Wexford County Public Records /Wexford County Property Records

Wexford County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Wexford County in 2026

WexfordRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Wexford County, Michigan. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, recorded deeds, tax assessments, mortgage filings, liens, plat maps, and property characteristics. Information presented reflects what is available through official government sources and may not capture every transaction or document in real time.

Records available through official channels include:

Deed and title transfer documents
Property tax assessment and payment records
Mortgage and lien filings
Plat maps and legal descriptions
Building permit records
GIS and parcel mapping data

Members of the public may search Wexford County property records through several official channels maintained by county and state agencies. The primary resources are the Wexford County Register of Deeds, the Wexford County Equalization Department, township assessors, and the Michigan Department of Treasury. Each office maintains distinct record sets, and a thorough search draws from multiple sources.

Multiple Access Methods:

Online searches — The most convenient option for current ownership, tax, and recorded document data
In-person visits — Required for certified copies and access to older or undigitized records
By mail — Written requests submitted with applicable fees and identifying information
Through professionals — Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive searches

Online Search Methods

1. Property Appraiser / Equalization Website

The Wexford County Equalization Department maintains assessment records for all parcels within the county. Members of the public may access the Wexford County Tax Parcel Website through the Michigan Geographic Framework Data Hub, which provides parcel boundary data linked to county assessment information.

Search Options:

By property address
By owner name
By parcel identification number
By map or GIS location
By legal description

Information Available:

Current owner name and mailing address
Parcel ID number
Legal description
Land use and zoning classification
Assessed value (land and improvements)
Taxable value
Exemptions applied
Sales history
GIS map location and parcel boundaries

How to Search:

Navigate to the Michigan DTMB Tax Parcels portal
Select Wexford County from the county list
Enter search criteria (address, owner name, or parcel number)
Review the results list
Select a parcel to view the full property card
Access linked assessment, tax, and map data
Print or save the information as needed

2. Register of Deeds — Official Recorded Documents

The Wexford County Register of Deeds is the custodian of all recorded instruments affecting real property within the county. The Register of Deeds list by Michigan county maintained by the Michigan Department of Treasury confirms the Wexford County Register of Deeds is located at 437 E. Division Street, Cadillac, Michigan.

Searchable By:

Grantor name (seller or transferor)
Grantee name (buyer or transferee)
Document type
Recording date range
Book and page number
Instrument number

Documents Available:

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
Mortgages and deeds of trust
Mortgage satisfactions and releases
Mechanic's liens and judgment liens
Easements and restrictions
Plats and subdivision declarations
Powers of attorney affecting real property
Lis pendens notices

How to Search:

Visit the Register of Deeds office in person or contact the office to inquire about available online search tools
Select the appropriate search type (grantor/grantee index or document type)
Enter the name, date range, or document reference
Review the index results
Request document images or copies as needed
Note the book and page or instrument number for future reference

3. Township Treasurer and Assessor Offices

Property tax information in Michigan is administered at the township level. Several Wexford County townships maintain their own online resources and public access portals.

Haring Township provides a property tax lookup tool, FOIA access, and assessor information for properties within its jurisdiction.

Henderson Township Treasurer — Treasurer Cathy Knight administers tax payments and property tax records for Henderson Township. Members of the public may contact the office at (231) 862-3241. Online payment is not currently available for Henderson Township.

Selma Township maintains its own municipal government portal for residents and property owners within Selma Township boundaries.

Search By:

Property address
Owner name
Parcel or tax account number

Information Available:

Current tax bill
Payment history
Outstanding balances
Exemptions applied
Millage rates
Delinquency status

4. GIS and Mapping System

The Michigan Geographic Framework Data Hub provides interactive parcel mapping for Wexford County. Members of the public may navigate the map to a specific location, select a parcel, and access linked property information including boundaries, zoning layers, aerial photography, and flood zone designations.

In-Person Searches:

Wexford County Register of Deeds
437 E. Division Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9455
Register of Deeds — Michigan Treasury

Wexford County Equalization Department
437 E. Division Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9453
Wexford County Government

By Mail Requests:

Members of the public may submit written requests to the Register of Deeds by mail. Requests should specify the property address or legal description, the type of document sought, and the approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.

