SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all St Joseph County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Michigan state publishers on the review date. 3 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
St Joseph County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for St Joseph County, Michigan — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
61,171
Population
Census estimate
23,478
Households
Census estimate
$62,281
Median income
Annual household
$152,800
Median home value
Census ACS
Centreville
County seat
In Michigan
Criminal records
2 sources
Court records
see state portal
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
10 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
St Joseph County Records at a Glance
| Record type | St Joseph County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | No verified source — see St Joseph County state portal below |
| Criminal records | County Clerk – St. Joseph County Genealogy Research - St. Joseph County |
| Wants & warrants | No verified source — see St Joseph County state portal below |
| Property records | Register of Deeds | St. Joseph County, MI Home | St Joseph County | BS&A Online |
| Vital records | No verified source — see St Joseph County state portal below |
| Voter records | No verified source — see St Joseph County state portal below |
| Professional licenses | No verified source — see St Joseph County state portal below |
| Recorded documents | No verified source — see St Joseph County state portal below |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for St Joseph County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — St Joseph County Records
2026
St Joseph County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for St Joseph County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
St Joseph County property records online
St Joseph County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Michigan, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements all county-level state records.
The 4-Step St Joseph County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the St Joseph County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the St Joseph 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 St Joseph County Records
❌ Myth: "St Joseph County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for St Joseph County are held by the Michigan state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in St Joseph 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 St Joseph County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Michigan state repository has verified, current St Joseph County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The St Joseph County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The St Joseph 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)
- stjosephcountymi.gov — Criminal records — official source
- www.stjosephcountymi.gov — Property records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — St Joseph County & Michigan Records
For records not specific to St Joseph County, use Michigan's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Michigan statewide record systems:
- Michigan Court Records →
- Michigan Criminal Records →
- Michigan Property Records →
- Michigan Vital Records →
- Michigan Voter Records →
- Michigan Wants & Warrants →
- Michigan Licenses →
- Michigan Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Michigan statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About St. Joseph County, Michigan
St Joseph is located in MI. The county seat is Centreville.
- Population: 61,171
- Households: 23,478
- Median household income: $62,281
- Median home value: $152,800
- Below poverty line: 12.9%
- Land area: 500.6 sq mi
- Population density: 122.2 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 7
- NCES schools indexed: 28
Register of Deeds | St. Joseph County, MI
Official Free
Your Register of Deeds is responsible for recording, indexing and maintaining the records of all property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other legal documents affecting real estate in St. Joseph County, along with many other miscellaneous legal documents.
Home | St Joseph County | BS&A Online
Official Free
Welcome to BS&A Online, powered by BS&A Software. This page is filled with customizable widgets that allow you to interact with the BS&A data provided by the online and desktop applications · The Municipal Performance Dashboard includes financial and operating measures important to the government ...
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - St. Joseph County
Official Free
The GIS Department manages and analyzes the spatial data of St. Joseph County, including land ownership, infrastructure, and natural resources. We translate complex geographical data into accessible maps and reports to support county decision-making and public information needs.
Tax Maps | St. Joseph County, MI
Official Free
St. Building 612 Main St. PO Box 427 Tax Maps are maintained annually by the GIS Department . These maps are based on an annual snapshot of the GIS parcel data. You can find the most current GIS parcel data and much more information on FetchGIS or in the Interactive Map Portal.
Election results - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
75 ST. JOSEPH COUNTY · 13,544 · 76 SANILAC COUNTY · 8,698 · 77 SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY · 1,508 · 78 SHIAWASSEE COUNTY · 14,253 · 79 TUSCOLA COUNTY · 14,065 · 80 VAN BUREN COUNTY · 13,466 · 81 WASHTENAW COUNTY · 83,445 · 82 WAYNE COUNTY · 279,823 · 83 WEXFORD COUNTY · 6,110 · Election Data · Voter Turnout Data
Search for a Licensee - Accela Citizen Access
Official Free
Enter information below to search for a Licensee in the Agency's database. Licensee information can be searched by entering any of the following information: • Name • Business Name • License Type • License Number • City, State
St Joseph County Home Page
Official Free
Joseph County, MIGenWeb Coordinator. Thank you for visiting! While I do not live in St. Joseph County, please feel free to · email me and I will help you however I can. As I change the layout and look of the site, please feel free to · email me with errors, bad links, or omissions if you find any. Sign up for the St. Joseph County Genealogy ...
Saint Joseph City Cemetery in Saint Joseph, Michigan - Find a Grave Cemetery
Official Free
We don't know the total number of burials in a cemetery, so we cannot calculate a percentage of those with memorials, photos or GPS coordinates. The cemetery is located on the west side of Lakeview Avenue at its intersection with Madison Avenue .
Monterey County Planning Department - IIS Windows Server
Official Free
MUST CONTACT HCD-ENGINEERING SERVICES STAFF TO APPLY FOR AN ADDRESS] (Assessor's · Parcel Number 416-291-006-000), Toro Area Plan. Coastal Development Permit to allow a Minor Subdivision and Vesting Tentative Map to divide two lots
Notary services
Official Free
Have filed with the appropriate county clerk a proper surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and taken the oath of office as prescribed by the State Constitution (Michigan licensed attorneys are exempt · Sign a declaration that all information on your application for Michigan Notary Public Commission is correct, that you have read the Michigan Notary Public Act, and that you will perform all notarial ...
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ST. JOSEPH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Official Free
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A. Board Meeting Minutes – April 15, 2025 · B. Tentative Agreement – Command Officers Association of Michigan
Staff Directory - St. Joseph County
Official Free
Skip to content · Get Started · We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website · Accept · Decline · Search · Live results for the May 5th, 2026 election are now available. Click here to view updates . More election information is available here: Current election ...
Marriage Certificate - St. Joseph County
Official Free
Marriage Records & Certified Copies Marriage records are open to the public and filed in the county of residence where the license was issued. St. Joseph County records are available from 1832 to present. Request Online Complete your request through the official portal .
Genealogy Research - St. Joseph County
Official Free
Genealogy & Historical Research St. Joseph County Clerk’s Office maintains public records dating back to the 1830s. Available Archives Marriage Records (1832-Present) Court Records (1833-Present) Death Records (1867-Present) Birth Records (1867-Present) *Birth records are closed.
County Clerk – St. Joseph County
Official Free
The General Division maintains official records for the County and Board of Commissioners. We issue vital records—including birth, death, and marriage certificates —along with business registrations, concealed pistol licenses, veteran discharges, notary commissions, and genealogy records.
Additional Records
Death Records – St. Joseph County
Official Free
This online search is provided as an aid for genealogical research. It allows you to verify if a death was recorded in St. Joseph County and obtain the record number · Note: The actual death record cannot be viewed through this interface. To view a full record, please bring the name and record ...
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find St Joseph County property records?
St Joseph County property records are maintained by the Register of Deeds, which records deeds, mortgages, and liens. Search the Register of Deeds | St. Joseph County, MI portal directly: https://www.stjosephcountymi.gov/government/register-of-deeds.
Does an arrest show up on a background check before conviction in Michigan?
Yes — in Michigan, an arrest can appear on a name-based background check from the moment of booking, even before any court ruling. Whether it appears on an employment screening depends on the type of check (name-based vs. fingerprint-based) and how recent the arrest is.
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.
Are St Joseph County records free to search?
Yes — every link on this page goes to an official government source. Basic searches are free. Certified copies and formal background checks carry the standard government fee.