Leelanau County Public Records
Leelanau County public records are maintained by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and Circuit Court in Leland. This page covers the tools and offices you need to search for and obtain public records in Leelanau County, including court filings, property documents, criminal history, and vital records.
Leelanau County Overview
Leelanau County Clerk and Public Records
The Leelanau County Clerk in Leland is the official custodian of county public records. The office handles vital records, elections, county board proceedings, and general record requests. The clerk is the first place to contact when you need documents that originated at the county level.
Leelanau County's relatively small population means the clerk's office handles a manageable volume of requests. Staff can assist with locating records, explaining fees, and directing you to the right department. For property records, the Register of Deeds office is located nearby. For court records, the Circuit Court clerk handles filings from the 13th Judicial Circuit.
The Michigan vital records system at MDHHS is available for statewide record requests, and the Leelanau County Clerk can assist with local marriage records directly.
State vital records tools supplement what the Leelanau County Clerk holds locally, covering births, deaths, and marriages from 1867 forward.
| Office | Leelanau County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suttons Bay, MI 49682 |
| Phone | (231) 256-9824 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Circuit Court Public Records in Leelanau County
Leelanau County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Grand Traverse County. The Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family law proceedings. All case records are public unless sealed by court order.
The statewide MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov lets you search Leelanau County court cases for free by name or case number. Results include docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. Certified document copies require a written request or in-person visit to the Circuit Court clerk. The 86th District Court handles misdemeanor and civil cases under $25,000 in Leelanau County.
Criminal History Records for Leelanau County
Criminal history for Leelanau County residents is available through the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections. Both tools are statewide and cover all 83 counties.
The ICHAT system charges $10 per name search and returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from the state criminal records database. This includes records reported from Leelanau County. Traffic offenses and juvenile records are not included. ICHAT is run by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.
The free OTIS database from the Michigan Department of Corrections shows current and recently discharged offenders under state supervision. You can search by name, MDOC number, or physical characteristics. Records stay in the system for three years after the person's discharge date.
Property Records in Leelanau County
The Leelanau County Register of Deeds in Suttons Bay records all real property instruments for the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other documents affecting title to land. The Register of Deeds is the primary source for chain-of-title research in Leelanau County.
Recorded documents can be requested in person or by mail from the Register of Deeds office. Fees apply for document copies. For tax and assessment data, the county equalization office maintains parcel records that are separate from the deed records. Both offices are located at the county government center.
Note: Leelanau County's property market is active, so deed records may be updated frequently. Contact the Register of Deeds for the most current filing information.
Vital Records in Leelanau County
Vital records covering births, deaths, marriages, and divorces in Leelanau County are available through the state and, for some record types, through the County Clerk directly.
The Michigan MDHHS vital records office maintains statewide records from 1867. You can order certified copies online via VitalChek, by mail, or in person. The first certified copy is $34. Additional copies of the same record cost $16 each. Birth records less than 100 years old require proof of eligibility. Eligible requesters include the named person, parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives.
The Leelanau County Clerk can issue certified copies of marriage records for ceremonies that took place in the county, which may be faster than ordering through the state for recent events.
FOIA Requests in Leelanau County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, gives you the right to request records from Leelanau County public bodies. This includes the county government, townships, school districts, and other public agencies. Each public body designates a FOIA Coordinator.
Submit your written request to the department holding the records. The agency has 5 business days to respond and may extend 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. If you receive public assistance or can show financial hardship, you may apply for a fee waiver.
For records from the sheriff or road commission, contact those agencies directly. For county clerk or board records, contact the clerk. For court records, contact the Circuit Court or District Court clerk. Appeals of denials go first to the agency head and then to the circuit court.
Sex Offender Registry: Leelanau County
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry is free and covers all registered offenders in Leelanau County and statewide. The Michigan State Police maintains the registry at mspsor.com.
Search by name, address, ZIP code, or registration number. Results include photos, physical descriptions, current addresses, and offense details. Given Leelanau County's rural townships and small communities, the address-based map search is a useful way to check a specific area. The registry includes lists of non-compliant and incarcerated offenders in addition to standard search results.
Communities in Leelanau County
Leelanau County's county seat is the village of Leland. No cities in Leelanau County meet the qualifying population threshold for individual pages. Suttons Bay, Cedar, and Northport are among the other communities in the county. Residents use county offices for public records matters.
Nearby Counties
Leelanau County is in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. It borders Grand Traverse County to the east and is surrounded by Lake Michigan to the west and north.