COVENANT DEED

(Special Warranty Deed)

State of Michigan

After Recording Return To:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Drafted By:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Property Tax ID/Parcel Number:
_____________________________________________

2.5" TOP MARGIN FOR REGISTER OF DEEDS' USE

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

This instrument is a: COVENANT DEED

COVENANT DEED

This Covenant Deed, made on _________________, 20_____,

ARTICLE I: PARTIES

Section 1.1 Grantor(s)

BETWEEN:

_____________________________________________
(Name - typed/printed exactly as appearing in prior deed)

of _____________________________________________
(Address)

Marital Status (Required per MCL 565.201):
☐ A single person
☐ A married person
☐ Husband and wife
☐ An unmarried person
☐ A _________________ [entity type], a _________________ [state] _________________ [entity form]

referred to as "Grantor"

Section 1.2 Grantee(s)

AND:

_____________________________________________
(Name)

of _____________________________________________
(Street Number Address or P.O. Box - Required per MCL 565.201)

Vesting:
☐ A single person
☐ A married person, as his/her separate property
☐ Husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety
☐ As joint tenants with full rights of survivorship
☐ As tenants in common
☐ A _________________ [entity type], a _________________ [state] _________________ [entity form]

referred to as "Grantee"

ARTICLE II: CONVEYANCE

Section 2.1 Granting Clause

Grantor, for the consideration of $_____________________ (____________________ Dollars), conveys and warrants to Grantee, subject only to encumbrances created or suffered by Grantor:

Section 2.2 Legal Description

The following described premises situated in the ☐ Township ☐ City ☐ Village of _________________, County of _________________, State of Michigan:

See Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof.

Property Address: _____________________________________________

Property Tax ID/Parcel Number: _____________________________________________

ARTICLE III: LIMITED WARRANTY COVENANTS

Section 3.1 Covenant Warranty

By this Covenant Deed, the Grantor covenants with the Grantee that:

(a) The Grantor is lawfully seized of the above-described premises;

(b) The premises are free from all encumbrances created or suffered by Grantor (except as noted herein); and

(c) The Grantor WILL WARRANT AND DEFEND the title to the above premises against all lawful claims of all persons claiming by, through, or under the Grantor, but against none other.

Section 3.2 Limitation of Warranty

NOTICE: This is a COVENANT DEED (Michigan's form of a Special Warranty Deed). The warranties contained herein are LIMITED to encumbrances and claims arising from acts or omissions of the Grantor during Grantor's period of ownership. This deed does NOT warrant against:

• Defects in title existing prior to Grantor's ownership
• Encumbrances created by prior owners
• Claims of persons NOT claiming by, through, or under Grantor

Section 3.3 Statutory References

This conveyance is made pursuant to:
- MCL 565.151 et seq. (Form of conveyances)
- MCL 565.201 (Recording requirements)
- MCL 207.505 (State transfer tax)
- MCL 207.526 (County transfer tax)
- MCL 211.135 (Tax certificate requirement)

ARTICLE IV: EXCEPTIONS AND RESERVATIONS

Section 4.1 Subject To

This conveyance is made subject to:

(a) Real property taxes and assessments for the year 20_____ and subsequent years;

(b) All applicable zoning ordinances, building codes, and governmental regulations;

(c) All covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, and reservations of record;

(d) All matters disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the premises;

(e) Rights of parties in possession;

(f) Encumbrances created or suffered by Grantor:
☐ None
☐ As set forth below:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

(g) The following additional specific exceptions:

☐ None

☐ As set forth below:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

ARTICLE V: TRANSFER TAX

Section 5.1 Michigan Transfer Tax (MCL 207.505, 207.526)

Consideration or Fair Market Value: $_____________________

State Transfer Tax: $3.75 per $500 (or fraction thereof) = $_____________________
County Transfer Tax: $1.10 per $1,000 (in $500 increments) = $_____________________

Total Transfer Tax: $_____________________

Section 5.2 Transfer Tax Exemptions

☐ This transfer is exempt from State Transfer Tax per MCL 207.505(a)-(h)
☐ This transfer is exempt from County Transfer Tax per MCL 207.526(a)-(n)

Exemption(s) claimed: _____________________________________________

Note: The correct exemption citation must appear on the face of the document.

