Access Macomb County Public Records: Search Anyone for Free

X

Free Macomb County Public Records Search

Access Macomb County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

First Name

Last Name

City (Optional)

State ALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act and Enhanced Access to Public Records Act ensure that many Macomb County public records are readily available to members of the public.

Anyone can obtain information about Macomb County warrants and arrests or find prisoner information. It is also possible to find a person’s probation status, criminal records, and court cases through official custodians. Moreover, marital, divorce, and property records are considered public information and can be accessed by anyone.

Citizens hoping to run a background check or find specific information can do so in various ways, often for free. However, knowing which agencies and departments host each type of public record is imperative.

This resource directs searchers to the relevant departments and agencies that host public records in Macomb County, Michigan, and details the most efficient and streamlined process to view or acquire each type.

How To Execute a Free Arrest Record & Inmate Search in Macomb County

People attempting to find someone’s mugshot or locate inmates in the Macomb County jail can use the Sheriff’s Office inmate locator tool.¹ This convenient jail records tool only requires users to enter the inmate’s first and last name and is a good starting point for anyone looking for Macomb County bookings.

Knowing the person’s name, date of birth, sex, and race can speed up the search process when seeking Macomb County arrest records — as can having the relevant booking number and the potential offender’s social security number. However, citizens can also provide a physical description and explain the circumstances of the criminal offense to gather information.

Additional methods to obtain arrest information on the county level include utilizing the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office’s Records Office to obtain copies of police reports following a FOIA request. The Records Office can be reached via email at [email protected], and FOIA requests can also be emailed to [email protected].

The Sheriff’s Office can also be reached by phone at (586)-469-5151. Searchers should ask to speak with the Records Office. Last but not least, interested parties can visit the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office in person at 43565 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043.

Find Arrests & Obtain Police Reports via Police Departments Within Macomb County

While citizens should generally check for recent arrests through the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office first, contacting the Macomb County Jail, city jails, and local police departments can also reveal whether someone relevant to them is in jail, has been arrested, or the intricacies of the arrest by requesting a police report.

The county’s official website publishes a list of Macomb County police departments, including phone numbers, to make the process more convenient.³

For example, Warren is the largest city in Macomb County, and citizens can call its Records Office at (586)-574-4760 or visit the police department at 29900 South Civic Center Boulevard in Warren, Michigan.

The Sterling Heights Police Department is located at 40333 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights, 48313, and can be reached by phone at 586-446-2801.

The Eastpointe Police Department can be reached at (586)-445-5100 and is based at 16083 E. 9 Mile Rd., Eastpointe, Michigan 48021.

Begin by asking how you can obtain information about recent arrests and be willing to visit the relevant police department in person if needed.

The Macomb County Records Office, which maintains all criminal records for the county, is another valuable source of information. Members of the public can file a FOIA request to gain access to criminal background information.⁴

Individuals considering filing a FOIA request with the Macomb County Records Office should know that the office processes requests made under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act; all FOIA requests must be made in writing and the Records Office charges fees for each one.

These fees are based on the labor and material costs (such as printing and transferring files) associated with each request.

How To Complete a Macomb County Criminal Record Search

Citizens looking for Macomb County criminal records have two major options aside from checking with local law enforcement agencies. They can either seek information through Michigan state custodians or through the county circuit court.

Michigan’s Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) is a public records repository that provides information about inmates in Michigan state prisons. This state-wide tool lets searchers find information about offenders who are under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections or have been in the past three years.

Searchers only need to know an inmate’s first and last names to discover where the inmate is incarcerated. OTIS further offers free information about an inmate’s predicted release date.

Using the OTIS system is both convenient and free of charge.

The other option is Michigan’s ICHAT system, which allows citizens with registered accounts to conduct criminal background checks. ICHAT is the state’s only official way to look up someone’s criminal record, and searchers hoping to use this vast database need to create an account to view all the information it provides.

Since the ICHAT requires an account and each result costs $10, a free criminal record check is not available in Michigan.

Access Criminal Records Through the Macomb County Circuit Court

People hoping to verify the criminal status of people who live in Macomb County or committed offenses there can also explore the possibility of looking at Macomb County judicial records to uncover further information.