Through Professionals:

Title companies and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive title searches drawing from the Register of Deeds index, tax records, and court records. Real estate attorneys provide legal title opinions and assist with complex ownership or encumbrance issues. These services involve fees that vary by provider and scope of work.

What Is Wexford County Property Records

Property records in Wexford County are official documents maintained by county and township government offices that establish legal ownership, encumbrances, and characteristics of real property — land and buildings — within the county. These records are legal instruments that form the foundation of the chain of title and are essential to every real estate transaction.

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records:

Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
Trust documents and trustee's deeds
Life estate deeds
Transfer-on-death deeds
Historical chain of title documents

Encumbrance Records:

Mortgages and deeds of trust
Tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens
Easements and access rights
Deed restrictions and covenants
Homeowner association documents
Lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records:

Annual property tax assessments
Tax bills and payment history
Homestead and other exemption records
Special assessments
Delinquent tax records

Legal Descriptions and Plats:

Subdivision plat maps
Metes and bounds descriptions
Lot and block information
Condominium declarations

Building and Permit Records:

Building permits
Certificates of occupancy
Zoning designations
Code violation records

Who Maintains Property Records:

The Wexford County Register of Deeds records and indexes all instruments affecting title to real property under Michigan Compiled Laws § 565.201, which governs the recording of conveyances in Michigan. The Equalization Department maintains assessment records. Township assessors and treasurers maintain parcel-level tax data. The Building and Planning Department maintains permit and zoning records.

Legal Framework:

Michigan's recording statutes, codified at MCL § 565.29, establish the principle of constructive notice — meaning that a properly recorded instrument provides legal notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers. This framework underpins the public nature of property records and the requirement that they be accessible to all members of the public.

Are Property Records Public Information in Wexford County?

Property records in Wexford County are public information. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., public bodies are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. Recorded instruments affecting real property have been public records under Michigan law since the state's earliest recording statutes, and no special permission, ownership interest, or stated purpose is required to access them.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL § 15.231 et seq.)
Michigan recording statutes (MCL § 565.201 et seq.)
Common law tradition of public land records
Constitutional protections for property rights

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency:

The public has a recognized interest in knowing who owns real property, how property is taxed, and what encumbrances affect title. Transparent land records prevent fraudulent transfers, support accurate taxation, and enable informed real estate transactions.

Commercial Purposes:

Title searches and title insurance underwriting
Property valuation and appraisal
Mortgage lending and underwriting
Market analysis and investment research

Legal Protections:

Recording a document in the Register of Deeds provides constructive notice to all subsequent parties. This system protects buyers, lenders, and lienholders by establishing a clear, publicly accessible record of all interests in a given parcel.

Public Interest:

Tax assessment transparency and accountability
Community and land use planning
Historical and genealogical research
Journalistic investigation

What Property Information Is Freely Accessible:

Current and historical ownership
Legal descriptions and parcel identification
Sale prices and transfer dates
Recorded mortgage amounts
Liens and encumbrances
Tax assessments and payment status
Property characteristics
Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded documents under Michigan law. Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may be eligible for address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs. Homestead exemption applications may contain financial information that is subject to separate access rules; members of the public should contact the relevant township assessor for applicable policies.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any member of the public — regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose — may inspect and obtain copies of property records. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, investors, genealogists, and journalists.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Commercial aggregation of public property records is permitted under Michigan law. Title insurance companies, data services, and subscription platforms compile and resell property record data. Anti-harassment laws and fair housing statutes continue to apply to any use of property information, and records may not be used for unlawful purposes.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Wexford County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at the Register of Deeds office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. Current fees at the Wexford County Register of Deeds are governed by Michigan statute and county fee schedules.

