Ann Arbor Public Records

Ann Arbor public records include court filings, criminal background checks, property documents, vital records, and city government records. The city is the county seat of Washtenaw County, and most records are maintained by Washtenaw County offices or the City of Ann Arbor clerk. This page covers the key sources and how to access them.

Washtenaw County Public Records

Ann Arbor is in Washtenaw County, and the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds is the main source for official records. The office is at 200 North Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 222-6700. The mailing address is P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds handles land records dating back to 1831. Property documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts are recorded here. An online search is available at rod.ewashtenaw.org. The register also maintains a historical grantor/grantee index from 1824 to 1968. For a complete overview of Washtenaw County records, see the Washtenaw County Public Records page.

Michigan's vital records portal through MDHHS is where Ann Arbor residents can order certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records statewide.

Ann Arbor Court Records

Ann Arbor has the 15th District Court for misdemeanor cases, civil disputes under $25,000, and traffic matters. The court is at 301 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, also in Ann Arbor, handles felony cases, family law, and larger civil matters for all of Washtenaw County. The circuit court is at 101 East Huron Street, Room 1106, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Phone: (734) 222-3024.

Washtenaw County also has its own online court records system at tcweb.ewashtenaw.org/PublicAccess. This shows circuit court, family court, and probate court cases. The statewide MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search is also available for free searches. Both systems let you search by name or case number. Docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings are visible. Sealed cases and juvenile records do not appear.

Note: The records unit for civil and criminal cases can be reached at (734) 222-3001. Family Court and Probate records are at (734) 222-3990.

Criminal History in Ann Arbor

Michigan State Police maintains ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT for criminal history searches. The fee is $10 per search. ICHAT covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanor arrests from Washtenaw County and all other Michigan counties. Records from the 15th District Court and 22nd Circuit Court in Ann Arbor will be in this database if they were reported to the state.

ICHAT does not include traffic records, juvenile cases, misdemeanors under 93 days, federal court records, or records from other states. If you need more complete background information, a fingerprint-based check through an approved live scan vendor costs $50 to $70. Contact the MSP criminal history page at michigan.gov/msp/services/criminal-history-records for a list of approved vendors.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff is at (734) 222-3393 for local jail inquiries. For state prison inmates, use the free MDOC OTIS portal at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.aspx. OTIS shows current inmates, parolees, and those on MDOC probation.

Ann Arbor FOIA and Public Records

Ann Arbor city records are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq. The City Clerk's office processes FOIA requests for city records. The Ann Arbor City Clerk is at 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 794-6140. The city has comprehensive online services and a strong record of public access. Submit requests in writing by mail, email, or in person.

Requests must describe the records specifically enough for staff to find them. Include "FOIA" in the subject. The city responds within 5 business days under MCL 15.235. Extensions of up to 10 more business days are permitted with written notice. Fees follow MCL 15.234. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is charged at the lowest-paid capable employee rate. Fee waivers of $20 are available for indigent requesters who submit a notarized affidavit.

Washtenaw County FOIA requests go to the Washtenaw County FOIA Coordinator, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645. The county FOIA portal is accessible through the county website. Police records from the Ann Arbor Police Department require a FOIA request submitted directly to the department.

Ann Arbor Property Records

Property records for Ann Arbor are maintained by the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds at 200 North Main Street, Suite 100. The online portal at rod.ewashtenaw.org allows free searches by owner name, address, parcel number, and legal description. Land records go back to 1831. The historical grantor/grantee index covers 1824 to 1968. Computerized images are available for more recent records.

There are public access terminals at the Register of Deeds office for in-person searches. The Equalization Department also maintains property tax and assessment data. You can view assessed values, taxable values, and ownership records for Ann Arbor parcels online. Certified copies carry a fee. Under MCL 565.201, recording with the Register of Deeds is required for property transfers to be valid against third parties.

Vital Records in Ann Arbor

Washtenaw County vital records including births, deaths, and marriages are maintained by the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 North Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor. Phone: (734) 222-6700. The clerk keeps birth and death records from 1867 forward and marriage records from 1833. Certified copies are $15 at the county level. In-person or mail requests are both accepted.

For statewide orders, use MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. The first certified copy from the state is $34. Additional copies are $16 each. Access to birth records under 100 years old is restricted under MCL 333.2888. You must show eligibility as the named person, a parent, a legal guardian, or a legal representative.

Sex Offender Registry - Ann Arbor

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com covers all registered sex offenders in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. The search is free. Look up offenders by name, address, ZIP code, or MDOC number. The map function shows offender locations in any neighborhood of Ann Arbor. Each entry includes a photo, physical description, home address, and offense details.

Ann Arbor Police Department is the registration point for city residents. Washtenaw County Sheriff handles registrations in the unincorporated areas. Michigan's registration law under MCL 28.721 et seq. sets three registration tiers. Non-compliant offenders are listed separately. The database is maintained by the MSP Sex Offender Registry Unit in Lansing at P.O. Box 30634, Lansing, MI 48909-0634, phone (517) 241-1806.

Nearby Cities

These Michigan cities are near Ann Arbor and have their own public records access points.