Anyone can order court documents from Macomb County’s Circuit Court online or conduct a name search for a specific person.⁵

Searchers can start the process of obtaining Macomb County court records through the Circuit Court’s record request form. The County Circuit Court charges a nominal fee of $2 for a Macomb County case search unless the person requesting the records has the relevant case number.

All requests for court files take between five and seven business days to process. Searchers are asked to provide their personal details and information about the criminal case they are inquiring about. The possibility of choosing between electronic and physical delivery adds a layer of convenience.

How To Run a Macomb County Michigan Warrant Search

Citizens may discover a need to investigate whether an individual has an outstanding arrest warrant. Unfortunately, Macomb County warrants are not effortlessly available through the county or the state of Michigan in any online format.

Instead, concerned citizens can contact the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office or the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office’s Warrants Division to inquire about outstanding warrants or provide information:⁶

Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
43565 Elizabeth Rd.
Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043
Phone: 586.469.5151
Email: [email protected]

Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office — Warrants Division
One S. Main — 3rd Floor
Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043

Members of the public interested in uncovering if someone has a warrant out for their arrest can call the Warrants Division at 586-469-2530 or email [email protected].

How To Determine if Someone Is on Probation in Macomb County Michigan

There is not a county-level streamlined online directory for looking up probationer details or records in Macomb County, but interested parties can reach out to local law enforcement agencies such as the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office with any probation-related inquiries.

They may be able to provide some insight by phone, through their contact form, or in person at their office.

At the state level, Michigan’s OTIS Portal allows citizens to discover if someone is currently on probation in Macomb County in just a few clicks and without registering an account. These Macomb County public records are free of charge.

Simply navigate to the Michigan Department of Corrections’ OTIS search tool to begin searching. Next, enter the suspected probationer’s personal details — first and last name, MDOC number, sex, age, and race. It is not necessary to have detailed information to conduct an OTIS search; citizens can even describe personal identifiers like scars and tattoos.

Select “Probationers” under “Offender Status” to instantly obtain a list of probationers matching the provided description.

Although OTIS does not offer information about offenders on probation in other states, it covers the entire state of Michigan — including Macomb County. If someone does not appear on the list of probationers and the information was entered correctly, that person is not currently on probation in Michigan.

How To Acquire a Macomb County Background Check & Report

Members of the public may wish to conduct background checks and obtain a person’s criminal history for various reasons.

Some people may run a background check on themselves in order to see their profile through a potential employer’s eyes. Others may decide to check the criminal background of a current or potential neighbor, partner, or acquaintance.

These are called personal background checks and can be conducted by anyone as long as the information gained through the check is not used to stalk, intimate, or harass. Consent from the subject is not needed for background checks for personal purposes.

Alternatively, background checks are often completed for professional reasons as well; such reasons include employment, licensure, obtaining firearms, or even volunteering in particular roles. These are more official checks performed by official agencies and do necessitate the subject being notified and giving their permission prior.

All state and federal statutes regarding background checks must be adhered to during professional background checks, for the transparency, privacy, and safety of all involved. More details on these laws can be found in the final section below, which details ethical use of public records.

There are two primary forms of professional background checks–name-based (level 1) and fingerprint-based (level 2). While both can be helpful and effective in gaining insight into someone, fingerprint-based checks tend to be much more reliable and accurate due to the potential for mix-ups to happen in name searches.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office provides police clearance letters to county residents who ask for them at a cost of $6 if a local record is discovered or for free if none is found. These clearance letters are only for local incidents and will not disclose any events or arrests that occurred outside of the county boundaries.

The sheriff’s office also offers fingerprinting services to citizens who are required by law to have them taken for licensing or employment purposes. This service comes at a charge of $19, and a valid form of identification should be displayed at the time of service. Fingerprints are taken Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

ICHAT (the Internet Criminal Access Tool) is a public source of background checks and criminal background reports in Michigan. Users are required to create an account and log in to view the full database.

Creating an ICHAT account to search Macomb County public records is possible once citizens provide their first and last names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Choose an appropriate username, generate a strong, secure password, and wait to receive email confirmation from Michigan’s ICHAT system. Clicking on the activation link offers immediate access to ICHAT.

