Ogemaw County Public Records

Ogemaw County public records are maintained at the county courthouse in West Branch. The County Clerk and Register of Deeds handle official documents, while the circuit court handles case records. This page explains how to find, request, and access Ogemaw County records.

Ogemaw County Clerk Public Records Office

Ogemaw County Clerk Breck Gildner operates the main public records office at 806 W. Houghton Avenue, Suite 101, in West Branch. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk handles vital records, court filings, election records, and official county documents. You can reach the office at (989) 345-0215.

The clerk's office keeps death and marriage records back to 1876. Birth records are available but subject to access restrictions. Divorce records are also maintained, and staff can check indexes for those. Bringing valid ID is required when requesting restricted records in person. Mail requests need a copy of your ID and a completed request form.

FOIA requests for county records must be submitted in writing to the relevant county department. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231, requires a response within 5 business days. An extension of up to 10 business days is possible with written notice from the agency. Fee waivers are available for those who receive public assistance or can show financial hardship.

Ogemaw County Circuit Court Records

The 34th Circuit Court serves Ogemaw County. The courthouse is at 806 W. Houghton Avenue in West Branch. Circuit court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases above $25,000, and family law including divorce. The district court handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and civil claims up to $25,000.

Court records are searchable online through the statewide MiCOURT case search portal. You can look up cases by party name or case number at no charge. The portal shows party information, docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. Non-public cases such as juvenile matters and adoptions are not shown online.

For certified copies or records not available online, contact the circuit court clerk directly at the Ogemaw County Courthouse. Staff can look up records in person and process copy requests. Copies cost $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies require an additional fee per document.

The county portal connects residents to clerk services, court information, and property records for West Branch and all of Ogemaw County.

Property Public Records in Ogemaw County

The Ogemaw County Register of Deeds, Denise Simmons, is at 806 W. Houghton Avenue, Room 104, West Branch. Phone: (989) 345-0728. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office holds deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, and plat maps. Records go back to the mid-1800s.

Online property record searches are available through Fidlar Laredo for high-volume users and Fidlar Tapestry for occasional searches. Both are pay-per-use or subscription options. Public computer terminals at the Register of Deeds office allow free in-office searching. You can search by multiple fields, save searches, and print results and document images at the public terminals.

Copy fees are $1.00 per standard page and $2.00 per page for plats. Certification of a document costs $5.00 per document. Electronic recording is accepted through CSC, EPN, and Simplifile. The county also participates in a Property Fraud Alert program that notifies you when documents are recorded in your name.

Note: Ogemaw County property records include documents from the mid-1800s to present, making this office a valuable resource for historical property research in the area.

Criminal History Records

Michigan State Police operate the statewide ICHAT criminal history database. Search it at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT for $10 per name. ICHAT covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanor records reported from Ogemaw County and all other Michigan counties. The database does not include traffic offenses, federal cases, or juvenile records.

The free MDOC OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us tracks state prison inmates, parolees, and probationers under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision. Data stays in the system for three years after a person's discharge date. Search by name to see current status, offense history, and expected release date.

For Ogemaw County jail records and local arrest information, contact the Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff maintains local lock-up records and arrest logs separate from the state ICHAT system.

Vital Records in Ogemaw County

Ogemaw County vital records go back to 1876 for deaths and marriages. Birth records are held with access restrictions. All vital records are at the County Clerk's office at 806 W. Houghton Avenue in West Branch. Call (989) 345-0215 to confirm availability before visiting.

Certified copy fees in Ogemaw County are $7.00 for the first copy. Additional copies of the same record are $3.00 each. Genealogy copies, which are uncertified, cost $0.50 per page. Birth records require valid driver's license for in-person pickup. Access is limited to the person named, their parents, legal guardian, legal representative, or heir.

For state-certified copies or records that Ogemaw County cannot provide, MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs handles statewide requests. The first certified copy from the state costs $34. Additional copies of the same record are $16 each. Orders can also be placed through VitalChek online.

FOIA and Public Access in Ogemaw County

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act gives any person the right to request records from Ogemaw County government offices. Requests must be made in writing. You can mail, email, or deliver in person to the department that holds the record. Each county department has a FOIA coordinator who processes requests.

The agency must respond within 5 business days. If more time is needed, it can extend by up to 10 additional business days with written notice. Fees are based on actual labor costs (capped at a multiple of the state minimum wage) plus $1.00 per page for copies. A written fee waiver request can be submitted if you receive public assistance or have financial hardship.

Court records in Ogemaw County are governed by Michigan Court Rule 8.119 rather than FOIA. Contact the circuit or district court clerk for court documents. The court clerk can help with copy requests, case lookup, and certified document orders.

Cities in Ogemaw County

West Branch is the county seat and largest community in Ogemaw County. Rose City and Lupton are other communities in the area. All county-level public records for Ogemaw County communities are maintained at the courthouse in West Branch.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Ogemaw County. Each has its own records offices and online search tools.