Eaton County Public Records Search
Eaton County public records are kept by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and the courts in Charlotte. You can find court cases, property documents, vital records, and criminal history through county offices and state tools. This guide explains how to search and request public records in Eaton County, Michigan.
Eaton County Overview
Eaton County Clerk and Public Records Office
The Eaton County Clerk's office is the main place to get vital records, election documents, and official county records. M. Fran Fuller serves as the current County Clerk. The office is at 1045 Independence Blvd in Charlotte and is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can reach the clerk at (517) 543-7500 or by email at dbosworth@eatoncounty.org.
The Register of Deeds is a separate office at the same address. You can call that office at (517) 543-4203. The Register holds all land records for Eaton County from 1835 to today. Property records in Eaton County have a wide base given the county's mix of farmland and suburban communities near the state capital. Agricultural land records, property ownership chains, and records related to Lansing-area government connections are well-documented here.
An online property search portal is available through the county website at eatoncounty.org. You can search by property address, owner name, parcel number, legal description, or document type.
The Eaton County website provides access to department contacts, online record search tools, and public records resources for Charlotte and surrounding communities.
| Office | Eaton County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1045 Independence Blvd, Charlotte, MI 48813 |
| Clerk Phone | (517) 543-7500 |
| Register of Deeds Phone | (517) 543-4203 |
| Fax | (517) 543-4318 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | eatoncounty.org |
Eaton County Circuit Court Public Records
Eaton County courts include the 56A and 56B District Courts, the Circuit Court, and the Probate Court. The circuit court handles felony cases and civil cases over $25,000. The District Court covers misdemeanors, civil claims up to $25,000, and traffic violations. The Probate Court handles estates and guardianship cases.
You can reach the District Court at (517) 543-4913 and the Probate Court at (517) 543-7500 ext. 1253. The Circuit Court shares the main county line at (517) 543-7500. All court locations are in Charlotte.
MiCOURT is the free state case search tool for Eaton County. Search by name or case number at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. Results include docket entries, case status, and court hearing dates. Certified copies require an in-person or mail request to the court clerk. Non-public case types like juvenile and mental health records are not shown online.
Criminal History and Corrections Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system covers criminal history for Eaton County residents. Each search costs $10 and returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. The tool is available at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. ICHAT is a name-based search and does not include traffic records, local misdemeanors, or out-of-state offenses.
The MSP criminal history records page at michigan.gov/msp covers what ICHAT includes and how to get a fingerprint-based check when you need a more complete record. Fingerprint checks run $50 to $70 and are done through approved vendors or local law enforcement.
For MDOC supervision records, check the free OTIS tool at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. This covers people in state prison, on parole, or on MDOC probation. The Eaton County Sheriff at (517) 543-5220 can give you local jail information. The sheriff's office is at 1025 Independence Blvd in Charlotte.
Eaton County Property and Land Records
The Register of Deeds at 1045 Independence Blvd holds Eaton County land records from 1835 to today. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and land contracts. Online search is available through the county website. You can also visit in person or use public search terminals at the office.
Copy fees are $1 per page for standard documents. Certification adds $5. Eaton County's property archive reflects a mix of farmland, suburban development near Lansing, and rural property. The county has extensive records from the agricultural era and more recent subdivision growth as the Lansing metro expanded westward.
Search the Register of Deeds online through eatoncounty.org. For UCC searches statewide, use the Secretary of State's tool at michigan.gov/sos.
Vital Public Records in Eaton County
The Eaton County Clerk maintains birth and death records from 1867 and marriage records from 1835. Divorce records come from the Circuit Court. You can request records in person, by mail, or online through the county website. All methods require valid photo ID.
Certified copies cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record. Mail requests go to: Eaton County Clerk, 1045 Independence Blvd, Charlotte, MI 48813. For state-level orders, MDHHS handles requests at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy.
Note: Birth records less than 100 years old have access restrictions under Michigan law. Only the person named, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives can order them.
FOIA Requests for Eaton County Public Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request records from Eaton County government. Submit your FOIA request in writing to county administration at 1045 Independence Blvd, Charlotte, MI 48813. The county has 5 business days to respond and may extend by up to 10 more days if needed.
Standard copy fees run $0.10 per page. Labor charges apply for large or complex requests. Records involving active investigations, personnel files, and medical information may be withheld under MCL 15.243 exemptions. If your request is denied, you can appeal directly to the head of the public body, then to circuit court.
The Michigan Legislature's FOIA statute page at legislature.mi.gov has the full law including exemption categories and fee limits. Fee waivers are available for people receiving public assistance or facing financial hardship.
Cities in Eaton County
Charlotte is the county seat and serves as the hub for all county court and record activity. Grand Ledge and Eaton Rapids are other notable cities in the county. All court filings and property records for Eaton County communities are handled through the county offices in Charlotte.
No cities in Eaton County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Use the county clerk and court offices in Charlotte for all record requests.
Nearby Counties
Eaton County sits in mid-Michigan just west of Ingham County and the state capital. Neighboring counties handle records for their own areas.