treasury administers property tax exemption programs and assessment guidance that applies to Sanilac County property owners.
Cities in Sanilac County
Sanilac County has no incorporated cities above the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Sandusky serves as the county seat. Property records for all communities and townships in Sanilac County are filed at the Register of Deeds office in Sandusky.
Nearby Counties
Sanilac County is bordered by four Michigan counties, each with its own Register of Deeds handling local property records.