Birmingham Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Birmingham, Michigan government websites.

  About Birmingham City Government
Annual Budget $16.6 million
Regular Meetings Public Sessions

The city government of Birmingham, Michigan, is governed by the Birmingham City Commission, which consists of seven elected members. Each commissioner is elected at-large for a term of four years. The City Commission is responsible for setting policies, adopting budgets, and overseeing city operations.

For the fiscal year 2023-2024, Birmingham's approximate annual operating budget is $16.6 million. This budget supports various city services, including public safety, infrastructure, and community development initiatives.

Regular meetings of the Birmingham City Commission are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM. These meetings take place at the Birmingham City Hall, located at 151 Martin Street, Birmingham, MI 48009. The meetings provide a platform for residents to engage with their elected officials and discuss city matters.

  About Birmingham, Michigan

The Birmingham Police Department serves the city, ensuring the safety and security of its residents. Additionally, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office plays a crucial role in law enforcement at a county level, providing support and resources as needed. For those looking to obtain arrest records, mugshots, booking records, or criminal history, the process begins at the Birmingham Police Department's records unit, where individuals can request specific documents. If the information required is not accessible through local channels, the next step is to contact the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. They provide centralized access to various law enforcement records within the county. For a more comprehensive search, individuals may also turn to the Michigan State Police Bureau of Investigation, which maintains a state criminal repository. Online lookup portals are available for both the Birmingham Police Department and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, allowing users to search for certain records remotely, although detailed procedures may vary by request type.

Court records for Birmingham are managed by the Oakland County Circuit Court, which oversees civil and criminal cases. Residents seeking court documents can request access through the court's online portal, which provides electronic access to various records, or in person at the court clerk's office, where staff can assist with specific inquiries. For vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, individuals can turn to the Oakland County Clerk-Recorder’s office or the Michigan Vital Records Office. Property records are also accessible through the Oakland County Assessor and Recorder’s offices, both of which offer online portals for convenient access. Furthermore, public records requests can be made under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which typically promises a response within 5 to 10 business days. This transparency underscores Birmingham's commitment to open government and community engagement, assuring residents that their rights to information are respected and upheld.

  Birmingham, Michigan Public Records & Government Resources

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement in Birmingham, Oakland County operates through a network of agencies working across municipal boundaries. While neighboring jurisdictions like Troy, Farmington Hills, and Rochester Hills each maintain their own police departments handling matters within their city limits, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office provides countywide support for major investigations and coordinated responses. When serious crimes or emergency situations cross jurisdictional lines, these agencies pool resources and share information to ensure residents throughout the area receive comprehensive protection.

Jail & Inmate Records

Anyone arrested in Oakland County typically ends up at Oakland County jail in Pontiac, where booking procedures include fingerprinting, photographing, and processing into the system. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup tool on its website, allowing family members and attorneys to locate detainees and check their status. Those wishing to visit must schedule appointments in advance and follow facility-specific guidelines posted online. The bond and bail process follows Michigan state law, with courts setting amounts that allow release pending trial.

Arrest Records

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments across the county maintain arrest records for incidents within their respective jurisdictions. Anyone seeking these records—whether residents, attorneys, or researchers—needs to contact the specific agency that handled the arrest. What you'll typically find includes personal information about the arrestee, circumstances of the arrest, formal charges, and scheduled court appearances. Access to these documents falls under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, which balances public transparency against privacy protections.

Court Records

The 48th District Court handles judicial matters for Birmingham, maintaining files on civil disputes, criminal prosecutions, and traffic violations. Court records can be accessed through the state's court website at https://www.michigan.gov/court/0,4668,7-350-79629---,00.html. For criminal history information specific to the city, the Michigan State Police operates the Birmingham Michigan Criminal Records Search and Depository, providing another avenue for background checks and case research.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Oakland County includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and sex offender registry information. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Michigan State Police provide statewide criminal background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which provides access to public criminal history records. The Michigan Bureau of Investigation also offers resources for more comprehensive background investigations.

Public Records Access

From birth certificates to business licenses, the City of Birmingham keeps comprehensive public records at the City Clerk's office on 151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI 48009. Vital records, corporate registrations, and court documents all flow through this office, which has detailed instructions on its website—https://www.bhamgov.org/government/departments/clerk/government/departments/contact.php—for anyone seeking to obtain copies or conduct research into the city's official records.

Vital Records

Birmingham residents can obtain vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates through the City Clerk's office. These records can be requested in person, by mail, or online. The Birmingham Michigan Police Department, located at 151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI 48009, also maintains records related to public safety and law enforcement activities. Their website, https://www.bhamgov.org/government/departments/police/index.php, provides information on how to access these records.

Business & Licensing Records

Economic development and business records in Birmingham, Oakland County flow through the city's Economic Development Department at 151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI 48009. Companies setting up shop in the area or already operating here can find licensing requirements, permit applications, and regulatory information on the department's website at https://www.bhamgov.org/business/index.php, making it the go-to resource for navigating the city's business landscape.

Economy & Demographics

Birmingham's economy is primarily driven by its thriving retail and service sectors, as well as its strong residential real estate market. The city's Economic Development Department, located at 151 Martin St, Birmingham, MI 48009, maintains public records related to the city's economic performance, including business license data, tax revenue figures, and employment statistics. This information can be accessed through the department's website, https://www.bhamgov.org/business/index.php.

