Arenac County Public Records

Arenac County public records are held by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds at 120 N. Grove Street in Standish. You can search court cases, look up property records, request vital documents, and file FOIA requests with Arenac County offices using the resources listed on this page.

Arenac County Clerk and Public Records Office

Arenac County Clerk and Register of Deeds Rose Smith runs both offices from 120 N. Grove Street in Standish. Mailing addresses are separate: PO Box 747 for the Clerk and PO Box 296 for the Register of Deeds, both in Standish, MI 48658. The Clerk's phone is (989) 846-4626 and the Register of Deeds number is (989) 846-9201. Fax numbers are (989) 846-9194 for the Clerk and (989) 846-9166 for the Register. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Arenac County is one of several Michigan counties where a single elected official holds both the Clerk and Register of Deeds positions. This is common in smaller counties. The current county seat in Standish was established in 1892 after the seat moved from the town of Omer. The county website at arenaccountymi.gov has FOIA forms and department contacts. You can also reach the Clerk by email at jmaster@arenaccountygov.com.

Visit the Arenac County official website for department contacts, FOIA forms, and links to online services.

The county site provides current information on office hours, filing fees, and links to Michigan court and property record systems for Arenac County residents.

Arenac County Property Records

The Arenac County Register of Deeds records all real property instruments for the county. Deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, and other standard real estate documents are filed and maintained in this office. The Internet Land Records Search portal lets you look up property records online. You can search by name, document type, date, or legal description. Copies cost $1 per page.

For in-person research, the Register of Deeds office at 120 N. Grove Street has the records and staff to help. If you are doing title work or deed research, bring specific property details like the parcel number or the names of previous owners to speed up the search. Complex historical searches may require more time, so calling ahead to schedule larger research projects is recommended.

Arenac County Court Records

Arenac County falls under the 23rd Circuit Court, which is shared with Alcona, Iosco, and Oscoda counties. This circuit court handles felony cases, major civil suits, and family court matters. The Arenac County District Court covers misdemeanors and smaller civil cases. The Arenac County Probate Court handles estates and guardianships. Circuit Court can be reached at (989) 846-6131 and the District Court at (989) 846-9538.

Search Arenac County court cases online through MiCOURT. This free system covers all Michigan counties and lets you search by name or case number. Results include party names, case status, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. Juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, and mental health records are restricted from public online access. For certified copies of court documents, contact the court clerk at the circuit court phone number listed above.

Note: The 23rd Circuit's multi-county structure means cases from Arenac County may be filed in any of the four participating counties depending on where events occurred.

Criminal History Records in Arenac County

The Michigan State Police ICHAT database is the public tool for checking felony and serious misdemeanor history in Arenac County. The search costs $10 per name. ICHAT covers all 83 Michigan counties. It does not include traffic violations, juvenile records, local misdemeanors under 93 days, out-of-state records, or federal records.

The Arenac County Sheriff handles local jail and law enforcement records. Contact the sheriff at (989) 846-4421 for jail and inmate inquiries. For individuals currently incarcerated by the Michigan Department of Corrections or on parole, the free OTIS database shows current status and supervision details. OTIS records are removed 3 years after the discharge date. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free to search at mspsor.com.

Vital Records in Arenac County

The Arenac County Clerk holds birth, death, and marriage records for the county. Requests can be made in person during office hours (9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday) or by mail. Bring a valid ID for in-person certified copy requests. Contact the office at (989) 846-4626 for the current fee schedule and form requirements.

For state-level vital records, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains records from 1867 at MDHHS Vital Records. The first certified copy costs $34 and additional copies of the same record are $16. Online orders are available through VitalChek. Birth records under 100 years old require proof of eligibility.

FOIA and Records Requests in Arenac County

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 et seq. gives the public the right to request records from Arenac County agencies. Submit a written request to the County Clerk at 120 N. Grove Street or PO Box 747, Standish, MI 48658. Describe the records clearly. The county has 5 business days to respond and can extend by up to 10 additional days.

Fees apply for labor and copying under MCL 15.234. Labor is capped at 6 times the state minimum wage. Copies are charged at actual duplication cost. If you qualify for a fee waiver based on income or public assistance status, ask the clerk when you submit your request. You can appeal excessive fees under MCL 15.240a.

Cities in Arenac County

Standish is the county seat of Arenac County and the primary location for all county records and court services. Other communities include Omer, Sterling, and Au Gres. None of the communities in Arenac County reach the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All residents access public records through the Arenac County offices in Standish.

Nearby Counties

Arenac County is in east-central Michigan near Saginaw Bay. These adjacent counties all maintain their own public records offices.