Search Gratiot County Public Records
Gratiot County public records are held by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and the courts in Ithaca. You can access court cases, property documents, vital records, and criminal history through county offices and state online tools. This guide explains how to search and obtain public records in Gratiot County, Michigan.
Gratiot County Overview
Gratiot County Clerk and Public Records Office
The Gratiot County Clerk is Janet Davis. The office is at 214 East Center Street in Ithaca and is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Call the clerk at (989) 875-5215. The Register of Deeds is a separate office at the same address. Reach the Register at (989) 875-5217. The fax for both offices is (989) 875-5249.
The Register of Deeds holds Gratiot County land records from 1847 to today. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and UCC filings. The office uses two external platforms for online property searching: Tapestry (pay-per-search) and Laredo (subscription service). Both give access to the county's indexed records. For one-time searches, Tapestry is the more accessible option. In-person searching at the Register's office is always available during business hours.
Gratiot County's property archive has a strong agricultural base. Farms and rural land parcels make up much of the record volume here. Alma College property records are part of the archive as well, along with modern wind energy development documents as wind farms have grown in the county over recent decades.
| Office | Gratiot County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847 |
| Clerk Phone | (989) 875-5215 |
| Register Phone | (989) 875-5217 |
| Fax | (989) 875-5249 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.gratiot.mi.us |
Gratiot County Court Records and Case Search
Gratiot County has a Circuit Court, a District Court, and a Probate Court. The Circuit Court is at 214 E Center St in Ithaca. It handles felony cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters. The District Court is in the same building and covers misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, and traffic violations. The Probate Court handles estate and guardianship cases.
Use MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov to search Gratiot County court records online for free. Search by party name or case number. Results show docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Non-public cases, including juvenile and mental health records, are excluded from the online system. For certified copies or full file access, contact the courthouse directly.
Gratiot County is part of Michigan's 29th Circuit Court. If your case involves a felony conviction or a civil dispute over $25,000, your records will be at the circuit court level at 214 E Center St in Ithaca. Call the clerk at (989) 875-5215 to confirm a case's availability before traveling in.
Criminal History Records in Gratiot County
Michigan State Police operates the ICHAT criminal history search tool. Search costs $10 per name at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. Results include felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties, including Gratiot. ICHAT does not show traffic records, local misdemeanors, juvenile offenses, or warrant information.
The MSP criminal history records page at michigan.gov/msp explains what ICHAT covers and how to get a fingerprint-based check when you need a more thorough record. Fingerprint searches run between $50 and $70 and go through approved live scan vendors.
For state corrections records, the free MDOC OTIS tool is at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. For local Gratiot County jail information, call the Gratiot County Sheriff at (989) 875-5211. The sheriff is at 226 E Center St in Ithaca, right next to the courthouse.
Gratiot County Property Public Records
The Register of Deeds at 214 East Center Street holds Gratiot County land records from 1847. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and UCC filings. The Tapestry system allows public searches on a pay-per-search basis. Laredo is available for subscription users like title companies and attorneys. In-person access is available at the office.
Copy fees are $1 per page for standard documents and $3 per page for plats. Gratiot County has a deep agricultural land record base, reflecting the county's character as a farming community. Wind energy records have grown in recent years. Alma College property records are part of the archive as well, covering real estate holdings tied to the institution over many decades.
Vital Records in Gratiot County
The Gratiot County Clerk holds birth and death records from 1867 and marriage records from 1855. Divorce records come from the Circuit Court. Requests can be made in person at the clerk's office or by mail. Certified copies are $15 each. Bring valid photo ID for in-person requests.
Mail requests to: Gratiot County Clerk, 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847. Include your written request, a copy of your ID, and the fee. For online or mail orders through the state system, go to 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.
Note: Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted under Michigan law. Only qualifying individuals, including the person named, their parents, or legal representatives, may request them.
FOIA Requests for Gratiot County Public Records
Michigan's FOIA law at MCL 15.231 gives you the right to request records from any Gratiot County government office. Submit a written FOIA request to the County Clerk at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847. The county has 5 business days to respond and may extend that by up to 10 more days for complex requests.
Standard copy fees are $0.10 per page. Labor charges can apply for extensive searches. Records involving personnel files, active investigations, or medical information may be withheld under MCL 15.243. If your request is denied, you can appeal to the head of the public body and then to circuit court. The full FOIA statute is available at legislature.mi.gov.
Cities in Gratiot County
Ithaca is the county seat. Alma and St. Louis are the other incorporated cities in Gratiot County. All court filings and official record requests for Gratiot County go through the county offices at 214 East Center Street in Ithaca.
No cities in Gratiot County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Use the county clerk and court offices in Ithaca for all record requests.
Nearby Counties
Gratiot County is in the center of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. These neighboring counties handle records for their own areas.