Find Public Records in Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County public records are handled by county offices in Eagle River, at the tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This page explains how to search and obtain records from the Keweenaw County Clerk, Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, and other agencies that maintain public records for this county.
Keweenaw County Overview
Keweenaw County Clerk and Public Records
Keweenaw County is the least populous county in Michigan. The County Clerk's office in Eagle River handles public records requests, vital records, and court filings for this small Upper Peninsula county. Because of the county's size, most services are handled directly by the clerk and a small staff.
If you need a public record from Keweenaw County, contacting the clerk's office by phone or in person is the most reliable approach. The office maintains records on elections, county board proceedings, and certain court matters. For property records, the Register of Deeds handles recorded instruments separately.
| Office | Keweenaw County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 5095 Fourth Street, Eagle River, MI 49924 |
| Phone | (906) 337-2229 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
The Michigan Criminal History Records system through the Michigan State Police covers all 83 counties, including Keweenaw, so statewide databases are a useful starting point for many record types.
State-level tools like ICHAT and OTIS provide criminal history data for Keweenaw County residents just as they do for all other Michigan counties.
Keweenaw County Circuit Court Records
Keweenaw County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Houghton County. Circuit Court records for Keweenaw County include criminal felony cases, civil matters, and family law filings. The small population means relatively few cases each year.
The statewide MiCOURT case search portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov includes Keweenaw County cases. You can search by party name or case number. Results show docket activity, case status, and party information. The system is free and updated regularly. Certified copies of court records must be requested from the court clerk in Eagle River.
For district court matters, Keweenaw County is served by the 97th District Court, which handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and civil claims under $25,000. Contact the court clerk for records related to district-level cases.
Keweenaw County Criminal History Records
Criminal history for Keweenaw County residents is accessible through the same statewide tools used for all Michigan counties. ICHAT and OTIS are the two primary sources.
The Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) costs $10 per search and is run by the Michigan State Police. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported from Keweenaw County and all other Michigan counties. You search by name, and the system checks the state's criminal records database. ICHAT does not include juvenile records, traffic offenses, or records from other states.
The MDOC Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) is free and covers people under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision, including those from Keweenaw County who are incarcerated, on parole, or on probation. Records are kept for three years after the person's supervision ends.
Property Public Records in Keweenaw County
The Keweenaw County Register of Deeds records all property documents for the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments tied to real estate. The office is small but maintains records going back to the county's early years as a copper mining region.
Because Keweenaw County does not have a large online portal for property records, in-person or mail requests are often the best option. You can also use the statewide UCC filing search at Michigan.gov/sos for business-related property liens. For property tax records, the county equalization office keeps assessment information for all parcels in the county.
Note: Keweenaw County's small size means many offices handle multiple functions, so calling ahead before visiting is always a good idea.
Vital Records for Keweenaw County
Vital records for Keweenaw County, including births, deaths, and marriages, are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The state office maintains these records going back to 1867.
You can request vital records from the MDHHS Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person. The first certified copy costs $34. Additional copies of the same record are $16 each. Birth records less than 100 years old have restricted access and require proof that you are the named person, a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative.
Marriage records for ceremonies that took place in Keweenaw County may also be obtained from the County Clerk's office directly. This can be faster for recent marriages than going through the state office.
FOIA and Open Records Requests in Keweenaw County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, applies to all public bodies in Keweenaw County, including the county government, the sheriff's department, and local townships. Every public body must designate a FOIA Coordinator to receive and respond to requests.
To request records from Keweenaw County, submit a written request to the appropriate department. The agency must respond within 5 business days, though it may extend this by up to 10 more days if needed. Fees are based on actual labor, duplication, and search costs, with labor capped at six times the state minimum wage. Indigent requesters can apply for a fee waiver.
Because Keweenaw County offices are small, requests are often handled quickly and informally. A phone call can sometimes resolve simple requests without a formal written submission. For records involving law enforcement or the court system, written requests are more appropriate.
Sex Offender Registry for Keweenaw County
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry includes registered offenders in all 83 counties, including Keweenaw. The registry is free and searchable by name, address, or ZIP code at mspsor.com.
Search results include the offender's name, photo, date of birth, offense history, and current address. Given Keweenaw County's small and rural population, the number of registered offenders is low, but the registry is still the official source for this information. The Michigan State Police maintains and updates the registry and publishes lists of non-compliant and incarcerated offenders as well.
Communities in Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County's county seat is Eagle River. The county has no cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for individual city pages. Eagle River and Copper Harbor are the main communities in the county, and both use the county clerk's office in Eagle River for public records matters.
Nearby Counties
Keweenaw County sits at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. It borders Houghton County to the south, which handles some shared court services.