Charlevoix County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Charlevoix County in 2026
CharlevoixRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Members of the public seeking official documentation may access records through county offices, state-level portals, and authorized online databases. The categories of records that may be available include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use, zoning, and planning documents
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The MiCOURT Case Search portal provides statewide access to court case information. As noted by the court system, "Michigan and federal law preclude disclosure of certain information," and the portal offers public information without any express or implied warranty.
- Property records are accessible through the Michigan Register of Deeds directory, which lists county-level offices and their resources.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches through most state-maintained portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Charlevoix County Clerk's Office at 203 Antrim Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a completed FOIA request form and a valid form of identification when requesting restricted record categories.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.235, a public body must respond to a written request within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days.
Phone/Email:
- Charlevoix County Clerk: (231) 547-7200
- Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official website contact portal.
What Are Public Records in Charlevoix County?
Public records in Charlevoix County are defined under Michigan law as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Under MCL § 15.232, the term "public record" encompasses a broad range of documents, data, and recorded information held by government agencies.
The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Charlevoix County Circuit and District Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk / Township Offices |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Treasurer / Equalization Department |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning and Zoning Department |
The Charlevoix County Register of Deeds, located at 203 Antrim Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720, maintains land records dating back to the county's founding. Property records may also be referenced through the Michigan Register of Deeds county listing.
Is Charlevoix County an Open Records County?
Charlevoix County fully complies with Michigan's statewide open records framework. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county agencies, township offices, and courts — are required to disclose public records upon request, subject to enumerated exemptions.
The Act declares that "it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees." This policy applies uniformly to Charlevoix County agencies.
At the township level, Hayes Township in Charlevoix County maintains its own FOIA procedures consistent with state law, noting that "a person shall be allowed to inspect public records during usual business hours, not less than four hours per day." Each public body within the county designates a FOIA Coordinator responsible for processing requests and issuing written responses.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Charlevoix County?
The current fee structure for public records in Charlevoix County is governed by Michigan FOIA and may vary by office and record type.
Standard Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page (standard) |
| Certification of records | $1.00–$5.00 per document (varies by office) |
| Electronic format copies | Labor and media costs may apply |
| Search and labor fees | Charged when search exceeds the first hour |
| Mailing/delivery fees | Actual cost of postage or delivery |
Under Michigan FOIA, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of providing the record. Labor costs for search, examination, review, and deletion of exempt material may be included. Fees for the first hour of labor are prohibited under state law, providing requestors with a baseline of free processing time.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order payable to the respective county department. Fee waivers are available when the requester demonstrates that disclosure of the information is in the public interest and that the requester is not able to pay the cost.
Does Charlevoix County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Charlevoix County offices during regular business hours. Members of the public are not required to pay a fee solely to view records on-site; charges apply when copies are requested.
Free online access is available through the following government resources:
- Court records: The Michigan court case search portal provides no-cost access to case information for civil, criminal, and probate matters statewide.
- Property records: Basic property and deed information is accessible at no charge through the Charlevoix County Register of Deeds public access terminal located at the county offices.
- Sex offender information: The Michigan Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Michigan State Police, is available to the public at no cost. As stated by the Michigan State Police, "this registry is intended to assist the public in preventing and protecting against the commission of future criminal sexual acts by convicted sex offenders."
- Health and human services records: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Charlevoix County office provides access to certain publicly available program and service information.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: inspection at a public counter carries no charge, while reproduction of documents is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Charlevoix County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Charlevoix County. Under Michigan FOIA, the right to inspect and receive copies of public records extends to all individuals, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to:
- Be a Michigan resident
- Provide identification (for most record categories)
- State the reason for the request
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. Requestors seeking their own records may be asked to provide identification to verify identity and protect personal information from unauthorized disclosure.
Non-residents retain the same rights as Michigan residents under the Act. Persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities are the sole category explicitly excluded from FOIA rights under MCL § 15.232.
What Records Are Confidential in Charlevoix County?
Michigan FOIA enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Public bodies in Charlevoix County are required to withhold or redact the following types of information:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public disclosure
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors in delinquency or child protective proceedings
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records compiled in connection with active investigations
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers
- Medical and mental health records — protected under both Michigan law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained confidentially by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Personnel records — employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and similar documents, with limited exceptions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety
Under MCL § 15.243, a public body is authorized — and in some cases required — to exempt records from disclosure when the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure. This balancing standard applies to several discretionary exemption categories.
Charlevoix County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Charlevoix County Register of Deeds
203 Antrim Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7204
Fax: (231) 237-0106
Charlevoix County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Charlevoix County Clerk's Office
203 Antrim Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7200
Charlevoix County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Charlevoix County Circuit Court
301 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7250
MiCOURT Case Search
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office
1000 Grant Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-4461
Charlevoix County Sheriff
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – Charlevoix County
2229 Summit Park Drive
Petoskey, MI 49770
MDHHS Charlevoix County Office