Clinton County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Clinton County?

Public records in Clinton County, Michigan, are defined under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of a broad range of documents maintained by county offices and agencies. The following record types are currently available through various Clinton County departments:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Clinton County Circuit Court and the 65A District Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Clinton County Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Clinton County Clerk
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the Clinton County Clerk
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Clinton County Treasurer and Equalization Department
Voting and election records — maintained by the Clinton County Clerk's Elections Division
Meeting minutes and agendas (Board of Commissioners, planning boards) — maintained by the Clinton County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — available through the Clinton County Administrator's Office
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Clinton County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Clinton County Planning and Zoning Department

Clinton County Clerk's Office 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: (989) 224-5140 Clinton County Clerk's Office

Is Clinton County an Open Records County?

Clinton County fully complies with Michigan's statewide open records framework, and all county agencies are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Under MCL § 15.233, any person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records upon submission of a written request to the appropriate public body. The Act establishes that public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days under specified circumstances. Clinton County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state statute governs all access procedures uniformly across departments. The county's compliance with Michigan's sunshine laws extends to open meetings requirements under the Open Meetings Act, MCL § 15.261 et seq., which mandates that all deliberations and decisions of public bodies be conducted in open session accessible to the public. Each county department designates a FOIA Coordinator responsible for processing requests and ensuring timely compliance.

How to Find Public Records in Clinton County in 2026

Members of the public may access Clinton County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for obtaining records:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record sought. Court records are held by the Circuit or District Court; property and vital records are held by the Register of Deeds or County Clerk; law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a written FOIA request. Requests must be submitted in writing to the designated FOIA Coordinator of the relevant public body. Requests may be delivered in person, by mail, by fax, or by email where accepted.
Use online portals where available. Michigan courts currently offer online case lookup through the MiCOURT case search portal, which provides informational access to court case data. Electronic filing and court record access for the 65A District Court in St. Johns is also available through Michigan's MiFILE system.
Visit offices in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant county office. No appointment is required for general inspection at most offices.
Request certified copies when needed. Certified copies of vital records, deeds, and court judgments require a formal written request and applicable fees paid in advance.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office 1347 E. Sturgis St., St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: (989) 224-5200 Clinton County Sheriff's Office

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clinton County?

Current fees for public records in Clinton County are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act and vary by record type and custodial office. Under MCL § 15.234, public bodies may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of processing the request, including labor, duplication, and mailing costs. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black-and-white copies at most county offices
Certified copies of vital records: $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the same record, as set by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Deed and property record copies: Fees vary; the Register of Deeds currently charges per-page copy fees consistent with state recording fee schedules
Court record copies: Fees are set by the Michigan Supreme Court and vary by document type
Electronic records: Provided at no charge or at reduced cost when no duplication labor is required
Mailing costs: Actual postage charged when records are delivered by mail

Accepted payment methods at most Clinton County offices include cash, check, and money order made payable to the relevant county office. Credit and debit card acceptance varies by department. Fee waivers are available under MCL § 15.234(4) for indigent individuals who provide written certification of inability to pay, and for nonprofit organizations acting in the public interest.

Does Clinton County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Michigan law, and no fee may be charged solely for inspecting records in person at the custodial office. Members of the public may review documents on-site during regular business hours without incurring any cost. Several categories of records are also accessible at no charge through official online platforms:

Court case information is available at no cost through the MiCOURT case search portal, which provides online access to case data for informational purposes
Sex offender registry information is provided free of charge by the Michigan State Police through the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, which is intended to assist the public in preventing future criminal sexual acts
Property assessment data is available through the Clinton County Equalization Department's online GIS and parcel search tools at no charge
Meeting minutes and agendas are posted publicly on the Clinton County website without charge
Election results and voter registration information are available through the Michigan Voter Information Center at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Clinton County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Clinton County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Clinton County and non-residents of Michigan retain full rights to request public records under state law.
Identification is generally not required. Public bodies may not demand identification as a condition of fulfilling a FOIA request, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain the requester's own personal information.
Purpose need not be stated. Requesters are not obligated to explain why they seek a particular record, and public bodies may not deny access based on the requester's perceived purpose.
Restrictions apply to certain record types. Access to juvenile records, sealed court files, adoption records, and certain law enforcement investigative materials is restricted regardless of who is requesting.
Requesting one's own records. Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

Non-residents and organizations outside Michigan are afforded the same statutory rights as in-state residents under the current framework of MCL § 15.233.

What Records Are Confidential in Clinton County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Michigan law, and Clinton County agencies are required to withhold or redact such information prior to release. MCL § 15.243 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public bodies statewide. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or partially exempt:

Sealed court records — including expunged criminal records and records sealed by judicial order
Juvenile records — protected under the Michigan Juvenile Code and generally inaccessible to the public
Ongoing criminal investigation records — withheld to protect the integrity of active law enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and driver's license numbers, which must be redacted from disclosed documents
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Personnel records — exempt with limited exceptions for public employees' names, positions, and compensation
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to a public body in confidence
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety

When a requested record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to separate and disclose the non-exempt portions while redacting only the protected content.

Clinton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Clinton County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of land records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property in Clinton County. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents during regular public counter hours.

Clinton County Register of Deeds 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: (989) 224-5270 Clinton County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours are currently Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. Document recording is accepted in person, by mail, or through authorized electronic recording services. The office maintains an online search portal for recorded land records accessible through the county's official website.

Clinton County Circuit Court 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: (989) 224-5150 Clinton County Circuit Court

65A District Court — St. Johns 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: (989) 224-5152 65A District Court

Clinton County Treasurer's Office 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879 Phone: (989) 224-5280 Clinton County Treasurer's Office