Ingham County Michigan Public Records

We are glad you came here for help. We aim to guide your Ingham County Public Records search. Our goal is to give you the facts you need. We will do our best to make your search easy.

If you want to begin your search right now, you can visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/ingham-county-public-records/. This site offers a way to start looking for Ingham County Public Records fast. It can help you find links and information. It is a good place to start if you are short on time. Check it out for quick access.

Accessing Ingham County Public Records

Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage)

The Ingham County Clerk holds vital records. This includes birth, death, and marriage papers for events in the county. You can reach the Clerk's office for these records.

Ingham County Clerk's Office Details

• Address: 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854

• Phone: (517) 676-7201

• Email: clerk@ingham.org

• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Note they close for lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

How to Request Vital Records You have a few ways to ask for records. You can often request them online via the Clerk's website portal. You might need to pay and show ID online. You can also send a request by mail. Fill out the right form. Include a copy of your photo ID. Add the fee payment. Mail it to the Clerk's P.O. Box. Or, you can go to the Clerk's office in Mason during business hours. Bring your ID and payment.

Eligibility and Required Information Not everyone can get all vital records. Birth records often have limits. Usually, you must be the person named, a parent on the cert, an heir, or a legal rep. You will need to give key facts. This includes the full name on the record. The date of the event (birth, death, marriage) is needed. The place of the event in Ingham County is also key. You must also provide your valid photo ID.

Fees and Official Forms There is a cost for certified copies. For birth or death records, the fee is often around $30 per copy. Make checks or money orders payable to Ingham County Clerk. You must use the official request forms. Look for the Ingham County birth certificate request form or death certificate request form. These are found on the County Clerk's official website. Always check the Clerk's site for the current fee and forms before you send a request. Ensure your ID copy is clear. Payment must be the right amount.

Property and Land Records

The Ingham County Register of Deeds keeps property records. This means deeds, mortgages, liens, and land papers. These records show property ownership and details in the county.

Ingham County Register of Deeds Details

• Address: 341 S. Jefferson St, 2nd Floor, Mason, MI 48854

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 195, Mason, MI 48854-0195

• Phone: (517) 676-7216

• Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Vault Hours: By Appointment Only, between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM daily. Call ahead to book a time.

Online Property Record Search Options Ingham County offers ways to search online. You can use tools linked from their official site. Look for names like Direct Search, Tapestry, or Laredo. Access these via the Register of Deeds page: https://rd.ingham.org/departments_and_officials/register_of_deeds/records_on-line.php. Some tools may need a subscription or have fees per search. You usually search by owner name, address, or parcel ID number. These tools provide quick access to recorded document details. Images may be available for a fee.

Requesting Copies If you cannot search online, you can request copies. Visit the office in person. Remember the vault needs an appointment. Or, send a request by mail. Your mail request needs key details. Include the property owner's name or a good property description. List the document number or book and page if known. Include payment for copies. The standard fee is $1 per page for plain copies. Add $5 per document if you need it certified. Mail your request and payment to the Register of Deeds P.O. Box.

Recording Fees, Tax Certification, and Document Standards When documents are filed, fees apply. Copy fees are $1 per page. Certification is $5 extra per document. If you record a new deed, fees depend on the page count. Some deeds need tax certification first. This comes from the County Treasurer's office. It costs $5. This applies to warranty deeds or land contracts. Transfer tax may also be due. Exemptions must be stated on the deed per state law. Documents filed must meet rules. Use white paper, 8.5x11 or 8.5x14 inches. Use black ink, font size 10 point or larger. Leave a 2.5-inch margin at the top of page one. Names must be typed or printed below signatures. The preparer's name and address are required. The grantee's address must be on deeds. List the marital status of male grantors. Check the Register of Deeds site or Michigan law (MCL 565.201) for full rules.

Court Case Records

Ingham County has several courts. Each handles different types of cases. Their records are generally public.

Types of Courts in Ingham County

• 30th Circuit Court: Handles major civil cases (over $25,000). Also handles felony criminal cases. Includes the Family Division for divorce, child custody, adoption, and juvenile matters.

• District Courts (54A, 54B, 55th): Handle misdemeanors. Also traffic violations, small claims (up to $6,500), and landlord-tenant issues. Civil cases up to $25,000 are heard here too.

• Probate Court: Handles wills, estates, trusts. Also guardianships and conservatorships. Mental health cases are heard here too.

Ingham County Circuit Court Clerk

• Location: Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48933

• Phone: (517) 483-6500

• Hours: Usually Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. (Check website for current hours).

Ingham County District Courts

• 54A District Court (Lansing): Lansing City Hall, 124 West Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone: (517) 483-4433.

• 54B District Court (East Lansing): 101 Linden Street, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 351-7000.

• 55th District Court (Mason/County): 700 Buhl Street, Mason, MI 48854. Phone: (517) 676-8400.

• Hours: Typically Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for clerk offices. (Verify with each court).

Ingham County Probate Court

• Location: Often listed at Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48933 (co-located/shares Clerk with Circuit Court).

