Kalamazoo County, MI Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

With a total area of about 580 square miles and over 100,000 parcels of land, Kalamazoo County operates a stable property market. The local property market is driven by relatively affordable homes and a local economy comprising steady employment from major employers like Pfizer, Stryker, and local health care organizations. Property records in the county are maintained by several offices, including the Register of Deeds, the Equalization Department, the Kalamazoo County Treasurer’s Office, municipality assessors, and local treasurers.

The most popular housing stock in Kalamazoo County is single-family detached homes, which account for almost two-thirds of homes in the county. This housing stock is prevalent in suburbs and townships like Texas Charter and Portage. Home listings in the county typically close within a month, which is faster than the statewide average of 40 to 50 days.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $196,500 and median rent of $942.5, alongside a median household income of $69,620 and a median real estate tax rate of 1.46 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Kalamazoo County Property Records

Several county agencies and local offices manage Kalamazoo County property records. While city and township assessors set property values and maintain their respective records, the Equalization Department maintains countywide assessment records. You can search the department's Parcel Search portal for property records, including the owner's name, property address, assessed value, Taxable Value, and legal description. Call the department at (269) 383-8960 for inquiries.

The Register of Deeds maintains official property-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and discharges. You can search their Document Search platform for property records. Alternatively, you can conduct an in-person search at their office located at 201 West Kalamazoo Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

Who Keeps Kalamazoo County Property Records

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to view and obtain Kalamazoo property records. Several offices, including the following, maintain these:

• The Kalamazoo County Register of Deeds records and maintains property-related documents, such as deeds, releases, liens, plats, and mortgages, in conformity with the Michigan Recording Act. It maintains the county’s chain of titles.

• Local assessors assess properties and set the Taxable Value for every parcel within their jurisdictions. In Michigan, property assessments are done at the city and township level, not the county level.

• The Kalamazoo County Equalization Department ensures that property taxes are accurate and fair across the county. The office works with municipality assessors to verify real estate values and address inequities in assessments. It also maintains the countywide property search platform and parcel map.

• Local treasurers collect property taxes for their respective municipalities. They typically bill and collect taxes in two installments: summer tax bill (mailed by July 1) and winter tax bill (mailed by December 1). Taxes not paid by March 1 are considered “Delinquent” and passed as debt to the Kalamazoo County Treasurer. The county Treasurer oversees property tax forfeiture and foreclosure in the county.

How to Search Kalamazoo County Property Records Online

You can search Kalamazoo County property records online by following these steps:

1. Start the search on the Kalamazoo County Parcel Search portal to locate the property. You can search by owner’s name, address, or parcel number. The search results provide details such as the owner’s name, parcel number, legal description, State Equalization Value (SEV), Taxable Value, school district, Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), and 2-year valuation history.

2. Using the property information obtained from the parcel search, look up the property’s deeds on the Kalamazoo County Document Search portal. Confirm the recorded owners of the property and trace the chain of title.

3. Check for mortgages and liens against the property on the Documents Search platform. Identify any encumbrances on the property.

4. Verify if the property has delinquent taxes on the Kalamazoo County Treasurer's Delinquent Property Tax Lookup.

5. Order certified copies of the property records if necessary.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens

In Kalamazoo County, the County Clerk doubles as the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds records property documents and maintains the county’s official chain of title. Documents recorded and maintained by the Register of Deeds include:

• Ownership transfers - Quitclaim deeds, warranty deeds, trustee deeds, and land contracts

• Public notices - Lis pendens, affidavits, powers of attorney, and notices of commencements

• Encumbrances - Mortgages, assignments, construction liens, and discharges

Assessors and Equalization: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

Property assessment in Kalamazoo County is done at the local level. City and township assessors value properties within their boundaries and prepare the local assessment roll. The Kalamazoo County Equalization Department oversees the assessment and equalizes values across the county. The department provides access to the county’s property information, such as assessed values, parcel number, property address, and owner’s name.