ARTICLE VI: TAX CERTIFICATE

Section 6.1 County Treasurer's Certificate (MCL 211.135)

A tax certificate from the County Treasurer's office is required before recording this deed.

☐ Tax certificate attached showing all taxes paid or not yet due.

ARTICLE VII: EXECUTION

Section 7.1 Grantor's Signature

Signed and sealed on _________________, 20_____.

GRANTOR(S):

_____________________________________________
Signature

_____________________________________________
Printed Name (typed/printed beneath signature per MCL 565.201)

_____________________________________________
Signature

_____________________________________________
Printed Name (typed/printed beneath signature per MCL 565.201)

ARTICLE VIII: ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Section 8.1 Michigan Acknowledgment (Individual)

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COUNTY OF _________________

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on _________________, 20_____, by:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
Notary Public, _________________ County, Michigan

_____________________________________________
Printed Name of Notary (on same page as signature - MCL 565.201)

My Commission Expires: _____________________________________________

Acting in _________________ County

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

Section 8.2 Michigan Acknowledgment (Entity)

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COUNTY OF _________________

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on _________________, 20_____, by _________________________, the _________________________ [title] of _________________________ [entity name], a _________________________ [entity type], on behalf of said entity.

_____________________________________________
Notary Public, _________________ County, Michigan

_____________________________________________
Printed Name of Notary (on same page as signature - MCL 565.201)

My Commission Expires: _____________________________________________

Acting in _________________ County

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

Section 8.3 Out-of-State Acknowledgment

STATE OF _________________
COUNTY OF _________________

The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me on _________________, 20_____, by:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________
Notary Public

_____________________________________________
Printed Name of Notary

My Commission Expires: _____________________________________________

[NOTARIAL SEAL]

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A - LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Legal Description of Property:

Situated in the ☐ Township ☐ City ☐ Village of _________________, County of _________________, State of Michigan:

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Property Tax ID/Parcel Number: _____________________________________________

MICHIGAN RECORDING REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION

Recording Requirements (MCL 565.201)

Document Format Requirements (MCL 565.201)

Recording Fees (MCL 600.2567)

Michigan Transfer Tax

Transfer Tax Exemptions

State Exemptions (MCL 207.505):
- Transfers less than $100
- Transfers to governmental entities
- Transfers pursuant to divorce
- Certain transfers to trusts

County Exemptions (MCL 207.526):
- Similar to state exemptions
- Must cite correct MCL section on deed

Tax Certificate Requirement (MCL 211.135)

A tax certificate from the County Treasurer's office must be obtained BEFORE recording. Fees:
- Up to 5 legal descriptions: $5.00 each
- Additional legal descriptions: $0.20 each

Important Michigan Notes

1. Names Must Match: Names must be typed/printed beneath signatures and match throughout the document (MCL 565.201).

2. Notary on Same Page: Notary's name must be printed on same page as their signature.

3. Transfer Tax Exemption Citation: The correct MCL section for any claimed exemption MUST appear on the face of the document.

4. Sheriff's Deeds: Always exempt from State Transfer Tax; NOT automatically exempt from County Transfer Tax unless mortgage is federally-backed.

5. Title Insurance: Grantees should consider obtaining title insurance.

6. Legal Counsel: Consultation with a licensed Michigan attorney is recommended.

THIS INSTRUMENT DRAFTED BY (MCL 565.201(1)(i)):

_____________________________________________
Name

_____________________________________________
Address

_____________________________________________
Phone

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a licensed Michigan attorney before using this form.