Recording Documents, Fees, Requirements & E-Recording

Recording a Document

The Register of Deeds can accept real estate documents for recording in person, by mail, or through a licensed eRecording provider. All documents must meet the Michigan Recording Requirements, and all applicable fees are due at the time of recording. We can accept payment in the form of cash, check, or credit card. Card transactions are subject to a service fee based on the transaction amount. Please contact our office for more information. Register of Deeds staff cannot advise you on the preparation or completion of your documents. Please contact an attorney if you require assistance.

Document Returns

To receive your mailed documents back after recording, please send us a self- addressed stamped envelope. Documents sent without a returned envelope will be held for 90 days. Walk-in recordings will be returned in person immediately after recording.

Recording Fees

All documents are subject to a $30.00 recording fee, no matter the page count. For any document that assigns or discharges more than one instrument number, a $3.00 fee per additional instrument assigned or discharged is added to the regular recording fee. Documents that sell or transfer real estate are subject to State and County Transfer Tax, due at the time of recording. The rate of tax is $3.75 for each $500 or fraction thereof for the State Transfer Tax and $0.55 for each $500 or fraction thereof for the County Transfer Tax. The Recording Fee and Transfer Tax may be combined with one payment to the Ionia County Register of Deeds. Warranty Deeds, any deed containing a covenant of warranty, Land Contracts, or Land Contract Assignments must have a Tax Certification from the Ionia County Treasurer’s office. This $5.00 fee can be combined in the same check for recording fees.

E-Recording

The Ionia County Register of Deeds can accept electronic real estate documents for recording through the accredited eRecording servicers listed below. Only an original signed document may be scanned and must still meet the same recording requirements as paper documents, including legibility and minimum font size. The Register of Deeds cannot record a document via email; it must be submitted through one of the following providers: