Clare County Property Records
How To Search Property Records in Clare County in 2026
ClareRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Clare County, Michigan. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, liens, and parcel identification. Available record categories may include:
- Property deeds and transfer documents
- Tax assessment and payment records
- Mortgage and lien filings
- Parcel maps and legal descriptions
- Building permit and zoning information
Records may be searched through the following official resources:
Clare County Register of Deeds
255 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Clare County Register of Deeds
City of Clare Assessor's Office
202 W. Fifth Street
Clare, MI 48617
Phone: (989) 386-7541
Assessor - City of Clare
City of Harrison Tax & Assessing Department
201 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-6010
Tax & Assessing – City of Harrison
Hayes Township Assessor
3623 Colonville Road
Clare, MI 48617
Hayes Township Assessor
Online Search Methods
1. Property Appraiser / Assessor Website
The Clare County assessor system serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership data. Members of the public may access parcel information at no cost through the Clare County Tax Parcel Website, maintained in coordination with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
Search options available include:
- Property address
- Owner name
- Parcel ID number
- Map or GIS location
- Legal description
Information available through the parcel search:
- Current owner name and mailing address
- Property site address
- Legal description and parcel number
- Land use and zoning classification
- Lot size, square footage, year built
- Assessed value (land and improvements)
- Taxable value and exemptions applied
- Sales history
- GIS map location
Steps to search online:
- Navigate to the Clare County Tax Parcel Website
- Select the desired search type (address, owner name, or parcel ID)
- Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
- Review the results list returned
- Select the specific parcel to view the full property card
- Review ownership, valuation, sales history, and map data
- Print or save the information as needed
2. Register of Deeds – Recorded Document Search
The Clare County Register of Deeds maintains the official index of recorded instruments affecting real property. The Register of Deeds List by Michigan County provides contact and access information for the Clare County office.
Documents searchable by:
- Grantor name (seller)
- Grantee name (buyer)
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Book and page number
- Instrument number
Documents available:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
- Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens
- Easements and restrictions
- Plats and surveys
- Lis pendens filings
- Powers of attorney affecting property
3. Tax Collector / Treasurer Records
The Clare County Treasurer maintains tax billing and payment records. The City of Harrison Tax & Assessing page notes that delinquent taxes are transferred to the Clare County Treasurer on March 1 of each year. Summer tax bills are mailed July 1 and are due by August 15; winter tax bills follow a separate schedule.
Tax records available include:
- Current tax bill amounts
- Payment history
- Outstanding balances
- Exemptions applied
- Millage rates
- Delinquency status
4. GIS / Mapping System
The Michigan DTMB maintains an interactive mapping platform that includes Clare County parcel boundaries, aerial photography, zoning layers, and flood zone designations. Members of the public may navigate the map to a specific location, click on a parcel, and access linked property information.
In-Person Searches
Clare County Register of Deeds
255 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Register of Deeds List By Michigan County
In-person services include public access terminals, staff-assisted searches, access to recorded document books, and certified copy requests.
City of Clare Assessor's Office
202 W. Fifth Street
Clare, MI 48617
Phone: (989) 386-7541
Assessor - City of Clare
In-person services include property card review, exemption application assistance, and parcel map access.
By Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests to the Clare County Register of Deeds at 255 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625. Requests should specify the document by instrument number, book and page, or property address and approximate recording date range. Payment for applicable copy fees must accompany the request. Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee.
Through Professionals
Title companies, real estate attorneys, and licensed appraisers may conduct comprehensive title searches and abstracts of title on behalf of clients. These professionals have direct access to the Register of Deeds index and can identify all recorded interests affecting a given parcel. Costs vary by provider and scope of work.
Search Tips
- When searching by owner name, attempt both last-name-first and full-name formats, and consider name spelling variations or business entity names
- When searching by address, try variations with and without directional prefixes (N, S, E, W)
- Very recent transactions may not yet appear online due to recording processing time
- Historical records predating digitization may require an in-person visit to the Register of Deeds office
What Is Clare County Property Records
Clare County property records are official legal documents related to real property — land and buildings — maintained by county government offices pursuant to Michigan law. These records establish legal ownership, document the chain of title, record encumbrances such as mortgages and liens, and support property tax assessment. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 565.201, instruments conveying or encumbering real property must be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers.
