Population
374K
County Seat
Ann Arbor
Libraries
15
Schools
94

Searching Washtenaw County: what to expect

Washtenaw County publishes some records directly — a single local source below — and leans on state systems for the rest. Michigan courts search county by county, and Washtenaw County has no public online docket listed — case records mean the clerk's office, or the statewide options on the Michigan court records page. The standout local source is washtenaw.org, covering parcel and property-tax data. For vital records there's no county-level source online — the statewide routes on the Michigan vital records page cover that piece. Anything not online lives with the county offices in Ann Arbor.

SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — verified against official government sources. About our editorial process.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Washtenaw County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Michigan state publishers on the review date. 3 primary .gov / official sources cited below.

Washtenaw County — Key Numbers (2026)

Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Washtenaw County, Michigan — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
373,875
Population
Census estimate
148,704
Households
Census estimate
$84,245
Median income
Annual household
$336,300
Median home value
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
County seat
In Michigan
Washtenaw County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
3 sources
Court records
10 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
28 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

Washtenaw County Records at a Glance

Record typeWashtenaw County verified sources
Court records14B District Court Renovations
Links | City of Ann Arbor
Wants & warrantsNo verified source — see Washtenaw County state portal below
Property recordsMapWashtenaw | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Home | City of Ann Arbor | BS&A Online
Vital recordsNo verified source — see Washtenaw County state portal below
Voter recordsMichigan Voter Information Center
Professional licensesPermit Information | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Recorded documentsAgendas & Minutes | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Historic Preservation | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website | Official Website
Washtenaw County — Verified Record Sources by Type (2026)
Court records10Criminal records3Wants & warrants0Property records28Vital records0Voter records0Licenses1Recorded docs0
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Washtenaw County. Sources reviewed June 04, 2026.

What Changed in 2026 — Washtenaw County Records

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

The 4-Step Washtenaw County Records Pathway

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

MYTH"Washtenaw County maintains all criminal records."
FACTCriminal records for Washtenaw County are held by the Michigan state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
MYTH"Records sealed in Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw County data."
FACTOnly the official Michigan state repository has verified, current Washtenaw County data. Free sites often have stale data.
MYTH"The Washtenaw County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
FACTThe Washtenaw 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 — Washtenaw County & Michigan Records

For records not specific to Washtenaw County, use Michigan's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Michigan statewide record systems:
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Other counties in Michigan: Tuscola · Van Buren · Wayne · Wexford
Skip the directory — step-by-step Michigan guides that use these databases:

About Washtenaw County, Michigan

Washtenaw County is located in southeast Michigan. The county seat is Ann Arbor (official site: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/).

