How to Register a Trust in Michigan

Michigan does not require most trusts to be registered. The trustee of a trust administered in Michiganmay register it with the probate court under MCL § 700.7209 — a short filing that puts the trust's existence on the court record. Here is what the process involves and when it's worth doing.

Is Registration Required?

For ordinary revocable and irrevocable family trusts, no. Michigan law does not force registration — the trust is valid without it. The exceptions are charitable trusts soliciting in Michigan, which must register with the Attorney General's Charitable Trust Section (separate from the probate court), and certain court-supervised trusts.

Optional Probate Court Registration — MCL § 700.7209

Under § 700.7209, the trustee of a trust whose principal place of administration is in Michigan may register the trust in the court designated in the trust instrument — or, if none is designated, the probate court where the trust is administered. Key facts:

• Form: SCAO Form PC 610 (Registration of Trust), filed with the probate court
• Cost: $25 filing fee
• Effect: Registration creates a public record that the trust exists. It does not make the trust valid or invalid, does not start court supervision, and the trust document itself is not filed with the court.
• Content: The registration identifies the trust by name and date and lists the trustee — not the terms.

When Registration Helps

• Third parties want confirmation. A registered trust is easy for a bank or title company to verify through the court record.
• Successor trustees take over. A registration on file simplifies proving authority after the original trustee dies or resigns.
• Potential disputes. A court record fixes a clear, dated record of the trust's existence and trustee.

When You Don't Need It

If you keep a notarized certificate of trust — which Michigan recognizes in affidavit form under MCL § 700.7913 — banks and title companies can rely on it directly, and most families never need probate court registration. The certificate lists the trust's name and date, the trustees, their powers, and whether the trust is revocable, without revealing the full trust instrument.

Generate a free Certificate of Trust for Michigan →

The Steps

1. Create and sign your trust instrument

   Michigan requires no notary or witnesses for validity (MCL §§ 700.7401–700.7402), though notarization is recommended for real estate transactions.

2. Download SCAO Form PC 610

   Available from the Michigan courts website or any probate court clerk.

3. File with the probate court and pay the fee

   File in the county where the trust is administered (or the court your trust instrument designates) and pay the $25 filing fee.

4. Keep the filed copy with your trust records

   You will show it when institutions ask for proof the trust exists.