Search Crawford County Public Records
Crawford County public records are maintained by the combined County Clerk and Register of Deeds office in Grayling, Michigan. You can search court cases, land documents, vital records, and criminal history through county offices and state online systems. This page covers how to find and request Crawford County public records.
Crawford County Overview
Crawford County Clerk and Public Records Office
The Crawford County Clerk and Register of Deeds are combined in one office at 200 W. Michigan Avenue in Grayling, MI 49738. The Clerk phone is (989) 344-3200. The Register of Deeds is at (989) 348-2841. Email goes to the Chief Deputy, Michele Moshier, at mmoshier@crawfordco.org. The current Clerk and Register of Deeds is Jamie McClain. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The county website is at crawfordco.org.
Crawford County is one of 31 Michigan counties that combine the Clerk and Register of Deeds functions in a single office. This setup lets you handle court records, vital records, and property document requests all in the same building. The county was organized in 1879 and attached to multiple counties before that. Land records go back to 1863, which predates the county's official organization. eRecording for new documents is available through CSC, Indecomm, and Simplifile.
The Crawford County government website provides department information and links to records search resources for the county.
The site includes contact information for the Clerk, Register of Deeds, and courts serving Crawford County.
| Address | 200 W. Michigan Avenue, Grayling, MI 49738 |
|---|---|
| Phone (Clerk) | (989) 344-3200 |
| Phone (Register of Deeds) | (989) 348-2841 |
| Email (Chief Deputy) | mmoshier@crawfordco.org |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | crawfordco.org |
Crawford County Court Records
Crawford County is part of the 46th Judicial Circuit Trial Court, which is shared with Roscommon and Oscoda counties. The county also has its own District Court and Probate Court in Grayling. Circuit court handles felony criminal cases, major civil matters, and family law. District Court covers misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic offenses. Probate handles estates and guardianships.
Case information can be searched online through the statewide MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. This free tool lets you look up party names, case numbers, and docket entries. Full case files and certified copies require an in-person request at the Grayling courthouse or a written request to the court clerk. Certain case types are not publicly available online, including juvenile records, adoptions, and personal protection orders.
Note: Crawford County shares its circuit court with Roscommon and Oscoda counties under the 46th Judicial Circuit.
Criminal History and Corrections Records
ICHAT is the main tool for criminal history searches in Crawford County. The Michigan State Police runs this system at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/ for $10 per search. ICHAT covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties. Results come from the Michigan Criminal Justice Information Center. ICHAT does not include traffic records, minor misdemeanors, juvenile records, or out-of-state history.
The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS database is free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.aspx. OTIS shows current state prisoners, parolees, and active probationers under MDOC supervision. Records are removed three years after discharge. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free at mspsor.com and covers all counties statewide.
Crawford County Property Public Records
The Register of Deeds at 200 W. Michigan Avenue in Grayling handles all property records for Crawford County. The office records deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, and plats. Land records in Crawford County date back to 1863. Two online search options are available. Tapestry is a pay-per-search system at $8.95 per name or legal description search for occasional users. Laredo is a subscription-based professional tool. Public access computers are available at the Register of Deeds office during business hours for free in-person searches.
Property Fraud Alert is a free early warning service that notifies you by email or phone when documents are recorded against your property in Crawford County.
This service is free to sign up for and provides an early warning system for fraudulent deed recordings in Crawford County.
Copy fees are $1.00 per page for standard document copies. eRecording for new filings is accepted through CSC, Indecomm, and Simplifile. Contact the Register of Deeds at (989) 348-2841 for help with specific searches or questions about older records.
Note: For very old records from before the county was organized in 1879, you may need to contact the Archives of Michigan for assistance.
Vital Records in Crawford County
The combined Clerk and Register of Deeds office at 200 W. Michigan Avenue handles vital records for Crawford County. Birth records go back to 1879. Death records start in 1878. Marriage and divorce records also extend to 1878. Requests can be made in person during business hours or by mail. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for certified copies. For mail requests, include a copy of your ID with payment and the request form.
Contact the Clerk at (989) 344-3200 for current fees and form information. For statewide vital records, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services handles requests at michigan.gov/mdhhs. State records cover Michigan births, deaths, marriages, and divorces from 1867 onward. The state fee is $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record.
FOIA Requests in Crawford County
Michigan's FOIA law at MCL 15.231 et seq. lets any member of the public request government records from Crawford County. Submit a written FOIA request to the relevant department. For most county records, contact the County Clerk at 200 W. Michigan Avenue, Grayling, MI 49738. The county has 5 business days to respond and may extend that by up to 10 additional days for complex requests.
Fees cover copying costs and staff labor for large searches. Free in-person inspection is available for those who only need to view records. Fee waivers under MCL 15.234 are available for people receiving public assistance or showing financial hardship. Each county department manages its own FOIA requests. Court records go through the appropriate court clerk. Sheriff records go through the Crawford County Sheriff's Office.
Cities in Crawford County
Grayling is the county seat of Crawford County and the location of all main public records offices. Crawford County also includes Frederic Township, Lovells Township, Beaver Creek Township, and other rural communities. All public records for events in these areas are filed through county offices in Grayling.
Nearby Counties
Crawford County is in northern Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It shares the 46th Circuit Court with Roscommon and Oscoda counties. Neighboring counties include Otsego, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Roscommon, and Oscoda.