Gladwin County Public Records
Gladwin County public records are held by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and county courts in Gladwin. You can search court cases, land records, vital records, and criminal history through county offices and state online tools. This page covers how to find and request public records in Gladwin County, Michigan.
Gladwin County Overview
Gladwin County Clerk and Public Records
The Gladwin County Clerk's office is at 401 West Cedar Avenue in Gladwin. Constance White serves as County Clerk. You can reach the clerk at (989) 426-7351 or by email at countyclerk@gladwinco.com. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The Register of Deeds is in the same building. Ann Manning-Clayton is the Register of Deeds. Call the Register directly at (989) 426-7551.
The Register of Deeds holds Gladwin County land records from 1875 forward. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and surveys. An online portal is available for property searches. You can search by property address, owner name, or parcel number. Copy fees are $1 per page. For large or complex property searches, calling the office ahead of a visit is a good idea.
Gladwin County's archive reflects its rural character. Historical timber and logging industry records from the lumber era are part of the collection. Rural agricultural property records are extensive, and resort cabin and vacation property records grew significantly in the 20th century as the area became a popular recreation destination.
| Office | Gladwin County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624 |
| Clerk Phone | (989) 426-7351 |
| Register Phone | (989) 426-7551 |
| Fax | (989) 426-6917 |
| countyclerk@gladwinco.com | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Gladwin County Court Public Records
Gladwin County has a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Probate Court. The Circuit Court is at 401 W Cedar Ave in Gladwin. It handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law. The District Court covers misdemeanors and civil claims under $25,000. The Probate Court handles estate and guardianship matters.
Use MiCOURT to search Gladwin County court records online for free. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov and search by party name or case number. You can see docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. Non-public cases, like juvenile or mental health records, are not in the online system. For certified copies, contact the courthouse clerk at (989) 426-7351.
Gladwin County is a smaller county, which often means court staff can answer questions more quickly than in larger jurisdictions. If you're looking for an older case file, call ahead to confirm its availability before visiting in person.
Criminal History Records in Gladwin County
Michigan State Police handles criminal history searches through the ICHAT tool. Each search costs $10. Go to apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT to search by name. Results cover felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported from Gladwin County and all other Michigan counties. ICHAT excludes traffic records, local misdemeanors, juvenile files, and warrants.
For state prison and parole records, the free MDOC OTIS database is at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. You can search by name, MDOC number, or physical description. Records are removed three years after a person's discharge date. For Gladwin County jail records, call Sheriff Michael Shea's office at (989) 426-9284. The sheriff is at 501 W. Cedar Ave in Gladwin. An online jail search is not available for Gladwin County.
The MSP criminal history page explains how ICHAT works for Gladwin County searches and what information is available through the state system.
Gladwin County Property and Land Records
The Register of Deeds at 401 West Cedar Avenue holds all Gladwin County land records. The archive goes back to 1875. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and surveys. You can search in person at the office or use the online portal. Searches can be done by property address, owner name, or parcel number.
Gladwin County property records reflect a mix of farmland, timber-era tracts, and lakefront or recreational parcels. The Tittabawassee River and nearby lakes make waterfront property documentation a notable part of the archive. Rural land records show ownership chains going back to the original homestead era. Copy fees are $1 per page at the register's office.
Vital Records in Gladwin County
Gladwin County holds birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from 1875. You can request them in person, by mail, or by email to the clerk's office. Certified copies are $15 each. The clerk accepts email requests in addition to written mail, which is somewhat uncommon among Michigan counties. For statewide vital record orders, use the MDHHS portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs.
Mail requests go to: Gladwin County Clerk, 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624. Include a written request, a copy of your ID, and the fee. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy through MDHHS and $16 for each additional copy of the same record.
FOIA and Records Access in Gladwin County
Under MCL 15.231, you have the right to request records from any Gladwin County government office. Submit written FOIA requests to the County Clerk at 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624. You can also email requests to countyclerk@gladwinco.com. The county has 5 business days to respond and may extend by up to 10 additional days.
Standard copy fees are $0.10 per page. Labor charges may apply for large or complex requests. Some records are exempt under MCL 15.243, including personnel files, active investigations, and medical records. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision to the head of the public body and then to circuit court if needed.
The Michigan Legislature site has the complete text of the state FOIA law, including fee limits and exemptions that apply to Gladwin County records requests.
Cities in Gladwin County
Gladwin is both the county seat and the primary city in Gladwin County. Beaverton is another community in the county. All court filings and public record requests for Gladwin County communities are handled through the county offices at 401 West Cedar Avenue in Gladwin.
No cities in Gladwin County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Contact the county clerk's office directly for all record requests.
Nearby Counties
Gladwin County is in the middle of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. These surrounding counties each handle their own records separately.