Custer, Michigan Public Records

The bond and bail process in Michigan allows for the release of individuals pending trial, with bail amounts set according to the severity of the offense. Recently arrested individuals can be located by contacting the jail directly or through online resources provided by the Sheriff's Office.

For felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding the district court limit, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate and estate cases, guardianships, and appeals from district court, residents must go to the Mason County 51st Circuit Court, also located at 304 East Court Street, Ludington, MI 49431 (phone: 231-843-0236). The Circuit Court handles the most serious legal matters in the county and serves as the general trial court for Mason County. Michigan court records can be searched online through the Michigan Judicial Institute's case search portal at courts.michigan.gov, though availability varies by court and case type. Many courts in Michigan have transitioned to electronic filing and online case access, but some records, particularly older files, may only be available by visiting the courthouse in person or submitting a written request. The Mason County courts charge fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of a certified document. Non-certified copies are generally charged at $1 per page. Filing fees vary by case type; for example, small claims filing fees range from approximately $30 to $65 depending on the claim amount. Civil case filing fees in district court are typically around $100 to $150, while circuit court civil filings can exceed $150.

The Equalization Department's records include property owner names, mailing addresses, assessed values (both taxable and state equalized values), property classifications, acreage, and building characteristics. Mason County offers online property tax and assessment information through a searchable database accessible via the county website at masoncounty.net. Residents can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view current assessment data, tax amounts, and payment status. The online system typically includes property characteristics, sales history, and tax bill information. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property title, the Mason County Register of Deeds maintains the official records at 304 East Court Street, Ludington, MI 49431 (phone: 231-843-0236). The Register of Deeds office is responsible for recording and indexing all documents related to real property transfers and encumbrances in Mason County. Michigan law requires that documents affecting real property be recorded in the county where the property is located to provide public notice and establish priority of interests. The Register of Deeds office charges recording fees based on the number of pages, typically $15 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Many counties in Michigan now offer online access to recorded documents through subscription services or free public portals. Mason County provides document images and indexing online, allowing users to search by name, document type, date range, or parcel number. The county also maintains a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping portal that displays parcel boundaries, ownership information, and zoning data, which can be accessed through the county website for property research and mapping purposes.

Many Custer-area residents commute to jobs in Ludington, the Mason County seat located about 10 miles to the west, where employment opportunities include healthcare at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, manufacturing, retail, and tourism-related businesses serving visitors to Lake Michigan beaches and Ludington State Park. The Mason County Eastern School District, which serves Custer, is another significant employer in the area, providing teaching and support positions. The timber industry has historical significance in the region, though less dominant than during Michigan's logging boom era. Manistee National Forest, which borders the Custer area to the east, supports some forestry-related employment and recreational tourism. Small businesses in Custer include agricultural supply companies, repair services, a post office, and limited retail. Many Custer residents are self-employed in farming, construction trades, or small service businesses. Economic data specific to Custer is limited due to its unincorporated status, but Mason County's median household income is approximately $49,000 to $52,000 according to recent census estimates, with Custer's rural areas likely falling somewhat below county averages. The community's economic character remains tied to traditional rural activities, with relatively stable population and limited commercial development. Recent trends include some growth in agritourism (farm markets, u-pick operations), small-scale specialty agriculture, and increasing numbers of retirees choosing the area for its affordable land and quiet rural lifestyle. The proximity to US-10 provides convenient access to larger employment centers while maintaining the agricultural character that has defined Custer for over a century.

Custer, Michigan is an unincorporated community and does not have its own municipal police department. Law enforcement services for Custer residents are provided by the Mason County Sheriff's Office, located at 206 West Lincoln Street, Ludington, MI 49431. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (231) 843-8513, and their website is available at masoncounty.net/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction throughout Mason County's unincorporated areas, including Custer and Riverton Township, and handles patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response. Residents can request police reports and incident records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, either in person at the Lincoln Street address or by submitting a written request under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Standard police reports are typically available for a nominal copying fee, though some records may be exempt from disclosure during active investigations.

For arrests and jail bookings in Mason County, the Mason County Jail maintains an inmate roster that can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by calling (231) 843-8513. The jail booking information typically includes inmate names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Some online systems also display booking photographs (mugshots). Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), found at Michigan Compiled Laws sections 15.231 through 15.246, governs public access to law enforcement records. Under this statute, requesters must submit written requests describing the records sought, and agencies must respond within five business days either providing the records, issuing a written notice extending the response time, or denying the request with legal justification. Fees may be charged for copying, labor, and mailing costs according to the agency's published FOIA procedures. Certain law enforcement records may be exempt from disclosure, including records of ongoing investigations, certain personal information, and records that would compromise public safety.

