County Clerk & Register Of Deeds
County Clerk
Birth Records / Certificates
Birth Certificate Copies
Copies of birth certificates can be obtained either in person at the County Clerk’s office, online, or by regular mail. The fee is $10.00 and includes one certified copy. Additional copies of the same record on the same order are $5.00 per copy. Online orders will also have a technology fee applied. Fees are non refundable.
Request a Copy of a Birth Certificate
Apply by mail: Download form to mail
Apply in-person: Download form prior to visit
Baraga County Clerk’s Office
2 South Main Street
L’Anse, MI 49946
Death Records / Certificates
Copies of death certificates can be obtained either in person at the County Clerk’s office, online, or by regular mail. The fee is $10.00 and includes one certified copy. Additional copies of the same record on the same order are $5.00 per copy. Online orders will also have a technology fee applied. Fees are non refundable.
Request a Copy of a Death Certificate
Order by mail: Download form to mail
Order in person: Download form prior to visit
Baraga County Clerk’s Office
2 South Main Street
L’Anse, MI 49946
Marriage Records / License Application
Marriage Records
Marriage records are a matter of public record. The license is recorded in the county in which the applicants lived at the time of their marriage. Out-of-state applicants record their marriage license in the county in which they were married.
Request a Copy of a Marriage Record
Order by mail: Download form prior to visit
Order in person: Download form prior to visit
Baraga County Clerk’s Office
2 South Main Street
L’Anse, MI 49946
Apply for a Marriage License:
Payment
Payment is due at time of pick-up of Marriage License. Fees can be paid with cash, money order, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
• Michigan Residents: $20
• Out-of-State Residents: $30
Marriage License Application Requirements
State Law: The State of Michigan through MCL 551.101, 104, 106 requires all parties intending to be married to obtain a marriage license from the county clerk of the county in which either applicant resides.
In-State Residents: must apply for a license in the county in which they live. The marriage may then occur in any county in the state.
Out-of-State Residents: must apply for a license in the county in which they will be married.
Educational Materials: The County Clerk is required to provide applicants with educational materials on the transmission and prevention of venereal disease and HIV infection.
Age & Date of Birth: for both applicants. Each must be at least 18 years old. However, a 16 or 17 year old can apply with written consent of a parent or guardian. The consent must be notarized.
Please make sure you bring the following documentation with you when you come in to pick up your marriage license. Paper copies of documentation are REQUIRED.
• Birth Certificates: Each applicant must provide a certified birth certificate or a paper copy of a certified birth certificate.
• Government Issued Picture Identification: For both applicants such as a driver’s license or state identification card. A passport can be used for pictured identification if an additional piece of documentation is included to show residency. Paper copies of these documents are acceptable.
• Social Security Numbers (Cards are not required).
DBA "Doing Business As"
Registration is required by State Law and is done through the County Clerk’s Office. The first step is to search the businesses registered in Baraga County to confirm that the business name you have selected is available. The Clerk is authorized to reject any assumed name, which is likely to mislead the public, or is similar to other business names as to lead to confusion or deception. The law requires that a sole proprietor or co-partners file their business at the County Clerk’s Office. A DBA protects a business from possible name duplications by other businesses.
Apply on-line / business registration application form
Apply in-person: DBA Application
Baraga County Clerk’s Office
2 South Main Street
L’Anse, MI 49946
Notary Public
A Notary Public is certified by the State of Michigan to administer oaths and to provide certification to signatures affixed to important legal documents and sworn statements.
Applying to be a Notary Public
Qualifications
• Have a valid state-issued ID.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a resident of Baraga County. Out-of-state applicants may apply if their principal place of business is located in Baraga County.
Steps
1. Obtain a surety bond of $10,000 (available through a state-licensed insurance agency or bonding company).
Attorneys do not have to file a bond with the Clerk but still need to complete steps 2-4.
2. Apply online here Apply Here or download form prior to visit here Application for Michigan Notary_Public
3. Visit the Baraga County Clerk’s office to finalize the application.
NOTE – you must bring the following materials to finalize your application:
• Valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID)
• Notary Public Application email receipt
• Surety Bond (Attorneys are exempt) $10 fee cash/check/credit card
4. Mail the completed application and $10 check or money order payable to “State of Michigan” to:
Michigan Department of State
Office of the Great Seal
7064 Crowner Boulevard
Lansing, MI 48918
Note: The notary commission is not valid until you receive your Certificate of Commission in the mail.
Register of Deeds
Michigan Real Estate Tax Information
Michigan Real Estate Transfer Tax
MCL 207.505/MCL 207.526
A written instrument subject to the tax imposed by MCL 207.505 Section 5 and MCL 207.526 Section 6 shall state on its face the TOTAL CONSIDERATION of the real property (see acts for details) or a Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit.
