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

Individuals looking to buy or research property in Midland County have access to records of over 41,000 land parcels across the county’s 528 square miles. On average, listed homes spend 31 days on the market, which is faster than the statewide average.

Most homes in Midland County are single-detached houses, with popular architectural styles like Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Mid-Century Western, and Ranch. To retrieve property information, researchers can consult local assessors, the County Treasurer, or the Register of Deeds.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $171,200 and median rent of $897, alongside a median household income of $75,798 and a median real estate tax rate of 1.57 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Midland County Property Records

Anyone can access Midland County property records from the comfort of their home with the right tool. Most tools can be searched by address, party name, or parcel identification number.

Who Keeps Midland County Property Records?

According to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, the public can copy, examine, or inspect property records in Midland County. These records are managed by several local government entities, including:

• TheMidland County Register of Deeds is the custodian of the county's real property documents. It maintains legal deeds, mortgages, plats, releases, and powers of attorney. Its grantor/grantee indexes are accessible across bound books, computer image media, and microfilm.

• Local city and township assessors determine property values for tax purposes and keep information about property characteristics, assessment, and ownership.

• The Midland Equalization Department assists the County Board of Commissioners to equalize assessments across all local townships and cities. It maintains tax maps, valuation reports, and GIS spatial data.

• The Midland County Treasurer oversees tax foreclosure proceedings and collects delinquent taxes, while local treasurers issue property tax bills and collect current tax payments.

How to Search Midland County Property Records Online

To conduct a comprehensive property search in Midland County online, you must look up a property’s physical, tax, and legal status across online systems:

1. Enter the current owner’s name, street address, or parcel ID to locate the property on the BS&A Online portal. The assessing section will reveal its square footage, assessed value, and characteristics. If the property is located in the City of Midland, adjust the standard parcel ID to the required 14 digits by placing “180” at the beginning and “00” at the end.

2. Next, you can review the property’s tax records by switching between two distinct tax sections. Select “Current Tax Search” to confirm that all current-year property tax bills are paid, or “Delinquent Tax Search” to find out whether any unpaid balances were transferred to the county treasurer.

3. Use the Tapestry or Laredo portal to search for deeds, liens, or other documents recorded against the property.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Mortgages, and Plats

The Midland County Register of Deeds stores recorded land documents and provides access to them in person and online. Per MCL 565.28, the office maintains grantor and grantee indexes organized by name and year.

Assessors and Equalization: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

In Midland County, the roles of the local assessors and the Midland County Equalization Department are distinct but complementary. City and township assessors evaluate individual properties. The Equalization Department focuses on ensuring fairness between jurisdictions instead of setting individual parcel values.

Local assessors rely on three essential values to calculate property tax in Midland County. The True Cash Value is the property’s estimated value or usual selling price on Tax Day. By law, the assessed value is set at exactly 50% of the TCV. The Taxable Value is the dollar figure used to calculate the property tax bill.

Treasurer’s Office: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

The local city or township treasurer collects active seasonal property tax payments from property owners. Taxes that remain unpaid by March 1 become delinquent and can only be collected by the Midland County Treasurer.

Midland County property taxes are billed twice a year. Summer taxes are usually issued in early July and due by mid-September, while winter taxes are issued in early December and due in mid-February.

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

A property tax bill in Midland County is calculated based on a property’s taxable value and the local millage rate. The local assessor determines the taxable value, and the county, city, schools, or township each contributes a millage rate. These rates are combined and applied to the taxable value to produce the final tax bill. The bill may be reduced if the property qualifies for a tax exemption.

Proposal A and Uncapping

Approved in 1994, Proposal A limits the annual increase in a property’s taxable value to the lower of 5% or the rate of inflation. This law protects homeowners and ensures property tax increases are predictable.

The taxable value of a property may uncap and reset to match the state equalized value if it is sold or transferred. Per MCL 211.27a(7), transfers to close family members or spouses cannot uncap a property’s taxable value.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Value

Assessment notices are usually mailed in mid-February and show a property’s assessed and taxable values for the current tax year. If a property owner believes they are too high, they may appeal the assessment. Before appealing, the property owner may request that their local assessor review the property record card.

If the issue remains unresolved, they may file an appeal with the March Board of Review in person, by letter, or by email. A further appeal may be filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal if the Board of Review does not adjust the assessment.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The FetchGIS system provides access to Midland County’s parcel maps and property data in one place. Users can search for a parcel, review ownership and tax information, view aerial photos, and explore floodplains. The Michigan GIS Open Data Portal is the right resource for viewing datasets that span multiple county lines.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

In Midland County, the two main property foreclosures to look for during property research are property tax foreclosures and mortgage foreclosures.

Property-Tax Foreclosure

Pursuant to MCL 211.78, unpaid property taxes in Midland County can result in tax foreclosure over a three-year process. Taxes become delinquent in the first year, and the property is forfeited on March 1 of the second year.

To avoid foreclosure, the property owner must pay all delinquent taxes, interest, fees, and penalties by March 31 of the third year. If the payment is not made by the deadline, the 42nd Circuit Court enters a foreclosure judgment that transfers ownership of the property to the county. After this judgment, the property can no longer be redeemed.

Mortgage Foreclosure

In Midland County, a lender may foreclose on a property without filing a court case if the mortgage contains a power of sale clause. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender must publish foreclosure notices in a local newspaper and post a notice on the property. Once these legal requirements are met, the property may be sold at a public sheriff's sale.

Under MCL 600.3240, the borrower has six months to redeem the property by paying the amount required by law, including the purchase price, interest, and applicable fees.

Costs to Access Property Records

The online property record index in Midland County is free to search. Fees apply if you request regular or certified copies of recorded documents. The Register of Deeds collects recording fees under MCL 600.2567. The state and county transfer taxes are collected per MCL 207.504 and MCL 207.525 unless the transfer qualifies for a statutory exemption.

How to Record a Document

Follow these steps to record a property document in Midland County:

1. Before submission, ensure the document meets Michigan Recording Requirements, including proper notarization and original signatures. The top line of the first page must state the document's nature.

2. If your deed contains a warranty clause or transfers property interest, visit the office of the Midland County Treasurer for a tax certification. This service costs $5.

3. Calculate the county and state real estate transfer taxes unless a specific statutory exemption applies. You must also include the standard recording fees of $30 per document.

4. The Midland County Register of Deeds receives documents for recording in person, by mail, or online. The office accepts electronic documents submitted through Simplifile and EPN. E-recording is not accepted for documents that require raised court seals or certified death certificates.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Midland County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals