Howell, Michigan Public Records

In addition to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the county. These include the Howell Police Department, Brighton Police Department, and Fowlerville Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits. They often collaborate with the sheriff's office on major crimes and regional law enforcement initiatives.

The Livingston County Jail, located in Howell, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestee. Inmate information can be accessed through the jail's online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are strictly enforced, with specific hours and guidelines that must be adhered to. The bond process in Michigan allows for cash, surety, or 10% bonds, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained by contacting the jail directly.

Howell residents are served by the 53rd District Court, located at 204 South Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0500). The 53rd District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims up to $6,500, traffic violations, and preliminary examinations for felonies. Felony cases, major civil litigation exceeding $25,000, family law matters including divorce and child custody, and probate cases are heard in the Livingston County Circuit Court, located at 204 South Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0500, website: livgov.com/courts). Both courts share facilities in the Judicial Center.

Michigan court records can be searched online through the statewide case search portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, though availability varies by court and case type. The Livingston County courts also provide case information and some documents through their website. To obtain certified copies of court documents, requests must be made to the specific court; fees are $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page for certified copies in District Court, while Circuit Court charges similar fees. Probate records are maintained separately and fees vary depending on the document type. For records not available online, in-person or written requests to the court clerk are required. Case files for matters involving juveniles and certain family law proceedings are confidential and require court order or proof of party status to access.

The criminal records ecosystem in Livingston County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police. To run a background check in Michigan, residents can utilize the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) provided by the Michigan State Police. The Michigan Bureau of Investigation also offers resources for background checks and criminal record verification.

Arrest records in Livingston County are maintained by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records by submitting a formal request to the sheriff's office, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. A Livingston County arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges, and the arresting agency.

Property and land records for Howell and Livingston County are maintained by two primary offices. The Livingston County Equalization Department (Assessor), located at 200 East Grand River Avenue, Suite 1, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0505, website: livgov.com/equalization), maintains property assessment records including parcel information, assessed values, taxable values, property characteristics, and sales history. Residents can search property records online through the Livingston County property search portal at bsaonline.com/PayTaxes/advanceSearch_Livingston, which allows searches by address, parcel number, or owner name and provides detailed information about property classifications, millage rates, and tax history at no charge.

The Livingston County Register of Deeds, located at 200 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0267, website: livgov.com/rod), records and maintains all real property documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, discharge of liens, easements, and plats. Under Michigan law (MCL 565.551 et seq.), these records are public and searchable. The Register of Deeds provides free online access to recorded documents dating back to the 1830s through their document search portal at livgov.com/rod/Pages/Search.aspx, where users can search by name, document type, or legal description. Certified copies cost $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Livingston County also offers a GIS mapping system at livgov.com/gis providing interactive parcel maps with zoning, environmental features, and infrastructure data overlays.

Howell's economy is diversified across manufacturing, healthcare, education, retail, and government services, benefiting from its strategic location between Detroit and Lansing along the I-96 corridor. Major employers in and near Howell include the General Motors Proving Grounds in nearby Milford (which employs several thousand engineers and technicians), Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital (a major regional healthcare facility with over 1,000 employees), Cleary University (a private business university headquartered in Howell), and Livingston County government operations centered in the county seat. The Howell area is home to significant manufacturing operations including automotive suppliers, precision machining companies, and industrial equipment manufacturers that serve Michigan's automotive industry.

The median household income in Howell is approximately $60,000-$65,000, slightly above the state average, with Livingston County consistently ranking among Michigan's most affluent counties. Downtown Howell has experienced significant revitalization in recent years with new restaurants, breweries, boutiques, and professional services occupying historic buildings along Grand River Avenue. The city serves as the retail and commercial hub for southeastern Livingston County, with multiple shopping centers along Grand River Avenue and M-59. Agriculture remains present in surrounding townships, though the area has transitioned from a primarily agricultural economy to a suburban/exurban bedroom community and regional commercial center. The Howell area's relatively low unemployment rate, quality school systems in Howell Public Schools and surrounding districts, and proximity to major employment centers have driven steady residential and commercial growth over the past two decades.

The Howell Police Department, located at 1175 West Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-1330, website: cityofhowell.org/police), serves the incorporated City of Howell with full-service law enforcement including patrol, investigations, and community policing. Residents can request police reports and incident records by visiting the department in person or submitting written requests; certain reports may be available for a copying fee, while some sensitive records require FOIA requests. For areas outside city limits, the Livingston County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services. The Sheriff's Office is located at 150 South Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-2440, website: livgov.com/sheriff), and maintains jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Livingston County as well as providing countywide services including the county jail and road patrol.

Arrest records and jail bookings for Livingston County are searchable through the Livingston County Jail inmate roster at livgov.com/sheriff/pages/inmateinformation.aspx, which displays current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs. The Livingston County Jail facility is located at 150 South Highlander Way. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231-15.246), residents have the right to request law enforcement records from both the Howell Police Department and Livingston County Sheriff's Office. FOIA requests must be submitted in writing, and agencies have five business days to respond. Certain records such as active investigation files, personal information, and records that would compromise security may be exempt or redacted. Fees for copies and staff time may apply per the fee schedule established by each agency.

