Alpena County

Alpena County is located in the northeastern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, bordered by Lake Huron to the east. Alpena County seat is the City of Alpena, which is the commercial and governmental hub for Alpena County. Established in 1857, Alpena County includes approximately 574 square miles of land area with an additional 1,697 square miles of water area, making it one of Michigan's counties with substantial Great Lakes jurisdiction. As of recent census estimates, Alpena County population is approximately 28,000 residents. Alpena County is known for its limestone quarrying industry, Lake Huron shoreline, and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which protects one of America's best-preserved collections of shipwrecks. Alpena County's economy has historically centered on cement production, tourism, and natural resource extraction. Major landmarks include the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, Island Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and the historic Alpena County Light. Alpena County Courthouse is located at 720 West Chisholm Street in the local community, MI 49707. Alpena County Clerk's office operates from the same location, handling vital records, election administration, and county board proceedings. Alpena County Register of Deeds maintains property records and land transactions at the courthouse. Alpena County Equalization Department is the assessor authority, coordinating property valuations across Alpena County's townships and municipalities. Alpena County's unique position on Lake Huron and its rich maritime heritage distinguish it as a significant cultural and historical region within northeast Michigan.

• Alpena County Register of Deeds maintains property records and land transactions at the courthouse.

The including the establishment of the Alpena County Courthouse serves Alpena County and is located at 815 W Chisholm St. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the area. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Michigan online court portal.

Alpena County Michigan court jurisdiction is the 23rd Circuit Court. The court is located at 815 W Chisholm St, Alpena, MI 49707. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. The court also has jurisdiction over family law matters, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Inmate lookup services are available by contacting the jail directly at or visiting the facility during business hours to request current custody information.
• Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL 15.231 et seq, citizens have the right to request arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs from law enforcement agencies.
• Requests must be submitted in writing, and agencies have five business days to respond.
• Fees may apply for copies and staff time exceeding basic search parameters.
• Mugshots and booking photographs are generally considered public records in Michigan and can be requested through FOIA from the Sheriff's Office or individual police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process in Michigan allows for the release of detainees pending trial, with specific conditions set by the court.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• The Michigan Courts website (courts.michigan.gov) offers case search capabilities for some counties, though not all Alpena County case information may be available online.
• Fees for court records typically include $1.00 per page for copies, with certified copies costing an additional certification fee of approximately $10.00 per document.
• Case file searches may require staff assistance, and fees are assessed based on time and complexity.
• Online access to some docket information may be available through the court's electronic filing system for attorneys and registered users.

• The Register of Deeds office provides public access to these records during business hours, Monday through Friday.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available from the Register of Deeds for a statutory fee, typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee.
• Researching property history, chain of title, and encumbrances typically requires examining the grantor-grantee indexes maintained by the Register of Deeds office.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate, while mail requests may take 2-3 weeks.
• Certified copies of marriage certificates are available after the ceremony for approximately $15.
• Divorce records (Judgments of Divorce) are court records maintained by the 26th Circuit Court and must be requested through the Circuit Court Clerk.
• Online ordering of Michigan vital records is available through the state's vendor VitalChek.com, though additional service fees apply.
• All vital records requests require completion of application forms and proof of eligibility under Michigan's vital records statute.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Michigan Business Entity Search is available online at michigan.gov/corpentitysearch, providing free public access to business names, registered agents, formation dates, and status.