Public Records in St. Joseph County

St. Joseph County public records are held at the County Clerk and Register of Deeds at 125 W. Main Street in Centreville. The office manages deeds, court filings, vital records, and other official documents for residents throughout the county. Use the search tool below to begin looking up public records from St. Joseph County.

St. Joseph County Clerk and Public Records

The County Clerk and Register of Deeds for St. Joseph County operates from the Historic Courthouse, Second Floor, 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032. Cynthia Jarratt and Gina Everson serve as Clerk and Register of Deeds respectively. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone contacts include (269) 467-5500 for the Clerk and (269) 467-5552 for the Register of Deeds.

Property records maintained by the Register of Deeds include deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, and UCC fixture filings. Electronic recording is available through eRecording services. The office offers two online search options for property records. Laredo is a subscription-based system that requires a formal agreement and escrow account. Contact the Register of Deeds at (269) 467-5552 or by email for a Laredo agreement. Tapestry is a pay-as-you-go option accessible at LandRecords.net that lets you search and purchase documents without a subscription.

The county also supports a Property Fraud Alert registration service through propertyfraudalert.com. Registering your name allows you to receive notifications when documents are recorded in your name, which helps protect against deed fraud. GIS property records search is also available through the county's online tools.

The Michigan FOIA statute page shown below, available at legislature.mi.gov, outlines the law that governs public records requests in St. Joseph County and all of Michigan.

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 governs how St. Joseph County handles public records requests. All county departments must follow the 5-business-day response window set by this law.

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Records

The 45th Judicial Circuit Court serves St. Joseph County and handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and family law matters. Contact the circuit court through the County Clerk's office. For district court and probate court records, contact the respective courts in Centreville.

All court records from St. Joseph County are searchable through the free statewide MiCOURT case search portal. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. Non-public matters are excluded from online searches. Certified copies of court documents require a direct request to the clerk's office at (269) 467-5500.

Note: MiCOURT is a free public resource but does not provide certified documents. Certified copies must come directly from the court clerk.

Criminal History Public Records

For criminal history searches involving St. Joseph County residents, 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. ICHAT does not include federal records, juvenile records, traffic matters, or warrants.

For people currently under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision, the OTIS database is free. Search by name at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. OTIS covers prisoners, parolees, and probationers statewide. For local St. Joseph County jail information, contact the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office directly.

Property Records in St. Joseph County

The Register of Deeds in Centreville maintains all real property records for St. Joseph County. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, and UCC fixture filings. Two online search systems are available. The Laredo subscription service requires a formal agreement and is suited for frequent users. Tapestry at LandRecords.net allows pay-as-you-go access to property records and document images without a subscription.

Electronic recording is accepted through approved eRecording services. The office also handles plat and condo maps, passport information, and property fraud protection registration. Copies cost $1 per page at standard rates. Call (269) 467-5552 for questions about specific land records.

Vital Records - Births, Deaths, Marriages

The County Clerk at 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, handles vital records requests for St. Joseph County. Contact the clerk at (269) 467-5500 to request birth, death, or marriage certificates. The office can assist with local vital records going back many decades.

For statewide vital records or records from other Michigan counties, use the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records portal or VitalChek. State fees are $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for additional copies of the same record. Birth records less than 100 years old have eligibility restrictions and require documentation proving you are the named person, a parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative.

FOIA Requests for St. Joseph County Public Records

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 et seq. governs public records access in St. Joseph County. All county departments must respond to written FOIA requests within 5 business days. They may extend that by up to 10 more business days if needed.

To submit a FOIA request, contact the St. Joseph County department that holds the records you want. Each office has a designated FOIA coordinator. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through other available channels. Fees cover actual labor and copying costs. Waivers are available for people receiving public assistance or who can demonstrate financial need. The FOIA law also covers the county's Open Meetings Act compliance under MCL 15.261.

Cities in St. Joseph County

The county seat is Centreville. No communities in St. Joseph County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

Communities in St. Joseph County include Centreville, Three Rivers, Sturgis, and Mendon. Public records for all of these communities are managed through the county offices at 125 W. Main Street in Centreville.

Nearby Counties

These Michigan counties are adjacent to St. Joseph County. Each maintains its own public records offices.