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Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Chippewa County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Michigan state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.

Chippewa County — Key Numbers (2026)

Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Chippewa County, Michigan — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
36,253
Population
Census estimate
13,747
Households
Census estimate
$58,408
Median income
Annual household
$142,000
Median home value
Census ACS
Sault Ste. Marie
County seat
In Michigan
Chippewa County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
4 sources
Court records
2 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
5 sources
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources   One source   Use state portal

Chippewa County Records at a Glance

Record typeChippewa County verified sources
Court records50TH CIRCUIT COURT | Chippewa County
Payable Ticket Search Page - State of Michigan
Criminal recordsWisconsin VINE - VINELink
Contact Us - Michigan Sex Offender Registry
Wants & warrantsNo verified source — see Chippewa County state portal below
Property recordsEQUALIZATION TAXES & YOU | Chippewa County
Home | City of Sault Sainte Marie | BS&A Online
Vital recordsNo verified source — see Chippewa County state portal below
Voter recordsNo verified source — see Chippewa County state portal below
Professional licensesNo verified source — see Chippewa County state portal below
Recorded documentsNo verified source — see Chippewa County state portal below
Chippewa County — Verified Record Sources by Type (2026)
Court records2Criminal records4Wants & warrants0Property records5Vital records0Voter records0Licenses0Recorded docs0
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Chippewa County. Data verified June 04, 2026.

What Changed in 2026 — Chippewa County Records

2026
Chippewa County official government portal active
The official Chippewa County government website at www.chippewacountymi.gov continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Chippewa County court records portal verified
State court system links for Chippewa County verified against the Michigan judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Chippewa County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Chippewa County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Chippewa County property records online
Chippewa County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.

The 4-Step Chippewa County Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Start at the Chippewa County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Chippewa County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Michigan statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Michigan state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Chippewa County Records

❌ Myth: "Chippewa County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Chippewa County are held by the Michigan state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Chippewa County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have Chippewa County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Michigan state repository has verified, current Chippewa County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Chippewa County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Chippewa County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).

Primary Sources (All Verified)

Related — Chippewa County & Michigan Records

For records not specific to Chippewa County, use Michigan's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Michigan statewide record systems:
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Other counties in Michigan: Charlevoix · Cheboygan · Clare · Clinton · Crawford

About Chippewa County, Michigan

Chippewa County is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The county seat is Sault Ste. Marie (official site: http://www.chippewacountymi.gov/).