Standard Copy and Recording Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Copy of recorded document (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of recorded document	$5.00 per document + $1.00 per page
Recording a deed or other instrument	$30.00 for the first page + $3.00 each additional page
State real estate transfer tax	$3.75 per $500 of value (or fraction thereof)
County real estate transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 of value (or fraction thereof)
Plat copies	Varies by size

Recording fees and transfer taxes in Michigan are governed by MCL § 600.2567 and the State Real Estate Transfer Tax Act. Fees are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current amounts with the Register of Deeds prior to submitting requests.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash
Check (payable to Wexford County Register of Deeds)
Money order
Credit or debit card (confirm availability with office)

What Is Available at No Cost:

In-person inspection of recorded documents
Online parcel data through the Michigan DTMB Tax Parcels portal
Township tax lookup tools (where available)
GIS parcel mapping data

Fee Waivers:

Michigan's FOIA statute provides that fees may be waived or reduced if disclosure is in the public interest and not primarily for commercial benefit. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with a statement of the public interest served.

What's Included in a Wexford County Property Record?

A complete Wexford County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses ownership, physical characteristics, valuation, tax, encumbrance, and legal information.

Ownership Information:

Current Ownership:

Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the most recent deed
Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
Acquisition date and deed instrument number
Mailing address for tax billing purposes

Previous Ownership:

Chain of title with prior owner names
Transfer dates and historical deed references
Ownership timeline from original grant to present

Property Identification:

Site address and mailing address
Parcel ID / tax account number
Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, or metes and bounds)
Municipality and jurisdiction

Physical Characteristics:

Lot size (square feet or acres), dimensions, and frontage
Year built and effective year
Total living area (square feet)
Number of stories, bedrooms, and bathrooms
Building type and construction materials
Roof type, foundation type, and exterior wall material
Garage, pool, porch, and additional structures
Heating, cooling, water source, and sewer system
Condition and quality ratings

Valuation Information:

Assessed value (land and improvements separately)
State equalized value (SEV) — 50% of true cash value under Michigan law
Taxable value (capped under Proposal A)
Historical assessed values for prior years

Tax Information:

Total annual tax amount
Taxable value after exemptions
Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, township, special districts)
Payment status and history
Delinquency records (if any)
Exemptions applied (principal residence exemption, senior, veteran, disability, agricultural)

Sales History:

Sale dates, prices, and deed types for recent transfers
Grantor and grantee names
Documentary stamp amounts
Qualified or unqualified sale designation

Encumbrances and Liens:

Recorded mortgages (original amounts, lender names, recording dates)
Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and HOA liens
Easements, restrictions, and covenants
Lis pendens notices

Legal and Regulatory Information:

Zoning classification and permitted uses
Land use designation
Special taxing districts
FEMA flood zone designation
Wetlands and environmental constraints

Maps and Images:

GIS parcel map with boundaries
Aerial photograph
Plat map
Property sketch or floor plan (where available)

Building Permit Information (where integrated):

Permits issued, permit dates, and descriptions
Contractor information
Certificate of occupancy
Inspection records

What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:

Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
Personal financial information beyond recorded documents
Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
Private purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
Unrecorded agreements
Interior photographs

How Long Does Wexford County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Wexford County are maintained permanently. Recorded instruments affecting title to real property are never destroyed, as they form the legal chain of title and are essential to establishing clear ownership for all future transactions.

Legal Basis for Permanent Retention:

Michigan's records retention schedules and recording statutes require that all instruments recorded with the Register of Deeds be preserved indefinitely. The Michigan Archives and Records Administration oversees retention requirements for county government records. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and all other recorded instruments are classified as permanent records under state policy.

Records Kept Permanently:

Deed Records:

All recorded deeds — warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all other conveyance instruments — are maintained permanently, dating back to the county's formation and original land grants.

Mortgage Records:

All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are permanent records, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.

Lien Records:

All recorded liens and their releases — including tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens — are maintained permanently.

Plats and Surveys:

All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are permanent records.

Time Period	Format
Pre-1900s	Handwritten ledger books
Early–mid 1900s	Typed books and early microfilm
Mid–late 1900s	Microfilm and paper
Recent decades	Digital scans and electronic document management

How To Find Liens on Property in Wexford County?

Liens on property in Wexford County are recorded instruments and are therefore searchable through the Register of Deeds index. A lien search requires reviewing the grantor/grantee index for the property owner's name and the parcel's legal description across multiple record types.

