Ottawa County Michigan Public Records

We are glad you came to this page. Our goal is to help you find the Ottawa County Public Records you need. We will give you clear facts and links. This guide aims to make your search fast and easy. We hope this data serves you well.

If you want to begin your search right now, visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/ottawa-county-public-records/. This resource allows you to start looking for various Ottawa County Public Records immediately. It can be a quick way to access information if you already know what you are looking for. The site offers a way to search different record types from one place, which might save you time compared to visiting multiple county department pages.

Accessing Ottawa County Public Records

Your Rights Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The law in Michigan helps people get public records. It is called the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. You can find the full law text here: Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) Section 15.231 et seq. This act gives most folks the right to see or get copies of records from public groups. This includes state and local government bodies in Ottawa County. Most people can ask for records. One key group cannot: those in jail or prison. Not all records are open, though. Some data must be kept private by law. This could be personal health facts or parts of an open police case. FOIA helps keep government open.

General Methods for Obtaining Records

You can get Ottawa County Public Records in a few ways. Many records can be found online. The County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and Sheriff have web tools. You can search some data for free. Getting full copies online may cost a small fee. You can also go to the right county office. Ask for records in person during work hours. Bring ID if you need it. Sending requests by mail is another way. Write down the exact record you need. Include your contact info. Some offices take requests by email or fax too. Check the specific department's page first. This will tell you the best way to ask.

Understanding Potential Fees

Getting copies of records often costs money. The fee pays for the time and work to find and copy them. For paper copies made in an office, the cost is often $1 per page. If you need a certified copy with an official seal, it costs more. This is often $5 or more per document. Online searches might be free. But viewing or printing full documents online usually has a fee. Credit card use online may add a small service charge. Big requests under FOIA might cost more. This covers the staff time spent searching for and reviewing records. The office will tell you the cost before you pay.

Ottawa County Clerk & Register of Deeds Office

Overview of Services

The Ottawa County Clerk and Register of Deeds work as one main office. They manage many key public records. This office has different parts or divisions. These include Vital Records, Register of Deeds, Elections, and Circuit Court Records. Justin F. Roebuck is the current County Clerk/Register of Deeds. The main office is in West Olive. Some services are also at offices in Grand Haven. They aim to give good service to all who need records or help. They handle things from birth papers to land sales. They also run elections and keep court files.

Vital Records Division

This part of the Clerk's office keeps life event records. You can get copies of birth certificates here. Death certificates are also kept here. Need a copy of a marriage license? Ask this division. They also process applications for Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPL). You can order birth, death, or marriage records in many ways. The easiest way for some is online through the county website. You can also go to an office in person. The main Vital Records office is in West Olive. There is also one in Grand Haven. You can mail, fax, or email your request too. Send emails to countyclerk@miottawa.org.

• Main Office: 12220 Fillmore Street, Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460. Phone: 616-994-4531. Fax: 616-994-4538.

• Grand Haven Office: 414 Washington Avenue, Room 115, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Phone: 616-846-8109. Fax: 616-846-8131.

• Hours: Both offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Fees: A certified copy costs $15. Each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $6. Online orders might have a small extra fee. You often need to show ID.

Register of Deeds Division

The Register of Deeds keeps all records about land in Ottawa County. This includes who owns property. You can find deeds that show sales. Mortgages linked to land are filed here. Liens placed on property are also recorded. Maps called plats show how land is split up. Surveys show land borders. You can search these property records. Use the Online Deeds Search on the county site. The search itself is free. Viewing or getting copies costs money. You can also search Plat Maps online. Some firms can file deeds using eRecording. You can also visit the office. They can help you search or get copies there.

The Register of Deeds office warns that staff cannot give legal advice. This is stated in Michigan law MCL 600.916(1). They also offer a free Property Fraud Alert service. Sign up to get an email if a document is recorded with your name. This helps guard against fraud. It is a good step for all land owners.

• Recording Office: 12220 Fillmore St, Room 146, West Olive, MI 49460. Phone: 616-994-4510. Fax: 616-994-4521.

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

• Fees: Copies in person cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $5 per document. Online access has its own fee structure.

Elections Division

The Clerk's office also runs elections in Ottawa County. They keep voter lists up to date. They manage all local, state, and federal polls. You can find election results on their website. They post past and recent results. Find summaries or results by precinct. Need to know who your elected leaders are? Use their online tool. Put in your address to find local, state, and federal contacts. The site also has a Voter Information Hub. It gives facts to help you vote.

