Find Public Records in Marquette County

Marquette County public records are held by the County Clerk, the Register of Deeds, and the 25th Circuit Court in the city of Marquette. You can search court cases, property documents, criminal history, and vital records through local offices and statewide Michigan databases. This page covers where to look and how to get copies of the records you need.

Marquette County Clerk and Public Records

The Marquette County Clerk handles public records for the county. This office stores court filings, vital records, election documents, and many other official records. The clerk's office is at the Marquette County Courthouse. You can visit in person during business hours or contact the office to request specific documents.

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives everyone the right to request public records from Marquette County offices. The Marquette County Clerk serves as the FOIA coordinator for county-level records. Requests must be in writing and get a response within 5 business days. An extension of up to 10 additional business days is allowed when the office needs more time.

The official Marquette County website at co.marquette.mi.us provides access to county departments, public records information, and contact details for all county offices.

Marquette County Court Records

The 25th Circuit Court in Marquette handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family law cases including divorce and custody. Records from this court are public and available at the courthouse. You can also search case information online through MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov.

MiCOURT lets you search Marquette County court cases by name, case number, or attorney. Results include docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. This is free to use. The system does not show juvenile records, adoption records, mental health cases, or personal protection orders. Date of birth fields were removed from public results in April 2022 per court rule updates.

The 96th District Court covers misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $25,000, and small claims for Marquette County. District court records are also accessible through the MiCOURT system. For certified copies of any court document, you need to request them directly from the clerk's office at the courthouse.

Criminal History and Offender Records

You can look up criminal history records tied to Marquette County through two state tools. ICHAT is the Michigan State Police's Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported by all 83 Michigan counties. Each search costs $10. Access ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT.

OTIS is free. The Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System shows people currently or recently supervised by MDOC. This includes those in prison, on parole, or on probation. Search by name or MDOC number at mdocweb.state.mi.us. Records are kept for 3 years after the discharge date.

The Michigan Sex Offender Registry covers registered offenders in Marquette County. You can search by name, ZIP code, or map at mspsor.com. This search is free and run by the Michigan State Police. Results include address, photo, and offense information for each registered offender.

Property Records in Marquette County

The Marquette County Register of Deeds records all real property transactions in the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and easements are all stored here. These are public records. Anyone can look them up at the Register of Deeds office in the courthouse or through any online search portal the county provides.

Property tax records and parcel information are handled by the Marquette County Equalization Department. The county's equalization office tracks assessed values for all taxable parcels. This data is often useful when researching property ownership or sales history. Contact the county for current online access options for Marquette County property data.

Marquette County Vital Records

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Marquette County are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS maintains statewide vital records going back to 1867. You can request records online, by mail, or in person at the Marquette County Clerk's office. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for ordering information.

A certified copy costs $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record. Online orders through VitalChek carry additional processing fees. Birth records under 100 years old are restricted. You must prove you are the named person, a parent, a legal guardian, or a legal representative to get a copy.

Marriage licenses in Marquette County are issued by the county clerk. Divorce records from Marquette County court cases are stored at the 25th Circuit Court. Copies can be requested at the courthouse or through the county clerk's office.

FOIA and Public Records Requests

Marquette County residents and others can request records from county offices under the Michigan FOIA law. The statute at MCL 15.231 covers how requests are made, what fees can be charged, and what records are exempt. You have the right to appeal if a request is denied or if you believe the fees are too high.

Send FOIA requests in writing to the office that holds the records. The Marquette County Sheriff handles requests for sheriff department records. The Clerk handles requests for court and county records. Each office has its own FOIA coordinator. Requests must include enough detail to help staff find the records you want. If the office cannot fulfill the request in 5 business days, they must notify you and explain the reason for any extension.

Cities in Marquette County

Marquette is the county seat and largest city in Marquette County. All circuit court matters for the county are handled at the courthouse in the city of Marquette. Other communities in the county include Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Gwinn.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula. If you are searching for records from a neighboring county or need to confirm the right jurisdiction, check the location where the event occurred.