Users interested in finding out how to use this tool most efficiently can do so through the quick but comprehensive ICHAT background check tutorial.⁸

Note that users must give a reason for performing background checks through ICHAT, and each report has a fee of $10. However, charitable organizations can apply for a waiver and obtain background check reports at no charge.

A fingerprint-based level 2 check is available from the Michigan State Police (MSP), but individuals may only go this route when a fingerprint check is required for licensure or employment.

Applicants must acquire a Live Scan Fingerprinting Background Check Application (RI-030) from their employer or other agency that requires the check, complete the form, visit any of the live scan fingerprinting locations (or the sheriff’s office), and send the $30 fee by check or money order–made out to the State of Michigan–to the following address:

Michigan State Police (MSP)
Criminal Justice Information Center
PO Box 30266
Lansing MI 48909 – 7766

Results will be delivered to the requesting agency within 7 days of the request submission.

People applying for a concealed pistol license (CPL) in Macomb County, Michigan, for the first time, have to go through a background check process as well. They must meet Michigan’s requirements for concealed carry permits and complete a Macomb County CPL application form.⁹

Following this application, the Macomb County Court Clerk requires fingerprinting, enabling a background check to take place.

CPL renewals are fast-tracked with a valid PIN number. However, CPL records are not considered public information, and concerned citizens have no way of discovering who has a concealed pistol license in Macomb County.

How To View Criminal Records in All of Michigan Using State & Federal Resources

Searchers attempting to uncover information about criminal records throughout Michigan have several useful state and federal resources at their disposal.

Michigan’s Internet Criminal Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) is the state’s sole name-based background check search tool.¹⁰ ICHAT allows users to search the criminal records on file with the Michigan State Police but does not include sealed or otherwise withheld records.

As mentioned previously, citizens must create an ICHAT account to use the system. Fees are charged for each search, but results can be viewed and printed immediately after payment is completed. ICHAT search results remain available for 7 days.

The Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) is provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). This free tool offers limited insights into the criminal histories of Michigan residents, as OTIS tracks:

• Active offenders
• Prisoners
• Parolees
• Probationers
• Persons discharged from the MDOC’s supervision less than 3 years ago
• Parole & probation absconders

The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system is a federal tool allowing users to search for docket and case information from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.¹¹

PACER is a valuable resource for citizens looking for criminal records related to federal cases in Macomb County, especially considering that case information is updated in real-time.

Macomb County residents determined to be informed about local sex offenders can use the Michigan Sex Offender Registry (MSOR) to perform searches.¹²

To discover local sex offenders, enter a street address and select a radius. MSOR immediately displays nearby offenders. Alternatively, to check whether a particular person is a registered sex offender, enter the person’s first (optional) and last (required) names and/or addresses.

It is also possible to get a bird’s-eye view of all registered sex offenders in Macomb County, but narrower search criteria provides more accurate and relevant information.

There is also a National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), which allows citizens to find convicted sex offenders throughout the country by name or location.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides an inmate locator for federal prisoners; the database can be browsed by entering search criteria such as the inmate’s name or BOP register number.

How To Look Up Macomb County Michigan Public Court Cases & Documents

Macomb County offers several avenues to explore court cases and documents.

The Macomb County Circuit Court, which handles a range of civil and criminal cases, is a valuable starting point in many cases. The County Circuit Court allows citizens to order documents pertaining to:

• Criminal sentences
• Civil cases
• Divorce judgments
• Docket entries

It is also possible to conduct a name search through this system.

There are two ways to request documents — through Macomb County Circuit Court’s online record request system and through a PDF court documents order form, which may be emailed, faxed, or delivered in person.

Requesting court documents is typically free if email copies are requested, but the court clerk charges fees for certain services:

• A $2 applies if the case number is unknown
• Faxed copies cost $10 and a fee of $2 per page
• Expedited processing costs an additional $24

Macomb County’s District Courts handle civil litigation not exceeding $25,000 and misdemeanors not punishable by more than one year in jail.