Birth and death certificates for Howell residents are issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, located at 201 Townsend Street, Lansing, MI 48913 (phone: 517-335-8655, website: michigan.gov/mdhhs/vital-records). Birth certificates cost $34 for a certified copy ($16 for additional copies ordered at the same time), and death certificates cost $34 each ($16 for additional copies). Online ordering is available through VitalChek at michigan.gov/mdhhs for expedited service with additional processing fees. Standard processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks, while expedited service takes 7-10 business days. Birth records are restricted for 100 years and only available to the individual, parents, legal representatives, or those with a court order; death records are public after becoming permanent records.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Livingston County Clerk, located at 200 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0500, website: livgov.com/clk). The marriage license fee is $20 if both parties complete a premarital education program, or $30 without the program. There is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 33 days from the date of issuance. Marriage records dating back to the county's formation are maintained by the County Clerk and are public records. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Livingston County Circuit Court at 204 South Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843; these can be requested through the court clerk's office with proper identification. Michigan law requires requesters to show valid government-issued photo ID when obtaining vital records in person.

The City of Howell does not require a general business license for most businesses operating within city limits, though specific activities such as solicitation, street vendors, and special events require permits from Howell City Hall, 611 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-3500, website: cityofhowell.org). Building permits, zoning compliance certificates, and sign permits are handled by the city's Building and Planning Department at the same location. Businesses must also register with the State of Michigan for tax purposes.

Fictitious business name registrations ("Doing Business As" or DBA) for Livingston County are filed with the Livingston County Clerk at 200 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0500). The filing fee is $10, and registrations must be renewed every five years. Michigan corporations, LLCs, and other business entities are registered with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The state maintains a free searchable database at cofs.lara.michigan.gov/corpweb/corpSearch/corpSearch.aspx where users can search by business name, entity ID, or registered agent to view entity status, officers, registered office address, formation date, and filing history.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements and lien searches are also filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs at michigan.gov/ucc. Business property tax assessments for commercial properties in Howell can be researched through the Livingston County Equalization Department's online portal at bsaonline.com/PayTaxes/advanceSearch_Livingston, which provides assessed values, taxable values, and property classifications for commercial and industrial parcels. Businesses operating in Howell must also comply with Michigan sales tax registration and any applicable industry-specific licensing requirements administered by state agencies.

Howell voters are served by the Livingston County Clerk/Register of Deeds Elections Division, located at 200 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843 (phone: 517-546-0500, website: livgov.com/clk/Pages/Elections.aspx). Michigan residents can register to vote online at michigan.gov/vote up to 15 days before an election, or register in person at the county clerk's office, any Secretary of State branch office, or their city clerk's office up to and including Election Day with proof of residency. Acceptable documents include a Michigan driver's license or state ID, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing name and current address.

The City of Howell holds municipal elections for mayor, city council, and other city offices in November of odd-numbered years. The next Howell municipal election will be in November 2025, with the mayoral seat and three council seats on the ballot. Candidate filings and information about local ballot proposals specific to Howell are available through the Howell City Clerk at City Hall, 611 East Grand River Avenue (phone: 517-546-3500), and are typically posted at cityofhowell.org by late summer before the election.

Howell residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, which provides polling location addresses, sample ballots, and voter registration status. In the November 2024 presidential election, Livingston County recorded approximately 67% voter turnout with roughly 130,000 registered voters and over 87,000 ballots cast, reflecting high civic engagement in this suburban Detroit county.

On November 3, 2026, Howell and Livingston County voters will decide several significant races. Michigan does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026, but voters will elect Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Gretchen Whitmer's term expires in 2026), Michigan Secretary of State, Attorney General, all 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, and 19 seats in the Michigan Senate (Livingston County is in Senate District 24). County-level races will include Livingston County Commission seats, possibly county clerk, register of deeds, treasurer, prosecuting attorney, and sheriff depending on term expirations. Judicial positions including circuit court judges and district court judges may also appear on the ballot.

Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot application online at michigan.gov/vote, by contacting the Livingston County Clerk or Howell City Clerk, or by appearing in person. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before the election, though voters can register and request an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through 8:00 PM on Election Day. Ballots can be returned by mail (must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 48 hours) or deposited in secure ballot drop boxes available at the county clerk's office and throughout Livingston County.

Election records that are public in Michigan include the Qualified Voter File (voter registration lists, though with certain personal information restricted), campaign finance reports filed with the Livingston County Clerk for local candidates and with the Michigan Secretary of State for state candidates (searchable at michigan.gov/campaign-finance), candidate filing documents and petitions, precinct-by-precinct election results, and absentee ballot statistics. These records are accessible through the Livingston County Clerk's office and the Michigan Bureau of Elections website at michigan.gov/elections.