Fees – Real Estate Records

The Register of Deeds office manages all documents related to real property in Van Buren County.

Make checks payable to Register of Deeds and send to: 219 E Paw Paw St, Suite 102, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for any returns.

Copy and Certification Fees

  • Copies: $1.00 per page
  • Certification: $5.00 per document

Recording Fees

Fees for recording any deed, mortgage, or other instrument:

  • $30 per document, regardless of pages (effective Oct 1, 2016)
  • $4.00 of this fee goes to the Michigan State Survey & Remonumentation Fund (not required for certain filings)
  • Additional $3.00 for each instrument assigned or discharged

Tax Certificate Requirement

Warranty deeds, land contracts, or assignments with a warranty covenant need a tax certificate from the County Treasurer’s office before recording. A $5.00 fee applies, which can be included in the payment.

Real Estate Transfer Taxes

Documents subject to transfer tax must state the total consideration or file a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit. The seller or grantor pays the tax if the property value is $100.00 or more.

  • County tax: $0.55 per $500 or fraction
  • State tax: $3.75 per $500 or fraction

For exchanges, each deed is taxed based on the property’s actual value.

If property spans multiple counties, state the sales price for each parcel, and pay tax to each county.

Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit

No fee for filing this affidavit, but the document should indicate that it is being filed.

SRETT Refund Application

If a sale is later found exempt from the State Real Estate Transfer Tax (SRETT), apply for a refund through the Michigan Department of Treasury. Submit the form within four years of payment for a refund check.

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