Henderson, Michigan Public Records

The 35th Circuit Court, located at 208 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242), has jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations matters including divorce and child custody, and appeals from District Court. The Shiawassee County Probate Court, also at 208 North Shiawassee Street (phone: 989-743-2248), handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and juvenile matters. Michigan court records can be searched online through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which provides access to case information from most Michigan trial courts including Shiawassee County. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name to view case summaries, filing dates, charges or claims, and hearing schedules. Some sensitive case types including juvenile and certain family matters are not publicly accessible. For certified copies of court documents, in-person or written requests must be submitted to the appropriate court clerk's office. Fees for certified copies are typically $10 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page in Circuit Court, and $10 per document in District Court. Non-certified copies cost approximately $1 per page across all courts.

The online system allows searches by owner name, parcel number, or property address, displaying current and prior year taxable values, assessed values, property classification, acreage, and tax amounts. The Equalization Department also maintains property transfer records and handles property tax exemption applications including principal residence exemptions and agricultural classifications. The Shiawassee County Register of Deeds, located at 201 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2244, website: www.shiawasseecountymi.gov/register-of-deeds), is responsible for recording and maintaining all real property documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, land contracts, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, easements, and property plats. Michigan law requires these documents to be recorded to establish legal notice and priority of property interests. The Register of Deeds provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based system; visitors to the office can search records for free on public terminals. Document images are typically available from the 1970s forward, with earlier records on microfilm or original paper. Recording fees vary by document type, typically $30 for the first page and $3 for each additional page for deeds and mortgages. The county also maintains a GIS parcel viewer accessible through the county website, displaying property boundaries, aerial imagery, zoning information, and basic ownership data for Henderson Township properties.

The community's location within commuting distance of larger employment centers provides economic diversity, with residents traveling to Owosso (approximately 15 miles northeast) for manufacturing jobs at companies including Lafarge Cement and various automotive suppliers, or to Lansing (approximately 25 miles southwest) for government employment, healthcare positions at Sparrow Hospital and McLaren Greater Lansing, and education jobs at Michigan State University. Henderson Township itself employs only a small number of staff for township administration and maintenance. The Durand Area Schools district serves most Henderson families and represents a significant local employer for education professionals. Small businesses in and around Henderson include farm supply operations, grain elevators, equipment repair services, and home-based enterprises. The median household income for Henderson Township was estimated at approximately $55,000-$65,000 based on recent census data, slightly below Michigan's statewide median but typical for rural agricultural communities. Shiawassee County's economy overall combines agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, and government services. Henderson's rural character and agricultural economy have remained relatively stable over recent decades, though like many rural Michigan communities, the area has experienced gradual population aging and modest outmigration of younger residents seeking urban employment opportunities. Property values have remained affordable compared to more urbanized areas of southeast Michigan.

Henderson, Michigan is an unincorporated community without its own police department. Law enforcement services for Henderson and all of Henderson Township are provided by the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office, located at 201 East Corunna Avenue, Corunna, MI 48817. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (989) 743-3411, and their website is www.shiawasseecountymi.gov/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office handles all patrol services, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and incident response for Henderson residents. To request police reports or incident records, residents must contact the Sheriff's Office Records Division during business hours; requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone. A copy fee applies for most reports, typically ranging from $1 to $5 depending on page count.

The Shiawassee County Jail, also located at the Sheriff's Office complex at 201 East Corunna Avenue, houses inmates arrested throughout the county including Henderson. Current arrest and jail booking information can be accessed through the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office inmate roster, available online at www.shiawasseecountymi.gov/sheriff or through third-party jail roster services. The inmate search typically displays booking photos, current charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and expected release dates. Public records requests for arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports in Michigan are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. Under FOIA, any person has the right to inspect or receive copies of public records, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, confidential informants, and certain personal information. Requests should be submitted in writing to the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office FOIA Coordinator, and agencies must respond within five business days, with possible extensions for complex requests. Fees may include labor costs for locating and redacting documents, plus per-page copying charges.

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 and 10-15 business days for online orders. Michigan birth records are available from 1867 forward, and death records from 1867 forward. Only eligible applicants can obtain certified copies, including the registrant (if 18 or older), parents listed on the birth certificate, legal guardians, legal representatives, and individuals with direct and tangible interest. Marriage licenses for Henderson residents are issued by the Shiawassee County Clerk's Office, located at 201 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242, website: www.shiawasseecountymi.gov). The marriage license fee is $30, and there is no waiting period or blood test required in Michigan. Both applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and social security numbers. The license is valid for 33 days from the date of issuance and becomes effective three days after issuance unless the waiting period is waived by court order. Marriage records are public records maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce records are maintained as court records by the 35th Circuit Court at 208 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242), since divorces are judicial proceedings. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk for approximately $10 per certified document. Michigan vital records dating back to 1867 are indexed, though digital images may not be available for the earliest records.