The Equalization Department provides access to the following:

• Current assessment rolls

• Equalization reports

• Sales ratio studies

• Millage rates

Treasurer’s Office: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

Local city and township treasurers initially collect property taxes within their jurisdictions. Summer tax notices are sent in July and collected from July to September, while winter tax bills go out in December and are collected till February. The Kalamazoo County Treasurer collects delinquent taxes starting March 1. The Treasurer is also responsible for property tax forfeiture and foreclosure.

Property Tax in Kalamazoo County: Values, Exemptions, and Appeals

Property tax valuation in Kalamazoo County is determined by multiplying the Taxable Value by the total millage rate from all taxing authorities and dividing by 1,000. A property’s initial assessed value in Michigan is half its market value, but annual increases are capped until it is resold. Note that one mil equals $1 for every $1,000 of Taxable Value.

Proposal A and Uncapping

Proposal A limits property tax increases by capping annual increases at whichever is lower between the rate of inflation and a 5% increase in value. This ensures a property’s tax cannot increase by more than 5% of the previous year’s tax until the property is sold.

When a property is sold or transferred, the property tax cap is removed (uncapped), and the property’s Taxable Value is reset to the State Equalized Value, per MCL 211.27a. This usually results in a significant increase in the property’s Taxable Value. However, some transfers, such as transfers between spouses or family members, do not uncap.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Value

To appeal a property tax assessment in Kalamazoo County, you must file an appeal with your local city or township Board of Review, typically during its March session. You must provide supporting evidence with the appeal. If you are not satisfied with the board’s decision, you can escalate the appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal for further review. The Michigan Tax Tribunal only accepts appeals that the Board of Review has reviewed.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Kalamazoo County provides the Parcel Viewer for graphical access to parcels in the county. The parcel viewer shows the owner's details, address, legal description, and Taxable Value. You can directly navigate to parcels on the platform.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Michigan has two types of foreclosure, each with different timelines.

Property-Tax Foreclosure

When property taxes remain unpaid as of March 1, they become delinquent and are turned over to the county Treasurer. Delinquent taxes incur a 4% administrative charge and 1% monthly interest. Under MCL 211.78, the property is forfeited a year later (March 1 of the second year) if the owner does not redeem it.

The county may then file a forfeiture petition with the 9th Circuit Court, and the property owner is given a final redemption deadline. By March 31 of the third year, the property is typically foreclosed and may be sold by the county at a public auction.

Mortgage Foreclosure

Mortgage payments on a property typically become delinquent when payment is not made for over 120 days. According to MCL 600.3240, the lender must file a default and publish a notice of sale weekly for four consecutive weeks in a local newspaper.

At the end of the four weeks, the county sheriff sells the property at auction to the highest bidder. The law allows a redemption period after the winning bid, during which the owner can pay to reclaim the property.

Costs to Access Property Records

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act permits the Kalamazoo County Register of Deeds to collect certain fees for accessing records. Similarly, MCL 600.2567 determines fees that may be charged for recording documents in the county.

How to Record a Document

Recording a document in Kalamazoo County is governed by the Michigan Recording Act. The following steps are generally required to record an instrument in the county:

1. Ensure the document meets the state standard. Confirm the legal description is accurate, the required margins and font sizes are followed, the signatures are original, and there is a notary acknowledgment.

2. Calculate the required fees. The recording fee is $30.00 flat for all instruments. There is also a transfer tax of $8.60 per $1,000 of consideration for sales, which the seller must pay.

3. File documents for recording through approved e-recording providers. You can also be submitted by mail or in person at 201 West Kalamazoo Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. If applicable, file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form 2766/L-4260) with the local assessor within 45 days of the transfer. The Register of Deeds will record the instrument and update the county’s property records.

4. Obtain the original instrument from the Register of Deeds if needed.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Kalamazoo County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals