Grand Traverse County Public Records
Grand Traverse County public records are kept by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and the courts in Traverse City. You can search court cases, property documents, vital records, and criminal history through county offices and state systems. This page explains where to find and how to request public records in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.
Grand Traverse County Overview
Grand Traverse County Clerk and Public Records
The Grand Traverse County Clerk is Bonnie Scheele. The office is at 400 Boardman Avenue in Traverse City and is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Call (231) 922-4760 for clerk questions. The Register of Deeds is a separate office in the same building. Peggy Haines is the Register of Deeds. Reach her office at (231) 922-4753.
The Register of Deeds holds land records from 1853, the year the county was organized. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and land contracts. Online search is available through the county website and public terminals are available at the office. You can search by property address, owner name, parcel ID, or legal description.
Grand Traverse County's property archive reflects the county's growth as one of northern Michigan's most active real estate markets. Cherry orchard records, vineyard and winery documentation, and vacation property records are all notable parts of the archive. Old Mission Peninsula land records trace the history of one of the state's most recognized agricultural regions. Resort and tourism property records round out a collection that spans from early homesteads to modern development.
The Grand Traverse County website at co.grand-traverse.mi.us provides access to department contacts, online search tools, and county-level public records resources for Traverse City and surrounding areas.
| Office | Grand Traverse County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Clerk Phone | (231) 922-4760 |
| Register Phone | (231) 922-4753 |
| Fax | (231) 922-4761 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | co.grand-traverse.mi.us |
Grand Traverse County Court Public Records
Grand Traverse County has the 13th Circuit Court, the 86th District Court, and the Probate Court. The Circuit Court is at 400 Boardman Avenue in Traverse City. It handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The District Court is at 280 Washington Street in Traverse City and can be reached at (231) 922-4701. It covers misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, and traffic violations.
The free MiCOURT search portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov covers Grand Traverse County court records. You can search by name or case number and see docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Non-public records like juvenile and mental health cases are not in the system. For certified copies or full file access, contact the clerk's office at the courthouse.
The county also has online case search tools available through its own systems in addition to MiCOURT. Check the county website at co.grand-traverse.mi.us for current access options for both circuit and district court records.
Criminal History Public Records in Grand Traverse County
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system handles criminal history searches for Grand Traverse County. A search costs $10. Go to apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT and search by name. Results cover felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported from all 83 Michigan counties. ICHAT excludes traffic records, local misdemeanors under 93 days, juvenile records, and warrants.
For people currently under MDOC supervision, the free OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 shows prison, parole, and MDOC probation status. Data is removed three years after discharge. For Grand Traverse County jail records, call Sheriff Thomas Bensley's office at (231) 995-5000. The sheriff is at 320 Washington St in Traverse City.
A fingerprint-based background check covers more records than ICHAT alone. The MSP criminal history page at michigan.gov/msp explains the process and cost, which typically runs $50 to $70 through approved vendors.
Grand Traverse County Property Records
The Register of Deeds at 400 Boardman Avenue holds land records from 1853. You can search online through the county website or visit the office in person. Public terminals are available. Search options include property address, owner name, parcel ID, and legal description. Fees vary by document type. Call (231) 922-4753 for current copy fees before your visit.
Grand Traverse County's real estate market is one of the more active in Michigan's north. Property values around Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, and the waterfront areas have made this archive particularly detailed. Vineyard and winery records, resort property documentation, and vacation home records are all well-represented. The county's cherry industry has left an agricultural land record base going back to the early 1900s.
Vital Records in Grand Traverse County
The Grand Traverse County Clerk holds birth and death records from 1867 and marriage records from 1853. Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court. You can request vital records in person at 400 Boardman Avenue, by mail, or through the county's online ordering system. Bring valid photo ID for in-person requests.
Standard Michigan vital record fees apply. For state-level orders, visit the MDHHS portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Mail requests to: Grand Traverse County Clerk, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684.
The MDHHS vital records page covers how to order birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Grand Traverse County residents through the state system.
FOIA Requests for Grand Traverse County Records
Under MCL 15.231, you can request any Grand Traverse County government record in writing. The county accepts FOIA requests through its online portal and by mail. The county has 5 business days to respond. Extensions of up to 10 additional days are allowed for complex requests.
Copy fees are based on actual cost. Standard page copies run about $0.10 each. Labor charges apply for large requests. Some records are exempt under MCL 15.243, including personnel files and active investigations. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the county administrator and then to circuit court. Fee waivers are available for people receiving public assistance. The full FOIA text is at legislature.mi.gov.
Note: Grand Traverse County offers an online FOIA portal through the county website, which can be faster than mailing a written request.
Cities in Grand Traverse County
Traverse City is the county seat and the primary city for all record activity in Grand Traverse County. It is one of northern Michigan's most active cities for property transactions, court filings, and vital records. All county records and court matters are handled at the offices in Traverse City.
No cities in Grand Traverse County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Use the county offices at 400 Boardman Avenue for all record requests.
Nearby Counties
Grand Traverse County is in northwest Lower Michigan. These neighboring counties each maintain their own records offices.