Public Records in Iosco County

Iosco County public records are held at the county offices at 422 West Lake Street in Tawas City. The County Clerk and Register of Deeds serve residents of this northeast Lower Peninsula county along Lake Huron. Court records, property documents, and vital records are all available through county offices and the MiCOURT statewide case search system.

Iosco County Clerk and Public Records

County Clerk Nancy J. Huebel maintains the public records office at 422 West Lake Street in Tawas City. The clerk handles vital records, election records, and general county records requests. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Reach the clerk at 989-362-3497. The fax is 989-362-3485.

The Register of Deeds, Ericka Earl, handles all property and land records for Iosco County. The Register can be reached at 989-362-2021. Property records go back to 1857 when the county was organized. Document types include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and surveys, plus lake access rights for waterfront properties along Lake Huron. In-person access is the primary option; contact the office to confirm if online access is currently available.

Iosco County is a recreational area with a large number of Lake Huron waterfront properties, former Wurtsmith Air Force Base parcels, and state park lands. These unique property types can result in records that differ from standard residential deed searches. If you are researching post-military base conversion properties near Oscoda, allow extra time for records retrieval.

Since no local county website image is available for Iosco County, you can access state vital records through the Michigan MDHHS portal, which covers Iosco County births, deaths, and marriages.

The state portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs allows you to order certified copies of vital records from 1867 onward for $34 for the first copy.

Iosco County Circuit Court Records

Iosco County is part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which also covers Alcona, Arenac, and Oscoda counties. The circuit court for Iosco County is at 422 W Lake Street in Tawas City. This shared circuit arrangement means some administrative functions are coordinated across the four-county area. District and Probate courts are also at the same Tawas City address.

Use the MiCOURT statewide case search to look up Iosco County court cases online. This free tool covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. Search by party name or case number. Sealed cases, juvenile records, adoptions, and mental health proceedings are not shown. For certified copies of any case file, contact the court clerk directly in Tawas City.

The Iosco County Sheriff is located at 428 W. Lake Street in Tawas City, Sheriff Scott D. Frank at 989-362-3444. The sheriff handles local law enforcement records including arrest reports. These records are separate from the MiCOURT system and must be requested directly from the sheriff's office or through a FOIA request.

Iosco County Property and Land Records

Property records in Iosco County date back to 1857. The Register of Deeds at 422 West Lake Street maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and lake access rights. Access to records is primarily in person at the office. Contact 989-362-2021 to ask about current fee schedules and whether any online search tools are available.

Iosco County has a unique mix of property types. Lake Huron waterfront properties make up a large segment of the real estate market. The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda was converted to civilian use and has a set of special-use property records. Tawas Point, a Lake Huron peninsula with a lighthouse and state park, also generates distinct property filings. Recreational and vacation properties are common throughout the county.

If you are doing a title search or researching property ownership going back several decades, visit the office in person. Staff can help locate records using owner name, parcel number, or legal description. Mail requests are accepted for specific documents once you have a document number or recording date.

Criminal History Public Records

ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool run by the Michigan State Police, covers Iosco County felony and serious misdemeanor records. The fee is $10 per name-based search. Visit apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT to search. Results do not include traffic records, juvenile history, local misdemeanors, or criminal records from other states.

For current inmate information, the MDOC OTIS system is free at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. This covers people in state prison, on parole, or under MDOC probation supervision. Records stay in the system for three years after discharge. For local Iosco County jail information, contact the Iosco County Sheriff at 989-362-3444.

Vital Records in Iosco County

Iosco County birth and death records go back to 1867. Marriage records are available from 1862. Requests can be made in person at the County Clerk's office at 422 West Lake Street in Tawas City, or by mail. Standard Michigan vital records fees apply. Call the clerk at 989-362-3497 to confirm current fees before submitting a mail request.

You can also order certified copies through the state MDHHS office at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The state charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for additional copies of the same record. VitalChek handles online orders and adds its own processing fee. Divorce records from 1897 onward are also available through the state vital records office.

FOIA Requests in Iosco County

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 gives you the right to request government records. Submit a written request to the Iosco County Clerk at 422 West Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48763. Describe the records you need clearly. The county must respond within 5 business days, with an option to extend up to 10 more days. Fees are limited to actual copying costs and labor at no more than 6 times the state minimum wage per hour.

If a request is denied, MCL 15.240 gives you the right to appeal. You can appeal within the agency first, then file a court appeal if the denial stands. Fee waivers are available to people receiving public assistance or facing financial hardship. The full FOIA statute is available at legislature.mi.gov.

Cities in Iosco County

Iosco County's county seat is Tawas City. Other communities include East Tawas, Oscoda, and Au Sable. None of these cities exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city public records page on this site. All residents access county-level records through the clerk's office in Tawas City.

Nearby Counties

Iosco County is in northeast Lower Michigan. These neighboring counties also have public records pages on this site.