Ontonagon County Public Records

Ontonagon County public records are held at the county courthouse in Ontonagon, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The County Clerk and Register of Deeds handle vital records, property documents, and official filings. This guide covers how to search and request records from Ontonagon County offices.

Ontonagon County Clerk and Public Records

The Ontonagon County Clerk and Register of Deeds is Stacy C. Preiss. The office is at 725 Greenland Road in Ontonagon. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone: (906) 884-4255. Fax: (906) 884-6796. You can also reach the office by email at spreiss@ontonagoncounty.org.

The clerk handles birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, and divorce records for events that took place in Ontonagon County. Marriage records go back to 1853. Divorce records go back to 1856. Birth records from 1902 and later are restricted. Older birth records are available for genealogy purposes without the same access restrictions.

FOIA requests for Ontonagon County records are handled by each county department. Submit written requests to the department that has the record you need. Under MCL 15.231, all Michigan public bodies must respond within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension. Fees cover actual labor and copying costs.

Ontonagon County Circuit Court Records

Ontonagon County is served by the 32nd Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, family law, and divorce proceedings. Court records are generally public unless sealed by a judge. Contact the county courthouse at (906) 884-4255 for court record requests.

The statewide MiCOURT case search covers Ontonagon County court records. Search by party name or case number for free. Results include docket entries, party names, case status, and hearing dates. Cases that are not public by law, such as juvenile and adoption records, do not appear in this system.

For certified copies of court documents, contact the circuit court clerk directly. Written requests with payment are the standard method. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified documents require an additional certification fee. Bring valid ID or include a copy with mail requests.

Ontonagon County Property Public Records

The Register of Deeds in Ontonagon County maintains all recorded real property documents. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records are on file at 725 Greenland Road. An online search portal is available through the county website, where you can search and purchase recorded documents by name or document type.

The county also participates in a Property Fraud Alert program, which notifies property owners when new documents are recorded under their name. This free service helps protect against deed fraud. Ontonagon County is one of the largest counties in Michigan by land area, making property records an important resource for this region.

The county website provides access to the Register of Deeds public record search and county contact information.

Vital Records in Ontonagon County

Birth, death, and marriage records for events in Ontonagon County are available from the county clerk at 725 Greenland Road. Online ordering is available through the county website for some records. Birth certificate requests require uploading a copy of your driver's license to verify identity.

Vital record fees in Ontonagon County are $10 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record. Marriage records go back to 1853 and are among the oldest records kept in this county. Divorce records go back to 1856. Older birth records (before 1902) are available for genealogy research without the same restrictions that apply to recent records.

For state-certified vital records or records not available locally, MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs handles orders statewide. The first certified copy from the state costs $34. Additional copies of the same record are $16 each. Records go back to 1867 at the state level.

Criminal History Records

The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT is the statewide criminal history search for all 83 Michigan counties including Ontonagon. Each search costs $10 and covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. Local misdemeanors, traffic violations, and federal records are not part of this database.

For state prison inmates and parolees, the free MDOC OTIS system is at mdocweb.state.mi.us. Search by name to see current custody status, offense details, and projected release dates. Information is removed three years after discharge. Sheriff Dale Rantala heads the Ontonagon County Sheriff's Office, which handles local arrest and inmate records.

OTIS covers state prison inmates and parolees and includes records from Ontonagon County cases that resulted in MDOC sentences.

FOIA Requests in Ontonagon County

Any person can request public records from Ontonagon County offices under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The law covers all county departments, the sheriff's office, and most public bodies. Court records are handled under separate court rules and should be requested from the court clerk directly.

Submit FOIA requests in writing to the county office that holds the record. Include the record type, the date range, and any names or identifiers that help narrow the search. The county must respond within 5 business days. A 10-day extension is allowed with written notice. Fees cover labor (capped by state minimum wage formula) and copying at $1.00 per page.

Fee waivers are available for public assistance recipients and those with financial hardship. Submit your waiver request in writing along with your FOIA request. The county will review and respond to both at the same time.

Cities in Ontonagon County

Ontonagon is the county seat and main community in this sparsely populated Upper Peninsula county. White Pine is another community in the area. All county public records for Ontonagon County are maintained at the courthouse in Ontonagon.

Nearby Counties

These Upper Peninsula counties are near Ontonagon. Each has its own clerk and records offices.