Searching Leelanau County: what to expect

Leelanau County publishes some records directly — 3 local sources below — and leans on state systems for the rest. For cases, go straight to leelanau.gov: Michigan courts search county by county, and that's Leelanau County's entry point. The county's own strong points: leelanau.maps.arcgis.com covers parcel and property-tax data, and leelanaucountymi-web.tylerhost.net handles deeds and recorded documents. One gap: criminal records aren't published by the county itself. Use the Michigan criminal records page for those.

SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Leelanau County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Michigan state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.

Leelanau County — Key Numbers (2026)

Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Leelanau County, Michigan — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
22,871
Population
Census estimate
9,246
Households
Census estimate
$82,345
Median income
Annual household
$371,200
Median home value
Census ACS
Suttons Bay Township
County seat
In Michigan
Leelanau County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
2 sources
Court records
6 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
6 sources
Vital records
see state portal
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
1 source
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources   One source   Use state portal

Leelanau County Records at a Glance

Record typeLeelanau County verified sources
Court records13th Circuit Court Civil Case Records
Circuit Court Criminal Records Search - 13th Circuit Court
Wants & warrants 
Property recordsleelanaucounty
Home | Leelanau County | BS&A Online
Vital recordsDownloads Leelanauagacreportrec
Voter recordsMichigan Voter Information Center
Recorded documentsLeelanau County Register of Deeds - Self-Service
Leelanau County
leelanaucounty
Leelanau County — Verified Record Sources by Type (2026)
Court records6Criminal records2Wants & warrants0Property records6Vital records0Voter records0Licenses1Recorded docs0
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Leelanau County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.

What Changed in 2026 — Leelanau County Records

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

The 4-Step Leelanau County Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Start at the Leelanau County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Leelanau 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 Leelanau County Records

MYTH"Leelanau County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Leelanau County are held by the Michigan state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Leelanau County are gone everywhere."
FACTSealing 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 Leelanau County data."
FACTOnly the official Michigan state repository has verified, current Leelanau County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Leelanau County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Leelanau County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
MYTH"All county records older than 50 years are public."
FACTPartially 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 and Official Record Portals

Related — Leelanau County & Michigan Records

For records not specific to Leelanau County, use Michigan's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Michigan statewide record systems:
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Other counties in Michigan: Lake · Lapeer · Lenawee · Livingston · Luce
Skip the directory — step-by-step Michigan guides that use these databases:

About Leelanau County, Michigan

Leelanau County is located in northwest Michigan. The county seat is Suttons Bay Township (official site: https://www.leelanau.gov/).

