Tuscola County Public Records Search

Tuscola County public records are maintained by the County Clerk at 440 N State Street and the Register of Deeds at 125 W. Lincoln Street in Caro. The county holds property records going back to 1852, court records, and vital statistics for residents throughout the county. Use the search tool below to look up Tuscola County records.

Tuscola County Clerk and Register of Deeds

Tuscola County has two separate offices handling public records. The County Clerk is at 440 N State Street, Caro, MI 48723, phone (989) 672-3780. The Register of Deeds, Marianne Brandt, is at 125 W. Lincoln Street, Suite 400, Caro, MI 48723, phone (989) 672-3840. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Note that the Register of Deeds closes for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 PM.

The Register of Deeds uses a GovOS Technologies online portal for land records. To access it, click "Land Record Search" on the county website, then "Login as Guest," then "Search Public Records." The portal covers land record indexes from December 1988 to the present. Property records from 1852 are available in the office but are not online. The office does not index records by address or parcel number, so searches must use grantor or grantee name, subdivision, document type, or document number.

Copy fees are $1 per page. Staff can perform simple searches for a nominal fee. The Register of Deeds does not prepare documents or give legal advice. For questions, email registerofdeeds@tuscolacounty.org or call (989) 672-3840.

The Tuscola County Register of Deeds portal shown below at tuscolacounty.org/rod provides access to the GovOS land records system for property documents from 1988 to present.

The GovOS portal on the Tuscola County site lets you log in as a guest to search land records without an account. For records before 1988, you need to visit the office at 125 W. Lincoln Street in Caro.

Tuscola County Circuit Court Public Records

Tuscola County is part of the 54th Judicial Circuit Court. Court Administrator Sheila Long can be reached at (989) 672-3807 or by email at slong@tuscolacounty.org. Deputy Court Administrator Cindy McKinney-Volz is available at (989) 672-3772. A Family Division handles domestic relations and juvenile cases. Circuit court handles felony criminal cases and major civil matters.

Online case searches are available through the statewide MiCOURT case search portal, which is free. Search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. The portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Non-public matters, including juvenile cases, adoptions, and PPOs, are not visible online. For certified copies of any court file, contact the Circuit Court Administrator or County Clerk directly.

Criminal History and Corrections Records

The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the best tool for criminal history checks covering Tuscola County. ICHAT includes felony convictions and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties. Each search costs $10. Access it at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. ICHAT does not include traffic records, federal convictions, juvenile records, or warrant data.

For people currently under MDOC supervision, the free OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 shows current prisoners, parolees, and probationers statewide. For local jail records in Tuscola County, contact the Tuscola County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and can confirm whether someone is currently held there.

Property Public Records in Tuscola County

The Register of Deeds at 125 W. Lincoln Street, Suite 400 in Caro holds all real property records for Tuscola County. Historical records go back to 1852. Online access through the GovOS portal covers indexes from December 1988 to present. To search online, go to tuscolacounty.org/rod, click Land Record Search, then log in as a guest.

Search fields include grantor and grantee name, subdivision, document type, and document number. Note that searches by address or parcel number are not available through this system. For those types of searches or for records before 1988, visit the office during regular business hours. Staff can do simple searches for a small fee. The office is closed from noon to 1:00 PM daily. Copy fees are $1 per page.

Vital Records in Tuscola County

The County Clerk at 440 N State Street in Caro handles vital records for Tuscola County. Call (989) 672-3780 for birth, death, and marriage certificate requests. The clerk's office holds local vital records and can issue certified copies during regular office hours.

For statewide vital records, the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records portal maintains all records going back to 1867. The first certified copy from the state costs $34. Each additional copy of the same record is $16. You can also order through VitalChek. Birth records under 100 years old require proof of eligibility. Bring valid photo ID when visiting the office in person.

FOIA Requests for Tuscola County Records

Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 et seq., Tuscola County departments must respond to written FOIA requests within 5 business days. Up to 10 additional business days may be used if the request is complex or requires time to process.

To file a FOIA request in Tuscola County, contact the specific department that holds the records you need. Each office designates its own FOIA coordinator. Requests may be submitted by mail or in person. Fees cover actual labor costs, capped at 6 times the state minimum hourly wage, and actual copying expenses. Fee waivers apply to those receiving public assistance or demonstrating financial hardship.

Cities in Tuscola County

The county seat is Caro. No communities in Tuscola County meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site.

Communities in Tuscola County include Caro, Cass City, Vassar, Millington, and many townships. All public records for these areas are handled through the county offices in Caro.

Nearby Counties

These Michigan counties border Tuscola County. Each maintains its own clerk and register of deeds for public records.