Corunna, Michigan Public Records

Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242), is the trial court of general jurisdiction handling all felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations matters including divorce and custody, adoptions, and probate matters including estates and guardianships. The Shiawassee County Probate Court (phone: 989-743-2280) is located at the same courthouse complex and specifically handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and juvenile matters. Michigan courts participate in a statewide online system. Case records can be searched through the Michigan Supreme Court's Case Search portal at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which provides free access to case information, party names, case status, and hearing dates for most circuit and district court cases. Certified copies of court documents typically cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Case file copies generally cost $1 per page. Filing fees vary by case type: civil cases in circuit court typically require a $175 filing fee, while district court civil cases cost around $70. Small claims filing fees range from $30 to $65 depending on the claim amount.

The county participates in an online property search system accessible through the county website at https://www.shiawassee.net. The Shiawassee County Register of Deeds, located at 201 N. Shiawassee Street, Suite 103, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2279, website: https://www.shiawassee.net/register-of-deeds), records and maintains documents affecting real property including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, land contracts, easements, liens, and lis pendens. Michigan law requires these documents to be recorded to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. The Register of Deeds provides public access to recorded documents, and many counties including Shiawassee offer online document search and retrieval. To conduct a property search, residents can visit the county website and use the property search portal to look up parcels by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number. The Shiawassee County GIS system provides mapping and parcel viewer capabilities, allowing users to view property boundaries, aerial imagery, zoning information, and basic assessment data. Document copies from the Register of Deeds typically cost $1 per page for standard copies and $5 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page for certified copies. Some online access may be free while other services may require subscription fees or per-document charges.

The city's economy also includes retail businesses serving the local community along with professional services such as law offices, accounting firms, and medical practices clustered near the courthouse. Healthcare employment is provided by smaller medical offices and clinics, with residents often commuting to larger facilities in nearby Owosso or Lansing. The median household income in Corunna is approximately $50,000, somewhat below the national average but consistent with small Michigan cities. Manufacturing historically played a role in the broader Shiawassee County economy, particularly in neighboring Owosso, and some residents commute to manufacturing jobs in the region. Agriculture remains important to the county's economy, with Corunna serving as a service and government center for the surrounding rural areas. Recent economic development has focused on downtown revitalization, preservation of historic buildings, and maintaining Corunna's identity as a small-town county seat. The city's location along M-21 (Main Street) and proximity to US-127 provides reasonable access to Lansing's larger employment market, making Corunna partially a bedroom community for capital-region workers. Small business development, particularly in hospitality and services, continues to be an economic focus, along with maintaining the historic character that attracts visitors to the county courthouse and downtown area.

The Corunna Police Department, located at 306 S. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-4411), provides law enforcement services within city limits. Citizens can request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person or by submitting a written request. The department handles calls for service, criminal investigations, and traffic enforcement within Corunna city boundaries. For records requests, residents should be prepared to provide case numbers, dates, and involved parties' names. The Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 201 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-3411, website: https://www.shiawassee.net/sheriff), provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated areas of Shiawassee County and assists Corunna police when needed. The Sheriff's Office operates the Shiawassee County Jail and maintains countywide arrest records. To search for arrests and current jail bookings, residents can access the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office inmate roster, typically available on their website or by calling the jail directly. The inmate search shows booking dates, charges, bond amounts, housing location, and sometimes mugshots for individuals currently detained. All public records requests for law enforcement records in Michigan are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. Under FOIA, agencies must respond to written requests within five business days, though they may extend this timeframe. Certain records such as active investigation files, confidential informant information, and records that would compromise ongoing law enforcement operations may be exempt from disclosure. Fees for copies may apply based on actual costs of reproduction.

