Missaukee County Public Records
Missaukee County public records are kept by the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and the 28th Circuit Court in Lake City. You can search court cases, property documents, criminal history, and vital records through county offices and Michigan statewide systems. This page covers the main ways to find and obtain public records in Missaukee County.
Missaukee County Overview
Missaukee County Clerk and Public Records
The Missaukee County Clerk is the main public records office for the county. The clerk holds court records, vital records, election documents, and other official county files. The office is at the Missaukee County Courthouse in Lake City. You can visit during business hours or contact the office to ask about records and how to get copies.
Michigan's FOIA law at MCL 15.231 gives you the right to request records from Missaukee County offices. Written FOIA requests go to the coordinator at the specific office that has the records. Standard response time is 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension when needed. Each county office, including the clerk and sheriff, acts as a separate public body under FOIA.
The 28th Circuit Court covers Missaukee and Wexford counties. Circuit court records are kept at the courthouse in Lake City. You can look up case information online or visit the clerk in person for certified copies.
| Office | Missaukee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 South Canal Street, Lake City, MI 49651 |
| Circuit Court | 28th Circuit Court (Missaukee and Wexford Counties) |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Circuit Court Records in Missaukee County
The 28th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family law matters for Missaukee County. These records are public unless sealed by the court. You can search Missaukee County court cases online through the MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. The search is free and covers courts statewide.
MiCOURT lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Results show docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Juvenile records, adoption cases, mental health proceedings, and personal protection orders do not appear in online search results. Date of birth was removed from public results in April 2022 following a change to Michigan Court Rule 1.109.
The 84th District Court covers misdemeanor criminal cases and civil matters under $25,000 for Missaukee County. District court records are also in the MiCOURT system. For certified copies of court documents, visit or write to the Missaukee County Clerk in Lake City.
Michigan vital records for Missaukee County are available through MDHHS. The state maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce records dating back to 1867.
Criminal Records and Background Searches
ICHAT is the Michigan State Police criminal history tool. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors reported from all 83 counties including Missaukee. Each search costs $10 and runs through apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. Results come from the Criminal Justice Information Center and are based on court-reported conviction data.
ICHAT does not include traffic violations, juvenile records, local ordinance violations, or records from other states. If you need a complete fingerprint-based background check, contact an approved live scan vendor. These cost around $50 to $70.
For free MDOC supervision searches, use OTIS at mdocweb.state.mi.us. OTIS covers people in state prison, on parole, or on probation under MDOC. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com lets you search registered offenders in Missaukee County by name, address, or ZIP code. Both OTIS and the registry are free.
Property Records in Missaukee County
The Missaukee County Register of Deeds records and stores all real property documents for the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps are kept here and open to the public. You can visit the Register of Deeds office at the courthouse in Lake City to search the records index and request copies of documents.
Property tax and parcel data are handled by the Missaukee County Equalization Department. These records show ownership, assessed values, and property descriptions. Contact the county to ask about any online property search options currently available. For statewide business and UCC filings, use the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/sos.
Vital Records for Missaukee County
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Missaukee County are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS holds statewide vital records going back to 1867. Order records online, by mail, or in person at the Missaukee County Clerk's office. Full details and order forms are at michigan.gov/mdhhs.
A certified copy costs $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record. Birth records under 100 years old require proof of eligibility. You must show you are the named person (if 18 or older), a parent, a legal guardian, or a legal representative. Bring a valid photo ID when requesting in person.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Missaukee County Clerk. Divorce records from circuit court cases are at the courthouse and can be requested from the clerk's office.
FOIA in Missaukee County
Michigan FOIA covers all Missaukee County government offices. The statute is at MCL 15.231. Submit written requests to the FOIA coordinator at the office that holds the records. For court and county records, that is the county clerk. For law enforcement records, contact the Missaukee County Sheriff. Each office is a separate public body with its own coordinator and response process.
Fees are capped under MCL 15.234. Labor costs cannot exceed six times the state minimum hourly wage. Copy costs reflect actual duplication costs. Fee waivers are available if you receive public assistance or can show financial hardship. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal. You can challenge the denial inside the agency or file in circuit court within 180 days.
Note: For records held by state agencies like MDHHS or the Michigan State Police, contact those agencies directly since they are not part of the county FOIA process.
Cities in Missaukee County
Lake City is the county seat of Missaukee County and the location of the courthouse and county offices. Other communities in Missaukee County include McBain, Marion, and Falmouth Township.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Missaukee County in northern lower Michigan. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check the location of the event or property.