Lansing Public Records

Lansing public records include city government documents, court filings, criminal history, property records, and vital records. As Michigan's state capital, Lansing also has proximity to a large number of state agency records. This guide covers local access points through the City of Lansing and Ingham County, as well as key state-level resources.

Ingham County Public Records

Lansing is located in Ingham County. The Ingham County Clerk and Register of Deeds are in Mason at 341 S. Jefferson Street, Mason, MI 48854. Phone: (517) 676-7201 (Clerk) and (517) 676-7216 (Register of Deeds). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The county website is at ingham.org.

Ingham County property records are available online at rd.ingham.org. The free index search covers 1956 to the present, with a 7-day delay on the most recent filings. Documents prior to 1960 are in the vault and require an in-person visit. You can search by name, property description, book/page, or document number. Copies cost $1 per page. For full details, see the Ingham County Public Records page.

As the state capital, Lansing has a unique connection to state agency records. The MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing is the main contact for statewide birth, death, and marriage records. The MSP Sex Offender Registry Unit is also based in Lansing at P.O. Box 30634.

Lansing Court Records

The 54A District Court serves Lansing for misdemeanor cases, civil matters under $25,000, and traffic violations. The 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Mason handles felony cases and larger civil matters for all of Ingham County. The Circuit Court address is 313 W. Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48933. The Ingham County Probate Court is also in Mason for estates and guardianships.

You can search Lansing and Ingham County court cases at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search. The search is free. Enter a party name or case number to find docket entries, case type, hearing dates, and case status. The county also has its own case access portal linked from the main court website. Certified copies of court documents require an in-person visit or written request with fees. The records unit for civil and criminal matters in Ingham County can be reached at the courthouse.

Note: The 54B District Court at 101 Linden St, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 351-7000, serves East Lansing and nearby areas. The 55th District Court at 700 Buhl Dr, Mason, serves Ingham County outside Lansing and East Lansing.

Criminal History Records in Lansing

Michigan State Police ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT covers criminal history for Lansing residents. The fee is $10 per search. ICHAT pulls from all 83 Michigan counties including Ingham. It shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanor arrests that were reported to the state. Most records from the Lansing district court and circuit court will appear.

ICHAT is limited to Michigan records only. It does not include federal cases, records from other states, traffic offenses, juvenile records, or local misdemeanors under 93 days. Warrant information is also not available through ICHAT. The MSP Criminal History Records page at michigan.gov/msp/services/criminal-history-records has details on fingerprint-based checks for more thorough reviews, which cost $50 to $70.

Ingham County jail information is available through the Ingham County Sheriff at 630 N. Cedar St, Mason, MI 48854, phone (517) 676-2431. For state prison inmates, use MDOC OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.aspx. This free system covers current MDOC prisoners, parolees, and probationers across Michigan.

Lansing FOIA Requests

The City of Lansing processes FOIA requests under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 et seq. The City Clerk is the FOIA Coordinator for city records. The clerk's office is at Lansing City Hall. The city website at lansingmi.gov has FOIA forms and online submission options. Requests must be in writing and describe the records clearly enough to locate them.

The response deadline is 5 business days under MCL 15.235. Extensions of up to 10 additional business days are allowed with written notice. Fees follow MCL 15.234. Copies are $0.10 per page standard. Labor charges apply at the lowest capable employee rate, capped at 6 times the state minimum wage. Indigent requesters can get the first $20 waived with a notarized affidavit of indigency.

The City of Lansing's website at lansingmi.gov provides online access to city services, department contacts, and the public records request portal for submitting FOIA requests to Lansing city departments.

Ingham County FOIA requests go to Becky Bennett, County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 319, Mason, MI 48854. Police records require a separate written FOIA request to the Lansing Police Department records division.

Lansing Property Public Records

Property records for Lansing are filed with the Ingham County Register of Deeds at 366 S Jefferson St, Mason, MI 48854. The online index search at rd.ingham.org is free and covers records from 1956 forward. Earlier records require an in-person visit. Searches work by name, property description, book and page, or document number. Copies cost $1 per page.

The Ingham County property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and surveys for all Lansing properties. The County also notes that data from 1956 to 1981 is being researched for accuracy, while records from 1982 forward are considered accurate. The City of Lansing Assessor's Office maintains local assessment data and tax records. Lansing has notable property history tied to state government and Michigan State University development in the region.

Vital Records in Lansing

Lansing is home to the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666. This is the central state office for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Walk-in and mail orders are accepted here for all Michigan vital records. The first certified copy is $34. Additional copies of the same record are $16. Online ordering is also available through the MDHHS website at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.

The Ingham County Clerk at (517) 676-7201 also issues vital records for events in Ingham County. Birth records from 1867 and marriage records from 1837 are in the county's files. Copies are $20 for the first certified copy and $10 for additional copies. Birth records under 100 years old are restricted under MCL 333.2888 and require proof of eligibility.

Sex Offender Registry - Lansing

Registered sex offenders in Lansing can be found on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com. The search is free. You can look up offenders by name, address, ZIP code, or registration number. Each listing includes a photo, home address, physical description, and offense history. The map feature shows all registered offenders in any area of Lansing.

The MSP Sex Offender Registry Unit is located in Lansing at P.O. Box 30634, phone (517) 241-1806. This unit manages the statewide database. Lansing Police Department and the Ingham County Sheriff are the registration agencies for city and county residents respectively. Non-compliance with registration requirements under MCL 28.721 et seq. is a felony. Tier 3 offenders face lifetime registration requirements.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Lansing in the mid-Michigan region.