Felch, Michigan Public Records

The 95-A District Court, phone (906) 774-6211, has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, land contract forfeitures, preliminary examinations for felony cases, and small claims actions up to $6,500. Traffic violations and ordinance violations are also processed through District Court. Michigan court records can be searched online through the Michigan Court Records Search portal at courts.michigan.gov/micourtpublic, which provides access to case information from participating courts statewide, including Dickinson County. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find case summaries, scheduled hearings, and disposition information. However, some sensitive records such as certain juvenile matters, mental health proceedings, and adoption records remain confidential and are not available through public searches. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requests must be made in person or by mail to the appropriate court clerk. As of 2024, the Dickinson County Circuit Court typically charges $10 per document for certified copies, while District Court charges $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Fees for filing new cases vary by case type: small claims filing fees are $40 to $60 depending on the claim amount, civil actions in District Court require a $100 filing fee, and Circuit Court civil filings cost $175. Exact fees should be confirmed directly with the court clerk as they are subject to change under Michigan Court Rules.

Property owners can contact the office to review assessment records, file assessment appeals, or obtain property identification numbers. Dickinson County offers online property search capabilities through the county website at www.dickinsoncountymi.gov, where users can search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to view assessment data, tax information, and property characteristics including acreage, building descriptions, and recent sales data. The Dickinson County Register of Deeds, located at 705 South Stephenson Avenue, Suite 103, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, phone (906) 774-4612, records and maintains all real estate documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, land contracts, mortgages, mortgage discharges, liens, easements, survey plats, and other instruments affecting real property titles. Michigan law requires most real estate transactions to be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers. Recording fees vary by document type and page count; as of 2024, the standard recording fee is $30 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The Register of Deeds maintains an online document search system accessible through the county website, allowing users to search recorded documents by grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range. Some historical records dating back to the county's formation may require in-person research at the courthouse. Dickinson County also provides a GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewer through the Equalization Department website, offering interactive mapping capabilities to view parcel boundaries, zoning information, aerial imagery, and related spatial data for properties throughout Felch and the county. These online tools make property research accessible without requiring a courthouse visit, though certified copies of recorded documents must be requested from the Register of Deeds office directly.

Today, forestry remains economically significant, with both private timber companies and individual landowners managing forest land for sustainable harvest. The timber industry supports logging contractors, trucking operations, and wood product manufacturing facilities located in nearby Iron Mountain and surrounding communities. Small farms and seasonal camps dot the Felch landscape, with some residents engaged in hobby farming, hay production, and livestock raising primarily for personal use or local sale. The area's numerous lakes, streams, and forest land support a modest outdoor recreation economy, particularly fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and ATV recreation. This brings seasonal tourism dollars through sporting camps, guide services, and equipment rentals, though the tourism economy is far smaller than in more developed Upper Peninsula destinations. Major employers for Felch residents are located primarily in Iron Mountain and the surrounding Iron Mountain-Kingsford area, approximately 15 miles southeast. Key employers in the broader Dickinson County economy include Verso Corporation (paper manufacturing, though operations have fluctuated), Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (federal healthcare facility employing several hundred), Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District and local K-12 school districts, and various healthcare providers including Dickinson County Healthcare System. Retail and service sector jobs in Iron Mountain provide additional employment opportunities. Median household income data specific to Felch Township is limited due to its small population, but Dickinson County overall had a median household income of approximately $49,000-$53,000 in recent American Community Survey estimates, somewhat below Michigan's statewide median. The Felch area experiences the economic challenges common to rural Upper Peninsula communities, including limited broadband access, distance from urban markets, harsh winter conditions that limit construction and outdoor work seasonally, and demographic aging as younger residents migrate to areas with more diverse employment opportunities. Property values remain modest compared to southern Michigan and resort areas, making Felch attractive to retirees and those seeking affordable rural living.

