How to Search Michigan Criminal Records (Start Here)
Michigan criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Michigan state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the County Clerk in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Statewide criminal-history agency
Public name-based search
Fingerprint-based screening
Sex offender registry
Open records statute
Number of counties
83 counties
Population
10,140,459
Households
4,023,700
Median Income
$68,505
Median Home Value
$199,100
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: Michigan repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Michigan Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) is Michigan's public name-based criminal history portal.
$10
Public access fee
Per state-only check
ICHAT online name-based
Primary method
How to submit
Michigan State Police
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
MCL §28.241
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — Michigan Criminal Records
2026
Michigan state-only check active
The Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center continues to process state criminal history checks via www.michigan.gov.
2026
Michigan background check fee structure
Current fee for a Michigan state-only check: $10. Method: ICHAT online name-based search.
2026
Michigan statutory framework
Michigan criminal history records are governed by MCL §28.241 and disseminated through Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center.
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside Michigan, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.
The 4-Step Michigan Criminal Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a Michigan state-only check from the Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
ICHAT online name-based search. Current fee: $10.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at www.michigan.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Michigan Criminal Records
❌ Myth: "Michigan background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center check covers ONLY Michigan arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only www.michigan.gov (the official Michigan repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Michigan law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Michigan public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Michigan state check shows Michigan-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- www.michigan.gov — Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center — Official Michigan criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
📍 Other Michigan records:
- Michigan Court Records →
- Michigan Property Records →
- Michigan Vital Records →
- Michigan Voter Records →
- Michigan Wants & Warrants →
- Michigan Licenses →
- Michigan Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 Criminal Records in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Criminal Records hub →
Related Public Records
More Michigan records: Court records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Criminal Records Databases
28 official Michigan criminal records sources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official Michigan background check?▼
Michigan's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center. Begin the request at www.michigan.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Michigan statute.
Are Michigan criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Michigan is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center explains who can request what at www.michigan.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Michigan?▼
A state check from the Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center (www.michigan.gov) covers only criminal activity within Michigan. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Michigan criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center. The Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center documentation at www.michigan.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Michigan criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Michigan criminal history, the Michigan State Police - Criminal Justice Information Center offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.michigan.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.