Flint Public Records

Flint public records are managed by the City of Flint, Genesee County offices, and Michigan state agencies. Court records, property documents, criminal history, vital records, and FOIA requests are all available through different channels. This page covers how to find and request public records from Flint, Michigan.

Genesee County and Flint Records

Flint is the county seat of Genesee County. Most property records, circuit court filings, and vital records for Flint run through county offices. The Genesee County Clerk handles court records, vital records, and business registrations. The Register of Deeds records all property documents. For a full overview of county-level resources, visit the Genesee County public records page.

The 7th Circuit Court is located at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502, phone (810) 257-3225. This court handles felony criminal cases, family court, and civil matters over $25,000. The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is at 1002 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502, phone (810) 257-3407. The sheriff's office has an online inmate lookup portal.

Flint FOIA Requests and City Records

Unlike most Michigan cities, Flint routes all FOIA requests through its Department of Law rather than the city clerk. The FOIA Coordinator is at 1101 S. Saginaw Street, 3rd Floor, Flint, MI 48502. Phone: (810) 766-7346. Fax: (810) 515-7202. Email: foiarequest@cityofflint.com. The city website at cityofflint.com/foia has details on the process.

Flint also offers an online FOIA submission portal at cityofflintmi.nextrequest.com. This NextRequest platform lets you submit, track, and receive records digitally. You can see the status of your request at any time through the portal. This system has made it easier for residents to follow up on requests without additional phone calls or visits.

Under MCL 15.231, the city must respond within 5 business days. A 10-business day extension requires written notice with an explanation. Your request should include your name, address, phone number, and a clear description of the records you want. Including specific dates, names, or locations helps speed up the process.

Copying fees and labor charges apply. Indigent requesters can have the first $20 waived by submitting a written statement of financial hardship. PDF forms are available on the FOIA page. You are not required to use any specific form as long as you include the required information.

The screenshot below shows the Flint city FOIA portal, where residents can submit online requests for city records including police reports, water records, and city contracts.

The Flint FOIA office coordinates with all city departments including the police department, building department, and city council clerk. All requests go through one central point at the Department of Law.

Flint Online FOIA Portal

Flint's NextRequest portal is one of the more advanced online records systems among Michigan cities. The portal at cityofflintmi.nextrequest.com lets anyone submit a request, track its progress, and download responsive documents once released. This is useful for people who want transparency on city operations without repeatedly contacting the FOIA office.

The city has handled extensive FOIA activity related to its water infrastructure. Water quality records, pipe replacement documents, and federal and state oversight correspondence have all been released through the FOIA process. If you are researching the Flint water situation, the online portal is a good starting point for recent records. Older requests and their responsive documents may also be searchable through the portal's public log.

The screenshot below shows the NextRequest submission form used by Flint residents to file public records requests.

Blight elimination records, demolition permits, and neighborhood stabilization documents are also available through the FOIA process. These records are relevant for anyone researching property conditions or city development activity in Flint.

Court Records in Flint

The 67th District Court has multiple divisions in Genesee County and handles city-level matters for Flint. Criminal misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases under $25,000, and small claims all go through the district court. The 7th Circuit Court at 900 S. Saginaw Street takes felony cases and civil matters over $25,000.

Search court records for Flint cases through the Michigan Courts portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. Select the Genesee County court from the dropdown. Search by name or case number. Results show case type, status, and docket entries for free. The Genesee County Clerk's Office also maintains a records access system for county court filings.

Genesee County Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, and mental health petitions. These records have some access restrictions but are generally available to parties in the case. The Probate Court is also located in Flint.

Criminal History and Offender Records

Michigan's ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT covers criminal records from Genesee County, including Flint. The $10 fee covers one name search. ICHAT shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. Felony files in Genesee County are retained for 50 years. Misdemeanor files are kept for 20 years. Traffic violations are kept for 7 years.

The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system is free at mdocweb.state.mi.us. It shows current and recently released offenders under state supervision statewide. The Genesee County Sheriff's Office also has its own online inmate lookup at (810) 257-3407 for people held in the county jail.

Search the Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com by name, address, or ZIP code. The registry includes photos, offense details, and current address data for offenders in Flint and Genesee County.

Property and Tax Records in Flint

Property deed records for Flint addresses are held by the Genesee County Register of Deeds. The Genesee County Equalization Department maintains property assessment data, tax rolls, and GIS mapping for the county including Flint. The City of Flint Treasurer handles property tax collection and can provide delinquent tax information.

These records are public and available through the county or city offices. For deed searches, the Genesee County Register of Deeds is your primary source. Assessment values and ownership records are available through the county equalization department or the city assessor. Building permit records and code violation history are held by the Flint Building Department and available through a FOIA request.

Vital Records for Flint Residents

Birth and death records for events in Flint are available through the Michigan MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The first certified copy is $34. Additional copies of the same record cost $16 each. Orders go online, by mail, or in person. The Genesee County Clerk also issues vital records for events in the county.

Marriage licenses for Flint residents are issued by the Genesee County Clerk. Divorce records for cases filed in Genesee County are available through the 7th Circuit Court or through MDHHS for records dating back to 1897.

Nearby Cities

These nearby Michigan cities have their own public records pages.