Wexford County Property Records Lookup
Wexford County property records are filed with the Register of Deeds in Cadillac, the county seat in this north-central lower peninsula county. The office records all instruments affecting real property in the county, including deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, easements, and plat maps. Wexford County has a mix of residential, recreational, and agricultural land, and property records here cover everything from city lots in Cadillac to hunting and lake parcels in the surrounding townships. Records are available in person at the courthouse, by written mail request, or through online search tools.
Wexford County Property Records Overview
Register of Deeds Office
The Wexford County Register of Deeds is located in Cadillac and serves as the official repository for all real property records in the county. It maintains the grantor-grantee index required by MCL 565.28, which allows you to search for documents by the names of the parties involved in a transaction. Staff can assist with searches and copy requests during regular business hours.
| Address | 437 E. Division St., Cadillac, MI 49601 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (231) 779-9454 |
| Fax | (231) 779-9465 |
| Recording Fee | $30 flat per document |
| Copy Fee | $1 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5 per document |
How to Search Wexford County Records
The grantor-grantee index is the main tool for finding property documents at the Wexford County Register of Deeds. You search by the name of a party to the transaction. Sellers and borrowers are grantors. Buyers and lenders are grantees. For the most accurate results, use the full legal name and an approximate year range.
In person, you can visit the Cadillac office and use the index with staff assistance. For a mail request, write to the Register of Deeds with the name of the party, the approximate date, and a description of the document type you need. Include a check for the copy fees along with a self-addressed return envelope.
Online tools offer a convenient starting point. compile publicly available property data from counties statewide, including Wexford County, and let you check basic ownership and parcel information without visiting the courthouse.
Types of Documents Recorded
The Wexford County Register of Deeds records all standard real property instruments. Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common, used to transfer ownership of residential, commercial, and recreational land. Mortgages and mortgage discharges track lending. Land contracts are used in many rural property sales in northern Michigan. Easements, including lake access rights and shared driveway agreements, are frequently recorded in Wexford County given its recreational character.
Construction liens, state and federal tax liens, subdivision plats, and condominium documents are also recorded here. For any parcel near a lake or river in Wexford County, a search for riparian rights and easements is an important part of the title review process.
The Michigan Department of Treasury provides resources on property tax obligations and exemptions that affect Wexford County property owners.
The Michigan Department of Treasury administers property tax programs including the Principal Residence Exemption, which can reduce the annual tax burden for Wexford County homeowners who use their property as a primary residence.
Document Recording Requirements
Documents submitted to the Wexford County Register of Deeds must comply with MCL 565.201. The first page must have a 2.5-inch top margin for the recorder's stamp and indexing information. 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.
Names must be typed or printed clearly beneath all signatures. The drafter's name and address must appear on the document per MCL 565.201a. The property tax identification number must be on the first page. Original signatures are required. Documents that don't meet these requirements may be rejected or accepted at a non-standard penalty rate.
Recording Law and Title in Michigan
Michigan is a race-notice state under MCL 565.29. The first buyer to record without prior knowledge of a competing claim wins any title dispute. Buyers in Wexford County should record their deeds right away after closing, whether they are buying a home in Cadillac or a recreational parcel in one of the outlying townships.
Under the Marketable Record Title Act at MCL 565.101, a 40-year chain of title recorded in the county's records generally clears older title defects. This simplifies title searches for properties that have changed hands many times over the years, which is common for recreational land in northern Michigan counties like Wexford.
Transfer Taxes and Property Assessment
When property sells in Wexford County, both county and state transfer taxes apply. 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. Some transfers are exempt by statute, including certain family conveyances and governmental transfers.
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 changes hands, taxable value resets to state equalized value, which can raise property taxes for the buyer in the first year after purchase. The county equalization office and local assessors handle parcel-level questions for Wexford County.
For property tax exemption programs and appeals guidance, the Michigan Department of Treasury is the authoritative state resource for Wexford County property owners.
Other Property Information Sources
Beyond the Register of Deeds, other Wexford County offices hold useful property-related information. The county treasurer has tax payment records and delinquency data. The equalization department manages parcel maps and assessment details. The county clerk holds court records related to foreclosures and property disputes.
The Michigan Compiled Laws database provides the full text of Michigan's recording statutes, property tax law, and related legislation.
Cities in Wexford County
Wexford County has no incorporated cities above the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Cadillac is the county seat and largest community. Property records for all of Wexford County are filed at the Register of Deeds at 437 E. Division St. in Cadillac.
Nearby Counties
Wexford County borders seven other Michigan counties. Each has its own Register of Deeds office handling local property records.