Farmington, Michigan Public Records

For felony cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate, and civil cases exceeding $25,000, the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0344, website: www.oakgov.com/courts) serves Farmington residents. Michigan offers a statewide court case search through the Michigan Court Access Portal at courts.michigan.gov, though access to some records requires registration and certain case types have restricted access to protect privacy. The Oakland County court system also provides online dockets and case information through the county website. Filing fees vary by case type: certified copies of court documents typically cost $10 plus $1 per page after the first, small claims filing fees range from $30-$65 depending on claim amount, and civil case filing fees in circuit court start at approximately $150-$200. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the specific court, and some courts accept credit card payments with processing fees.

The county provides a free online property search tool at www.oakgov.com/equalization where users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to access detailed property cards, assessment history, and tax information for all properties in Farmington. The Oakland County Register of Deeds, also at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0580, website: www.oakgov.com/deeds), records and maintains all property-related documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, releases, land contracts, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property titles. The Register of Deeds offers a free online document search at www.oakgov.com/deeds where the public can search recorded documents by name, date, or document type and view digital images of recorded instruments dating back several decades. There is no fee to search or view records online, though certified copies obtained in person cost $1 per page with a minimum fee. Oakland County also maintains a comprehensive GIS mapping system at gis.oakgov.com that allows users to view parcel boundaries, zoning, aerial imagery, and link directly to assessment and ownership data for properties in Farmington and throughout the county.

Major employers directly in Farmington include the City of Farmington government, Farmington Public Schools (though the district headquarters is in Farmington Hills, it serves Farmington residents), retail businesses concentrated along Grand River Avenue, and various professional services including medical offices, law firms, and financial services. The historic downtown district has seen significant revitalization with local restaurants, boutiques, and service businesses. Many Farmington residents commute to employment centers throughout Oakland County and Detroit, working in automotive industry positions, healthcare (with Beaumont Hospital and other major medical centers nearby), professional services, and technology sectors. The median household income in Farmington is estimated at approximately $70,000-$80,000, above the Michigan state median but reflective of its middle-to-upper-middle-class suburban character. Recent economic developments include continued investment in downtown Farmington's infrastructure and streetscape improvements, new mixed-use development projects, and expansion of dining and entertainment options that have strengthened the city's role as a local destination within western Oakland County. The city benefits from its location along major transportation corridors and proximity to employment centers while maintaining its historic small-town character and walkable downtown, making it attractive to both young professionals and established families.

The Farmington Public Safety Department, located at 23600 Liberty Street, Farmington, MI 48335 (phone: 248-474-4700), provides combined police and fire services to the city. The department's website at www.farmgov.com/departments/public_safety provides information on services and community programs. To request police reports or incident records, residents must submit a FOIA request either in person at the Public Safety Department, by mail, or through the city's FOIA process. Reports typically include accident reports, incident reports, and non-confidential case summaries. Fees apply for copies and redaction time as allowed under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-4911, website: www.oakgov.com/sheriff), provides countywide law enforcement support, operates the Oakland County Jail, and serves unincorporated areas of the county. While Farmington has its own police department, the Sheriff's Office maintains regional records and specialized units. To search for arrests and jail bookings in Oakland County, the public can access the Oakland County Jail inmate search at www.oakgov.com/sheriff/units/corrections, which displays current inmates with information including name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and booking photographs. The system is updated regularly and shows individuals held at the Oakland County Jail facility in Pontiac. Michigan's FOIA law requires agencies to respond to public records requests within five business days and allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for copying and labor costs associated with locating and redacting records.

Online ordering is available through the state's VitalChek service at michigan.gov/vitalrecords with additional processing fees. Processing typically takes 3-4 weeks for mail requests and expedited service is available. The Oakland County Clerk's Office at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0564, website: www.oakgov.com/clerkrod) also maintains some vital records and issues marriage licenses. Marriage licenses in Oakland County cost $20 for Michigan residents and $30 for non-residents, with a three-day waiting period and licenses valid for 33 days from issuance. Couples must apply in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. Divorce records are maintained as court records through the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court and can be requested from the Circuit Court Records Division. Michigan law restricts access to vital records: only eligible applicants (the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order) may obtain certified copies. Records are digitized back to the late 1800s in many cases, though availability varies by record type and year.

Farmington does not maintain a public online database of licensed businesses, but information can be requested through the city clerk. For assumed name (DBA) registrations in Michigan, businesses file directly with the county. The Oakland County Clerk's Office at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0564) handles fictitious business name filings, with fees around $10 for the initial registration. These records can be searched in person at the County Clerk's office. For formal business entity registration including corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, Michigan requires filing with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The state provides a free online business entity search at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch where users can look up any Michigan business entity, view its status (active, dissolved, suspended), registered agent information, formation date, and principal office address. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State at www.michigan.gov/sos. Commercial property owners in Farmington can look up their property tax assessments through the Oakland County Equalization Division's online property search at www.oakgov.com/equalization, which shows both residential and commercial property assessed values, taxable values, and millage rates specific to Farmington's tax jurisdiction.

Farmington voters' elections are administered by the Oakland County Clerk / Register of Deeds, Elections Division, located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0564, website: www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections). Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, which is operated by the Michigan Secretary of State. Voters can register up to and including Election Day in Michigan, though registering at least 15 days before an election allows for normal processing. Registration requires a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Farmington holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions in odd-numbered years, typically in November. The next Farmington city elections will be held in November 2025 for city council seats, with the mayor's position also up for election on a four-year cycle. Information about local candidates, ballot proposals, and sample ballots specific to Farmington can be found through the Oakland County Elections website and the City of Farmington website at www.farmgov.com. To find their specific polling place, Farmington residents can use the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote by entering their address, which displays their precinct, polling location, and sample ballot. Michigan law makes certain election records public: voter registration lists (excluding birthdates and driver's license numbers) are available for purchase for political purposes, campaign finance reports are searchable through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/sos, candidate filings and petitions are public records, and precinct-level election results are published by the county clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, Oakland County saw approximately 65-68% voter turnout with roughly 650,000 ballots cast from over 950,000 registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Farmington and Oakland County voters will decide several key races: Michigan's gubernatorial election (Governor and Lieutenant Governor serve four-year terms with the next election in 2026), all Michigan House of Representatives seats (two-year terms), Michigan State Senate seats in certain districts (four-year staggered terms), Oakland County executive and county commission seats, and potentially local ballot proposals. One U.S. Senate seat from Michigan will be on the ballot in 2026 (depending on the current term cycle). Michigan voters can request absentee ballots without providing a reason under Michigan law; applications can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, by mail, or in person at the city clerk's office. Once on the permanent absentee voter list, voters automatically receive ballot applications for each election.