The Felch community, as an unincorporated area within Felch Township and Dickinson County, does not maintain its own municipal police department. Primary law enforcement services are provided by the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, located at 222 South Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, phone (906) 774-0351. The Sheriff's Office website at www.dickinsoncountymi.gov provides information on services, patrol divisions, and public safety initiatives. The Sheriff's Office has countywide jurisdiction and handles all criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response for Felch and surrounding unincorporated areas. Residents seeking police reports, incident records, or accident reports must submit requests directly to the Sheriff's Office either in person at the Iron Mountain headquarters or through written FOIA requests. Michigan State Police from the Iron Mountain Post at 1501 North Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, phone (906) 774-3515, also provide patrol and investigative support throughout Dickinson County.

For arrest records and jail bookings, the Dickinson County Jail operates as part of the Sheriff's Office complex at 222 South Stephenson Avenue. Current inmate information can be accessed through the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office website or by calling (906) 774-0351. Booking information typically includes inmate name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and anticipated court dates, though online access may be limited compared to larger counties. Michigan law requires that arrest records and jail rosters be public information unless sealed by court order. To request copies of arrest reports, incident reports, or investigative records under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 through MCL 15.246, residents must submit written requests to the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office FOIA Coordinator. The county has five business days to respond to FOIA requests and may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time as permitted under state law. Some records may be exempt from disclosure if they would interfere with ongoing investigations or violate individual privacy rights as defined in MCL 15.243.

For births occurring elsewhere in Michigan or for faster service, certified birth certificates can be ordered through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Office, PO Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, phone (517) 335-8655, or online at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs. Online ordering through VitalChek at michigan.gov/vitalrecords is available with additional processing fees, with delivery typically within 5-10 business days. Michigan birth records are confidential for 100 years and can only be requested by the individual named on the certificate (if age 18+), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper authorization and government-issued photo identification. Death certificates follow similar procedures and are available from both the Dickinson County Clerk at the same Iron Mountain address and phone number, with fees of $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for additional copies. Death records can also be ordered from the state MDHHS Vital Records Office in Lansing or online through the VitalChek system. Michigan death records are confidential for 50 years; requestors must demonstrate a direct and tangible interest or be a legal heir. Marriage licenses are issued exclusively by the Dickinson County Clerk's Office at 705 South Stephenson Avenue, phone (906) 774-4614. Couples must apply in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers; the marriage license fee is $30 (as of 2024) and there is no waiting period, with licenses valid for 33 days from issuance. The County Clerk maintains marriage records dating back to Dickinson County's formation in 1891 and can provide certified copies for $34. Divorce records are maintained as court records by the 41st Circuit Court at the Dickinson County Courthouse, phone (906) 774-0564, as divorce proceedings are civil court actions. Divorce decrees and related documents can be requested from the Circuit Court Clerk, with search and copying fees applied. Michigan vital records are governed by the Public Health Code, MCL 333.2801 et seq., which specifies confidentiality periods and eligible requestors.

For countywide business registration requirements, the Dickinson County Clerk's Office at 705 South Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, phone (906) 774-4614, handles certain business filings and can provide guidance on local requirements. Fictitious business name registrations ("Doing Business As" or DBA filings) in Michigan must be filed at the county level with the County Clerk where the business operates. Businesses operating under an assumed name in Felch must file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Dickinson County Clerk's Office. The filing fee is typically $10 (as of 2024) and the certificate remains valid until withdrawn or the business structure changes. The County Clerk maintains an index of assumed name filings that is searchable by the public. For formal business entity formation, Michigan businesses must register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The Michigan Corporation Database is freely searchable online at www.michigan.gov/corpentities or through the LARA website at michigan.gov/lara. The database allows searches by entity name, identification number, or registered agent to verify business status, view officers and directors, check registered agent information, and review filing history. Michigan corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business structures must file formation documents with LARA and maintain active status through annual filings. Formation fees vary by entity type: LLC formation costs $50, domestic profit corporation formation costs $60, and nonprofit corporation formation costs $20 (as of 2024). Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements and lien searches in Michigan are also handled by the LARA Corporations Division. UCC records can be searched online through the Michigan UCC database at www.michigan.gov/ucc to identify secured interests in personal property, equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. Business personal property taxes are assessed locally; commercial property owners in Felch should contact the Dickinson County Equalization Department at (906) 774-0566 for assessment information and the Dickinson County Treasurer for tax payment information. Property tax records for commercial parcels can be searched through the county's online property search system at www.dickinsoncountymi.gov.

