Leland, Michigan Public Records

For felony cases and appeals, Leland residents fall under the jurisdiction of the 13th Circuit Court for Grand Traverse County, located at 328 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4720, though the 13th Circuit Court also holds sessions in Leelanau County. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate cases, guardianships, and appeals from District Court. The 13th Circuit Court - Leelanau County division is at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Leland, MI 49654. Probate Court matters for Leelanau County are heard by the Leelanau County Probate Court at the same Government Center address, phone (231) 256-9824, handling estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health proceedings, and juvenile matters. Michigan courts participate in a statewide online case search system; case records can be searched at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which provides access to case information from most Michigan trial courts including case numbers, parties, case type, filing dates, and disposition information. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the respective court clerks; fees for certified copies are typically $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page in District Court, with Circuit and Probate Courts charging similar fees. Document retrieval and copying fees vary by court.

Property owners and the public can search by parcel number, owner name, or property address to find assessed values, taxable values, property descriptions, sales history, and current tax information. The county offers a comprehensive GIS mapping system and online parcel viewer accessible through the Equalization Department website, which displays parcel boundaries, zoning information, aerial photography, and links to detailed property records. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting title to real property, the Leelanau County Register of Deeds maintains these records at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suite 104, Leland, MI 49654, phone (231) 256-9810. The Register of Deeds website at www.leelanau.gov/registerofdeeds.asp provides online access to the county's land records database. Many documents dating back decades can be viewed and printed online at no charge through the county's document search portal, though certified copies require payment of statutory fees ($1 for the first page, $0.50 for additional pages). The office records and indexes all real estate documents, UCC financing statements, and federal/state tax liens. Searches can be conducted by grantor/grantee name, parcel number, or document type. The online system is regularly updated and provides access to scanned images of recorded documents.

Tourism-related businesses including restaurants, galleries, boutique shops, charter fishing operations, and lodging establishments concentrated along Main Street and the harbor area constitute the primary commercial base. The Leland Public School District, part of the Northwestern Michigan College district, provides educational employment. Agricultural activities, particularly cherry orchards and wineries in the surrounding Leelanau Peninsula wine region, contribute to the local economy, with several wineries and tasting rooms accessible from Leland. The median household income in Leland is estimated at approximately $52,000-$58,000 based on recent census data, though this varies significantly between year-round residents and seasonal populations. The community experiences pronounced seasonal economic fluctuations, with peak activity from June through October when summer residents and tourists swell the population. Recent development has seen investment in boutique hospitality properties and culinary establishments catering to upscale tourism markets. Leland's economy reflects broader Leelanau County trends, with the county consistently ranking among Michigan's top tourist destinations and maintaining a strong agricultural sector alongside seasonal recreation. The community maintains its historic fishing village character while adapting to changing economic pressures, with commercial fishing still occurring at Fishtown though at greatly reduced levels compared to historical operations. Healthcare employment is limited locally, with most residents traveling to Traverse City for medical services and major healthcare employment.

Leland does not have its own municipal police department; law enforcement services for the community are provided by the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, which is headquartered at 8525 E Government Center Drive, Suite 2, Leland, MI 49654. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (231) 256-8800, and their website is www.leelanau.gov/sheriff.asp. This office has jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas of Leelanau County, including Leland, and handles patrol, criminal investigations, civil process, court security, and operates the county jail. To request police reports, incident reports, or accident reports, residents can contact the Sheriff's Office directly by phone or visit in person during business hours; formal requests may require completion of a FOIA request form. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 through 15.246) governs access to law enforcement records, and agencies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days. The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports, though certain information may be exempt from disclosure under FOIA if it involves ongoing investigations or protected information. For arrest and jail booking information, Leelanau County provides online access to current inmate information through the county website; the jail roster typically displays inmate names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and expected release dates. Mugshots may be available upon request. The county detention facility is located at the Government Center complex in Leland. Historical arrest records and detailed criminal history information can also be requested through the Michigan State Police Criminal History Section or obtained through the Sheriff's Office records division. All requests for sensitive law enforcement records should cite Michigan FOIA and may be subject to processing fees for copies and staff time.

