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

Mackinac County is located in the southeastern part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, covering about 22,000 parcels of land. Tourism, hospitality, and seasonal recreation drive the residential development. Local agencies, including the Register of Deeds, the Equalization Department, and local municipal assessors and treasurers, maintain property records.

The county’s housing stock consists of single-family homes and recreational units, with St. Ignace, Clark, Bois Blanc, and Mackinac accounting for the bulk of the inventory. For listed properties to go pending in the county, it usually takes about 41 to 67days, slightly slower than Michigan’s average.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $133,700 and median rent of $771, alongside a median household income of $50,000 and a median real estate tax rate of 1.07 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Mackinac County Property Records

You can look up Mackinac County property records through the following official online portals and in person at the agencies’ offices.

Who Keeps Mackinac County Property Records?

Mackinac County property records are open to the general public, per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Interested individuals have the right to inspect and copy them. Below are the county and local offices in charge of keeping property records for Mackinac County:

• The Mackinac County Register of Deeds records official documents affecting property ownership, including quitclaim deeds, warranty deeds, mortgages, plats, land contracts, and probate court orders involving real estate.

• The Mackinac County Equalization Department examines the assessment rolls of the county’s townships and cities to ensure property assessments are uniform and equalized at 50% of true cash value.

• The Mackinac County Treasurer’s Office handles all duties and responsibilities under state property tax law, including the summer auction of foreclosed properties. This office also collects and distributes delinquent property taxes to all local governmental units.

• Local cities and townships assessors value all real and personal property within the corporate limits of their respective municipalities.

How to Search Mackinac County Property Records Online

You can search Mackinac County property records online by navigating three portals. Each portal covers a different part of the property, so when you search through the portals, you will have a complete picture of the property.

1. Begin with the FetchGIS Viewer to locate the parcel. This tool allows you to search by address, owner’s name, legal information, or parcel number.

2. From the search result, select the appropriate parcel to view its geographic information, owner details, sales date, area sales report, and estimated tax details.

3. Examine the legal property history, including warranty deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, or land contracts through the Mackinac County Register of Deeds Index Search. You can search this portal by owner name, recording date, or legal description.

4. Use the BS&A Online portal to check for current and past tax bills, payment status, and any delinquency or active refund.

5. Obtain a certified copy of recorded land documents by visiting the Register of Deeds Office in St. Ignace. Statutory copy fees will apply.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Mortgages, and Plats

The Register of Deeds manages deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts to maintain a secure and permanent historical record of property ownership. This office ensures public access both at the St. Ignace courthouse and through its online database.

Assessors and Equalization: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

Local assessors calculate the initial value of each property within their township or city, establish fair market assessments, and manage local exemptions. The Equalization Department then reviews these local assessments across all 11 townships and 2 cities in Mackinac County to ensure equity and uniformity.

Treasurer’s Office: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

City and township treasurers collect current property taxes twice a year from local property owners. On March 1st, unpaid real estate accounts are defaulted to the Mackinac County Treasurer. The county treasurer takes over collection and charges state-mandated interest fees.

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

Per the Michigan General Property Tax Act, the ad valorem tax liability for real property situated in Mackinac County is calculated using the aggregate local millage rate. Multiply this rate by the property’s established Taxable Value, then divide by $1,000.

Proposal A and Uncapping

Under Proposal A, your actual tax bill is calculated using the property’s Taxable Value rather than its market-based Assessed Value. As long as you own the property, the annual increase in your Taxable Value is capped, meaning it can only grow by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower. The uncapping triggers when property ownership transfers or is sold, resetting the Taxable Value in the calendar year immediately following the sale.

Some property transfers between spouses or family members are not subject to the uncapping under MCL 211.27a, and you must file a property transfer affidavit with the local assessor after any transfer.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Value

To appeal your assessment in Mackinac County, first contact the assessor to ask how they arrived at the appraisal of your property. After that, you can appeal to the March Board of Review. If you disagree with the local board’s decision, the next level of administrative review is the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Mackinac County publishes GIS data along with school districts, political boundaries, public lands, and aerial imagery through its FetchGIS Viewer. Searches can be performed on the map using the property owner’s name, address, or parcel number.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

In Mackinac County, the foreclosure process follows two separate legal paths, namely property tax foreclosure and mortgage foreclosure.

Property Tax Foreclosure

Unpaid property taxes can lead to foreclosure under Michigan's tax forfeiture process. The county treasurer accepts partial payments before the foreclosure deadline to help owners avoid losing their property. If the taxes are not paid in time, legal title to the property will be transferred to the county Treasurer’s office.

Mortgage Foreclosure

In Mackinac County, most residential mortgage foreclosures are completed through a non-judicial process that ends with a sheriff's sale. Property owners usually have a 6-month redemption period after the sale to reclaim the property by satisfying the required amount.

Costs to Access Property Records

According to MCL 600.2567, government agencies may charge fees for recording and copying property records in Mackinac County. These fees include:

How to Record a Document

Here is the process for recording a property document in Mackinac County:

1. Prepare the document and ensure it meets Michigan statutory requirements, including being signed and notarized.

2. Real estate documents cost $30 to record. If your filing requires a tax certificate, there is an extra $5 fee. In addition, if you are transferring ownership through a sale, you must calculate a state transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of value and a county transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 of value, unless the transfer is legally exempt.

3. You can submit documents for recording in person at the Register of Deeds office, by mail, or electronically through an approved e-recording vendor.

4. Once processed, you can access recorded deeds through the Register of Deeds Land Records Search or visit the office in St. Ignace to request certified copies.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Mackinac County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals