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

Anyone can find Marquette County property records through the Register of Deeds, the Marquette County Equalization Department, and local municipal assessors and treasurers. These records date back to 1843 and cover approximately 46,000 parcels of land across the county’s 1,809 square miles of land. Major factors driving the local real estate market include economic stability, a high quality of life, and strong demand for properties near outdoor recreation.

Marquette County has a faster-moving housing market compared to the Michigan average, with listed homes selling within 21 to 31 days. The housing inventory is largely made up of single-family homes and seasonal homes, many of which were built in Ishpeming, Negaunee, Chocolay Charter, Marquette Charter, and Forsyth.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $141,800 and median rent of $721, alongside a median household income of $62,168 and a median real estate tax rate of 1.11 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Marquette County Property Records

Property records in Marquette County can be searched through the respective government offices listed in the table below:

Who Keeps Marquette County Property Records?

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act allows individuals to view or obtain copies of property records. Below are the local and county offices that maintain property records for the county:

• The Marquette County Register of Deeds is the custodian of all county records. This office maintains records including deeds, liens, plats, and other land-related recorded documents.

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

• The Marquette County Equalization Department analyzes average assessment levels across the county's 22 local assessing districts. It also audits assessment rolls and prepares audit reports.

• The Marquette County Treasurer acts as the county's tax collector. The county Treasurer receives all delinquent taxes from the townships and cities on March 1 of each year, while local treasurers collect current taxes.

How to Search Marquette County Property Records Online

The major steps required to look up Marquette County property records online are as follows:

1. To begin your search, you must first visit the Marquette County BS&A Online portal. You can search the portal with the property address, owner name, or parcel number.

2. From the search results, select the matching parcel to open the property card. The property card will reveal the legal description, property boundaries, and zoning information.

3. Once you have the parcel details and legal description, you can look up ownership history, deeds, and active mortgages through the Register of Deeds search portal. You can search by the owner's name or legal description to view document indexes and track the chain of title.

4. After confirming property ownership, you may need to verify the current tax status through the Marquette County BS&A Online portal.

5. If you need a certified copy of your recorded land documents, visit the Register of Deeds Office in Marquette. Note that fees will be charged to obtain certified copies of recorded documents.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Mortgages, and Plats

The Register of Deeds is the official recording office for all land records in Marquette County. You can access the following types of documents through its database:

• Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and covenant deeds

• Mortgages, discharges, assignments, and land contracts

• Federal and state tax liens, construction liens, and judgment liens

• Easements, restrictive covenants, and powers of attorney

• Subdivision plats, condominium master deeds, and surveys

Assessors and Equalization: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

Assessors and the Marquette County Equalization Department work together to do shared tasks, but they have completely separate roles. The local assessor establishes the individual values, such as Assessed Value, State Equalized Value, and Taxable Value, for every specific residential, commercial, and industrial parcel within their borders. They handle individual valuation disputes before the local March Board of Review. The Equalization Department reviews the assessment rolls generated by all local assessors to ensure equity across municipal borders.

Here is what you can access through the Equalization Department:

• Land split and property combination history

• Current assessment rolls

• Interactive plat maps, aerial imagery, and boundary lines

• Equalization reports

• Sales ratio studies

• Property classification records

Treasurer’s Office: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

The local treasurers process all standard property tax payments, administrative fees, and local millage distributions throughout the active tax year. They collect property taxes until the collection window closes in February. The local treasurers also mail and collect tax bills for summer in July and for winter in December.

Once taxes become “Delinquent” on March 1st, you can no longer pay your local township or city tax bills. The Marquette County Treasurer takes over the debt, applies state-mandated interest fees, and handles all past-due collections.

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

Pursuant to the Michigan General Property Tax Act, the ad valorem tax liability for real property situated in Marquette County is calculated using the aggregate local millage rate. This rate is multiplied by the property’s established Taxable Value and then divided 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, 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 uncap under MCL 211.27a, and a property transfer affidavit must be filed with the local assessor after any transfer.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Value

If you believe your property is overvalued or if there are inaccuracies in your assessment, you may file an appeal with the Board of Review. Typically, the Board in each municipality meets in March. If the Board does not rule in your favor, you can appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The GIS maps and parcel viewer for Marquette County store and retrieve land and assessment data. The county uses the FetchGIS Viewer to access property information such as parcel lines, subdivision, lot and block information, zoning, aerial imagery, floodplains, jurisdiction, and school district boundaries.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

In Marquette County, the foreclosure process follows two separate legal paths:

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

A property may enter mortgage foreclosure if the owner stops making loan payments. Most foreclosures end with a public sheriff's sale, and homeowners usually have six months after the sale to redeem the property. Foreclosure notices are published before the sale as required by Michigan law.

Costs to Access Property Records

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

How to Record a Document

Below are the common procedures to record a document in Marquette County:

1. First, prepare the document to meet Michigan statutory requirements. Ensure the document is duly signed, properly notarized, and includes a complete legal description of the property.

2. Calculate recording fees, which include $30 to record a document and $8.60 per $1,000 for the required county and state real estate transfer taxes based on the total purchase price.

3. Submit the prepared documents to the Register of Deeds in person, by mail, or through eRecording partners.

4. Lastly, once recorded, the original document is scanned and typically mailed back to the sender or designated address within a few weeks.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Marquette County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals