US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 26137

Otsego County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Otsego County, Michigan. Serving a population of 25.747 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Gaylord • Land Area: 515,006 sq mi • State: Michigan (MI)
Call: (517) 729-1347 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Otsego County Courthouse / Recording Office, Gaylord, MI 49735

Seat of government for Otsego County in Gaylord, MI.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(517) 729-1347

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 26137 • Coordinates: 45.0218° N, -84.5766° W
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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Otsego County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Otsego County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by MCL 600.2567 (Flat-rate recording)
First Page Base Fee
$30.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$0.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$3.75 per $500 state tax + $0.55 per $500 county tax ($8.60 total per $1,000)
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Michigan:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Otsego County

License Fee $20.00 (Residents) / $30.00 (Non-residents)
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 33 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Otsego County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: 3-day waiting period can be waived for an additional fee.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $34.00
Death Cert $34.00
Marriage Cert $34.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Vital Records and the local Otsego County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Otsego County

Filing Fee: $10.00
1. Filing Authority

In Otsego County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Michigan.

3. State Rules & Notice

Certificate of Assumed Name filed with the County Clerk. Valid for 5 years.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Otsego County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Otsego County County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Michigan.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Michigan Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Michigan Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Michigan county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Michigan Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Michigan

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Michigan recording offices:

Montmorency County Seat: Atlanta
~21.8 mi →
Crawford County Seat: Grayling
~23.7 mi →
Antrim County Seat: Bellaire
~29.3 mi →
Cheboygan County Seat: Cheboygan
~31.6 mi →
Oscoda County Seat: Mio
~31.9 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Otsego County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Otsego County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Otsego County office is located at Otsego County Courthouse / Recording Office, Gaylord, MI 49735. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (517) 729-1347.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Otsego County?
Under Michigan statute (MCL 600.2567 (Flat-rate recording)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Otsego County costs $30.00 for the first page, plus $0.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $3.75 per $500 state tax + $0.55 per $500 county tax ($8.60 total per $1,000).
How do I obtain a marriage license in Otsego County, MI?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Otsego County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $20.00 (Residents) / $30.00 (Non-residents). Michigan requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 33 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Otsego County?
In Otsego County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $10.00. Certificate of Assumed Name filed with the County Clerk. Valid for 5 years.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Otsego County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $34.00 and death certificates starting at $34.00) can be requested through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Vital Records or directly at the Otsego County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.