Van Buren County Public Records

Van Buren County public records are handled by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds in Paw Paw. The offices hold property records, vital records, and court documents for residents across the county. Use the search tool below to find public records from Van Buren County quickly.

Van Buren County Clerk and Public Records

Van Buren County Clerk Mark Smith is located at 212 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Phone: (269) 657-8218. The Register of Deeds is at the Administration and Land Services Building, First Floor, 219 E. Paw Paw Street, Suite 102, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Register of Deeds phone: (269) 657-8242. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The County Clerk holds vital records and maintains indexes for all Van Buren County vital records including births, deaths, and marriages. The Clerk also handles court filings and general county administration. The Register of Deeds at the Land Services Building handles all real property documents and has an online deed records search where document images can be viewed and purchased.

Online deed records are searchable at vanburencounty.net. The county website also links to property fraud alert registration, plat and condo maps, and GIS mapping tools. Copy fees are $1 per page. Credit card payments are accepted for copies through a payment portal. Large copy orders have a 48-hour turnaround time. Cash and checks are also accepted for in-person requests.

The Van Buren County official website at vanburencounty.net offers access to the deed records portal and provides contact information for all county offices.

The county site links to property records, vital records information, and court resources for Paw Paw and surrounding Van Buren County communities.

Van Buren County Court Records

Van Buren County is served by the 36th Judicial Circuit Court. The county also has district courts in Paw Paw and South Haven, as well as a Probate Court. Circuit court handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and family law. District courts handle misdemeanors and smaller civil matters. Probate Court deals with estates, wills, and guardianships.

Court case information from Van Buren County is available through the free statewide MiCOURT case search portal. Search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Results show docket entries, case status, and upcoming hearings. Restricted cases such as juvenile, adoption, and mental health matters are not visible online. Contact the County Clerk at (269) 657-8218 for certified copies or restricted case information.

Criminal History Public Records

The Michigan State Police ICHAT tool covers criminal history for Van Buren County residents along with all 83 Michigan counties. Felony convictions and serious misdemeanors are included. Each search costs $10 at apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT. Traffic offenses, juvenile records, federal records, and warrant data are not included in ICHAT results.

For current MDOC supervision records, use the free OTIS tool at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2. OTIS covers current prisoners, parolees, and probationers. Records are removed three years after discharge. For local Van Buren County jail information, contact the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office directly.

Property Records in Van Buren County

The Register of Deeds at 219 E. Paw Paw Street manages all real property documents for Van Buren County. The office holds deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts. Online deed records are searchable through the county portal. You can view document images and purchase copies online using a credit card through the payment portal.

Copy fees are $1 per page. Large copy orders take up to 48 hours. Payment methods include cash, check, and credit card. For records not available online, visit the Land Services Building during business hours. Contact the Register of Deeds at (269) 657-8242 for questions about specific land records or to request information by mail.

Vital Records in Van Buren County

The County Clerk at 212 E. Paw Paw Street maintains vital records indexes for all Van Buren County birth, death, and marriage records. The Clerk's office is on the Courthouse Main Floor. Call (269) 657-8218 to request certified copies. The clerk can assist with local vital records during regular office hours.

State-level vital records are available through the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office. All records go back to 1867. The first certified copy costs $34 and each additional copy of the same record is $16. Online orders can also be placed through VitalChek. Birth records under 100 years old require documentation of eligibility.

FOIA Requests for Van Buren County Public Records

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 et seq. grants the public the right to access government records. Van Buren County departments must respond to written FOIA requests within 5 business days. Extensions up to 10 additional days may apply for more complex requests.

Submit requests to the Van Buren County department that holds the specific records you need. Each office designates a FOIA coordinator. You can submit in person, by mail, or through any available online channel. Fees cover labor and duplication costs. Fee waivers are available for people on public assistance or who demonstrate financial hardship. The Michigan FOIA law also governs access to meeting minutes under the Open Meetings Act at MCL 15.261.

Cities in Van Buren County

The county seat is Paw Paw. No communities in Van Buren County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

Communities include Paw Paw, South Haven, Bangor, Hartford, and several townships. All public records for these areas flow through the county offices in Paw Paw.

Nearby Counties

These Michigan counties are adjacent to Van Buren County. Each has its own public records offices.