Buying Property at a Michigan Tax Auction? You May Need a Notarized Affirmation
Purchasing property through a Michigan tax auction can be an exciting opportunity, but winning the auction may only be the beginning of the process. Before your purchase can be completed, you may be required to submit additional documentation—including an affirmation that requires notarization.
If you received a document containing language similar to:
“This affirmation relates to the real property that I am purchasing under section 78m(2) or 78m(5) of The General Property Tax Act, 1893 PA 206, as amended, MCL 211.78m(2) or 211.78m(5).”
you may be wondering where to get it notarized, especially if you purchased the Michigan property while living in another state.
The good news is that you may be able to complete the notarization remotely without traveling to Michigan.
What Is the Michigan Property Tax Auction Affirmation?
Michigan's General Property Tax Act establishes procedures involving tax-foreclosed properties, including the purchase and transfer of certain properties.
Depending on the transaction, a purchaser may be required to execute an affirmation related to the property being purchased under MCL 211.78m(2) or MCL 211.78m(5).
The affirmation helps document the purchaser's representations in connection with the acquisition of the property. If the form provided for your transaction contains a notarial certificate or requires notarization, the notarization must be completed properly before the document is submitted.
Do I Have to Be in Michigan to Get the Document Notarized?
Not necessarily.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) can allow an eligible signer to appear before a commissioned online notary using secure audio-video technology.
That means you may be able to complete the notarization from your home or office—even if the property you purchased is located in Michigan and you are currently located somewhere else.
The appropriate notarization method depends on the document, the receiving agency's requirements, the signer's location, and applicable notary laws.
How Does Remote Online Notarization Work?
Instead of driving around looking for a local notary, an eligible signer can meet with an online notary through a secure remote notarization session.
The process generally includes:
Submit your document. Provide the Michigan property-purchase affirmation or other auction documents that need to be notarized.
Verify your identity. You may be asked to complete identity verification and present an acceptable government-issued identification document.
Meet with the online notary. You and the notary communicate through live audio-video technology.
Sign as instructed. Do not pre-sign a document if the notarial act or instructions require the signature to occur in the notary's presence.
Notarization is completed. The online notary completes the appropriate electronic notarial certificate and applies the required electronic notarial credentials.
Once completed, you can follow the auction administrator's or receiving agency's instructions for submitting the notarized document.
I Bought a Michigan Property at Auction but Live in Another State. Can You Help?
Yes. This is exactly the type of situation where remote notarization can make the process significantly more convenient.
You do not necessarily need to locate a Michigan storefront notary simply because the property is located in Michigan. Depending on the document and the requirements of the agency handling your purchase, an authorized remote online notary may be able to complete the notarization while you are in another state.
If you are outside the United States, remote notarization may also be possible in some circumstances. International transactions have additional legal and identity-verification considerations, so they should be reviewed individually.
What Should I Have Ready?
Before scheduling your notarization, have the documents provided for your Michigan property purchase available, along with your current government-issued identification.
It is also helpful to review the instructions from the county, auction administrator, treasurer, or other agency receiving the documents. If they have provided specific notarization requirements, send those instructions along with your documents.
Most importantly, do not alter the affirmation or sign it ahead of time unless the instructions specifically tell you to do so.
We Can Help You Get Your Michigan Auction Documents Notarized
Winning the property was the exciting part. Getting the paperwork completed shouldn't become the difficult part.
Remote Online Notary Network can help coordinate the notarization of documents associated with your Michigan tax-auction property purchase, including an affirmation referencing The General Property Tax Act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.78m(2) or MCL 211.78m(5).
Whether you are located in Michigan, another U.S. state, or potentially outside the United States, we can review the notarization request and help determine an appropriate way to complete your session.
Ready to Complete Your Michigan Property Auction Notarization?
Have your affirmation and identification ready and contact us to get started. We can help you navigate the remote notarization process so you can focus on completing your property purchase.
Connecting signers with professional remote notarization solutions.
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