Current Transfer Tax rate is $8.60 per $1,000, rounded up to the nearest $500.
$7.50 is State Transfer Tax and $1.10 is County Transfer Tax.
Transfer tax imposed by each act shall be collected unless said instrument of transfer is exempt from either or both acts and such exemptions are stated on the face of the deed.
County Transfer Tax Exemptions PDF link
State Transfer Tax Exemptions PDF link
The tax shall be upon the person who is the seller or the grantor.
In case of an exchange of two properties, the deeds transferring title to each are subject to tax, and in each case, shall be computed on the basis of the actual value of the property conveyed.
Conveyances affecting property situated in more than one county must state the portion of the sale price attributable to each parcel lying in the separate counties and transfer tax must be paid to each county for that portion of the sale price.
Documentary stamps shall be purchased only in the county in which the property is located.
No fee is charged for filing the “Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit,” but the instrument should state that a real estate transfer valuation affidavit is being filed.
The tax is imposed on (MCL 207.502):
- Contracts for the sale or exchange of real estate or any interest therein or any combination of the foregoing or any assignment or transfer thereof.
- Deeds or instruments of conveyance of real property or any interest therein, for a consideration.
Recording Requirements
1. MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1(a)(c): Signatures must be original; names must be typed or printed beneath signatures.
2. MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1(a)(b)(c): No discrepancy shall exist between names printed in the notary acknowledgment and as printed beneath signatures.
3. MCLA 565.201 Sec. 1(d): The address of grantees in each deed of conveyance or assignment of real estate shall contain the street number address or post office address.
4. MCLA 565.201(a): The name and address of the person who drafted the document must appear on documents executed in Michigan.
5. MCLA 565.8 form: MCLA 565.265; 565.267: Documents purporting to convey or encumber real estate executed in Michigan require an acknowledgment by a judge, clerk of a court of record or a notary public within this state.
6. MCLA 565.48: A certified copy of the death certificate or proof of death must be recorded or have been recorded and referenced by Liber and Page or Document Number on said document when “survivor” is indicated on the document.
7. MCLA 565.401; 565.411: Court orders must be certified and sealed by the clerk of the court.
8. MCLA 565.201 Sec. 3, Sec. 1(f): The document must be: legible, black ink, type size 10 point, white 20 lb. paper, with a blank margin of 2” at top of first page and ½” on all other margins. First page must also have a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences. Paper size must be minimally 8 ½” x 11” and not larger than 8 ½” x 14”.
9. MCLA 207.504; 207.525: Total value of real property must be stated on the face of the document or a real estate valuation affidavit must be attached.
10. MCLA 207.502; 207.511; MCLA 207.526; 207.533: Transfer tax shall be collected on the total value of the land being transferred unless exempt from either or both acts; the exemption(s) must be stated on the instrument.
11. MCLA 565.151; 565.154; 565.267: Date is required in acknowledgment.
12. MCL 565.201 Sec. 1(g): Unless state or federal law, court order or rule requires that all or more than 4 sequential digits of the social security number appear in the instrument, the first 5 digits of any social security number appearing in or on the instrument are obscured or removed.
e-Recording Companies
In today’s competitive market, being able to save time and money, while supplying superior service to your clients and customers is critical. Electronic recording provides the opportunity to do all three while maintaining the service you expect from your local Register of Deeds office.
We accept electronic documents from the following major e-recording companies. Contact the companies to get information and pricing:
Simplifile – wilsey@simplifile.com | (800)460-5657 x3
For County related information you can contact: register@baragacounty.org
Document Search
Document Searches
Deeds Search – Searching of the Baraga County Register of Deeds database is available both in person and online. Search and copy fees may apply.
Free in-person search on Baraga County database:
Baraga County Clerk’s Office
2 South Main Street
L’Anse, MI 49946
Laredo – Subscription based, designed for users who consistently search in a single county. Designed for users who want the freedom to search in all Fidlar counties. Fees apply. View Laredo Agreement PDF
Tapestry – Designed for the occasional users or those who want the freedom to search in all Fidlar counties. On-line search
Document Recording
Effective OCTOBER 1, 2016 in the State of Michigan
Regardless of the number of pages, all documents will cost $30.00 to record, this cost is inclusive of Michigan Remonumentation and Register of Deeds Automation fees. For a document that assigns or discharges more than 1 instrument $3.00 for each instrument assigned or discharged (in addition to the $30.00 flat fee). To certify a recorded document $5.00; copies remain at $1.00 per page. Transfer Tax fees and the $5.00 Treasurer’s Tax Certification fee is still due for those documents that require it.
Transfer Tax Documents (County Exemptions)
Transfer Tax Documents (State Exemptions)
Standard Recording Requirements
Recording Requirements for Specific Document Type