Voters in Felch are served by the Dickinson County Clerk's Office, which functions as the county's election authority. The office is located at 705 South Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, phone (906) 774-4614, website www.dickinsoncountymi.gov. The County Clerk oversees voter registration, absentee ballot processing, election administration, and precinct management for all of Dickinson County, including Felch Township precincts. Residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, which offers online registration for eligible citizens with a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID. Michigan offers same-day voter registration during early voting periods and on Election Day itself at the local clerk's office or polling place, a significant expansion of voter access implemented through constitutional amendments approved by Michigan voters in 2018. Voters must provide proof of residency such as a Michigan driver's license, state ID, utility bill, bank statement, or government document showing name and current address.

Felch, as an unincorporated community, does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council, as it lacks an incorporated city or village government. Felch Township does hold township elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustee positions. These local township elections occur in even-numbered years during the August primary and November general elections, following Michigan's consolidated election schedule. The next Felch Township elections for local offices will occur in August and November 2026, with specific candidates and ballot questions announced through the Dickinson County Clerk's election notices typically published 60-90 days before elections.

Felch residents can find their assigned polling place using the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and date of birth or address. The system displays the voter's registration status, precinct assignment, polling location with address and hours, and sample ballots for upcoming elections. Felch Township typically operates one or two consolidated precincts depending on voter population, with polling places located at township halls or community centers. Michigan polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Michigan election records are highly transparent under state law. Voter registration lists are available for purchase for political and election purposes through the county clerk, subject to restrictions on commercial use. Campaign finance disclosure reports for local, county, and state candidates must be filed electronically with the Michigan Secretary of State and are searchable at michigan.gov/campaignfinance. Candidate filings, nominating petitions, and financial disclosure forms are public records accessible through the County Clerk for local offices and through the Secretary of State for state offices. Precinct-level election results are published by the County Clerk following canvassing and certification, typically within two weeks of Election Day.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Dickinson County reported voter turnout of approximately 60-65% of registered voters, consistent with historical patterns for presidential elections in the county. Dickinson County has trended toward Republican candidates in recent statewide and national elections, though local races often feature cross-party support based on individual candidates rather than party affiliation.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for Felch and Dickinson County voters. While 2026 is not a presidential year, Michigan voters will decide the statewide race for Governor (the governorship is up in 2026), Secretary of State, Attorney General, all seats in the Michigan House of Representatives (110 seats with two-year terms), and approximately half of the Michigan Senate (odd-numbered districts in 2026). U.S. Senator Gary Peters' seat is up for election in 2026, making this a major federal race on the ballot. Dickinson County voters will also decide county offices including County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and Prosecuting Attorney, most of which are four-year terms scheduled for 2026. Felch Township local offices will also appear on the ballot. Specific local ballot measures and township proposals will be announced by the County Clerk approximately 60 days before the election.

Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, meaning any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing justification. Voters can request absentee ballots through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, by mailing a written request to the Dickinson County Clerk or Felch Township Clerk, or by visiting the clerk's office in person. Absentee ballot applications are available on the Secretary of State website and must be received by the clerk by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day. Michigan also offers early in-person voting for nine days before Election Day at designated early voting sites, typically at the county clerk's office or township offices. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmarks do not count—ballots must be received by 8:00 PM), by depositing in official ballot drop boxes located throughout the county, or by delivering in person to the clerk's office or polling place.