The addresses and phone numbers of the District Courts (also sometimes called Municipal Courts) in Macomb County are as follows:

Court	Address	Phone Number
Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court	795 Lakeshore Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236	313-881-5503
The 37th District Court	8300 Common Road Warren, MI 48093	586-574-4900
The 38th District Court	16101 Nine Mile Eastpointe, MI 48021	586-445-5020
39-A District Court	29733 Gratiot Roseville, MI 48066	586-773-2010
39-B District Court	33000 Garfield P.O. Box 10, Fraser, MI 48026	586-293-3137
The 40th District Court	27701 Jefferson St. Clair Shores, MI 48081	586-445-5280
41-A District Court Shelby Townships	51660 Van Dyke Shelby Township, MI 48316	586-739-7325
41-A District Court Sterling Heights	40111 Dodge Park Sterling Heights, MI 48313	(586)-446-2500
41-B District Court	22380 Starks Drive Clinton Township, MI 48036	(586)-469-9300
The 42nd District Court (Division I)	14713 – 33 Mile P.O. Box 6, Romeo, MI 48065	(586)-752-9679
The 42nd District Court (Division II)	35071 23 Mile Road New Baltimore, MI 48047	(586)-725-9500

Members of the public can use the free MiCOURT case lookup system to search court cases throughout the state of Michigan by selecting the appropriate court.¹⁴ Creating an account is not necessary.

Those in possession of case numbers can look forward to a more efficient lookup process, but MiCOURT does not require searchers to have full information to conduct a search. Starting a search with only a last name or business name can uncover valuable data regarding minor criminal, traffic, and probate cases.

Note that searchers looking for information about Macomb County District Court cases older than 7 years cannot use MiCOURT and should instead contact the relevant court directly to obtain files.

The free Michigan Courts case search tool makes it extremely simple to search for information about cases, orders, and opinions within the Michigan Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.¹⁶

Searchers can navigate to “Advanced Search” to input case numbers and party and attorney names and select the relevant court. However, the basic search tool lets citizens conduct broader searches.

How To Find Vital Records About Marriages, Divorces, Births & Deaths in Macomb County

Searchers looking for Macomb County divorce information, marriage records, birth certificates, or death records have three options. Divorce records are vital information for citizens intending to check if someone is married, but they are harder to obtain.

The Macomb County Clerk’s Office and Michigan’s Vital Records Department are the two primary custodians of the county’s vital records. However, citizens can also order marriage, divorce, birth, and death certificates through VitalChek. This third-party company processes vital documents on behalf of over 450 government agencies and is endorsed by the local government for public use.

Macomb County’s Birth, Death, & Marriage Records division maintains the county’s vital records and is an excellent first point for searching.

Citizens can visit the Clerk’s Office in person at:

Macomb County Clerk
120 N Main
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

The County Clerk’s office is open on weekdays between 8 am and 4:15 pm–except on Wednesdays, when it operates between 8 am and 6:45 pm.

Interested parties can also call (586)-469-5120 or email [email protected] for further information.

The process of ordering vital records through the Clerk’s Office is discussed in more detail below.

Michigan’s Department of Vital Records is a custodian of all birth, death, marriage, and divorce records in the state. It is available to the public in a limited capacity and requires appointments to be made in advance.

Individuals seeking these records can use the MDHHS vital records appointment form to make arrangements to obtain Michigan public records and should expect to wait at least 31 days for results.

Track Down Macomb County Marital Records (Marriage & Divorce)

Searchers can acquire Macomb County marriage records through the County Clerk. The process for acquiring divorce records is different but just as seamless.

Obtaining Marriage Records in Macomb County: Marriage certificates are public records. This means anyone can check public records and order Macomb County marital records. It is not necessary to be one of the parties listed on the record to obtain a marriage certificate, and citizens do not have to provide ID.

Marital records can be obtained by launching the Macomb County Clerk’s self-service web. A single copy costs $15, while additional copies of the same document have a fee of $5 each (if ordered all at once).

Alternatively, searchers may contact the Macomb County Clerk’s Office at (586)-469-5120 or apply in person at 120 N. Main, Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043.

Acquiring Macomb County Divorce Records: The divorce records in Macomb County are not publicly available through the Clerk’s Office.

Searchers can, however, order divorce records on file at Michigan’s Department of Vital Records through VitalChek. Divorce records may be ordered for a variety of reasons, including genealogy research. To obtain Michigan divorce records and find out if someone is married, it is not necessary to be one of the named parties.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHSS), located in the state capital of Lansing, allows citizens to schedule appointments with the vital records office.¹⁷

While records can be obtained this way, it is a lengthy process.