Circuit Court Records Division

The County Clerk also manages records for the 20th Circuit Court. This court handles big cases. These include serious crimes called felonies. They also hear civil suits. This means cases where people sue each other. Divorce cases are handled here too. The Family Division deals with youth issues and family law. You can search for and ask for these court records. The court uses an online system called MiFILE. You can file court papers online with this system. You can also search for case information. You might need an account. You can also email requests to circuitcourtrecords@miottawa.org. If asking about a crime case, send a copy of your ID. Mail and in-person requests are also options.

Court staff cannot give legal help. They can help you find records. They cannot tell you what to file or say in court. Ottawa County has a Legal Self Help Center. It offers help with court forms and steps. Find info on the Clerk's site. You can pay court fees online too.

• Main Office (Civil/Criminal): 414 Washington Ave, Room 320, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Phone: 616-846-8315. Fax: 616-846-8147.

• Family Justice Center (Family/Juvenile): 12240 Fillmore St, Room 50, West Olive, MI 49460. Phone: 616-846-8315. Fax: 616-738-4638.

• Hours: Both locations are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Ottawa County Courts

20th Circuit Court

As noted, the Clerk's office holds the records for this court. The Circuit Court handles the most serious cases. Its Family Division focuses on divorce, child custody, and juvenile justice. The contact details for records are listed under the Clerk/RoD section above. The specific phone for the Juvenile division office in West Olive is 616-786-4100.

58th District Court

The District Court handles smaller cases. This includes traffic tickets and minor crimes (misdemeanors). Small claims court is part of District Court. This is for money disputes under a set limit. The District Court also holds early hearings for felony cases. These are called preliminary examinations. To get District Court records, you likely need to contact the court location where the case was heard. You can visit in person or send a mail request. Online access might be limited compared to Circuit Court. There are three District Court locations in Ottawa County.

• Grand Haven: 414 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Phone: 616-846-8280. Fax: 616-846-8291.

• Holland: 85 West 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423. Phone: 616-392-6991.

• Hudsonville: 3100 Port Sheldon Road, Hudsonville, MI 49426. Phone: 616-662-3100. Fax: 616-669-2950.

Ottawa County Probate Court

The Probate Court deals with specific legal matters. It handles wills and estates after someone dies. It appoints guardians for those who cannot care for themselves. This could be minors or adults. It sets up conservatorships to manage money for someone else. To get Probate Court records, contact their office. In-person or mail requests are common ways. The main Probate Court office is in Grand Haven.

• Grand Haven: 414 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. (Note: Check specific room number). Phone: 616-846-8305 (Confirm phone number, this may vary). Fax: 616-846-8179.

Ottawa County Sheriff's Office Records

Types of Law Enforcement Records

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office keeps records on crime and public safety. You can ask for copies of crash reports (also called UD-10 forms). They also have criminal or incident reports. These detail events deputies respond to. The Sheriff runs the county jail. You can find info on inmates, such as rules for Video Visitation. Crime victims can sign up for Victim Notification about an inmate's status. The Sheriff maintains the local data for the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. You can search this online. They also offer incident mapping to show recent calls for service.

Requesting Sheriff's Records

How you ask for a record depends on the type. If you were in a crash, you can buy your own report online. Use the LexisNexis portal linked on the Sheriff's site. You need the report number. If you need a crash report for someone else, or don't have the number, use FOIA. For all other reports, like crime or incident reports, you must use the Ottawa County FOIA Center. This is the best way to submit requests. You can track your request online. You can also mail, fax, or drop off a written FOIA request form. Reports are not ready right away. The office has 5 work days to respond under FOIA. They might take a 10-day extension if needed. There is usually a fee based on the time spent. Many requests cost less than $10.

Contact Information & Locations

The Sheriff's Office has its main building and the jail in West Olive. Eric J. DeBoer is the current Sheriff.

• Administration Building: 12220 Fillmore St, West Olive, MI 49460. Phone: 616-738-4000 or toll-free in county: 888-731-1001. Fax: 616-738-4062. Email Sheriff: edeboer@miottawa.org. Email Undersheriff: dkok@miottawa.org.

• County Jail: 12130 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI 49460. Phone: 616-738-4650.

Records Unit Specifics

The Records Unit handles report requests. They take cash or money orders for the exact amount. They also take Visa or Mastercard credit cards. You must show photo ID matching the card name. A fee applies to card use. They do not accept personal checks. Business checks for the exact amount are okay.

Other Public Record Resources

Township Records

Local townships also keep public records. These often include meeting minutes, zoning rules, and voter lists for that area. Each township has its own clerk. For example, Olive Township has FOIA forms on its site. You can find them here: Olive Township FOIA Information. Contact the specific township clerk for their records.

Archives of Michigan

For very old records, check the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. They hold historical Ottawa County records. This includes old court cases, business filings, census data, and some vital records from long ago. A guide to their Ottawa County holdings is sometimes available online. Some records might be housed at Western Michigan University's archives.