Land Patent Research

The Archives of Michigan holds land patents issued by the State of Michigan.  Michigan land patents document the first time the state sold a parcel of land to a private citizen or organization. Patents were issued once the sale price had been paid and receipt of payment was acknowledged by the Treasurer and Auditor General.  The certificate of purchase was taken to the Secretary of State and exchanged for the land patent, which was signed by the Governor.  These patents document the date of transaction, the name and residence of the buyer, the legal description of the property, and the cost of acquisition.

Please provide the township, range, and section numbers, for the parcel you are researching. This product covers one land patent for one parcel. The research fee for this product takes into account the time and costs associated with Archives staff searching, pulling, copying, and delivering the records. The research fee is non-refundable.