Alpena County Public Records
Alpena County public records are held by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds at 720 West Chisholm Street in Alpena. This page helps you search court cases, look up property documents, request vital records, and submit FOIA requests to Alpena County agencies.
Alpena County Overview
Alpena County Clerk and Public Records Office
The Alpena County Clerk and Register of Deeds are housed in the same building at 720 West Chisholm Street but operate as separate offices. The Clerk, Bonnie Friedrichs, is in Suite 2 and the Register of Deeds, Catherine Murphy, is in Suite 4. The Clerk's phone is (989) 354-9520 and the Register's line is (989) 354-9547. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Alpena County has a dedicated genealogy department within the Clerk's office. Research hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The space is limited to 2 researchers at a time, so calling ahead is a good idea for extended visits. Records go back to 1869 for births and 1871 for deaths and marriages. The county seat city of Alpena also gives the county a larger courthouse complex than many northeast Michigan counties its size.
| Address | 720 West Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Phone | (989) 354-9520 |
| Register of Deeds Phone | (989) 354-9547 |
| Clerk Email | friedrib@alpenacounty.org |
| Register Email | murphy@alpenacounty.org |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Bonnie Friedrichs (Suite 2) |
| Register of Deeds | Catherine Murphy (Suite 4) |
The Alpena County official website is at alpenacounty.org, where you can find department contacts, FOIA forms, and links to online services.
The Alpena County government website provides access to county department directories, public records forms, and contact information for all offices.
The county site is the best starting point for locating current office hours, fee schedules, and links to online record portals for Alpena County.
Alpena County Court Records
Alpena County is part of the 26th Circuit Court, which covers both Alpena and Montmorency counties. The circuit court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law. Judge Thomas J. LaCross presides over the 88th District Court and the Alpena County Probate Court. The circuit court phone is (989) 354-9573 and the district court line is (989) 354-9678.
Michigan's free case lookup tool, MiCOURT, covers Alpena County cases. Search by name or case number to find civil, criminal, and family court filings. Docket entries, case status, and hearing dates show up in results. Juvenile, adoption, and mental health cases are not available online. For full case files or certified copies, contact the court clerk at the address above. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 governs public access to these records.
Note: The 26th Circuit Court's multi-county jurisdiction means some cases involving Alpena County residents may also appear in Montmorency County records.
Property Records in Alpena County
The Alpena County Register of Deeds in Suite 4 records all real property documents for the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, land contracts, and other property instruments are filed here. Online access is available through the Register of Deeds office portal. You can search by name, legal description, or parcel ID. Public terminals are available in the office for in-person searches. Contact the office for the current fee schedule before your visit or mail request.
Records go back to 1869 in the Alpena County system. For property research going further back, the Register of Deeds can guide you to physical books and indexes. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies require the standard $5 certification fee. If you are doing title work or deed research and need historical documents, call ahead to confirm availability of the specific records you need.
Criminal History Public Records
The Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center processes criminal history checks for all of Michigan. The public search tool, ICHAT, costs $10 per name and covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported from Alpena County. Traffic violations, juvenile records, minor misdemeanors, and out-of-state records are not included in the results.
The Alpena County Sheriff's Office is located at 320 Johnson Street in Alpena and can be reached at (989) 354-9830. The Sheriff handles local jail records and law enforcement files. For individuals currently incarcerated or on parole in Michigan, the free OTIS database provides current status and supervision information. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com covers registered offenders statewide.
Vital Records in Alpena County
Alpena County birth records go back to 1869. Death records start in 1871, as do marriage records. The County Clerk's genealogy department is open for research Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Because only 2 researchers can use the space at once, calling ahead to check availability is smart, especially for multi-day visits.
For a certified copy, you need valid ID and payment of the applicable fee. Contact the Clerk's office at (989) 354-9520 for the current rate. Mail requests are also accepted. The state's central vital records office through MDHHS holds records from 1867 statewide. The first certified copy through the state costs $34, with additional copies at $16 each. Online ordering is available through VitalChek with extra processing fees.
FOIA and Public Records Requests in Alpena County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 et seq. entitles any person to request public records from Alpena County agencies. Requests must be in writing and describe the records sought. Send FOIA requests to the appropriate department or to the Clerk's office if unsure. Agencies have 5 business days to respond, with a possible extension of up to 10 more days.
Fees apply for labor and copying. Under MCL 15.234, labor costs are capped at 6 times the state minimum hourly wage. Copying fees reflect actual duplication costs. If you receive public assistance or face financial hardship, ask the office about a fee waiver. You can appeal fee decisions under MCL 15.240a.
Cities in Alpena County
The city of Alpena is the county seat and the largest community in the county. Other areas include Alpena Township and Long Rapids Township. Alpena city does not meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All county residents access public records through the Alpena County offices at 720 West Chisholm Street.
Nearby Counties
Alpena County is on the northeast shore of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. These neighboring counties also maintain their own public records offices.