Delta County Public Records

Delta County public records are maintained by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and the courts in Escanaba. You can search court cases, property documents, vital records, and more through county offices and online state systems. This guide covers how to find and request records from Delta County.

Delta County Clerk and Public Records Office

The Delta County Clerk handles most public records requests in the county. The office is in Escanaba and serves as the central point for vital records, FOIA requests, and election records. The clerk also doubles as the Register of Deeds, so property records and court filings are handled by the same office. Nancy Kolich serves as the current County Clerk.

The office sits at 310 Ludington Street in Escanaba. Staff can help you search records or take your FOIA request. You can also reach them at clerk@deltacountymi.org. For property records, the equalization department maintains a searchable database going back to 1867. Records include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and land contracts.

The Michigan Vital Records page at michigan.gov/mdhhs handles state-level vital record orders. Delta County keeps its own local copies, which are sometimes faster to get in person.

Delta County Circuit Court Public Records

Delta County has three courts: the 25th Circuit Court, the 94th District Court, and the Probate Court. All three share the courthouse location. The 25th Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The 94th District Court covers misdemeanors, civil claims up to $25,000, and traffic cases.

MiCOURT is the statewide court records search tool. It lets you look up case information by name or case number for free. You can see party names, docket entries, hearings, and case status. Some records, like juvenile and mental health cases, don't show up online. For those, you'd need to contact the clerk in person.

Visit micourt.courts.michigan.gov to search Delta County court records online. The circuit court clerk at the courthouse handles certified copies and in-person file review. The courthouse is located on the same block as the County Clerk at 310 Ludington Street.

Note: MiCOURT does not show date of birth as of April 2022 under MCR 1.109. Non-public cases will not appear in the online system.

Criminal History Public Records in Delta County

The Michigan State Police runs the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, known as ICHAT. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties, including Delta. The fee is $10 per search. Results show arrest records, conviction dates, and sentence information for covered offense types.

Run a search at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. ICHAT does not include traffic offenses, local misdemeanors, juvenile records, or warrants. It also won't show federal records or records from other states. For those, you'd need a full background check.

The Michigan State Police maintains a detailed overview of what their criminal history records contain at michigan.gov/msp. The page explains eligibility for fingerprint-based checks and how law enforcement agencies access fuller records.

The MSP criminal history page explains ICHAT search options and what data is available for Delta County and all Michigan counties.

For offenders currently under state supervision, check the free MDOC Offender Tracking Information System at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. OTIS covers people in prison, on parole, or on probation under MDOC supervision. It removes offender data three years after discharge.

For jail records specific to Delta County, call the Delta County Sheriff at (906) 789-3630. The sheriff's office is at 111 N 3rd Street in Escanaba. Online inmate search is not available for this county.

Delta County Property Public Records

The Register of Deeds office keeps all land records for Delta County. Records go back to 1867 and include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and land contracts. The equalization department manages the online search portal. You can search by property address, owner name, parcel ID, or legal description.

Delta County has a notable archive of lakefront property records. Homes and parcels along Lake Michigan and inland lakes have deep documentation chains. Mining claim records from the Upper Peninsula's iron and copper eras are also part of the archive. Snowmobile trail easement records are another unique feature of this county's files.

Copy fees are $1 per page for standard documents and $5 for certified copies. In-person access is available during regular office hours. The equalization portal is at deltami.org/departments/equalization.

Vital Records in Delta County

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Delta County go back to 1867. You can request them in person at the County Clerk's office, by mail, or online through VitalChek. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests.

The first certified copy costs $15. Each additional copy of the same record is $5. Marriage records are kept at the clerk's office. Divorce records come from the Circuit Court. For statewide orders, use the MDHHS portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The state fee is $34 for the first certified copy through that office.

The MDHHS vital records page covers how to order birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for Delta County residents.

FOIA Requests for Delta County Public Records

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to request government records. Delta County responds to FOIA requests within 5 business days. The county can extend that by up to 10 more business days when needed.

Submit your written FOIA request to the County Clerk at 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829. You can also email the request to clerk@deltacountymi.org. The clerk serves as the FOIA Coordinator for county records. Copying fees are $0.10 per page. Labor fees may apply for large or complex searches.

Some records are exempt under MCL 15.243, including personnel files, ongoing investigations, and medical records. If your request is denied, you can appeal the decision. The state legislature's FOIA statute page explains the full process.

The Michigan Legislature site has the full text of the state FOIA law, including exemptions and appeal rights for Delta County residents.

Cities in Delta County

Escanaba is the county seat and the largest city in Delta County. Other communities include Gladstone and Wells Township. All filings go through the Delta County courts in Escanaba.

No cities in Delta County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. For record requests in Escanaba or other Delta County communities, use the county offices listed above.

Nearby Counties

Delta County borders several other Upper Peninsula counties. If you are not sure which county holds a record, check the address or the court that handled the case.