  • Population: 36,253
  • Households: 13,747
  • Median household income: $58,408
  • Median home value: $142,000
  • Below poverty line: 16.5%
  • Land area: 1,558.5 sq mi
  • Population density: 23.3 people / sq mi
  • Public libraries indexed: 7
  • NCES schools indexed: 18
PR
EQUALIZATION TAXES & YOU | Chippewa County
Official Free
Equalization Home · Taxes & You FAQ's · Property Tax Estimator · Michigan Realtors Article · Proposal A & Inflation Rates · Property Transfer Affidavit · Property Tax Explanation · Consumer Price Index Multipliers · Transfer of Ownership Guidelines, December 2014 ·
PR
Home | City of Sault Sainte Marie | BS&A Online
Official Free
City of Sault Sainte Marie | Chippewa | MI · Search our collection of records for properties, taxes, utilities, permits, and more. Address · Name · Parcel Number · For Citizens and Professionals · Popular · Resident · Real Estate and Title Companies ·
PR
ArcGIS Web Application
Official Free
To use the digital imagery in a GIS (ArcGIS, MapInfo or another mapping program), you can purchase the digital imagery from the Chippewa County Equalization office, Mackinac County Equalization office, or Luce County 911 office . Digital formats include SID, JP2, ECW, and TIFF tiles.
PR
Register to Vote - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
To submit your application online, visit the online voter registration section of this website . Submitting your application in person: To register to vote in person at the clerk's office, be sure to bring proof of residency. Submitting your application via mail: If you have never registered ...
PR
Preliminary Plat & Condominium Review
Official Free
The Land Division Act 288 of 1967 and the Condominium Act 59 of 1978 requires that developers, owners, or proprietors notify the MDOT and other state and local governments of their intent to develop a subdivision plat or condominium project in the State of Michigan.
PR
Recorded Documents
Official Free
The Register of Deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining records for real property located in Chippewa County. Regardless of the number of pages, all documents will cost $30.00 to record , this cost is inclusive of the Michigan Remonumentation and Register of Deeds Automation fees.
CR
Wisconsin VINE - VINELink
Official Free
VINE is a free, secure, and confidential way to access custody status and criminal case information .
CR
SHERIFF CORRECTIONAL FACILITY | Chippewa County
Official Free
If necessary, the Chippewa County Correctional Facility may cancel a weekly visitation schedule and/or terminate any individual visit to maintain facility security. The only personal items an inmate may have while in custody are cash (which will be deposited into his/her account), prescription
CR
91st DC RECORD SEARCH | Chippewa County
Official Free
If you wish to search local Court records, you may use the public assess computer available during normal business hours . This is a free service we provide to you · If you wish to have a clerk research the local records for you, a nominal fee ...
CR
Attorney General: Chippewa County Man to Stand Trial on First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges
Official Free
LANSING – Today, Aaron Jarrett , 36, most recently of Clark County, Washington, was bound over to stand trial in the 50th Circuit Court in Chippewa County on four counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of Kidnapping for ...
CT
50TH CIRCUIT COURT | Chippewa County
Official Free
Types of Cases Handled in Circuit Court · Felony criminal matters · Lawsuits over $25,000 · Divorce, paternity, family support, custody, parenting time disputes. Personal Protection Orders · All matters involving equitable relief, including injunctions and original writs. Appeals from District Court and Administrative Agencies. Drug Court · State Court Website · State Bar of Michigan · Public Case Search · ERPO · Court Docket · 50th Zoom Instructions ·
CT
Payable Ticket Search Page - State of Michigan
Official Free
Michigan.gov Home Help Contact Us FAQ Policies · Copyright © 2013 State of Michigan
CT
Chippewa County, Michigan Position Description – Assistant Prosecutor
Official Free
Ability to carry out work-related philosophies, best interests and policies of the elected Prosecutor. Demonstrated competence as a trial attorney. Demonstrated knowledge of legal research, document production and courtroom presentation. Demonstrated ability to maintain professional integrity and respect for colleagues, co-workers, victims, Ability to use photographic, audio and video equipment. Ability to conduct research and utilize specialized software packages such as Law Desk, West Law, Lexus or County employees are expected to possess and maintain a record of orderly,…
VR
CLERK BIRTH RECORDS | Chippewa County
Official Free
Process to Obtain a Birth Record Under Michigan law, birth records are restricted documents, and a current valid, photo identification is required in order to establish eligibility to request and/or receive one (except for a birth record that is at least 100 years old). To protect you and the community from identity theft, we require a copy of the applicant's photo identification to be presented along with the application. Please see the Application form for identification requirements. When requesting a certified copy of a Chippewa County birth certificate by mail or online, complete…
VR
Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Browsers that have javascript disabled will not be able to access some features of this site · Where are my clerk’s offices? Where are my ballot drop boxes? Where is my polling place? Am I registered? What's on the ballot · How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
LC
Search for Licensee - Accela Citizen Access
Official Free
Once you are logged into your MiPLUS account, you can apply for a license, submit a request, or view existing records, by clicking on the word “Licenses”. Enter information below to search for a Licensee. Disclaimer: Licensing and registration records are made available on this website
BZ
COUNTY NEWS | Chippewa County
Official Free
After more than a two-month long Chippewa County officials have reopened the County Building, Courthouse and Animal Shelter as of June 2, 2020, though with pre-entrance procedure requirements from visitors, including a mandatory health screening questionnaire and temperature check (Click here for questionnaire). All visitors are requested to follow the State of Michigan Executive
BZ
COUNTY FORMS | Chippewa County
Official Free
911 Central Dispatch · Business Emergency Notification Form - Submitting this form allows local police and fire agencies to contact you, in the event of an incident (break-in, fire, etc.) at your business
BZ
PC DIRECTORY | Chippewa County
Official Free
The Chippewa County Probate Court has records dating back to 1828. The first Judge of Probate in Chippewa County was Honorable Francis Audrain. In 1828, the State of Michigan was considered the Northwest Territory and became a State on January 26, 1837.
BZ
2017 MEETING MINUTES | Chippewa County
Official Free
Minutes · November 2, 2017 - Special Meeting · Minutes · November 11, 2017 · Minutes · November 30, 2017 · Minutes · December 14, 2017 · Minutes · December 28, 2017 · Minutes · 2017 Veteran Affairs · January 17, 2017 · Minutes · January 24, 2017 ·
BZ
Notary application
Official Free
A notarization on a document certifies that the person whose signature is entered on the document personally appeared before the notary, established their identity, and personally signed the document in the presence of the notary. What are the qualifications to become a Michigan notary public? Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence; Be a resident of the county (or maintain a principal place of business) in which you request appointment;
BZ
Election results - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Loading · Your voter information · Vote at home · Register · Vote in person · Accessible voting · Your polling place · Language services (michigan.gov) · Preregister or register to vote online · Apply for an absentee ballot online
BZ
LARA - Subdivisions
Official Free
Plats can now be searched for online at https://aca3.accela.com/lara/ . Instructions on using ACA can be reviewed under FAQs. Questions should be directed to the Office of Land Survey and Remonumentation at 517-241-6321. Subdivision Plat Searches - Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
OT
Search Cemeteries - Find a Grave
Official Free
Bay Mills , Chippewa County, Michigan, USA · No open requests · 49 memorials · 90% photographed · 1 with GPS · Intersection of M-129 and 15 West Mile Road · Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa County, Michigan, USA · 4 requests · 369 memorials ...

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up court cases in Chippewa County?
Chippewa County court cases are filed with the County Clerk. Search the 50TH CIRCUIT COURT | Chippewa County portal: https://www.chippewacountymi.gov/50th-circuit-court. For federal matters, see PACER.
How long does an arrest stay on my record in Michigan if I wasn't convicted?
In Michigan, an arrest stays on your record indefinitely unless you petition the court to seal or expunge it, even if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Michigan's rules for clearing non-conviction records are stricter than for convictions — start with the Michigan State Police.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Michigan?
In Michigan, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by Michigan law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
What's the difference between a court record and a criminal record in Michigan?
A court record shows everything filed in a specific case — pleadings, motions, judgments. A criminal record (rap sheet) is a person-centric history from the Michigan State Police that aggregates arrests and dispositions across all courts in Michigan. Court records are searched by case; criminal records by person.