Access Antrim County Public Records

Antrim County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds at 203 E. Cayuga Street in Bellaire. This page guides you through searching court cases, property records, vital documents, and other public files held by Antrim County and state agencies.

Antrim County Clerk Public Records Office

Antrim County Clerk Patty Niepoth also serves as the Register of Deeds, combining both offices under one person. The office is at 203 E. Cayuga Street in Bellaire, with a mailing address of PO Box 520. The Clerk's phone is (231) 533-6353 and the Register of Deeds line is (231) 533-6683. The Clerk's fax is (231) 533-6935. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Antrim County stands out for offering three different online property record search options, including one free system. Most Michigan counties charge for online searches. The availability of a free portal called AVA is a significant resource for the public. The county also has physical property books going back to 1856 for historical research prior to the digital record coverage period.

Antrim County Property Records

The Antrim County Register of Deeds records all real property documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, land patents, leases, liens, land contracts, surveys, and plats. Physical books go back to 1856 for older documents. Online records cover January 1990 to present. Copies cost $1 per page and certification adds $5.

Three online search systems are available for Antrim County property records. The AVA portal is free to use, which is unusual among Michigan counties. Tapestry charges a per-search fee, and Laredo requires a subscription. All three let you search by name, document number, document type, book and page number, recorded date, or parcel ID.

The Antrim County property search through CourthouseDirect is one way to look up property information for this county online.

These tools let you research property ownership, lien history, and deed records for Antrim County parcels without visiting the courthouse in Bellaire.

Court Records in Antrim County

Antrim County is part of the 13th Circuit Court, which covers Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties. This multi-county circuit handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The 86th District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims for Antrim County. The Probate Court handles estates and guardianships locally.

Michigan's MiCOURT case search tool covers all Antrim County courts. Search by name or case number. Results include party information, docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Juvenile cases, adoptions, and mental health records are not public online. For certified copies, contact the circuit court clerk at (231) 533-6353. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 establishes the presumption that court records are open to the public.

Criminal History Records in Antrim County

Michigan State Police maintains the statewide criminal history database. You can search Antrim County felony and serious misdemeanor records through ICHAT for $10 per name search. This covers all 83 counties in Michigan, including Antrim. Federal records, out-of-state records, juvenile matters, and minor local misdemeanors are excluded.

The Antrim County Sheriff handles local law enforcement records. The sheriff's email is sheriff@antrimcountymi.gov and the phone is (231) 533-8627. For current MDOC prisoners and parolees, use the free OTIS database. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com covers all registered offenders statewide and is free to search.

Vital Records in Antrim County

The Antrim County Clerk holds vital records for the county. You can request births, deaths, and marriages in person, by mail, or by phone. Contact the office at (231) 533-6353 for current fees and the specific forms needed for your request. Bring a valid ID for any certified copy request made in person.

For state-level access to vital records, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains records from 1867 at MDHHS Vital Records. The first certified copy through the state is $34, with each additional copy of the same record at $16. Online ordering through VitalChek adds processing fees. Birth records under 100 years old require proof you are authorized to receive them, such as being the person named or a parent.

Note: Antrim County vital records are held at the Clerk's office, not the Register of Deeds, even though the same person holds both positions.

FOIA Requests for Antrim County Records

Under MCL 15.231 et seq., any person can request public records from Antrim County government bodies. Submit a written FOIA request to the County Clerk at 203 E. Cayuga Street or by mail to PO Box 520. The request should clearly describe the records you need. Antrim County agencies have 5 business days to respond, with the option to extend by 10 more days.

Fees for FOIA requests follow MCL 15.234. Labor costs are capped at 6 times the state minimum wage. Copy costs reflect actual duplication expenses. If you receive public assistance or demonstrate financial hardship, you can request a fee waiver. Denials or excessive fee assessments can be appealed under MCL 15.240a.

Cities in Antrim County

Antrim County's county seat is Bellaire. Other communities in the county include Mancelona, Elk Rapids, Central Lake, and Kewadin. None of these communities reach the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All residents access public records through the Antrim County offices in Bellaire.

Nearby Counties

Antrim County is in northwest lower Michigan. These neighboring counties maintain their own public records offices.