US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 26139

Ottawa County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Ottawa County, Michigan. Serving a population of 303.372 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Grand Haven • Land Area: 563,52 sq mi • State: Michigan (MI)
Call: (517) 763-1409 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Ottawa County Courthouse / Recording Office, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Seat of government for Ottawa County in Grand Haven, MI.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(517) 763-1409

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 26139 • Coordinates: 43.0550° N, -86.2193° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Ottawa 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

Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa County

Filing Fee: $10.00
1. Filing Authority

In Ottawa 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 Ottawa County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Ottawa 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:

Muskegon County Seat: Muskegon
~27.7 mi →
Kent County Seat: Grand Rapids
~34 mi →
Oceana County Seat: Hart
~39.9 mi →
Newaygo County Seat: White Cloud
~41.2 mi →
Allegan County Seat: Allegan
~43.8 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Ottawa County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Ottawa County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Ottawa County office is located at Ottawa County Courthouse / Recording Office, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (517) 763-1409.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Ottawa County?
Under Michigan statute (MCL 600.2567 (Flat-rate recording)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, MI?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Ottawa 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 Ottawa County?
In Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.