  • Households: 148,704
  • Median household income: $84,245
  • Median home value: $336,300
  • Below poverty line: 13.8%
  • Land area: 706.0 sq mi
  • Population density: 529.6 people / sq mi
PR
MapWashtenaw | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
It provides the general public with access to the latest property data available from Washtenaw County as well as other layers such as aerial photos, natural features, and topography.
PR
Welcome | Washtenaw County | BS&A Online
Official Free
BS&A Online is a collection of municipal services providing instant and convenient access to various kinds of important information held at your local government · Public Records Search allows any title companies, realtors, and other interested parties to view municipal information from a.
PR
Online Payment Utility Billing Search | City of Manchester | BS&A Online
Official Free
Official public records resource for Washtenaw County, Michigan. Hours, fees, and request forms live here and stay current. Older material may require an in-person visit or a mailed request.
PR
Online Payment Tax Search | City of Ann Arbor | BS&A Online
Official Free
Property assessment records for Washtenaw County, Michigan. Appeals go to this office on the schedule printed with each valuation notice. Researchers use these records to trace ownership when deed indexes are thin.
PR
Registered voters - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
There are approximately 7.3 million active registered voters in Michigan. The total number of active registered voters in Michigan and the definition of active registered voter can be found on the Michigan Voting Dashboard. More information about voter registration cancellation is available here.
PR
LARA - Subdivisions
Official Free
Assessment and tax records covering Washtenaw County are published through this system. It is an official government source.
CT
14B District Court Renovations
Official Free
Contact 14B District Court Emails are not to be used to file pleadings. 14Bcivil@washtenaw.org 14Btraffic-criminal@washtenaw.org 734.483.5300 Probation 14Bprobation@washtenaw.org 734.483.7336 Juror Information & Marriage Ceremonies Marriage Ceremonies have been suspended until further notice.
CT
Links | City of Ann Arbor
Official Free
Court case information for Washtenaw County, Michigan. Juvenile, adoption, and sealed matters are excluded by rule everywhere. The docket is the official chronology; news accounts and third-party sites derive from it.
CT
General Info | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
View useful links regarding the District Court. All locations of the 14A District Court are open for service from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, except for holidays listed in MCR 8.110 (D)(2) and the corresponding Local Administrative Orders of the 14A District Court 2025-05 Court Holidays for observing holidays - with the exception of 14A-3 District Court, which is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
CT
Estates | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
Some of the features of an informal proceeding are that no court hearings are necessary, a personal representative (sometimes referred to as an executor) is appointed by the court and given authority to probate the estate, and most of the activities involved in probating the estate are done without court involvement. Michigan law provides a streamlined process for distributing the assets in a decedent’s estate if the balance of the estate after the payment of the decedent’s funeral and burial expenses is less than a specified amount that is set by the State on an annual basis.
CT
Docket / Calendar - 14A District Court
Official Free
Changes to court dockets are constantly occurring. The court docket site is directly linked to the Court's case management system and will be updated as soon as case scheduling changes are made available to case management staff.
CT
Civil / Criminal | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
3 This division has jurisdiction over all actions except those given by state law to another court. Generally speaking, the civil/criminal division has original jurisdiction in all civil cases involving more than $25,000, and in all criminal.
CT
15th Judicial District Court Home | City of Ann Arbor
Official Free
​​Pursuant to MCL 600.8407(2)(a), the Court will not accept from a person, sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation more than five (5) small claims filings per week.​ · Small claims cases will be scheduled for online mediation through the Washtenaw County Dispute Resolution Center (DRC).
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
Traffic | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
If you have been issued a Civil Infraction citation, instructions for the "next steps" for you to take are found on the back of the citation. Also, the police officer will normally inform you of your obligations. Continue reading to learn how to make payments, cancel transactions, or obtain.
CT
14B District Court Menu
Official Free
Online Ticket Review: Traffic Citation Mediation Program If you have a civil infraction traffic citation that has not yet defaulted, you may be eligible to submit your citation for online review. Your citation will be reviewed to see if it meets the criteria for eligibility. If your citation qualifies, it will be sent to the issuing agency (Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department or Michigan.
CT
Available Courts - MiFILE - State of Michigan
Official Free
This is the court-records channel for Washtenaw County: case searches and docket details. Searching the official side is free.
CR
Most Wanted | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
Active-warrant information for Washtenaw County is posted through this channel. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
LC
Permit Information | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
A permit is a license which grants legal permission to start construction of a building project. Before any construction or remodeling work begins, application for a permit must be made.
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
VR
Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Election administration for Washtenaw County runs through this office, from voter rolls to results. If a link breaks, the office homepage at mvic.sos.state.mi.us carries the new path.
Washtenaw County Death Records - Vital Records Lookup
Official Free
MCL 333.2882 makes death records public in Michigan. Any person can ask for a certified copy. No proof of relationship or legal purpose is required. This open-access policy is the same in Washtenaw County as in every other county in the state.
Vital Records | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
Learn how to apply for a CPL in Washtenaw County. Learn how to obtain a marriage license. Information about access to certain Vital Records data and images for genealogical researchers. File an original copy or request a certified copy of military discharge papers on file in our office. Learn how to become a notary public commissioned by the Michigan Secretary of State to serve as an unbiased and impartial witness.
BZ
Agendas & Minutes | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, Ways and Means Committee, and Working Sessions meeting Agendas and Minutes.
BZ
Historic Preservation | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
The Washtenaw County Historic Preservation Program is dedicated to supporting local historic districts, spurring heritage tourism, and attracting investment in our historic resources.
BZ
Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website | Official Website
Official Free
Official public records resource for Washtenaw County, Michigan. Public-records law applies here: what they hold, you can generally request. Staff at offices like this handle lookup questions daily — asking is normal.
BZ
Request Records & Reports | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
The Records Division is responsible for recording and storing case files. They maintain all incident and accident reports generated by the Sheriff's Office. Purchase a copy of a birth record from the Washtenaw County clerk - Register's Office.
BZ
Election results - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Voter registration and election information for Michigan. It is the fastest way to verify a registration survived a move or name change. Election offices update the file continuously; a lookup today reflects the live roll.
BZ
Information for Candidates | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
Determine the position in which you are interested and its filing requirements; then, obtain the necessary documents from your local or county clerk, or the State Bureau of Elections. View campaign finance reports and information.
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
Elections | Washtenaw County, MI - Official Website
Official Free
Find polling locations for Washtenaw County. Each elective officer, except a judicial officer, is subject to recall by the voters of the electoral district in which the officer is elected as provided in this chapter. Commencing on November 7, 2017, Washtenaw County will be deploying its newly selected Hart InterCivic’s Verity Voting system to replace aging election equipment.