Find Public Records in Dickinson County
Dickinson County public records are kept by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and court offices in Iron Mountain. You can search property documents, court cases, vital records, and criminal history through county offices and state online tools. This page covers where to look and how to request records in Dickinson County.
Dickinson County Overview
Dickinson County Clerk and Public Records
The Dickinson County Clerk and Register of Deeds are separate offices but share the same building at 705 S Stephenson Ave in Iron Mountain. Dolly Cook serves as the County Clerk, while Nanette Jackson runs the Register of Deeds office. Both offices handle public record requests and are open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
The county clerk's office manages vital records, election records, and miscellaneous official documents. The Register of Deeds office holds all land records from 1891, when the county formed, to the present. Records include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and UCC filings. Online access is limited for this county, so in-person or mail requests are common. Third-party services offer some search options for property records.
Dickinson County has an interesting archive of iron ore mining claim records and mineral rights documentation, reflecting the county's mining history in the Upper Peninsula. Finnish immigration settlement records are also a unique part of the county's document archive.
The Dickinson County website at dickinsoncountymi.gov lists departments, contact information, and links to available public records resources.
| Office | Dickinson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 705 S Stephenson Ave, PO Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 |
| Clerk Phone | (906) 774-0988 |
| Register of Deeds Phone | (906) 774-0955 |
| Fax | (906) 774-4660 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | dickinsoncountymi.gov |
Dickinson County Court Records Search
Dickinson County has three courts: the 41st Circuit Court, the 95th District Court, and the Probate Court. The circuit court handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law. The district court covers misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, and traffic violations. All are located at 705 S Stephenson Ave in Iron Mountain.
The statewide MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov lets you search Dickinson County court records by name or case number. You'll find party names, docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. Records that are sealed or classified as non-public, such as juvenile and mental health cases, do not appear online.
For certified copies or access to full case files, visit the courthouse in person. Staff can search by case number or party name. You can also call the courthouse directly at (906) 774-0988 to ask about a specific case before making the trip.
Note: Dates of birth are no longer shown in MiCOURT searches as of April 2022, per Michigan Court Rule 1.109.
Criminal History Records in Dickinson County
Michigan State Police handles criminal history searches through the ICHAT system. A search costs $10 and returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported from Dickinson County and all other Michigan counties. Run a search at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT.
ICHAT does not include traffic records, local misdemeanors under 93 days, juvenile records, or warrant information. It also excludes federal and out-of-state records. For a broader search, fingerprint-based background checks are available through approved live scan vendors or local law enforcement.
For state prison and parole records, the free MDOC Offender Tracking Information System covers current and recently discharged offenders. Visit mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 to search by name or MDOC number. The Dickinson County Sheriff's office can give you local jail information by phone at (906) 774-6262. The sheriff is at 300 E D St in Iron Mountain.
OTIS is a free tool for checking current MDOC supervision status for Dickinson County residents and others across Michigan.
Dickinson County Property Records
The Register of Deeds at 705 S Stephenson Ave holds all Dickinson County land records. The archive goes back to 1891. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and UCC filings. You can search by name (grantor or grantee), by liber and page, by recording date, or by document type.
Online access for Dickinson County property records is limited. Third-party services offer some name-based searching for a fee. For the most complete access, visit the Register of Deeds office in person. Staff can help you trace an ownership chain or locate a specific document. Copy fees are $1 per page for standard documents and $3 per page for plats.
Records of iron ore mining claims and mineral rights are a unique feature of the Dickinson County archive. Menominee River waterway and riparian rights documentation is also present, reflecting the county's geography.
Vital Records from Dickinson County
Dickinson County vital records go back to 1891. Birth and death records, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees are all available from the clerk's office. Some early records may be incomplete. Bring valid photo ID when requesting records in person.
Requests by mail must include a written request, a copy of your ID, and the correct fee. Certified copies cost $15 each. Mail requests to the County Clerk at 705 S Stephenson Ave, PO Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. For statewide vital record orders, go to michigan.gov/mdhhs. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy.
FOIA and Public Records Requests in Dickinson County
Under MCL 15.231, the public has the right to request records from any Dickinson County government office. Submit your written FOIA request to the County Clerk at (906) 774-0988. The county has 5 business days to respond and may extend that deadline by up to 10 additional days.
Copying fees are based on actual cost. Standard page copies run about $0.10 per page. Labor charges may apply for large requests. Some records are exempt, including personnel files, active investigations, and personal medical information. If your request is denied in whole or part, you have the right to appeal.
The Michigan Legislature's site has the full FOIA law at legislature.mi.gov. This covers definitions, exemptions, and the appeal process under MCL 15.240.
Cities in Dickinson County
Iron Mountain is the county seat and largest city in Dickinson County. Kingsford is located nearby and is closely connected to Iron Mountain. All court filings and property records for these communities are handled through Dickinson County offices.
No cities in Dickinson County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Use the county offices in Iron Mountain for all record requests.
Nearby Counties
Dickinson County sits in the western Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border. Neighboring counties handle records for adjacent areas.