Access Schoolcraft County Public Records

Schoolcraft County public records are maintained by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds at 300 Walnut Street in Manistique. The office handles property records, vital statistics, court records, and public access requests for this Upper Peninsula county. Use the search tool below to find records from Schoolcraft County.

Schoolcraft County Clerk and Public Records Office

The Schoolcraft County Clerk and Register of Deeds is at 300 Walnut Street, Room 164, Manistique, MI 49854. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can reach them by phone at (906) 341-3618 or by email at clerk@schoolcraftcounty.us. The county website at schoolcraftcounty.net has additional department contacts and links to online services.

The Clerk's office handles vital records, court filings, and general county records. Birth records go back to 1867, death records to 1867, and marriage records to 1850, which is earlier than many Michigan counties. Certified copies of vital records cost $10 per copy. You can request them in person, by mail, or through the available online search option.

An online payment system is available for certain fees. The Register of Deeds maintains land records and property documents, which are also searchable through the county website.

The Schoolcraft County website shown below provides access to county departments, the land record search portal, and public records resources for Manistique and surrounding areas.

The county site at schoolcraftcounty.net links to the land records search system and provides FOIA request information for each county department.

Schoolcraft County Circuit Court Records

Schoolcraft County is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit in the Upper Peninsula. Circuit court handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and family law matters. For case lookups, the statewide MiCOURT case search is the primary free online tool.

MiCOURT lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Results include docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. Non-public cases such as juvenile, adoption, and mental health matters are excluded from online results. For certified copies of court documents or to access sealed or restricted files, contact the County Clerk at (906) 341-3618.

Criminal History and Corrections Records

For criminal history searches tied to Schoolcraft County, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. Each search costs $10 and covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties, including Schoolcraft. ICHAT does not include traffic records, juvenile cases, or federal convictions.

To check on someone currently under state supervision, use the free OTIS database from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Search at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. OTIS covers current prisoners, parolees, and probationers statewide. For local jail information, contact the Schoolcraft County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff handles the county jail and can confirm current inmate status.

Property Records in Schoolcraft County

The Register of Deeds in Manistique maintains all real property records for Schoolcraft County. The office holds deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land documents. A land record search is available through the county website at schoolcraftcounty.net. You can look up property records and land transactions online.

For records not available through the online portal, visit the office at 300 Walnut Street during regular hours. Copy fees follow Michigan's standard rates. The online payment system is available for certain fees and copy requests. Contact the Clerk's office at (906) 341-3618 for questions about specific properties or documents.

Vital Records in Schoolcraft County

Schoolcraft County holds birth records from 1867, death records from 1867, and marriage records from 1850, making it one of the earlier starting points for marriage records in Michigan. Local vital records are available from the County Clerk at 300 Walnut Street in Manistique. Certified copies cost $10 each. Request in person, by mail, or through the online request option.

For statewide vital records ordering or records from other Michigan counties, use the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records portal. The first certified copy costs $34 from the state. Additional copies are $16 each. You can also order through VitalChek online. Birth records under 100 years old require proof of eligibility.

FOIA and Public Records Access

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL 15.231 et seq., grants all people except those incarcerated the right to request public records from government bodies. Schoolcraft County departments must respond within 5 business days. Up to 10 additional business days may be used if the agency needs more time to gather records.

To submit a FOIA request in Schoolcraft County, contact the specific county department that maintains the records you want. Each office designates its own FOIA coordinator. You can submit by mail, in person, or through available email channels. Fees cover actual labor costs and duplication. Waivers are available for those demonstrating financial need or receiving public assistance.

Note: All FOIA requests must be in writing. Verbal requests are not covered under the Michigan FOIA law.

Cities in Schoolcraft County

Manistique is the county seat and largest community in Schoolcraft County. No communities in Schoolcraft County meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site.

Communities in the county include Manistique, Germfask, Curtis, and several townships. All public records for these areas are handled through the county offices at 300 Walnut Street in Manistique.

Nearby Counties

These Upper Peninsula counties border Schoolcraft County. Each has its own county clerk and records offices.