Birth certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for additional copies. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests. Online ordering through VitalChek is available at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs with expedited service options. Michigan birth records are available from 1867 forward, and death records from 1867 forward, though early records may be incomplete. Only eligible individuals can obtain certified copies: the registrant (if of legal age), parents listed on the birth certificate, legal guardians, legal representatives, or individuals with a documented legal interest. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. The Shiawassee County Clerk's Office, located at 201 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242, website: https://www.shiawassee.net/county-clerk), issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry anywhere in Michigan. The marriage license fee is $30, valid for 33 days after issuance, with a mandatory three-day waiting period. Marriage ceremony records are returned to the County Clerk and become public record. Divorce records are court records maintained by the 35th Circuit Court at the same courthouse address. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Circuit Court for $10 for the first page and $1 per additional page. Michigan has strong privacy protections for vital records, with access limited to protect against identity theft and fraud.

Shiawassee County does not generally require a separate county-level business license, but specific regulated activities may require county permits or zoning approval through the Shiawassee County Planning and Development Department at 201 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna. Assumed name ("doing business as" or DBA) registrations in Michigan are filed with the county clerk. The Shiawassee County Clerk's Office at 201 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242) accepts DBA filings with a fee of approximately $10, valid for five years. These filings create public notice when a business operates under a name different from the owner's legal name. For formal business entity formation, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) maintains the statewide database. The Michigan Business Entity Search is available at https://cofs.lara.michigan.gov/SearchApi/Search/Search, allowing free searches for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities. The database shows entity status (active, dissolved, suspended), registered agent information, business address, filing date, and officers or members if disclosed. Business owners can file articles of incorporation or organization online through LARA. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings for secured transactions and liens on personal property are filed with the Michigan Department of State and searchable at https://www.michigan.gov/sos. Commercial property owners in Corunna can search property tax assessments through the Shiawassee County Equalization Department's online property search system to view taxable values and current tax obligations on business real estate.

Election administration for Corunna voters is managed by the Shiawassee County Clerk's Office, which serves as the county's election authority. The office is located at 201 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242, website: https://www.shiawassee.net/county-clerk). This office handles voter registration, absentee ballot applications, election equipment, and certification of election results for all municipalities in Shiawassee County including the City of Corunna. Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Secretary of State at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us. Michigan offers same-day voter registration, meaning eligible residents can register and vote on Election Day at their local clerk's office or at their polling place. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, Michigan residents, and not serving a jail or prison sentence. Identification requirements include a Michigan driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The City of Corunna holds municipal elections for mayor and city council seats. Corunna operates under a council-manager form of government with an elected mayor and six council members serving staggered four-year terms. City elections are held in odd-numbered years, typically in November, with the next municipal election scheduled for November 2025. Candidate filing information and local ballot proposals specific to Corunna are available through the Corunna City Clerk at City Hall, 306 S. Shiawassee Street (phone: 989-743-4411). To find their assigned polling place, Corunna residents can use the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us, which provides polling location lookup by entering name and birth date, or address and zip code. The site also shows sample ballots, absentee ballot status, and registration confirmation. Michigan law makes various election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by qualified requestors under MCL 168.522 and 168.523. Campaign finance reports for local, county, and state candidates are public and searchable online for state-level races through the Michigan Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Database at https://miboecfr.nictusa.com/cfr/dumpall/cfrdetail/. Local candidate finance reports are filed with the county clerk. Precinct-level election results are posted by the county clerk following certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Shiawassee County reported approximately 56% voter turnout with about 38,000 ballots cast from roughly 68,000 registered voters. The county leaned Republican, consistent with its recent voting patterns. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Corunna and Shiawassee County voters will decide several important races. Michigan voters will elect a governor (Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term expires in 2026, though she may be term-limited), all 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, 38 seats in the Michigan Senate (half the chamber), statewide executive offices including Secretary of State and Attorney General, and Michigan Supreme Court seats. Shiawassee County voters will also elect county commissioners, the sheriff, county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, and drain commissioner. Corunna voters will have their next city election in November 2025, not 2026. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, meaning any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing an excuse. Requests can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, by mail, or in person at the local clerk's office. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before Election Day, though voters can also request and submit an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day itself. Corunna's location as county seat means the County Clerk's office is locally accessible for all election services.