• Phone: Use Circuit Court number (517) 483-6500, ask for Probate Clerk.

• Hours: Match Circuit Court hours.

Online Court Record Access Some court records can be viewed online. Ingham County offers a search portal: https://courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch/. You can search by name or case number for Circuit and Probate cases. Note that a date of birth is required for criminal case searches by name. Some case types, like Personal Protection Orders (PPOs), are not available online. Also, the statewide MiCOURT Case Search platform (https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/) includes many Michigan courts, potentially including Ingham County District Court cases not on the county portal. There is no cost to search on these official sites, but getting copies may have fees. Remember online results might not be the full official record.

Accessing Records In Person or by Mail You can always view the official court record in person. Go to the clerk's office for the court that handled the case. Bring case information if you have it. You can request copies there. Fees usually apply. You may also be able to request records by mail. Contact the specific court clerk's office. Ask about their mail request procedure. You will likely need to send a letter with case details. Include payment for copy fees.

Court Record Fees Getting copies of court records costs money. Fees vary by court and type of copy. Plain copies might be $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. Check the fee schedule for the specific court (Circuit, District, or Probate). Look on their official websites or call the clerk's office.

Criminal Records, Arrests, and Inmate Information

The Ingham County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and jail info. Formal criminal records are kept by courts and the state.

Ingham County Sheriff's Office Details

• Address: 630 North Cedar Street, Mason, MI 48854

• Phone: For non-emergencies, find the number on their official website. (Admin offices often use 517-676-2431, but verify).

• Hours: Administrative offices are typically open Monday to Friday during business hours. Law enforcement operates 24/7.

Requesting Incident Reports To get a copy of a police or incident report from the Sheriff, you usually need to file a FOIA request. See the FOIA section below for how to do this. The Sheriff's Office may have a specific form or online portal for these requests. Check their website. Fees may apply based on search time and copy costs.

Ingham County Jail Inmate Locator Tool You can look up people currently in the Ingham County Jail. Use the online tool: https://jail.ingham.org/. You can search by the inmate's name or inmate number. This tool shows booking information and charges. It does not show past jail stays.

Inmate Mail and Deposits The jail uses a digital mail system. Mail sent to inmates is first processed off-site. Family and friends can send letters and greeting cards. Use standard postage. Mail is scanned and delivered to inmates digitally. To put money on an inmate's account, use the link provided on the jail locator site (https://jail.ingham.org/). It directs you to eXpressAccount. You can also send e-messages or schedule video visits via www.smartjailmail.com. Call SmartJailMail at (727) 349-1561 for help with those services. These services allow you to stay in touch with those housed at the facility. Check the rules carefully.

Statewide Criminal History Checks The Sheriff's Office and county courts hold local records. For a statewide check of Michigan criminal history, you must use the official state resource. This is the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Find it here: https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Login.aspx.  ICHAT searches the state's central database. There is a fee for each search performed using ICHAT. This is the official way to get a person's Michigan conviction record. Fingerprint based checks offer a more complete history. Follow MSP instructions for those.

Business Related Records

Some business records are public at the county level. Others are held by cities or townships.

Assumed Names (DBAs) If a business uses a name different from the owner's legal name, they must file an Assumed Name certificate. This is often called a "Doing Business As" or DBA. These are filed with the Ingham County Clerk's Office. Contact the Clerk (details in Vital Records section) for forms, fees, and search options.

Business Licenses Licenses needed to operate a business are usually handled locally. Check with the city or township where the business is located. For example, contact the City Clerk for Lansing (https://www.lansingmi.gov/179/City-Clerk) or East Lansing (https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/171/City-Clerk). They manage local business license records and requirements.

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Public Records

Michigan law gives you the right to see public records. This right comes from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Your Rights Under Michigan FOIA The Michigan FOIA (MCL 15.231 et seq.) allows most people to access public records. Public records are writings prepared or used by a public body. This includes Ingham County departments. Note that persons in prison have limited FOIA rights. Some records are exempt by law. This could be due to privacy or security reasons. You have the right to inspect records. You can also get copies. Learn more at the Michigan Attorney General's FOIA page: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/foia. 

How to Submit a FOIA Request in Ingham County Your request must be in writing. You can mail, fax, email, or hand deliver it. Address it to the specific county department that has the records. For example, send requests for Sheriff records to the Sheriff's Office. Send Clerk records requests to the Clerk. Describe the records you seek clearly. Be specific so they can find them. Include your name and contact information. Some departments may have a FOIA form or coordinator. Check the department's page on the Ingham County website (https://www.ingham.org/) for details.

Potential Costs and Agency Response Times The county can charge fees for FOIA requests. Fees cover the cost of finding, reviewing, copying, and mailing records. They can charge for labor time spent. You can ask for a fee estimate first. Low income persons may get a fee reduction. The public body must respond within 5 business days. They will grant the request, deny it, or grant part of it. They can also take a 10 business day extension if needed. They must explain any denial in writing. It must cite the FOIA exemption used. You can appeal denials to the head of the public body or to court. Understanding the process helps manage expectations for time and cost.