Acquire Death & Birth Records in Macomb County Through the Clerk’s Office

While citizens can obtain vital records in person, Macomb County’s Birth, Death, & Marriage Records also make it possible to order certain documents online.

Ordering a Birth Certificate: Navigate to the Macomb County birth records online order page and click “Order Online” to begin the process of ordering a certificate of birth.¹⁸

Citizens should keep in mind that birth records are not a matter of public record; only persons named on the birth certificate or listed as parents may order birth certificates. The Clerk’s Office requires citizens to upload a copy of their driver’s license or state ID alongside the order.

There is a $15 fee for one copy of a birth certificate, while each subsequent copy requested within the same order costs $5.

Persons who need further instructions or cannot use the online order form can call the Birth Records Division at 586-469-5205.

Ordering a Death Certificate: Ordering a Macomb County death record is simple once you verify that the relevant certificate of death is on file through Macomb County’s death record search feature.²⁰

Once the file is located, select “Order Online.” As with birth certificates, the fee for a single copy is $15, while each subsequent copy costs an additional $5. If the relevant record is not on file with Macomb County, the place of death may have been in a neighboring county. In this case, searchers can call the Michigan Vital Records Office at 517-335-8666 to request further information.

Death records fall under the Macomb County public records, and people requesting these documents do not need to be related to the deceased person.

Ordering birth and death certificates is also possible through VitalChek and is the easiest, most efficient course of action in most cases. People ordering birth certificates must provide proof of identity in this case, and fees vary.

How To Review Property Records & Taxes in Macomb County Michigan (Free Search)

The Macomb County Register of Deeds Office is the primary custodian of all documentation related to property and taxes in the area, and it offers searchers several helpful ways to obtain relevant records.

Researching Property Information in Macomb County: Interested parties can discover information about property and land records in Macomb County in a number of different ways.

The Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds’ self-service web offers a free document search feature. This online resource enables interested parties to search land records in the county with ease, even when lacking detailed information.

While records may be viewed online at no cost, ordering physical copies of property documents costs $6.

An advanced land record search feature is also available to the public. This subscription service comes at a fee of $25 for 24 hours of access, with longer plans also available. It enables users to search by:

• Address
• Legal Descriptor
• Parcel ID
• Name

Subscribed users can order physical copies of located documents for a reduced fee.

Macomb County makes public search terminals available at the County Clerk’s Office at 120 N. Main in Mount Clemens as well. Register of Deeds staff is available to assist with property searches for a fee of $5 per search, and people requiring assistance can make an appointment with the Register of Deeds.

Looking Up Macomb County Tax Records: The Macomb County Treasurer’s Office keeps tax records, and delinquent taxes are a matter of public record.

Searchers use the Treasurer’s Office public index to find:

• Macomb County delinquent real (property) tax information²²
• Macomb County delinquent personal tax information

While citizens may perform a free public records search to gain information about tax records in Macomb County, ordering physical copies of tax documents costs $6.

Anyone with questions can email the Macomb County Treasurer’s Office at [email protected] or call (586)-469-5190.

Citizens’ Rights & Duties Regarding Macomb County Public Records

Michigan’s Freedom of Information and Enhanced Access to Public Records Acts ensure citizens have a legal right to access Macomb County documents important to the public.

These acts ensure that government agencies can be held accountable by the public through an increased level of transparency, but also give searchers the option of accessing vital information such as:

• Marriage and divorce records
• Criminal and arrest records, including registered sex offenders
• Information about outstanding warrants
• Court dates and documents

Anyone may obtain public records for personal use without the other party’s consent, with the caveat that the obtained information is not to be used in criminal ways. However, individuals also have a right to privacy, and not all relevant information is a matter of public record. Birth certificates are not publicly available in Michigan, for example.

Using public records for professional purposes is more legally complex. Under the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), employers may not discriminate when requiring background checks, and employers or landlords must also keep limitations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act in mind.²³

This overview covers information enabling searchers to begin looking for public records in Macomb County, Michigan. In many cases, conducting searches is free of charge.

Contacting the agencies and offices responsible for maintaining specific records can get searchers a step closer to obtaining Macomb County public records, but online searches are typically the most efficient and convenient.