Property records serve the following purposes:
- Establish and verify legal ownership
- Provide an unbroken chain of title
- Record mortgages, liens, and other encumbrances
- Document property transfers and sale prices
- Support property tax assessment and collection
- Enable title insurance and real estate transactions
- Protect property rights through constructive notice
Types of Property Records
Ownership Records:
- Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
- Trust documents affecting property
- Life estate deeds
- Transfer records and ownership history
Encumbrance Records:
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Tax liens, judgment liens, and mechanic's liens
- Easements and access rights
- Deed restrictions and covenants
- Lis pendens filings
Tax and Assessment Records:
- Property tax assessments and assessment rolls
- Tax bills and payment history
- Exemption records (homestead, veteran, senior, disability)
- Special assessments
- Delinquency records
Legal Descriptions and Plats:
- Plat maps and subdivision plats
- Surveys and re-plats
- Lot and block information
- Metes and bounds descriptions
Building and Permit Records:
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
- Code violation records
- Zoning designations and land use classifications
Who Maintains Property Records in Clare County
Clare County Register of Deeds maintains all recorded instruments affecting title, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. The office indexes documents by grantor, grantee, and property, and makes them available for public inspection.
Local Assessors — including the City of Clare Assessor and the Hayes Township Assessor — maintain property valuation records, assessment rolls, property characteristics data, and exemption applications pursuant to the Michigan General Property Tax Act.
Clare County Treasurer maintains tax billing, payment, and delinquency records. The City of Harrison Tax & Assessing Department transfers delinquent taxes to the Clare County Treasurer on March 1 annually.
Michigan DTMB maintains the statewide tax parcel mapping system, which includes Clare County parcel boundary data and links to local assessor records.
Are Property Records Public Information in Clare County?
Property records in Clare County are public information. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the right of members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by government bodies. Additionally, the recording statutes under MCL § 565.201 are premised on the principle of constructive notice — recorded instruments are deemed known to all members of the public, which requires that they be publicly accessible.
No special permission, stated purpose, or residency requirement applies to accessing Clare County property records. The following individuals and entities may access these records:
- Prospective buyers and sellers
- Real estate agents, brokers, and appraisers
- Title companies and mortgage lenders
- Attorneys and legal researchers
- Property investors and developers
- Genealogists and historians
- Journalists and members of the media
- Out-of-state and foreign inquirers
- The general public
What Property Information Is Publicly Accessible
The following categories of information are freely accessible through Clare County's official records systems:
- Current and historical property ownership
- Legal descriptions and parcel identification numbers
- Sale prices and transfer dates
- Recorded mortgage amounts and lender names
- Liens and encumbrances of record
- Tax assessments and payment history
- Property physical characteristics
- Plat maps and surveys
- GIS mapping data
Privacy Considerations
Certain personal information is protected within otherwise public documents. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from recorded instruments pursuant to Michigan law. Exemption applications submitted to local assessors may contain financial information that is not fully subject to public disclosure. Individuals in protected categories — such as law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may seek address confidentiality protections under applicable state programs.
Commercial Use of Property Records
Commercial use of publicly available property records is permitted under Michigan law. Title companies, data aggregators, appraisal firms, and marketing companies may lawfully compile and use property record data. Anti-harassment statutes, fair housing laws, and other applicable regulations continue to govern the manner in which such information may be used.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Clare County?
Members of the public may inspect property records at the Clare County Register of Deeds at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies are requested. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of recorded document (per page) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $5.00 per document + $1.00 per page |
| Recording a new document (first page) | $30.00 |
| Recording a new document (each additional page) | $3.00 per page |
| Online document viewing | Free (basic search) |
Recording fees in Michigan are governed by MCL § 600.2567, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to the Register of Deeds. Fee amounts are subject to change; members of the public should confirm current fees directly with the Clare County Register of Deeds at (989) 539-7131 prior to submitting requests.
Free access is available for:
- Online parcel searches through the county assessor and DTMB tax parcel system
- In-person inspection of recorded documents at the Register of Deeds
- Online viewing of tax and assessment information through local assessor portals
- GIS mapping data through the Michigan DTMB platform
Accepted payment methods at the Register of Deeds office include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public submitting mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Clare County Register of Deeds.