Elections & Voter Records

Birmingham voters fall under the jurisdiction of the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Elections Division, headquartered at 1200 N Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0564, website: www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections). Michigan residents can handle voter registration entirely online through michigan.gov/vote at the Michigan Voter Information Center, where they can also verify their registration status and preview sample ballots before heading to the polls.
The state's Election Day registration means qualified residents can register and cast ballots on the same day by showing proof of residency. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, a minimum age of 18, and Michigan residency. City elections in Birmingham put the mayor's seat and city commission positions before voters. The mayor serves two-year terms while commissioners hold four-year staggered terms. The next municipal election is set for November 2025, when various city offices will appear on the ballot. Finding your polling place is as simple as visiting michigan.gov/vote and entering your address, or you can call the Birmingham City Clerk at 248-530-1880. The state provides robust online access to election records, including voter registration lists available for purchase for political purposes, campaign finance disclosures through the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/campaignfinance, candidate filings, and precinct-level results. Oakland County demonstrated strong civic participation in November 2024's presidential election, with roughly 67% turnout—over 630,000 ballots cast from approximately 940,000 registered voters. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Birmingham and Oakland County voters will weigh in on several significant races: Michigan Governor, U.S. Senate (depending on the seat cycle), all Michigan House of Representatives seats (two-year terms), Michigan State Senate seats in certain districts (four-year terms), Oakland County executive and commissioner seats, plus any local ballot proposals or Birmingham city commission seats that align with the November date. Michigan's no-reason absentee voting allows any registered voter to request a ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center online, by mail, or in person at their local clerk's office. Birmingham voters should reach out to the Birmingham City Clerk at 151 Martin Street (248-530-1880) for absentee ballots in city elections. Applications must arrive by the Friday before Election Day for mail delivery, though voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person right up until 8 PM on Election Day itself.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: Yes: Online Statewide Portal | Property: Yes: Free Online Assessor+Recorder | Arrest Logs: Yes: Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: Yes: Online Ordering | Business: Yes: Free State Database | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall: 9.2/10 — Oakland County and the State of Michigan provide exceptional online access to public records, with free searchable databases for property records, court dockets, business entities, jail rosters, and comprehensive election information, making Birmingham one of the most transparent communities for public records access in the Midwest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan?
Public schools in Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan are administered by the local school district serving the Oakland County area. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Oakland County school administration or the Michigan Department of Education.
Crime data for Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for Birmingham and surrounding areas.

State-level crime statistics and data resources are available through the Michigan State Police. This agency provides information on crime trends, incident reports, and public safety data for jurisdictions across Michigan.

For specific crime data requests for Birmingham, contact the Oakland County Sheriff's Office directly or submit a public records request. Local police departments may also maintain crime statistics specific to their jurisdiction.
The Birmingham Public Library in Oakland County, Michigan provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Michigan government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs access to government documents in Michigan. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Birmingham Michigan Archives and Genealogy at https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-54574---,00.html. Contact the Birmingham Public Library reference desk for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
The Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan Library is located at 517 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009.
Fingerprinting services for Birmingham, Michigan residents are provided at the Birmingham Police Department, which serves Oakland County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Birmingham Police Department for visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Michigan State Police for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Michigan State Police at https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1589_3503_4654---,00.html.
To obtain vital records for Birmingham, Oakland County, Michigan, you must contact the Oakland County Clerk's Office.

The records available from the Oakland County Clerk's Office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. To obtain any of these records, you must provide the full name of the person listed on the record, the date of the event, and the address of the event. You may also need to provide additional information, such as the parents' names or the spouse's name.
To register to vote in Birmingham, Michigan, residents should contact the Oakland County Clerk's office, which administers elections for Birmingham and surrounding communities. Eligible voters must be U.S. citizens, residents of Michigan, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Michigan offers voter registration online at michigan.gov/sos/elections, by mail, or in person at the Oakland County Clerk's office. Residents can check their registration status, find their polling location, and view sample ballots through the Michigan Secretary of State website. For questions about voter registration or elections in Birmingham, contact the Oakland County election office directly.
Property records for Birmingham, Michigan are maintained by the Oakland County Assessor's Office and the Oakland County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Oakland County, including parcels in Birmingham. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Oakland County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Michigan counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. For in-person requests, visit the Oakland County offices at the county courthouse. The Oakland County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Birmingham, Michigan residents are available through both county and state offices. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records, located in Lansing, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Michigan. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Oakland County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Oakland County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.
Business licensing for Birmingham, Michigan operates at municipal, county, and state levels. The Birmingham town or city clerk's office handles local business permits, zoning approvals, and any municipal license requirements for businesses operating within Birmingham limits. Oakland County may require additional registrations for businesses in unincorporated areas or county-level sales tax licensing. At the state level, all Michigan businesses must register with the Michigan Secretary of State and obtain applicable state tax identification numbers from the Michigan Department of Revenue. Professional licenses for regulated occupations are issued by the relevant Michigan licensing boards. For a complete list of requirements for starting a business in Birmingham, contact the Birmingham clerk's office and the Oakland County economic development office.
  Nearby Cities in Oakland County, Michigan

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