Livingston County Public Records Lookup
Livingston County public records are maintained by county offices in Howell, including the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and Circuit Court. This page explains how to search for and obtain public records in Livingston County, from court filings and property documents to criminal history and vital records through county and statewide systems.
Livingston County Overview
Livingston County Public Records Office
The Livingston County Clerk in Howell is the official custodian of public records for the county. The office handles elections, vital records, county board documents, and general public records requests. Given Livingston County's growth, the clerk's office manages a substantial volume of records and requests.
The clerk's office can direct you to the right department depending on your record needs. For property records, the Register of Deeds handles recorded instruments. For criminal and civil court matters, the Circuit Court clerk keeps case files. The county also has a district court and a probate court with separate record systems. Most departments are located at the courthouse in Howell.
The statewide MDHHS vital records system covers all of Livingston County's vital records going back to 1867, and is accessible online, by mail, or in person at state offices.
Vital records for Livingston County residents can be ordered through the state MDHHS system for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces from 1867 to the present.
| Office | Livingston County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 |
| Phone | (517) 546-0500 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Livingston County Circuit Court Records
The 44th Judicial Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family law proceedings for Livingston County. Court records from these proceedings are public unless sealed by a judge.
Use the MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov to search Livingston County cases by name or case number at no cost. The system shows docket entries, case status, and hearing schedules. Certified copies require a written request to the Circuit Court clerk or an in-person visit to the courthouse in Howell. For misdemeanor and traffic cases, the 53rd District Court serves Livingston County, and those records are also available through MiCOURT.
Note: Livingston County has seen significant population growth, which means the Circuit Court has an active caseload. Allow extra time for in-person copy requests during busy periods.
Criminal History Public Records in Livingston County
Two statewide tools provide criminal history information for Livingston County. Both are online and cover all 83 Michigan counties.
ICHAT, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, charges $10 per search and is maintained by the Michigan State Police. It returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from the state's criminal records database. You search by name. Records from other states, juvenile records, and traffic violations are not included in ICHAT results.
For people under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision, the free OTIS database shows current inmates, parolees, and probationers statewide. Livingston County offenders who have served or are serving state sentences appear in OTIS. Records are kept active for three years after the person's discharge date from MDOC supervision.
Livingston County Property Records
The Livingston County Register of Deeds in Howell records all real property instruments for the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements are all recorded here. This office is the official source for property ownership history and encumbrances in Livingston County.
Property records can be searched in person at the Register of Deeds office. Livingston County has a growing property market, so the office handles a high volume of recorded documents. Copies of recorded instruments are available for a per-page fee. For property tax and assessment data, the county equalization office maintains separate parcel records that are also public. Both offices are accessible at the Howell courthouse complex.
Vital Records in Livingston County
Vital records for Livingston County are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Records include births, deaths, marriages, and divorces going back to 1867 for the entire state.
You can order certified copies from the MDHHS vital records division online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person. The first certified copy costs $34. Each additional copy of the same record is $16. Birth records less than 100 years old require proof of eligibility, which includes being the person named on the record, a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative.
The Livingston County Clerk issues certified copies of marriage records for weddings that took place in the county. This can be a faster option than going through the state for a recent marriage.
FOIA Requests in Livingston County
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, governs public records access in Livingston County. Any person can submit a written request to any public body, including the county government, townships, schools, sheriff, and road commission.
Each public body designates a FOIA Coordinator. Submit your request to the appropriate department. The agency has 5 business days to respond and may extend by up to 10 more days for complex or voluminous requests. Fees are based on actual labor, duplication, and search costs. Labor is capped at six times the state minimum wage. People who receive public assistance or can show financial hardship can request a fee waiver.
Appeals of denials go first to the agency head within 10 business days. If that fails, you can challenge the denial in Livingston County Circuit Court. The agency must give written reasons for any denial, citing the specific legal exemption.
Sex Offender Registry: Livingston County
Registered sex offenders in Livingston County are listed in the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com. The Michigan State Police maintains this database and it is free to search.
Search options include name, address, ZIP code, or registration number. Each result shows the person's photo, physical description, current address, offense history, and vehicle information. Livingston County's suburban and rural mix makes the map-based neighborhood search particularly useful. The registry includes separate lists of non-compliant offenders and those currently incarcerated across the state.
Communities in Livingston County
Livingston County's county seat is Howell. No cities in Livingston County currently meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site. Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville, and Hartland Township are among the larger communities in the county. Residents use county offices in Howell for public records matters.
Nearby Counties
Livingston County is in southeastern Michigan and borders several major county systems. Each county manages its own public records.