The Register of Deeds
is the Official Constitutional Recording Officer and keeper of the records for all legal
documents and instruments pertaining to the transfer and encumbrance of
all lands and properties within Montmorency County. This includes Mineral
Interest as well as Surface Interest.
The Register of Deeds must maintain
reception books and indexes for all recorded documents. The indexing is
done alphabetically and must appear under each name that appears on the
papers, as either the first or second parties (Grantor/Grantee.) The reception
books give notice to the public that the documents have been placed on record
and are also part of the bookkeeping records that must be kept for the office.
We also maintain a tract index that permits locating recorded information
by way of the legal description.
All documents must have the exact
time they are received for recording and must be placed in the entry book
in this order. They are given a libel and page and the exact amount received
for the recording or filing must appear in the entry book immediately after
the names. All documents are handled many times before the recording is
complete and the instruments are ready to be returned. Every document must
be checked to determine if they are in accordance with Michigan Compiled
Laws recording requirements prior to being accepted for recording.
All original recorded documents
are scanned into our computer imaging system and then transferred to micro
fiche for permanent record archival and storage off-site.
The Register of Deeds serves
the public with research and is also chairperson of the County Plat Board.
All plats are recorded in the Register of Deeds office.
The office is used
by Abstractors, Title Companies, Mortgage Corporations, Real Estate Agents,
Attorneys, Oil and Gas Land men, and individuals who check on the recording
and filing of many papers pertaining to their professional or personal business.
Our office is also utilized by local townships within our county for assessing
and taxation purposes and is the starting place for the entire tax base.
