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Recording Requirements

Act No. 19 of Public Acts of 2002, Effective March 4, 2002

1. The name of each person purporting to execute the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten or stamped beneath the original signature or mark of the person. 2. A discrepancy does not exist between the name of each person as printed, typewritten or stamped beneath their signature and the name as recited in the acknowledgment or jurat on the instrument. 3. The name of any notary public whose signature appears upon the instrument is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped upon the instrument immediately beneath the signature of that notary public. 4. Address of each of the grantees in each deed of conveyance or assignment of real estate. 5. Instruments conveying or mortgaging any interest in real estate shall state the marital status of any male grantors. MCLA 565.221 6. The name and address of the person who drafted the instrument must appear on instruments executed in Michigan. MCLA 565.201a, 565.203 7. A certified copy of a death certificate or proof of death must be recorded when the instrument of conveyances states “survivor” in the grantor’s section. MCLA 565.48 8. Court orders must be certified and sealed by the clerk of the court to be eligible for recording. MCLA 565.401, 565.411 9. If the instrument is executed before April 1, 1997, each sheet of the instrument contains all of the following:

a. Typewritten or printed in type not smaller than 8-point type size. b. Not more than 8 1/2 by 14 inches. c. Legible. d. On paper of not less than 13 pound weight.

10. If the instrument is executed after April 1, 1997, each sheet of the instrument complies with all of the following requirements:

a. Has a margin of unprinted space that is at least 2 1/2 inches at the top of the first page and at least 1/2 inch on all remaining sides of each page. b. Displays on the first line of print of the first page of the instrument a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences. c. Is electronically, mechanically, or hand printed in 10-point type or the equivalent of 10-point type. d. Is legibly printed in black ink on white paper that is not less than 20 pound weight. e. Is not less than 8 1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long or more than 8 1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long. f. A register of deeds shall not record an instrument executed after April 1, 1997 if the instrument purports to evidence more than 1 recordable event.

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Last updated Thursday May 31, 2007