What's Included in a Clare County Property Record
A complete Clare County property record draws from multiple official sources and may include the following categories of information:
Ownership Information
Current Ownership:
- Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the most recent deed
- Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, trust, LLC, corporation, life estate)
- Acquisition date and deed instrument number
- Mailing address for tax billing purposes
Previous Ownership:
- Chain of title with prior owner names
- Historical transfer dates and deed references
- Ownership timeline from original conveyance to present
Property Identification
- Site address and mailing address
- Parcel ID / tax account number
- Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page, or metes and bounds)
- Section, township, and range (where applicable)
- Condominium unit number (if applicable)
Physical Characteristics
Land Information:
- Lot size in square feet or acres
- Lot dimensions and street frontage
- Corner lot designation
- Land use designation and zoning classification
Building Information:
- Total living area in square feet
- Year built and effective year
- Number of stories and building type
- Construction type and exterior wall material
- Roof type and foundation type
- Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Garage type and spaces
- Pool, porch, and additional structure information
- Heating type, water source, and sewer system
Valuation Information
- Land value and building value (assessed)
- Total assessed value and market value estimate
- Capped or taxable value
- Historical assessed values for prior years
- Agricultural classification (where applicable)
Tax Information
- Total current tax amount
- Taxable value after exemptions
- Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
- Payment status and due dates
- Tax payment history
- Delinquency history (if any)
Exemptions that may appear on Clare County records:
- Principal residence exemption (homestead)
- Senior citizen exemption
- Disability exemption
- Veteran exemption
- Agricultural exemption
Sales History
- Sale dates and recorded sale prices
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, trust transfer)
- Grantor and grantee names
- Deed instrument numbers and recording dates
- Documentary transfer amounts
Encumbrances and Liens
- Recorded mortgages with lender names, amounts, and recording dates
- Tax liens (federal, state, and local)
- Judgment liens and mechanic's liens
- HOA liens and code enforcement liens
- Easements and deed restrictions
- Lis pendens filings
Legal and Regulatory Information
- Current zoning classification and permitted uses
- Future land use designation
- School district, fire district, and special taxing district assignments
- Flood zone designation (FEMA)
- Wetlands and conservation area designations
Maps and Visual Information
- Aerial photograph and GIS parcel boundary map
- Property sketch or floor plan
- Plat map reference
- Street view imagery (where available)
What Is Not Typically Included
- Current outstanding mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
- Interior photographs
- Confidential exemption application financial details
- Social Security numbers (redacted by law)
- Private purchase contract terms beyond recorded sale price
- Unrecorded agreements or private arrangements
How Long Does Clare County Keep Property Records?
Property records in Clare County are maintained permanently. The Clare County Register of Deeds retains all recorded instruments affecting title — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — without a destruction date. This permanent retention is required by Michigan law and is essential to maintaining an unbroken chain of title for every parcel in the county.
Michigan's record retention requirements for county government offices are established under the Local Records Act, MCL § 399.801 et seq., which governs the preservation and disposal of public records by local units of government. Recorded instruments affecting real property title are classified as permanent records and are never subject to destruction under this framework.
Records Kept Permanently
- All recorded deeds (warranty, quitclaim, trustee's, and all conveyance types)
- All recorded mortgages, assignments, and satisfactions
- All recorded liens and lien releases
- All plats, subdivision plats, re-plats, and condominium declarations
- All easements, restrictions, and covenants
- All lis pendens and court documents affecting title
- Assessment rolls and property tax records
Format and Storage
Historical records in Clare County may exist in the following formats depending on the period of recording:
- Handwritten ledger books (earliest records)
- Typed or handwritten record books (early-to-mid 20th century)
- Microfilm (mid-20th century)
- Digital scans and electronic document management systems (recent decades)
Modern records are maintained in electronic document management systems with digital backups and off-site storage to ensure preservation against loss or disaster.
Online Availability by Time Period
| Time Period | Typical Availability |
|---|---|
| Recent (last 20 years) | Fully online in most Michigan counties |
| Moderate age (20–50 years) | May be online; microfilm available in-person |
| Historical (50+ years) | In-person access; original books or microfilm |
| Very old (100+ years) | Archive storage; advance notice may be required |
Members of the public seeking historical records that are not available online may contact the Clare County Register of Deeds at (989) 539-7131 to arrange retrieval. Staff can assist with identifying the appropriate record format and estimated retrieval time.
Property Appraiser / Assessor Records
Local assessors in Clare County maintain assessment rolls and property cards permanently. Exemption applications are retained for a period consistent with the Michigan Local Records Act retention schedule, which varies by document type. Recent assessment history is available online through the DTMB tax parcel system; historical assessment data may require an in-person request to the relevant local assessor's office.
Tax Records
The Clare County Treasurer retains tax payment records for a minimum period consistent with state retention requirements. Tax deed records are maintained permanently. Delinquency records are retained for several years following resolution. Recent tax payment history is accessible online through local assessor and treasurer portals.
Chain of Title
The chain of title for any Clare County parcel may extend back to the original land grant or territorial period. Title searches conducted for real estate transactions review a minimum of 30 to 60 years of ownership history, though a full abstract may trace ownership to the original conveyance. Gaps in the chain of title create legal complications and are identified through the title search process.
Clare County Register of Deeds
255 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Register of Deeds List By Michigan County
How To Find Liens on Property in Clare County?
Liens on Clare County property are recorded instruments and are therefore part of the public record maintained by the Clare County Register of Deeds. Members of the public may search for liens using the following methods and resources.
Step-by-Step Search Process
- Search the Register of Deeds index at 255 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625, or through the online recorded document search. Search by the property owner's name as grantor or grantee, or by parcel number if the system supports it.
