Guys & Gals,   Do not get the FOIA and access to records in the
recorder's office confused.   Long before any FOIA was in effect in
Michigan anyone as you say could and still can go into the county offices
and search all recorded docs.    FOIA requests (thank God) are not
needed to access said docs.   The recorders are very glad to sell a 10
cent copy to us for 1 dollar.     
  Under the Michigan FOIA law, one must make a request to the
public official (public body) to view, get copies of , etc., any document
in their possession, and they have up to 5 days to respond,  even longer
if they want to stall another 10 days.   The FOIA is not workable for
land records as you can see.   Imagine a 10 -15 day turn time on
searches under FOIA.   So, don't use FOIA as an excuse as to anything
about land records.