Macomb County Public Records
Macomb County public records are maintained by a range of county offices in Mount Clemens, including the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Circuit Court, and Sheriff's Department. This guide explains how to search for and obtain public records in Macomb County, from court documents and property records to criminal history, vital records, and FOIA requests.
Macomb County Overview
Macomb County Public Records Office
The Macomb County Clerk in Mount Clemens is the official custodian of county public records. This office manages elections, vital records, county board documents, and many types of records requests. Macomb County is one of the most populous counties in Michigan, so the clerk's office handles a high volume of requests on a daily basis.
The Macomb County website provides online access to many services and links to department portals. The site includes the clerk's office, Register of Deeds, Circuit Court, and other county departments. Some records can be requested online or by phone. For complex requests or certified copies, in-person visits to Mount Clemens are available during business hours.
The Macomb County government website is the primary online resource for public records access in Mount Clemens and throughout the county.
The macombgov.org site provides department contacts, online forms, and links to records portals for the county's many public records systems.
| Office | Macomb County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 South Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5209 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | macombgov.org |
Macomb County Circuit Court Public Records
The 16th Judicial Circuit Court serves Macomb County and handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family court proceedings. Macomb County's large population means this court has one of the higher caseloads in the state. Court records are generally public unless sealed by a judge.
Michigan's MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov covers Macomb County Circuit Court cases. Search by party name or case number at no cost. Results show docket entries, case status, party details, and upcoming hearings. For certified copies, contact the Circuit Court clerk in Mount Clemens or submit a written request by mail. The 41-A and 41-B District Courts handle misdemeanor, traffic, and small civil cases in Macomb County, and those records are also searchable through MiCOURT.
Note: Under Michigan Court Rule MCR 1.109, date of birth is redacted from all MiCOURT public search results as of April 1, 2022.
Criminal History Public Records in Macomb County
Macomb County criminal history records are accessible through two statewide tools: ICHAT from the Michigan State Police and OTIS from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Both are available online and cover the entire state.
The ICHAT system charges $10 per search and returns felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from the state's criminal records database. Given Macomb County's large population, there are significant numbers of records reported from this county. ICHAT is maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. Traffic offenses, juvenile records, and out-of-state records are not included.
The free OTIS database covers people currently incarcerated, on parole, or under state probation supervision statewide. Macomb County has a notable number of residents with MDOC supervision history given its size. Records remain active for three years after a person's discharge date. You can search by name, MDOC number, or physical characteristics.
Macomb County Property and Land Records
The Macomb County Register of Deeds in Mount Clemens records all real property instruments for the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements for property in Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and all other communities in Macomb County. The office is one of the busiest Register of Deeds offices in the state.
Macomb County offers online access to recorded property documents through its official records systems. You can search by name, document type, or parcel information. Copies of recorded instruments are available in person or by mail for a per-page fee. Property tax and assessment records are held by the county equalization office separately from the Register of Deeds. Both offices are located in Mount Clemens.
For statewide UCC filings, the Michigan Secretary of State maintains a UCC search tool at michigan.gov/sos that covers all recorded UCC instruments statewide, including those filed against Macomb County properties and businesses.
Vital Records in Macomb County
Vital records for Macomb County, including births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and through the County Clerk for certain local records.
The MDHHS vital records division holds statewide records from 1867. Order certified copies 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 under 100 years old require proof of eligibility. Eligible requesters include the named person, parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives.
The Macomb County Clerk can issue certified copies of marriage records for ceremonies that took place in the county. Given the county's large population, the clerk's office handles a significant volume of vital records requests. Contacting the office in advance about processing times and fees is a good first step.
FOIA Requests for Macomb County Records
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, gives anyone the right to request records from Macomb County public bodies. This includes the county government, the sheriff, cities like Warren and Sterling Heights, local townships, school districts, and other public agencies.
Each public body in Macomb County designates a FOIA Coordinator. Submit your written request to the department that holds the records. The agency has 5 business days to respond and can extend by up to 10 more days for complex or large requests. Fees are based on actual labor, duplication, and search costs, with labor capped at six times the state minimum hourly wage. Fee waivers are available for those who receive public assistance or can demonstrate financial hardship.
Macomb County's size means multiple agencies handle records for different parts of the county. For city records from Warren or Sterling Heights, contact those cities directly. For county-level records, the relevant county department handles the request. Appeals of denials go first to the agency head, then to Macomb County Circuit Court if needed.
Sex Offender Registry: Macomb County
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry covers registered offenders in Macomb County and throughout Michigan. It is maintained by the Michigan State Police and is free to search at mspsor.com.
Search by name, address, ZIP code, or registration number. Results include the person's photo, date of birth, physical description, current address, offense history, and vehicle information. Given Macomb County's large and densely populated communities like Warren and Sterling Heights, the address-based neighborhood map search is a useful tool. The registry also lists non-compliant offenders and those currently incarcerated statewide. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office coordinates with state police to keep local registrations current.
Cities in Macomb County
Macomb County is home to Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and Macomb Township, all among the most populous communities in Michigan. Each city and township has its own local government and may maintain its own records in addition to county-level records.
Other communities in Macomb County include Roseville, Eastpointe, Chesterfield Township, and Shelby Township. All of these file and maintain records through Macomb County offices in Mount Clemens.
Nearby Counties
Macomb County is in the southeastern corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It shares borders with several other major counties in the Detroit metro area.