Most business entity registration occurs at the state level through Michigan's Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) department. Business entity formation and registration in Michigan is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. All corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business entities must register with the state. The Michigan Corporation Search is available free online at www.michigan.gov/corpsearch, where users can search by entity name, identification number, or registered agent to view business status, formation date, registered agent information, and principal office address. The database includes active, dissolved, and withdrawn entities. Forming an LLC in Michigan costs $50 for online filing, while incorporating costs $60 online. Annual statement fees are required to maintain active status. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) in Michigan are filed with the county clerk where the business operates. Henderson business owners file DBAs with the Shiawassee County Clerk's Office at 201 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242). The filing fee is approximately $10 for the initial filing and $5 for renewals. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which establish security interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with the Michigan Department of State and searchable at www.michigan.gov/ucc. Property tax assessments for commercial properties in Henderson are maintained by the Shiawassee County Equalization Department and searchable online through the county property tax database at www.shiawasseecountymi.gov, using the property address or parcel number to view commercial assessed values and tax amounts.

Henderson voters are served by the Shiawassee County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all county residents. The Shiawassee County Clerk, located at 201 North Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 (phone: 989-743-2242, website: www.shiawasseecountymi.gov), serves as the county's election authority and maintains voter registration records, processes absentee ballot applications, coordinates with township clerks, certifies election results, and provides information on candidates and ballot proposals. Henderson Township voters also work directly with the Henderson Township Clerk for township-level election administration including polling place operations and local ballot questions.

Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote. Voter registration is available up to and including Election Day; Michigan enacted Election Day registration effective in 2018. To register online before Election Day, applicants need a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID. Election Day registration must be completed in person at the local clerk's office with proof of residency. Michigan requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of Michigan and their city or township for at least 30 days before the election.

Henderson is an unincorporated community without its own municipal government, so there are no Henderson-specific city council or mayoral elections. Residents vote in Henderson Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustee positions. Henderson Township holds elections for these offices during the even-numbered years in August (primary) and November (general election). The next township election cycle occurs in August and November 2026. Voters also participate in Shiawassee County elections for county commissioners, sheriff, clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, prosecutor, and drain commissioner.

Henderson residents can find their assigned polling location through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and birth date or address. The voter information portal displays the voter's registration status, precinct number, polling place address with map, and sample ballot for upcoming elections. Most Henderson Township residents vote at polling places within the township.

Michigan makes extensive election records available to the public. Voter registration lists are public records available for purchase for election-related purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and county candidates are searchable through the Michigan Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Reporting system at www.michigan.gov/cfr. Candidate filings, including affidavits of identity and petitions, are public records maintained by the county clerk for county offices and by the Secretary of State for state offices. Complete precinct-level election results are published by the Shiawassee County Clerk after certification and are available on the county website or by request.

In the November 2024 general election, Shiawassee County recorded approximately 42,000 registered voters with turnout of approximately 65-70% for the presidential election, reflecting Michigan's status as a competitive swing state. Shiawassee County has historically leaned Republican in recent presidential elections while maintaining competitive local races.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be a critical midterm election for Henderson and Shiawassee County voters. Michigan's U.S. Senate seat held by Gary Peters will not be on the ballot in 2026 (it was last contested in 2020 and won't be up again until 2026). However, Michigan's other U.S. Senate seat currently held by Elissa Slotkin (elected 2024) will be contested in 2030, not 2026. Michigan does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026; Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term runs through 2026 (the governor's race will next occur in 2026, actually—correction: Michigan governors serve four-year terms and the position will be on the 2026 ballot as Whitmer is term-limited). All of Michigan's 110 State House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot in 2026 (two-year terms), as will roughly half of the 38 State Senate seats (four-year staggered terms). Henderson Township residents vote for the 71st State House District and the 28th State Senate District representatives. County offices on the 2026 ballot will include some Shiawassee County Commissioner seats (six districts, staggered terms), and potentially the Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds depending on term schedules. Henderson Township offices will also appear on the ballot.

Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing an excuse. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, by mail, or in person at the local clerk's office. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before the election for mail delivery of ballots, or voters can request an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through 8:00 PM on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day; postmarks do not count. Many voters choose to return absentee ballots to secure drop boxes located at clerk's offices and other designated locations.