Find Public Records in Newaygo County

Newaygo County public records are held by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds in White Cloud. This guide covers how to search court records, request property documents, obtain vital records, and submit FOIA requests to Newaygo County offices.

Newaygo County Clerk Public Records Office

The Newaygo County Clerk is located at 1087 Newell Street in White Cloud. County Clerk Linda Landheer oversees vital records, court filings, and official county documents. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In-person vital records requests are accepted until 4:15 PM.

The clerk's office stores birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and divorce records for events in Newaygo County. Records go back to 1867 for births and deaths. The Register of Deeds shares the same building address and handles all property-related documents. Both offices work out of the same county complex on Newell Street.

FOIA requests for county records should be submitted in writing to the appropriate department. Under Michigan's FOIA law, MCL 15.231, each public body must respond within 5 business days. The county can extend by up to 10 additional business days when needed. Mail, email, or in-person delivery are all accepted methods.

Newaygo County Circuit Court Public Records

The 27th Circuit Court serves Newaygo County along with several other counties in the region. Circuit court cases include felony criminal cases, divorce and family law matters, and civil cases above $25,000. Court records from this court are generally public unless sealed by a judge.

The Newaygo County Courthouse is at 1092 Newell Street in White Cloud. The court clerk handles case filings and record requests. Phone: (231) 689-7270. For online searches, the statewide MiCOURT case search covers Newaygo County. You can search by party name or case number at no cost. Case details include docket entries, hearing dates, and party information.

The Newaygo County Probate Court handles wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Contact the courthouse for probate-specific record requests. Written requests for certified copies require payment by check or money order. Copy fees are $1.00 per page for plain copies.

Property Records in Newaygo County

The Newaygo County Register of Deeds keeps all recorded real property documents. This includes deeds, mortgages, land contracts, trusts, and UCC filings. Records go back to 1840, with all records now digitized. The office is actively indexing records back into the mid-1910s.

Online property records are available free through the county website. You can search by grantor or grantee name, document type, or date range. The Register of Deeds office is at 1087 Newell Street, the same location as the county clerk. The office accepts documents for recording until 4:00 PM each business day. Electronic recording is accepted through approved services including CSC, EPN, Indecomm, and Simplifile.

Document copies cost $1.00 per page under MCL 600.2567. The GIS mapping system integrates with property records for easier parcel-based searches. For GIS help, call (231) 689-7019. All records, including older ones on microfiche, are available for in-person review at the office.

Criminal History and Corrections Records

Michigan State Police run the ICHAT criminal history database for all 83 counties including Newaygo. The ICHAT tool costs $10 per search and covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. It does not include traffic offenses, juvenile records, or federal charges. Results show arrests and dispositions reported from local courts across the state.

The free OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us tracks state prison inmates, parolees, and MDOC-supervised probationers. Search by name and view current custody status, facility, offense, and release information. Records are kept for three years after discharge.

For local Newaygo County jail information and arrest records, contact the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff handles bookings, inmate rosters, and local law enforcement records separate from state-level databases.

ICHAT results cover all convictions reported from Newaygo County and every other Michigan jurisdiction.

Vital Records for Newaygo County

Newaygo County vital records including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available from the county clerk. The clerk's office at 1087 Newell Street handles in-person requests until 4:15 PM daily. Mail requests are also accepted with completed forms and payment.

Death certificates cost $13, payable by money order to the Newaygo County Clerk. Additional copies of the same death record are $5 each. Birth certificate fees may differ. For mail requests, include the name of the person, date of the event, your return address and phone number, and your signature.

Birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Access is limited to the person named, their parents, legal guardian, legal representative, or heir. Proof of eligibility is required. For state-certified copies or records you cannot obtain locally, MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs can process the order. State fees are $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record.

Newaygo County FOIA Requests

Any person can request public records from Newaygo County under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The law applies to all county departments, the sheriff's office, and the courts (with some rules specific to court records). Submit your request in writing to the department that holds the record you need.

The county must respond within 5 business days. A 10-day extension is allowed if the county notifies you in writing. Fees cover actual labor costs (capped at a multiple of the state minimum wage) and copying charges of $1.00 per page. If you receive public assistance or have a financial hardship, you can request a fee waiver. Submit a written explanation with your FOIA request.

Note: If the record you want is a court document, contact the circuit or district court clerk directly rather than filing a FOIA request with the county.

Cities in Newaygo County

White Cloud is the county seat of Newaygo County. Other communities in the county include Fremont, Grant, Newaygo, and Hesperia. Public records for all Newaygo County communities are maintained at the county courthouse in White Cloud.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Newaygo County. Each county has its own records offices and search systems.