Mackinac County Public Records Search
Mackinac County public records are maintained by county offices in St. Ignace in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This page explains how to search for and obtain public records in Mackinac County, including court filings, property documents, criminal history, and vital records through local county offices and Michigan's statewide databases.
Mackinac County Overview
Mackinac County Clerk and Public Records
The Mackinac County Clerk in St. Ignace serves as the official keeper of county public records. The office handles vital records, elections, county board proceedings, and general records requests. Mackinac County includes the iconic Mackinac Island, which creates some unique considerations for in-person record access given the island's seasonal accessibility.
The Mackinac County website provides contact details for county departments. The clerk's office can point you to the right department for any record type, whether you need court documents, property records, or vital records. For most requests, a phone call to the clerk can help you understand exactly what is available and how to get it.
The Mackinac County website lists departments and contact information for the offices that maintain public records in St. Ignace.
The county site is the starting point for locating the right department and submitting public records requests to Mackinac County offices in St. Ignace.
| Office | Mackinac County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781 |
| Phone | (906) 643-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mackinaccounty.net |
Circuit Court Public Records in Mackinac County
Mackinac County is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, shared with Alger, Schoolcraft, and Luce counties. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family law cases. All records from these proceedings are public unless sealed by court order.
You can search Mackinac County Circuit Court cases for free through the Michigan MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. Search by name or case number and get case status, docket entries, and hearing information. Certified copies require a request to the court clerk in St. Ignace. The 92nd District Court handles misdemeanor and small civil cases in Mackinac County and those records are also searchable through MiCOURT.
Mackinac County Criminal History Records
Criminal history for Mackinac County residents can be searched through Michigan's statewide systems. These tools cover all 83 counties and are available online.
The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police charges $10 per name search and returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from the state criminal records database. It covers Mackinac County alongside all other Michigan counties. Traffic offenses, juvenile records, and out-of-state records are not included.
The free OTIS database from the Michigan Department of Corrections shows current inmates, parolees, and probationers statewide. If a Mackinac County resident has served or is serving a state prison sentence, they will appear in OTIS. Records stay active for three years after a person's discharge from MDOC supervision.
Mackinac County Property Records
The Mackinac County Register of Deeds in St. Ignace records all real property instruments for the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for all land in Mackinac County, including property on Mackinac Island. The Register of Deeds is the official source for property ownership history and title searches in the county.
Given that much of Mackinac County is state land or tribal territory, property records can be complex. In-person or mail requests are the most reliable way to get recorded documents from the Register of Deeds office. The county equalization office holds assessment and tax records separately. Both offices work out of the government center in St. Ignace.
Note: Property on Mackinac Island has a unique legal character with restrictions on vehicle use and development. Always verify title documents carefully for island properties.
Vital Records in Mackinac County
Vital records for Mackinac County, including births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The state holds records from 1867 forward for all of Michigan.
Request certified copies from the MDHHS vital records division online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person. The first certified copy is $34. Additional copies of the same record are $16 each. Birth records under 100 years old require proof of eligibility, which includes being the named person, a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative.
The Mackinac County Clerk can issue certified copies of marriage records for ceremonies that took place in the county. This is sometimes faster than the state process for recent marriages.
FOIA Requests in Mackinac County
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, applies to all public bodies in Mackinac County. This includes the county government, townships, the sheriff's office, and other local agencies. Any person can submit a written request for public records.
Submit your written request to the department that holds the records. The agency has 5 business days to respond and may extend by up to 10 more days for complex requests. Fees are based on actual costs for labor, duplication, and search, with labor capped at six times the state minimum wage. Fee waivers are available for people who receive public assistance or demonstrate financial hardship.
Mackinac County's relatively small government means most requests can be handled quickly. For records involving Mackinac Island or local townships, contact the relevant local office directly. Appeals of denials go first to the agency head and then to Mackinac County Circuit Court.
Sex Offender Registry: Mackinac County
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry covers all registered offenders in Mackinac County and statewide. The Michigan State Police maintains the registry at mspsor.com and the search is free.
You can search by name, address, ZIP code, or registration number. Results include the offender's photo, physical description, current address, offense history, and vehicle information. The registry also shows non-compliant offenders and those currently incarcerated. Given Mackinac County's mix of year-round residents and seasonal visitors, the address-based search is a practical tool for checking specific areas including Mackinac Island.
Communities in Mackinac County
Mackinac County's county seat is St. Ignace. The county also includes Mackinac Island, which is a city but has a permanent resident population well below the threshold for an individual page. Residents use county offices in St. Ignace for public records matters.
Nearby Counties
Mackinac County is at the eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and borders several other UP counties.