Recording Requirements

General Requirements

  1. Signatures must be original, and names must be typed or printed beneath signatures as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (a).
  2. No discrepancy shall exist between names printed in the notary acknowledgment and as printed beneath signatures as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (b).
  3. The address of the grantees in each deed of conveyance or assignment of real estate shall contain the street number address or post office address as per MCLA 565.201  Sec. 1 (d).
  4. The name and address of the person who drafted the document must appear on the documents executed in Michigan as per MCLA 565.201a.
  5. Documents purporting to convey or encumber real estate executed in Michigan require acknowledgment by a judge, clerk of a court of record, or a notary public within this state as per MCLA 565.8, 565.47 form, 565.265, and 565.267.
  6. A certified copy of the death certificate or proof of death must be recorded or have been recorded and referenced by liber and page on said documents when “survivor” is indicated on the document as per MCLA 565.48.
  7. Court orders must be certified and sealed by the clerk of the court as per MCLA 565.401, 565.411.
  8. The document submitted for recording must be legible as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (f)(iv.
  9. Documents must have a margin of unprinted space at least 2.5 inches at the top of the first page and at least 0.5 inch on all remaining sides of each page as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1(f)(i).
  10. Documents must display on the 1st line of print on the 1st page a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences as per MCLA 565.201 Sec.1(f)(ii); 565.201 Sec.3.
  11. The type on the form must be printed with black ink, type size at least 10-point type as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (f)(iii)(iv).
  12. The paper on which the document is printed must be white and not less than 20-pound weight as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (f)(iv).
  13. The size of the document and any attachment thereto must be at least 8.5 by 11 inches, at most 8.5 by 14 inches as per MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1 (f)(v)(vi).

Staff Requirements

Please note that staff make every effort to help patrons, however, the staff may not:
  • Give legal advice or state opinions on legal issues
  • Interpret the law
  • Select specific forms
  • Choose or recommend language for use on any form or other legal document