Register of Deeds



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Patty Niepoth, Register of Deeds
PO Box 376
Bellaire, MI 49615
registerofdeeds@antrimcounty.org
Phone:  231-533-6683

Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday


The Register of Deeds office maintains an index and copy of all recorded documents pertaining to real property located with the county. Financing statements (U.C.C.'s) relating to personal property (filed prior to July 1, 2001) are also located here. The Register of Deeds also serves as Chairman of the County Plat Board which reviews and approves all new subdivisions and plats with the County. All records in the Register of Deeds Office are in a grantor/grantee indexing system.

  • Present date to January 1990 - Computerized records

  • May 1993 back to 1856 - Book Form records Copies of documents may be obtained in person or by mail by submitting the appropriate fees and document information. Recordings may also be done in person or by mail with sufficient fees. All recordings and copy requests may be accompanied by self-addressed stamped envelopes. Pertinent information relating to fees, requirements and location are below.

As of June 15, 2020 the Antrim County Administrative Building is open back up to the public. The public will now be able to receive service at the Register of Deeds window at the county building, as well as schedule hourly appointments to use the public terminal for searching. The statutory name index from the beginning of the county to current is kept in the Register of Deeds office and can be accessed free of charge by appointment.

It is encouraged to utilize E-recording services through Simplifile or EPN, but all forms of delivery submission, USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc. will be accepted. Additionally, Antrim County has set up a drop box at the Southeast corner of the building for not mailed, manual submission, which will be checked periodically.

I and my staff remain vigilant and dedicated to serving all Antrim County’s recording needs, today and in the future.

Sincerely,

Patty Niepoth, C.C.O., M.C.C.O.
Register of Deeds
Antrim County

Effective October 1, 2016 there will be a flat recording fee for all documents regardless of page numbers. All documents will cost $30.00 to record. For a document that assigns or discharges more than 1 instrument an additional $3.00 for each instrument assigned or discharged will still apply (in addition to the $30.00 flat fee). Also, the $5.00 certification fee will still apply on all documents that require a tax certification. Copies remain at $1.00 per page..

 

The Mission of Antrim County Register of Deeds Office is to provide Timely, Secure & Accurate recording services that are delivered in a Prompt & Courteous manner.

 

In 1835, the first Constitution of the State of Michigan was adopted by the Congress of the United States which established the Register of Deeds as the official recording office for all legal instruments pertaining to the transfer and encumbrances of properties in each county. Examples of real property are such documents as warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, administrator deeds, tax and sheriff deeds, also mortgages and any assignment or discharge thereof, land patents, leases, liens, (state, federal, mechanics, etc.) probate orders, agreements, land contracts, and numerous other instruments which effect real estate including certified surveys, plats and government corners. Antrim County’s records date back to 1856. It would be impossible to place a value on these irreplaceable records containing such important data.

Lending institutions, title offices, realtors, lawyers, credit bureaus, and the general public are among the many people who check the recording and filings of instruments in the office. Entries are kept daily on a computer system especially designed for Register of Deeds offices. Each document has to be carefully checked to be sure it meets recording requirements according to statue. All documents received must be numbered consecutively, time stamped and properly cross indexed. Documents are then scanned into the computer system and microfilmed. Our computer image index dates back to January 1990, and we are adding more images and records daily. We would eventually like to have all of the records indexed and imaged. For security purposes, duplicate microfilmed copies of all documents are sent to an underground storage facility. Proof of ownership is established according to the records of the Register of Deeds.

Michigan has a “race-notice” statute; recording a deed places subsequent purchasers on constructive notice. Thus, it is important that documents are dated and time stamped in which presented for recording at the Register of Deeds office. An error in recording might cost a property owner a hefty sum, if the owner is forced to prove title, or ownership of their property. The Register must constantly study and be aware of the laws which govern the office.

The Register of Deeds office records and indexes are used for legal purposes concerning the most valuable possession you own, YOUR HOME.

Patty Niepoth, C.C.O., M.C.C.O.
Register of Deeds
Antrim County

Disclaimer: This website page was created by the Antrim County Register of Deeds Office as a public service. All information on this site is intended to be accurate, complete, and timely; however, Antrim County and the Antrim County Register of Deeds do not warrant the accuracy of the information contained herein nor is it responsible for any errors or omissions and assumes no liability for its use. While the information on this site may be about legal issues, it is not legal advice.