Free links to official Michigan state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 83 counties.
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.
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
What a state criminal-history check actually covers
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
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.
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."
FACTThe 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."
FACTOnly www.michigan.gov (the official Michigan repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
MYTH"Sealed records will show on a check."
FACTRecords sealed or expunged under Michigan law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
MYTH"Arrest = conviction on my record."
FACTAn 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."
FACTThe Michigan state check shows Michigan-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Case records from the Michigan courts serving Michigan surface through this system. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
In-custody listings for Berrien County post here, typically updated daily. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
This office holds the sheriff's records for Calhoun County. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Court case information for Crawford County — dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
If you are not a Michigan resident but require a Michigan criminal history record check, go to any law enforcement agency in the state where you reside and ask to be printed on an FBI Applicant Fingerprint card (FD-258).
Records for the 7th Circuit Court are maintained by the Legal Division of the Genesee County Clerk's Office. Circuit Court records include: ... Name Changes Due to restricted storage facilities on site, the following records are maintained at an off-site storage facility: Domestic Files -- All Years up to and Including 1999 · Criminal Files -- All Years up to and including 2001
Generally, parolees are housed in the community and live in other states through the Interstate Compact, to which Michigan belongs. PROB: Circuit court probationers are NOT under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections. They are under county jurisdiction. The department merely supervises these offenders for the county. As such, probationers who abscond from their sentences are subject to apprehension by the county, NOT the state.
Search for a person who may be lodged in the Isabella County Jail. Scammers may attempt to collect bail or bond money on behalf of inmates. Do not send money through gift cards, wire transfers, or other unofficial methods.
This online calendar does not alter or replace the official court records of any case. The Kalkaska County Judicial System is comprised of three different constitutional or statutory courts. These courts are the 46th Circuit Court, the 87-B District Court and the Kalkaska County Probate Court. With the approval from the Michigan ...
The Kent County Correctional Facility houses individuals in the custody of the Sheriff. It is designed to hold up to 1,500 inmates across all security levels.
44th Circuit Court Clerk 204 S Highlander Way, Suite 4 Howell, MI 48843 · Please make checks payable to the Livingston County Clerk. In-state checks or money orders only. Copy Fee: $1.50 per page* *Call, email, or fax request for page count Certification Fee: $10.00 per document · Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)
Law-enforcement records for Michigan route through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Misdemeanors are handled by the District Court for offenses which occur within Saginaw County. Misdemeanors are crimes of a less serious nature that carry a maximum jail term of 1 year in jail, including traffic misdemeanors. Some misdemeanors are punishable by more than 1 year in jail but ...
This is the court-records channel for Michigan: case searches and docket details. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
If user needs full filings, motions, ... request form (fees may apply) MiCOURT provides public access to many court cases: civil, criminal, traffic, probate, domestic and family matters ....
If you need information concerning an inmate’s specific charge, court case or bond type, you must contact the court of jurisdiction for the most up to date information. Specific information about an inmate beyond what is indicated on this search portal will not be shared with the general public.
All felonies committed in Genesee County will be arraigned, set for a probable cause conference, and given a tentative preliminary exam date at the 67th District Court located in downtown Flint. If you have been given a court appointed attorney and have questions regarding your case, please contact your attorney. If you do not know who the attorney of record is, please contact the 67th District Court. For more information regarding criminal ...
Court case information for Michigan — dockets, hearing dates, and case lookups. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Court Explorer - view Register of Actions and order Court Documents · Legal Name Changes - must be filed by mail or in person · Vital Records – birth, marriage and death certificates, marriage licenses, CPL, notary publics, assumed names/co-partnerships · Oakland County Clerk's Office 1200 N.
Mobile Site · If you have reason to believe any information contained here is inaccurate, please contact the facility. Content on this website is determined by the facility; JailTracker is not responsible, and assumes no liability, for any content or for any improper or incorrect use of the ...
This registry is made available through the Internet with the intent to better assist the public in preventing and protecting against the commission of future criminal sexual acts by convicted sex offenders.
Michigan runs this system centrally, so Michigan records appear alongside the rest of the state. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Close PACER Case Locator PACER Log in Manage PACER Account · An official website of the United States government ... Log in to... Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Type the name of a federal court to find links to login to CM/ECF – or – search by other information unique to that court, like their contact information, RSS feed, county codes, and…
83 Michigan counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which Michigan counties publish jail rosters and sheriff records online
16 of Michigan's 83 counties run their own online source for jail rosters and sheriff records, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
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.