Types of Liens Recorded in Wexford County:

Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Michigan Department of Treasury)
Judgment liens arising from civil court judgments
Mechanic's liens filed by contractors and materialmen
Homeowner association liens
Child support liens
Code enforcement liens

Step-by-Step Lien Search:

Identify the current owner's legal name as it appears on the most recent deed — this is the name under which liens will be indexed.
Visit or contact the Wexford County Register of Deeds at 437 E. Division Street, Cadillac, MI 49601, phone (231) 779-9455. Request a grantor index search for the owner's name.
Search the Michigan Department of Treasury for state tax liens. The Register of Deeds list by Michigan county provides contact information for coordinating with state agencies on tax lien records.
Search federal tax liens through the IRS or through the Register of Deeds, where federal tax liens are recorded against Michigan real property.
Search the Wexford County Circuit Court records for judgment liens. Civil judgments become liens on real property when recorded with the Register of Deeds.
Search township records for special assessments and code enforcement liens. Haring Township, Henderson Township, Selma Township, and other townships within Wexford County maintain their own records of special assessments.
Review the parcel's tax status through the applicable township treasurer to identify delinquent tax obligations that may result in tax liens.

Requesting a Lien Search by Mail:

Written requests should be directed to the Register of Deeds with the property owner's full legal name, the property address, the parcel identification number, and the time period to be searched. Copy fees apply as described in the fee schedule above.

Professional Lien Searches:

Title companies and licensed abstractors conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process. These searches cover the Register of Deeds index, court records, and tax records and are the standard method used in real estate transactions to ensure clear title.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Wexford County?

Property ownership in Wexford County is governed by Michigan property law, which establishes the rights, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to owners of real property within the state. Under Michigan law, a property owner holds the bundle of rights associated with fee simple ownership — the right to use, lease, sell, encumber, and devise the property — subject to applicable zoning, deed restrictions, easements, and government regulations.

Forms of Ownership Recognized in Michigan:

Fee simple absolute — The most complete form of ownership, with no conditions or limitations on transfer
Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — Two or more owners hold equal shares; upon the death of one owner, the surviving owner(s) take the deceased's share automatically
Tenancy in common — Two or more owners hold undivided interests that may be unequal and are freely transferable and devisable
Tenancy by the entirety — Available only to married couples in Michigan; provides protection from individual creditors of either spouse
Trust ownership — Property held by a trustee for the benefit of named beneficiaries
Corporate or LLC ownership — Property held by a legal entity

Principal Residence Exemption:

Michigan property owners who occupy their property as their principal residence are entitled to the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), which exempts the property from the portion of the school operating millage levied under MCL § 211.7cc. The exemption must be claimed by filing an affidavit with the local assessor by June 1 for the summer tax levy or November 1 for the winter tax levy.

Proposal A and Taxable Value Cap:

Under Michigan's Proposal A, enacted in 1994, the annual increase in a property's taxable value is capped at the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation, regardless of increases in assessed value. Upon transfer of ownership, the taxable value uncaps and resets to the state equalized value (50% of true cash value) for the following tax year. This rule significantly affects the tax liability of new property owners and is a critical consideration in any real estate transaction in Wexford County.

Zoning and Land Use Regulations:

Property owners in Wexford County are subject to county and township zoning ordinances that regulate permitted uses, setbacks, lot coverage, and building standards. Zoning regulations are administered at the township level for unincorporated areas and by the City of Cadillac for properties within city limits. Members of the public may review applicable zoning designations through the relevant township or municipal office.

Adverse Possession:

Michigan law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person may acquire title to real property through open, notorious, exclusive, hostile, and continuous possession for a period of 15 years. Claims of adverse possession are adjudicated in the Wexford County Circuit Court.

Riparian Rights:

Wexford County contains numerous lakes and waterways. Michigan law grants riparian rights to owners of property abutting navigable waters, including the right of access, use of the water surface, and reasonable use of the water. These rights are subject to state and local regulation and do not extend to exclusive ownership of the water itself.

Relevant Legal References:

Michigan Land Division Act, MCL § 560.101 et seq. — governs the division and platting of land in Michigan
Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, MCL § 125.3101 et seq. — establishes the framework for local zoning authority
Principal Residence Exemption, MCL § 211.7cc — governs the homestead tax exemption for owner-occupied property