Register of Deeds

"As your Register of Deeds, I've worked diligently to upgrade the technology in my office to meet today's real estate needs. I've been able to integrate services with other county departments, local townships & cities. This changes the way the game is played by providing more efficient services, accuracy and quicker turnaround times." - Gary Scholten

Gary Scholten
Register of Deeds Katherine Haiker
Chief Deputy Register of Deeds

SCHOLTEN NAMED REGISTER OF THE YEAR

Phone: (616) 994-4510
Fax: (616) 994-4521
Email: register@miottawa.org >> Clerk-Register Survey Results

>> Please Note: National Deed Service has written to many residents offering to sell them a copy of their deed for $69.50. Please tell anyone who asks, they can get a copy of their deed for $1.00 a page (most deeds are 1-2 pages) in our office, and our office will certify your deed for an additional $1.00.

>> A Free Service that is Now Available! Property Fraud Alert is now available for Ottawa County! Sign up by entering your personal and/or business name and you will be notified when a document is recorded with your name match. For more information please click here.

>> Helping Michigan's Hardest-Hit Homeowners NEW!

"Next to the right of liberty, the right of property is the most important individual right guaranteed by the Constitution."
- Warren Harding, U.S. President, 1921-1923

Locations

	Main Office & Recording Office 12220 Fillmore Street, Room 146 West Olive, MI 49460 Phone: (616) 994-4510 Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-4:30pm
	Research Library 414 Washington Ave, Room 115 Grand Haven, MI 49417 Monday-Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm

2010 Fee Revenue Vs. Expenditures

Warranty Deeds Recorded

Warranty Deeds-A History

Month	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
January	625	479	466	414	270	327	383
February	475	439	456	355	214	315	297
March	603	546	421	386	305	366	406
April	587	515	436	428	332	378	386
May	685	565	651	423	332	459	351
June	775	620	531	461	293	449	456
July	689	557	540	434	473	427	401
August	767	585	581	448	358	368	475
September	726	557	520	425	384	345	396
October	701	592	525	429	469	382	441
November	588	508	472	305	382	347	461
December	587	461	426	297	395	334	396

Mortgage Foreclosure Statistics

2009-2011 Statistics

Documents Recorded	2009	2010	2011
Deed Related Documents	1,001	1,400	1,344
Master Deeds	6	8	2
Quit Claim Deeds	2,804	2,775	2,540
Sheriff Deeds	933	953	827
Warranty Deeds	4,189	4,497	4,846
Total Deeds	8,933	9,633	9,559
Assignment of Mortgages	1,680	1,818	1,585
Discharge of Mortgages	14,002	12,566	12,383
Mortgages	12,813	11,847	10,649
Mortgage Related Documents	2,830	3,068	2,800
Total Mortgages	31,325	29,299	27,417
Liens	878	445	587
Federal Tax Liens	423	461	338
Lien Related Documents	1,313	1,564	1,425
MESC Tax Liens	292	574	415
State Tax Liens	875	756	627
Total Liens	3,781	3,800	3,392
Certificate of Trusts	949	1,124	1,171
Death Certificates	674	773	816
Miscellaneous Documents	4,802	4,193	4,017
Notice of Commencement	169	227	262
Power of Attorney	420	374	396
Total Miscellaneous	7,014	6,691	6,662
Total Documents	51,053	49,423	47,030

Lien History (Claim of Lien, Federal, State & MESC Liens)

Mortgages & Discharge of Mortgages - A History

Office Information

The Office of the Register of Deeds was organized when Ottawa County was first established in 1834. In that time, 28 persons have served as Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds office records over 120 different documents (instruments). Only original documents can be recorded. The documents can be sent or brought in to our office for recording. The document is kept by our office until the recording process is completed and then is returned to the person/organization who submitted the document. The Register of Deeds staff review documents, before recording, to insure they meet State Statute Recording Requirements. The Register of Deeds staff cannot give legal advice. The recording of your document, by this office, does not make your document legal. It makes your document public.