Local Government>Register of Deeds

Register of Deeds

Carole Motycka, Register of Deeds Click here to send an email to Carole Maggie Anderson, Chief Deputy Register Jill A. Arnold, Deputy Phone#: (269) 657-8242 Fax#: (269) 657-0674 Location: County Administration and Land Services Building 219 E. Paw Paw St., Suite 102 Paw Paw, MI 49079 Map It A Message from Carole . . . We hope you find this site useful, but please remember we also give service the old-fashioned way. So just call or come in and talk with real live smiling human beings with many years of experience. We are ready to serve you! About the Register of Deeds Office By state law the Register of Deeds is the office that records and/or files office for all legal documents affecting real property and Uniform Commercial Code documents. Examples are such documents as warranty, quitclaim, mineral, administrator, tax and sheriff's deeds, mortgages, patents, oil and gas leases, plats and restrictions, rights of way, various liens including municipal, state and federal tax liens, and court orders, and wills where real estate is concerned, and numerous other instruments. All fees charged for recording and/or filing are set by state law. Other duties of the office include: recording Certificates of Survey and indexes of same, recording all Surveys establishing corners, time and date stamping, registration numbers, microfilming instruments, processing film daily, certifying to name and maintaining a proper index, reception books and abiding by a uniform statutory fee and system set by the legislature. The Van Buren County Register of Deeds also collects the Michigan Real Estate Transfer Tax, although this is done in some counties by the County Treasurer. The office serves the public with research on all instruments. The Register of Deeds actually becomes the custodian of many volumes of records dating back to the 1830's. Needless to say, these volumes of information are highly valuable to the people. Credit bureaus, banks, title & abstract companies and other lending agencies throughout the State as well as many individuals check on the recording and filing of the many papers pertaining to their businesses and utilize the records in this office. Even proof of ownership is established according to the records in this office. The Register of Deeds is the Chair of the County Plat Board, a board that gives final approval to new plats and subdivisions. Our Mission To provide the citizens of Van Buren County the most accurate records possible, and to treat each customer with respect, dignity, professionalism, and courtesy. Holiday Schedule The Van Buren County Courthouse will be closed for these dates: New Year’s Eve – Thursday, December 31 New Year’s Day – Friday, January 1 2010 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 18 President’s Day – Monday, February 15 Memorial Day – Monday, May 31 Independence Day – Monday, July 5 Labor Day, Monday, September 6 Veteran’s Day – Thursday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 25 Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, November 26 Christmas Eve – Thursday, December 23 Christmas Day – Friday, December24 New Year’s Eve – Thursday, December 30 New Year’s Day – Friday, December 31 Links to Additional Information:

County Tax Exemptions Fees: Real Estate Records Filing Requirements--Uniform Commercial Code Frequently Asked Questions Michigan Real Estate Transfer Tax Recording Requirements State Transfer Exemptions

Page Last Updated: 12/30/2009