- Search by document type — select lien-related document categories such as tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, and lis pendens filings.
- Review the grantor/grantee index for the owner's name across the relevant time period to identify all recorded instruments, including lien filings and releases.
- Check federal tax lien records — federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the county Register of Deeds in Michigan and will appear in the grantor index under the taxpayer's name.
- Check state tax lien records — Michigan Department of Treasury state tax liens are also recorded at the county level and searchable through the Register of Deeds index.
- Review the tax records through the Clare County Treasurer and local assessor portals for delinquent property tax status, which may result in a tax lien or forfeiture proceeding.
- Search court judgment records through the Clare County Circuit Court and District Court for money judgments that may have been docketed as judgment liens against real property.
Types of Liens Searchable in Clare County
| Lien Type | Where Recorded | Search Method |
|---|---|---|
| Federal tax lien | Register of Deeds | Grantor index by owner name |
| State tax lien | Register of Deeds | Grantor index by owner name |
| Property tax delinquency | County Treasurer | Treasurer records by parcel |
| Judgment lien | Register of Deeds | Grantor index by judgment debtor name |
| Mechanic's lien | Register of Deeds | Grantor index by property owner name |
| HOA lien | Register of Deeds | Grantor index by owner name |
| Code enforcement lien | Register of Deeds / Municipality | Varies by jurisdiction |
In-Person Lien Search
Members of the public may conduct in-person lien searches at the Register of Deeds office. Staff can assist with identifying the correct index and retrieving documents. Certified copies of lien documents are available for the standard copy fee.
Clare County Register of Deeds
255 W. Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Register of Deeds List By Michigan County
Title companies and real estate attorneys conduct comprehensive lien searches as part of the title examination process and can identify all recorded interests, including liens that may not be immediately apparent from a basic name search.
What Is Property Owner Rule in Clare County?
The property owner rule in Clare County is governed by Michigan state law, which establishes the rights, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to individuals and entities that hold title to real property within the county.
Ownership and Title
Under Michigan law, ownership of real property is established by a recorded deed. The recording of a deed with the Clare County Register of Deeds provides constructive notice of ownership to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers, pursuant to MCL § 565.29, Michigan's recording act. A subsequent purchaser who records a deed without notice of a prior unrecorded interest takes title free of that prior interest, which incentivizes prompt recording of all conveyances.
Property Tax Obligations
Michigan law requires all property owners to support local public schools and other taxing authorities through property taxes assessed on real property. As noted by the City of Clare Assessor, "Michigan law requires everyone to support local public schools through property taxes." The Hayes Township Assessor administers assessments in accordance with the Michigan General Property Tax Act, as amended, which governs the duties of assessors and the methodology for property valuation.
Property owners in Clare County are subject to the following tax obligations:
- Annual property tax assessment based on the property's taxable value
- Summer tax bills mailed July 1, due by August 15
- Winter tax bills issued on a separate schedule
- Delinquent taxes transferred to the Clare County Treasurer on March 1 of the year following the tax year, as administered by the City of Harrison Tax & Assessing Department
- Properties with unpaid delinquent taxes are subject to forfeiture, foreclosure, and tax sale proceedings under the Michigan General Property Tax Act
Principal Residence Exemption
Property owners who occupy their Clare County property as their principal residence may apply for the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), which exempts the property from the school operating millage. The exemption application is filed with the local assessor's office. Owners who rent or lease their property, or who establish a principal residence elsewhere, are not eligible for the PRE on the Clare County property.
Rights of Property Owners
Michigan property owners hold the following rights with respect to their real property:
- The right to use, enjoy, and transfer the property subject to applicable zoning and land use regulations
- The right to appeal property tax assessments to the local Board of Review and, if necessary, to the Michigan Tax Tribunal
- The right to inspect their own property records maintained by the county assessor and Register of Deeds
- The right to receive notice of tax assessments, tax bills, and any forfeiture or foreclosure proceedings
- The right to redeem a property from tax forfeiture within the statutory redemption period
Zoning and Land Use Regulations
Property use in Clare County is subject to local zoning ordinances adopted by the relevant municipality or township. Zoning classifications determine permitted uses, setback requirements, building height limits, and other development standards. Property owners must obtain required permits from the applicable building or planning department prior to construction, renovation, or change of use.
Transfer of Ownership
Transfers of real property in Clare County must be documented by a deed that meets the requirements of Michigan law, including proper identification of the grantor and grantee, a legal description of the property, and the grantor's notarized signature. The deed must be recorded with the Clare County Register of Deeds to be effective against subsequent purchasers. A Property Transfer Affidavit must also be filed with the local assessor within 45 days of the transfer, as required by Michigan law, to trigger reassessment of the property's taxable value.