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

Shiawassee County covers about 541 square miles and has more than 40,000 land parcels. Its location within commuting distance of Lansing and Flint, along with local businesses, continues to attract homebuyers. For property information, you will likely need records from the Register of Deeds, the Equalization Department, and local city and township assessor and treasurer offices.

The types of housing you will find in the county include single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, apartments, and manufactured homes in places like Owosso, Corunna, and nearby communities. Larger rural areas have farmhouses and manufactured homes. A listed property takes an average of 37 days to receive an acceptable offer.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $158,700 and median rent of $932, alongside a median household income of $75,568 and a median real estate tax rate of 1.32 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Shiawassee County Property Records

You can access Shiawassee County property records through online portals and local offices. The Register of Deeds Search portal provides a convenient way to access recorded land documents by name or book and page reference. Anyone may view ownership information, assessed value, tax bill statuses, or pay property taxes through the BS&A online platform. Alternatively, requesters can obtain these data by contacting the local assessor’s office directly.

Interested persons may submit property record requests in person or by mail to the office of the Register of Deeds in Corunna to obtain copies of land documents. They may also call the office at (989) 743-2216 for assistance.

Who Keeps Shiawassee County Property Records?

Shiawassee County property documents are open to the public per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Several county and local offices keep these records:

• The Shiawassee County Register of Deeds records and maintains most recorded land documents.

• Local City and Township Assessors determine property taxes to establish tax liabilities. They review and approve local parcel boundary adjustments.

• The Shiawassee County Equalization Department ensures property assessments across all 21 local government units are fair and equitable.

• The Shiawassee County Treasurer collects current property tax bills. If those taxes go unpaid and become delinquent, the county Treasurer takes over collection.

How to Search Shiawassee County Property Records Online

The following are steps for searching Shiawassee property records online:

1. Type the owner's name, address, or parcel number in the search bar of the centralized Shiawassee County BS&A online portal to locate the exact parcel.

2. Once you locate the parcel in the search results, open its record page to view the building specifications, current state equalized value, and taxable value.

3. Search the Register of Deeds portal using their CountyFusion platform to find deeds, mortgages, or liens recorded from 1953 to the present.

4. Use the tax tab on the BS&A online portal to verify real-time payment history. Your local city or township treasurer handles current taxes, while delinquent taxes are tracked by the county treasurer.

5. When you need certified copies of recorded land documents, the Register of Deeds’ Office in Corunna is the right place to turn. Copies cost $1.00 per page, plus a $5.00 fee per document for certification.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Mortgages, and Plats

The Register of Deeds’ Office records deeds, mortgages, plats, and land liens.

Assessors and Equalization: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The city and township assessor determines a property's assessed value and processes property tax exemptions. For any concerns about your property data, contact the Shiawassee County Equalization Department.

Treasurer’s Office: Taxes, Bills, and Payments

The city or township treasurer collects current property taxes and keeps payment records during the regular tax collection period. All property taxes that remain unpaid are generally turned over to the Shiawassee County Treasurer on March 1 of the following year. From that point, the county treasurer is responsible for collecting the delinquent taxes.

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

Property taxes in Shiawassee County are based on your property's taxable value and the local millage rate. Each city, township, school district, and other local government sets its own millage rate to pay for public services.

Proposal A and Uncapping

Under Proposal A, the taxable value of your home can not be more than 5% above the inflation rate. When a property is sold or transferred to a new owner, that limit usually ends. In the following tax year, the property's taxable value is reset to its current state equalized value (SEV). As a result, the new owner may pay higher property taxes than the previous owner.

Some transfers between family members or spouses do not reset the taxable value. These exceptions are listed in MCL 211.27a.

Exemptions and Relief

Appealing Your Value

To contest an incorrect value, complete a Board of Review Petition form and file it with your local March Board of Review. If you disagree with the Board's decision, you may file a written appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal before the applicable deadline.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

The Shiawassee County GIS Map allows users to search for a property and view parcel boundaries, aerial photographs, roads, and other map layers. It is a helpful tool for finding basic property information and nearby landmarks. For statewide mapping data, you can also use Michigan's open GIS resources.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Property owners in Shiawassee County may face foreclosure because of unpaid property taxes or a mortgage default.

Property Tax Foreclosure

Michigan statute MCL 211.78 gives property owners about three years to pay delinquent property taxes before a property is foreclosed. Taxes become delinquent on March 1, and if they remain unpaid, the property may eventually be foreclosed and sold at a public auction.

Mortgage Foreclosure

Most home loans in Michigan are foreclosed through a sheriff's sale. After the sale, many homeowners have a six-month redemption period to reclaim the property by paying the amount required under Michigan law.

Costs to Access Property Records

The cost of recording a document in Shiawassee County is governed by MCL 600.2567, while transfer taxes are based on the state rate under MCL 207.525 and the county rate under MCL 207.504. You can search Shiawassee County property records online for free. However, the Register charges a fee for certified or official copies of recorded documents.

How to Record a Document

The Michigan Recording Act sets the rule for recording documents that affect real property. Follow these steps if you need to record a document in Shiawassee County:

1. Ensure the document meets Shiawassee County recording requirements.

2. In Shiawassee County, recording most real estate documents costs $30. When property ownership is transferred, add a combined state and county transfer tax of $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price.

3. Submit documents for recording in person at the Register of Deeds’ Office or by mail. You may also file it electronically through an approved eRecording vendor.

4. Once the document has been recorded, you may search for it through the Register’s online records. If you need a certified or paper copy, submit a request to the Register of Deeds and pay the applicable copy fee.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Shiawassee County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals