Chippewa County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Chippewa County?

Public records in Chippewa County are defined under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, 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 these documents from the appropriate county office. The Chippewa County government maintains a broad range of record categories across multiple departments.

The following record types are currently available to the public through designated county offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the 50th Circuit Court and the 91st District Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfers) — maintained by the Chippewa County Register of Deeds
Vital records (death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees) — maintained by the Chippewa County Clerk
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the County Clerk's office
Tax and assessment records — maintained by the County Treasurer and local township assessors
Voting and election records — maintained by the County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas (Board of Commissioners and county boards) — available through the County Clerk and posted on the county website
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Administrator's office
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Chippewa County an Open Records County?

Chippewa County fully complies with Michigan's statewide open records framework. Under MCL § 15.233, any person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records held by a public body. This statute establishes that government transparency is the default position, and any denial of access must be grounded in a specific statutory exemption.

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires all public bodies — including county departments, courts, and boards — to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days when circumstances warrant. Chippewa County departments are individually designated as public bodies under the Act and each maintains its own FOIA Coordinator responsible for processing requests. The county does not currently maintain a single consolidated public records policy document separate from state law; all access rights and procedures are governed directly by the Michigan FOIA statute.

Michigan's Open Meetings Act further reinforces government transparency by requiring that deliberations and decisions of public bodies be conducted in open session, with limited exceptions for matters such as personnel actions or attorney-client communications.

How to Find Public Records in Chippewa County in 2026

Members of the public may access Chippewa County records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-person inspection: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during normal business hours to inspect records using public-access terminals or by requesting assistance from staff. The 91st District Court, for example, provides a public access computer for local court record searches during regular business hours.

Online search: Many court records are accessible through the statewide MiCOURT case search portal, which allows users to search by case number or party name. The Michigan Courts system also provides access to cases, opinions, and orders for the Chippewa Circuit Court, Chippewa Juvenile Division, and Chippewa Probate Court.

Written FOIA request: To obtain copies of records not available online, members of the public must submit a written FOIA request to the FOIA Coordinator of the relevant department. Requests should identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email where accepted.

Law enforcement background checks: Criminal history information at the state level is available through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, which provides public access to non-confidential criminal history records. The statewide Sex Offender Registry is also maintained by the Michigan State Police and is freely searchable online.

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

Standard fees apply to public records requests in Chippewa County, consistent with the fee structure authorized under Michigan FOIA. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of processing the request, including labor, duplication, and mailing costs.

Current standard fees generally include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal-size documents, though individual offices may set rates reflecting actual costs
Certified copies: Vital records such as death certificates and marriage licenses carry a statutory fee set by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the County Clerk's office can provide the current rate upon inquiry
Labor costs: Charges for staff time spent searching, locating, and reviewing records may apply when the request requires more than a nominal amount of work
Mailing and delivery: Actual postage and packaging costs may be added to the total fee
Fee waivers: Under current law, a public body may waive or reduce fees if the requester demonstrates an inability to pay or if disclosure is in the public interest

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public are encouraged to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.

Does Chippewa County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Michigan FOIA, which guarantees the right to inspect records without charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following government resources currently provide free access to Chippewa County public records:

The Chippewa County Clerk's office allows in-person inspection of election records, meeting minutes, and vital record indexes at no cost
The 91st District Court public access terminal is available during normal business hours for free on-site record searches
The statewide MiCOURT portal provides free online access to basic case information for Chippewa County courts
The Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry is freely accessible online without registration or fees
Property record indexes maintained by the Register of Deeds may be inspected in person at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Chippewa County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Chippewa County. Michigan FOIA does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under current law, a requester is not required to:

Be a Michigan resident or a United States citizen
Provide government-issued identification
State the reason for the request
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought

These provisions apply to the general public, including individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the media. Non-residents retain the same rights of access as county residents under the Michigan FOIA statute.

Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Individuals requesting their own criminal history records through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system must provide identifying information and pay the applicable fee. Sealed court records, adoption files, and juvenile records require a court order for access regardless of the requester's identity. Personnel records held by county departments are subject to specific statutory provisions that may limit the scope of disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Chippewa County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Michigan FOIA, at MCL § 15.243, enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Chippewa County departments apply these exemptions consistently when processing requests.

Records currently exempt from public disclosure include:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible without a court-issued authorization
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors in delinquency or child protective proceedings are confidential by statute
Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
Medical and 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 a court petition process
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential under the Child Protection Law
Personnel records — certain employee records are exempt, with exceptions for information related to public duties and compensation
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under an expectation of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

Michigan courts apply a balancing test in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release. The Michigan Courts Records Management policy further governs what electronic court records may be made accessible through public web portals, restricting online access to case numbers, party names, and similar non-sensitive identifiers.

Chippewa County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Chippewa County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts. Members of the public may inspect property records in person during regular business hours or submit written requests by mail.

Chippewa County Register of Deeds 319 Court Street, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-6312 Chippewa County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (hours subject to change; members of the public are advised to confirm current hours prior to visiting)

Chippewa County Clerk 319 Court Street, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-6300 Chippewa County Clerk

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

50th Circuit Court 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 (906) 635-6320 50th Circuit Court – Chippewa County