Birth certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.michigan.gov/vitalrecords with additional processing fees. Certified copies are typically processed within 3-4 weeks for mail requests or can be expedited for additional fees. Only eligible individuals (the registrant if 18+, parents, legal guardians, legal representatives) can obtain certified copies with valid photo ID required. Death certificates follow the same process and fees through the state Vital Records office. At the local level, the Leelanau County Clerk's Office at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suite 101, Leland, MI 49654, phone (231) 256-9824, can provide certified copies of vital records for events that occurred in Leelanau County, typically with faster processing than the state office; fees are consistent with state pricing. Marriage licenses are issued by the Leelanau County Clerk's Office; applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers, pay a fee of $20-$30, and observe a three-day waiting period before the license is valid. The license is valid for 33 days after issuance. Certified copies of marriage records cost $13 for the first copy and $4 for additional copies. Divorce records are not maintained by the Clerk but are available through the 13th Circuit Court where the divorce was filed. Michigan vital records are generally confidential; records less than 100 years old require proof of eligibility. Records have been digitized to varying degrees, with recent records more readily accessible online through VitalChek.

However, specific business types (food service, liquor sales, home occupations, contractors) may require permits from the Leelanau County Health Department at 7401 E Duck Lake Road, Suite 100, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653, phone (231) 256-0200, or from Leland Township at 109 E Main Street, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653. Fictitious business name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) in Michigan are filed with the county clerk where the business operates. The Leelanau County Clerk's Office at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suite 101, Leland, MI 49654, phone (231) 256-9824, handles DBA registrations for businesses operating in Leland; fees are typically around $10 and registrations must be renewed every five years. For corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities, registration is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Corporations Division. Business entity searches can be conducted free of charge at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch, where users can look up corporation and LLC records by business name, registered agent, or ID number. The database shows entity status (active, dissolved), formation date, registered agent information, officers and directors (for corporations), and filing history. Annual report requirements and business tax obligations are also managed through the state system. UCC financing statement searches and filings (secured transactions and liens on personal property) are maintained by the Michigan Department of State at www.michigan.gov/sos in the UCC section. Commercial property assessments for business owners in Leland can be searched through the Leelanau County Equalization Department's online property database at www.leelanau.gov/equalization.asp, which displays assessed values, property classifications, and tax information for commercial and industrial properties.

Leland voters are served by the Leelanau County Clerk's Office, which functions as the county's election authority, located at 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suite 101, Leland, MI 49654, phone (231) 256-9824. The County Clerk's website at www.leelanau.gov/countyclerk.asp provides comprehensive election information including candidate listings, sample ballots, polling locations, and election results. Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/sos using the online voter registration portal; residents need a Michigan driver's license or state ID to register online. Voter registration is available up to and including Election Day in Michigan as of 2019 law changes, though registering by the deadline 15 days before an election allows voters to appear on precinct lists. To register or update registration in person, Leland residents can visit the County Clerk's office or any Secretary of State branch office. Since Leland is an unincorporated community, there are no municipal elections for mayor or city council; local governance occurs through Leland Township, which holds elections for Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees. These township elections occur in November of even-numbered years, with the next township elections scheduled for November 2026. Leland residents vote in state and federal elections for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives (Michigan's 1st Congressional District), Michigan Governor, Michigan State Senate, Michigan State House, and various county offices. Polling place assignments for Leland voters can be found using the Michigan Voter Information Center at mvic.sos.state.mi.us by entering a home address; most Leland residents vote at the Leland Township Hall or designated precinct locations. In the November 2024 presidential election, Leelanau County reported approximately 67-69% voter turnout with roughly 15,200 ballots cast from approximately 22,000 registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of the county. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Leland and Leelanau County voters will decide several major races: Michigan Governor (incumbent Gretchen Whitmer's term expires; open or incumbent race), Michigan Attorney General, Michigan Secretary of State, all 110 Michigan State House seats including the district covering Leland, Leelanau County Commission seats, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, and various township offices including Leland Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustees. The U.S. Senate seat held by Gary Peters will not be up in 2026 (next election 2026 is for the seat currently held by Debbie Stabenow's successor). Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting; any registered voter can request an absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center online, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk's office. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Friday before the election, though ballots can be requested in person through 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day. Election records that are public in Michigan include voter registration lists (available for purchase for election-related purposes), campaign finance reports searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos under the Campaign Finance section showing contributions and expenditures for candidates and committees, candidate filing information and petitions, precinct-level election results published by the County Clerk and Secretary of State, and ballot language for proposals and referenda.