Wayne County Property Records
Wayne County property records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in Detroit, the county seat and Michigan's largest city. Wayne County is Michigan's most populous county and has one of the most active real estate recording systems in the state, with deed images available online going back to 1915. The county operates its own Land Records Portal and SFFlexSuite online system for searching and retrieving documents. Wayne County also uses a different recording fee structure than the rest of Michigan, so anyone submitting documents here should pay close attention to the local fee schedule.
Wayne County Property Records Overview
Register of Deeds Office
The Wayne County Register of Deeds is located in the International Center Building in downtown Detroit on the 7th floor. The office maintains the grantor-grantee index under MCL 565.28 and records all instruments affecting real property in the county. The county treasurer's office handles property tax matters separately and can be reached at (313) 224-5990.
| Address | International Center Building, 400 Monroe Street, 7th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (313) 224-5850 |
| Treasurer | (313) 224-5990 |
| Website | waynecounty.com |
| Land Records Portal | waynecountylandrecords.com |
The Wayne County government website at waynecounty.com provides access to the Register of Deeds, property tax information, and county services for Detroit and surrounding communities in Michigan's largest county.
Wayne County Recording Fees
Wayne County uses a different recording fee structure than the statewide $30 flat fee. This is an important distinction for anyone filing documents in Wayne County. Standard documents cost $15 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Non-standard documents that do not meet formatting requirements are assessed an additional $25 penalty on top of the standard fees.
Other Wayne County recording fees include: plats at 18x24 inches cost $44 plus $25 for each additional page; surveys at 18x24 inches cost $24 plus $5 for each additional page; Federal Tax Liens cost $9; State Tax Liens cost $3; and Military Discharge recordings are free of charge.
Copy fees in Wayne County are also different from other counties. Copies cost $2 per page. A property search costs $5. A certificate (certified copy) costs $10. Online search time through the SFFlexSuite system costs $6 per 15 minutes. These fees reflect the county's own fee schedule rather than the statewide standard set by MCL 600.2567.
Online Land Records Systems
Wayne County offers two main ways to search property records online. The Wayne County Land Records Portal at waynecountylandrecords.com provides public access to recorded document information. The SFFlexSuite system at waynecountyrecorder.com/OnLineRecords.aspx gives more detailed access including document images, with time-based pricing.
The Wayne County Land Records Portal provides a free starting point for searching recorded property documents across the county, including deed and mortgage indexes for Detroit and surrounding communities.
For SFFlexSuite access, you can purchase a 1-hour pass for $30 plus a $1.50 fee, or a 3-hour pass for $70 plus a $1.75 fee. Subscription pricing requires contacting the office at 573-224-5600, extension 257. This system includes real estate images from 1915 (beginning with Book 50), making it possible to view historical documents without visiting the office in person.
The SFFlexSuite online system allows users to search Wayne County property records by Book and Page, instrument number, grantor and grantee names, and by section, township, and range, with image access going back to 1915.
How to Search Wayne County Records
Online, the SFFlexSuite system lets you search different ways depending on the time period. For documents recorded between 1915 and 1982, you search by Book and Page number. For documents from 1983 forward, you can search by Book and Page, instrument number, grantor name, grantee name, or by section, township, and range. This flexibility makes it possible to trace title back over a century using only online tools.
In person at the International Center Building, staff can assist with searches and copies. For complex title research involving older handwritten documents, an in-person visit may still be the most efficient approach. The copy fee of $2 per page applies whether you request copies in person or through the mail. Online document images cost $6 per 15 minutes of access time in the SFFlexSuite system.
Key assessor contacts for major cities in Wayne County include: Canton Township at (734) 394-5111, Dearborn at (313) 943-2140, and Detroit at (313) 224-3011. Assessor offices handle property tax assessment questions separate from the Register of Deeds.
Document Recording Requirements
Wayne County follows the same document formatting rules as the rest of Michigan 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. Text must be in black ink, at least 10-point font, on white paper. Only one recordable event is allowed per document. The drafter's name and address must appear per MCL 565.201a. The property tax identification number must be on the first page.
Original signatures are required. Names must be typed or printed clearly beneath all signatures. Non-standard documents, meaning those that do not meet these formatting requirements, are recorded at the standard rate plus an additional $25 penalty. In a high-volume office like Wayne County's, it pays to prepare documents carefully before submitting them.
Michigan Recording Law
Michigan is a race-notice state under MCL 565.29. The first buyer to record without prior knowledge of a competing claim wins a title dispute. In Wayne County's fast-moving market, recording your deed the same day as closing is good practice. Delays can create risk, especially in areas with high transaction volume.
The Marketable Record Title Act at MCL 565.101 allows a 40-year chain of title to establish marketable title and clear older defects. Wayne County's records going back to 1915 online and earlier in the physical archive make it one of the best-documented county recording systems in the state.
Transfer Taxes and Property Assessment
Real property transfers in Wayne County are subject to the standard Michigan 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. Exempt transfers, including those between qualifying family members and certain governmental conveyances, are defined by statute.
Property in Michigan is assessed at 50% of true cash value. Under Proposal A, taxable value can increase no more than the lesser of inflation or 5% per year. When property sells, the taxable value cap lifts and resets to state equalized value. In Detroit and other parts of Wayne County where property values have changed significantly in recent years, this can mean a notable tax increase for buyers in the year after purchase.
The Michigan Department of Treasury oversees the Principal Residence Exemption and other property tax programs available to Wayne County homeowners. Individual cities within the county, including Detroit, Dearborn, and Canton Township, each have their own assessor offices handling parcel-level assessment questions.
Cities in Wayne County
Wayne County is home to several of Michigan's largest cities, each with its own city page covering local property record details.
Nearby Counties
Wayne County borders three other Michigan counties. Each has its own Register of Deeds handling local property records.