  • Population: 22,871
  • Households: 9,246
  • Median household income: $82,345
  • Median home value: $371,200
  • Below poverty line: 6.7%
  • Land area: 347.2 sq mi
  • Population density: 65.9 people / sq mi
  • Public libraries indexed: 4
  • NCES schools indexed: 8
CT
13th Circuit Court Civil Case Records
Official Free
Court case information for Leelanau County — dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. It is an official government source.
CT
Circuit Court Criminal Records Search - 13th Circuit Court
Official Free
CRIMINAL: Felony offenses that are bound over to 13th Circuit Court are those charges which are punishable by more than one (1) year in a state prison. Any misdemeanor offenses are considered part of District Court and are not included in this database. The database includes cases filed from.
CT
86th District Court | Grand Traverse County, MI
Official Free
Grand Traverse County: Mondays 2:30 pm-4:00 pm, Leelanau County: Wednesdays 9:00 am-11:00 am and Antrim County: Mondays 1:30 pm to 3:30pm. Learn More Proceedings will be conducted virtually to the maximum extent possible, consistent with Administrative Order 2020-6 (extended buy AO 2020-12).
CT
leelanaucounty
Official Free
The Leelanau Probate Court and Family Court has moved to Phase 4 of the Return to Operations Plan set forth by the State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO). The Leelanau County Probate Court and of the 13th Circuit Court-Family Division has.
CT
FAQs • Where do I mail my payment?
Official Free
This is the court-records channel for Leelanau County: case searches and docket details. If a link breaks, the office homepage at gtcountymi.gov carries the new path.
CT
Michigan | Pay a Ticket Online
Official Free
Michigan's statewide ticket-payment search. Find a payable citation by ticket number or name and settle it online without a court appearance, where the court allows.
CT
Mifilecourtlist (PDF)
Official Free
Court case information for Michigan. Try surname-only searches when a full name returns nothing; spelling variations are common. Civil, criminal, probate, and traffic divisions may index separately — check each if a search runs dry.
PR
leelanaucounty
Official Free
Mission Statement: To provide for a fair system of property assessment and taxation and to provide professional mapping services for all cities and townships in Leelanau County.ServicesAdministration: Equalization administration provides direction.
PR
Leelanau County GIS Maps - ArcGIS Online
Official Free
Leelanau County GIS Maps https://leelanau.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html View Leelanau County geographic information systems for maps and to conduct analysis on property boundaries, route guidance information. Leelanau County Maps https://leelanau.com/map/ View Leelanau County maps index for.
PR
Register to Vote - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
To register or update your voter registration for the upcoming election, you must go to your city or township clerk's office as soon as possible, but no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can vote during the same visit. Here is what you need to bring with you.
PR
Preliminary Plat & Condominium Review
Official Free
Assessment and tax records covering Leelanau County are published through this system. If a link breaks, the office homepage at michigan.gov carries the new path.
CR
Leelanau County
Official Free
The Division of Victim Services (DVS) provides a voice advocating for and responding to all victims of crime in Michigan. Learn more about DVS-funded programs and services, including Michigan’s 24/7, free, confidential, and anonymous domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines.
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”.
VR
Downloads Leelanauagacreportrec
Official Free
Official public records resource for Leelanau County, Michigan. Hours, fees, and request forms live here and stay current. Requests route faster when they cite exactly what this office says it holds.
VR
Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
This is where Leelanau County handles voter registration records and election operations. Searching the official side is free.
RD
Leelanau County Register of Deeds - Self-Service
Official Free
Use of automated processes (program search records or mine index data is strictly prohibited by Leelanau County and may result in suspension or termination of the violator's access privileges. Any high-volume automated access attempts will be regarded as Denial of Service attacks and may
BZ
leelanaucounty
Official Free
Surrounded by 100 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, four islands north of the mainland, 341 square miles of surface area and 28 square miles of inland lakes provides a real challenge with respect to public safety endeavors! Leelanau County is well known for being a "tourist destination", rural in character with 40% of our land wooded, making Leelanau's hilly terrain some of the most picturesque in the entire state. Our staff works closely with Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police, National Park Rangers, Michigan State Police, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers and U.S.
BZ
Notary services
Official Free
A notarization on a document certifies that the person whose signature is entered on the document personally appeared before the notary, established his or her identity, and personally signed the document in the presence of the notary. To meet the qualifications of a Michigan Notary Public, all the following must be met by the applicant. Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence · Be a resident of the county in which you request appointment (if you do not reside in Michigan, maintain a principal place of business in the county you request appointment)
BZ
Voter registration statistics - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
There are approximately 7.3 million active registered voters in Michigan.
BZ
Building Safety
Official Free
Recorded documents for Leelanau County — deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases — are indexed through this office. It is an official government source.
BZ
leelanaucounty
Official Free
Recorded documents for Leelanau County — deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases — are indexed through this office. Searching the official side is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up court cases in Leelanau County?
Leelanau County court cases are filed with the County Clerk. Search the 13th Circuit Court Civil Case Records portal: https://civilrecords.gtcountymi.gov/iprodp/cccivil.cgi. For federal matters, see PACER.
Can I find out if someone is divorced in Michigan?
Yes. Search the court case index for the person's name in the county where they lived. Most Michigan counties offer free online case-search portals. The state vital records office also issues divorce verifications for a fee.
Does an active warrant show up on a background check in Michigan?
Yes. Active warrants in Michigan appear on name-based criminal background checks through the Michigan State Police system the moment they are entered. Some employers also run a separate NCIC warrant query, which catches federal warrants as well.
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.