Online orders typically process within 3-5 business days for standard shipping, with expedited options available. Birth records in Michigan are confidential for 100 years and can only be requested by the individual named on the certificate (if 18 or older), parents named on the certificate, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper documentation and government-issued photo identification. Death certificates are also issued by the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office at the same Lansing address and phone number. The fee structure and processing times are similar to birth certificates, with online ordering available through VitalChek. Michigan death records are confidential for 50 years, and eligible requesters include the deceased's spouse, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, legal representatives, and persons with a direct and tangible interest. For marriage licenses, Custer residents must apply through the Mason County Clerk's Office, located at 304 East Court Street, Ludington, MI 49431 (phone: 231-843-0236). Michigan marriage licenses cost approximately $20 and require both applicants to appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and social security numbers. There is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 33 days from issuance. The marriage ceremony must be performed within Michigan. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the county clerk where the license was issued for approximately $13 per copy. Divorce records are court records maintained by the 51st Circuit Court in Mason County at 304 East Court Street, Ludington, MI 49431. Divorce decrees and related documents are available through the circuit court clerk's office, with fees for certified copies typically $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Some Michigan vital records dating back to the early 1900s have been digitized and indexed, but many older records require in-person research or written requests.

The filing fee for a DBA certificate in Michigan is approximately $10, and registrations are valid for up to 5 years. The county clerk maintains an index of fictitious business names that can be searched in person at the clerk's office. Some Michigan counties offer online DBA searches, though availability varies. For corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business entities, Michigan requires registration with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The state maintains a free online business entity search database at michigan.gov/corporations where anyone can search for registered businesses by entity name, identification number, or registered agent. The database shows the entity's status (active, dissolved, etc.), formation date, registered agent name and address, and principal office address. Business owners can also file annual reports and update registered agent information through the online portal. Formation fees vary by entity type: Michigan LLC filing fees are $50, while corporation articles of incorporation cost $60. Foreign (out-of-state) entities qualifying to do business in Michigan pay $150. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with the Michigan Department of State and can be searched online through the Michigan UCC Search system at michigan.gov/ucc. Searches by debtor name cost $10 per name searched, while copies of UCC documents cost $2 per page. For business property owners in Custer, commercial property tax assessments can be researched through the Mason County Equalization Department at 304 East Court Street, Ludington, MI 49431 (phone: 231-843-0236), or online via the county's property tax database. Commercial properties are assessed similarly to residential properties in Michigan, with taxable values based on 50% of market value. Business personal property (equipment, furniture, inventory) may also be subject to local property taxes and requires annual filing of personal property statements with the local assessor.

Custer, Michigan voters are served by the Mason County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all of Mason County including unincorporated communities. The Mason County Clerk / Register of Deeds office is located at 304 East Court Street, Ludington, MI 49431, and can be reached at (231) 843-0236. The official Mason County website at masoncounty.net provides election information, though the Michigan Secretary of State website at michigan.gov/sos is the primary portal for statewide election services. Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, which allows new registrations and updates to existing registrations. Michigan offers Election Day registration, meaning eligible residents can register and vote on the same day at their local clerk's office or polling place with proof of residency. For advance registration, the deadline is 15 days before an election if registering by mail or online, but in-person registration at the clerk's office is available up to and including Election Day. Acceptable identification includes a Michigan driver's license, state ID card, or other documents proving residency.

Custer, as an unincorporated community, does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents participate in Riverton Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustee positions, which are typically held in even-numbered years during the November general election or August primary. The next township elections will occur in August and November 2026. Mason County offices including sheriff, prosecutor, clerk/register of deeds, treasurer, and county commissioners are also elected, with major races occurring in presidential election years and midterm cycles. Michigan's 2024 general election saw strong turnout across the state, with Mason County reporting approximately 65-70% voter turnout among registered voters in the November 2024 presidential election.

Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Custer and Mason County voters will decide several important races. At the federal level, Michigan's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Gary Peters will be on the ballot in 2026 (the Class I seat is up in 2024, Class II in 2026). The Governor's office (currently Gretchen Whitmer) is term-limited, so Michigan will elect a new governor in 2026. All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives will be on the ballot, including the district representing Mason County. State Senate districts (odd-numbered districts) will also be contested in 2026 following Michigan's four-year state senate terms. At the county level, Mason County voters will elect county commissioners, the sheriff, prosecutor, clerk/register of deeds, treasurer, drain commissioner, and surveyor, depending on the election cycle schedule. Riverton Township offices may also appear on the ballot.

Michigan voters can request absentee ballots (called "absent voter ballots" in Michigan) for any reason—no excuse is required. Applications can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, by mail, or in person at the Mason County Clerk's Office. Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, though voters can request and vote an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office up until 8:00 PM on Election Day. Custer residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote and entering their address, or by contacting the Mason County Clerk at (231) 843-0236. Election records that are public in Michigan include voter registration lists (available for purchase for election purposes only), campaign finance disclosures filed with county and state authorities, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. The Michigan Secretary of State maintains a campaign finance database at michigan.gov/campaignfinance where contributions and expenditures for state and county candidates can be searched. Precinct results from past elections are typically published by the county clerk and archived on the county website, showing vote totals by precinct for each race and ballot proposal.