Lewiston, Michigan Public Records

For felony cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate and estate proceedings, and civil cases exceeding $25,000, Lewiston residents must appear in the 26th Circuit Court, also located at 12265 M-32, Atlanta, MI 49709 (phone: 989-785-8024). The 26th Circuit Court serves Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties on a rotating basis. Court records for both District and Circuit Courts can be searched through the Michigan Court System's public access portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, though some case types and sealed records are not available online. Montmorency County court records dating back several decades are maintained by the respective court clerks, though older records may require in-person inspection at the courthouse in Atlanta. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page in District Court. Circuit Court charges $10 plus $1 per page for certified copies of judgments, orders, and other filed documents. Small claims filing fees are $35 for claims up to $1,000 and $60 for claims between $1,001 and $6,500. General civil filing fees in District Court range from $60 to $85 depending on case type, while Circuit Court civil filing fees start at $175. Copy fees for non-certified documents are typically $1 per page.

Property assessment data including parcel numbers, owner names, mailing addresses, property descriptions, taxable values, assessed values, and state equalized values can be searched online through the Montmorency County GIS system and property search portal, accessible via the county website at www.montmorencycountymi.us. The online system allows searches by owner name, parcel number, or property address and displays current and historical assessment information, property characteristics, and tax information. The Montmorency County Register of Deeds, located at 12265 M-32, Atlanta, MI 49709 (phone: 989-785-8016), maintains all recorded land documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, land contracts, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, easements, right-of-way agreements, and other instruments affecting real property title. The Register of Deeds office provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based system; registered users can search and view imaged documents dating back to the early 1900s. There is no fee to search the index, but viewing and printing documents may require a fee or subscription. In-person record searches are available at no charge at the Register of Deeds office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page for standard copies and $5 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page for certified copies. The county's GIS parcel viewer provides interactive mapping of all parcels in Lewiston and throughout Montmorency County, displaying parcel boundaries, owner information, roads, hydrography, and aerial imagery. Property tax bills and payment status for parcels in Lewiston can be verified through the Montmorency County Treasurer's Office at (989) 785-8065.

Major employers in the immediate Lewiston area include Lewiston Community Schools (providing education for K-12 students and employing teachers, administrators, and support staff), retail establishments along M-32, and seasonal resorts and campgrounds that operate primarily during spring turkey season, fall deer hunting season, and winter snowmobile season. The Huron National Forest and Au Sable State Forest, which surround Lewiston, support logging operations and timber harvesting activities that provide employment for local residents. Many Lewiston residents commute to larger employment centers including Alpena (approximately 30 miles northeast) for manufacturing, healthcare, and government jobs, or Gaylord (approximately 35 miles west) for retail and service sector employment. Montmorency County has one of Michigan's smallest populations (approximately 9,100 residents county-wide) and is classified as a rural, economically distressed area with median household income estimated around $40,000 to $45,000, below the Michigan state average. The county's economy faces challenges including population decline, aging demographics, limited broadband infrastructure, and dependence on seasonal tourism. Agriculture in the Lewiston area consists primarily of small farms, hobby farms, and hunting properties rather than large-scale commercial operations. The area has seen modest growth in retirement and second-home development as individuals from southern Michigan seek affordable rural properties for recreation and retirement. Montmorency County's unemployment rate typically runs higher than state averages, and economic development efforts focus on promoting outdoor recreation tourism, supporting forestry industries, and improving infrastructure to attract remote workers and retirees.

Lewiston is an unincorporated community and does not operate its own police department. Law enforcement services for Lewiston and the surrounding area are provided by the Montmorency County Sheriff's Office, located at 12265 M-32, Atlanta, MI 49709. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (989) 785-8500 and operates a website at www.montmorencycountymi.us. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response throughout the county's unincorporated areas including Lewiston. The Michigan State Police Seventh District Headquarters in Gaylord also has jurisdiction and assists with major incidents and specialized investigations in the region. To request police reports or incident records from the Montmorency County Sheriff's Office, individuals should contact the office directly by phone or visit in person at the Atlanta location; requests are processed under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically MCL 15.231 through 15.246. The Sheriff's Office typically requires a completed FOIA request form identifying the specific incident, date, location, and parties involved. Processing fees may apply for copying and redaction costs. Arrest records and jail booking information for individuals detained in Montmorency County can be accessed through the Montmorency County Jail, which is co-located with the Sheriff's Office at 12265 M-32 in Atlanta. The jail maintains an inmate roster that can be accessed by calling (989) 785-8500; information typically includes inmate name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and expected release or court dates. Michigan law allows public access to booking photographs (mugshots) and arrest logs as public records unless specifically exempted due to ongoing investigations or victim protection concerns. Lewiston residents may also access statewide criminal history information through the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) at www.michigan.gov/ichat for a fee of $10 per name search.

Certified copies of birth certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Certified death certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for additional copies. Eligible applicants include the registered individual (for birth certificates), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, and immediate family members for death certificates; valid government-issued photo identification is required. For statewide searches or records when the county of birth is unknown, Michigan residents can order vital records through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Vital Records Office, located at 333 S. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933 (phone: 517-335-8656, website: www.michigan.gov/vitalrecords). Online ordering is available through VitalChek at michigan.gov/vitalrecords with additional processing fees; standard processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks, while expedited service costs extra. Marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Montmorency County must be obtained from the Montmorency County Clerk's Office; the fee is $30 and there is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Michigan. Marriage licenses are valid for 33 days from issuance. Certified copies of recorded marriage certificates cost $16. Divorce records are court records maintained by the 26th Circuit Court at the same address as the County Clerk; certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10 plus $1 per page. Michigan law restricts vital records access to protect privacy; requestors must demonstrate direct and tangible interest and provide identification. Birth records more than 100 years old and death records more than 50 years old are considered public records and available without restriction through the State Archives.

The County Clerk maintains a register of all assumed names on file, which is available for public inspection during regular business hours. For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships, Michigan requires registration with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The Michigan business entity database can be searched free of charge at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch, where users can look up business names, entity status (active, dissolved, merged), registered agent information, entity type, formation date, and filing history. All corporations and LLCs doing business in Michigan must file annual statements with LARA and maintain a registered agent with a Michigan address. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which create secured interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State at www.michigan.gov/sos; UCC searches cost $6 per debtor name online. Business personal property taxes in Lewiston are assessed by the Montmorency County Equalization Department (989-785-8059), and businesses must file annual Personal Property Statements (Form 632) by February 20 each year declaring equipment, furniture, fixtures, and inventory. Commercial real property used for business purposes is assessed the same as residential property and searchable through the county's online property database. Certain business activities in Montmorency County may require specific licenses or permits such as food service licenses (health department), liquor licenses (Michigan Liquor Control Commission), building permits (county building department), and professional licenses (state licensing boards). The Montmorency County Building Department can be reached at (989) 785-8059 for construction permits and zoning information applicable to Lewiston.

Lewiston voters are served by the Montmorency County Clerk, who functions as the county's chief election official. The Montmorency County Clerk's Office is located at 12265 M-32, Atlanta, MI 49709 (phone: 989-785-8004, website: www.montmorencycountymi.us). Michigan residents can register to vote online at www.michigan.gov/vote, in person at the County Clerk's office, or at any Secretary of State branch office. Michigan offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible residents to register and vote on Election Day at their clerk's office or designated location; however, traditional registration closes 15 days before an election for those wishing to register by mail. Voters must provide proof of residency (such as a Michigan driver's license or state ID) when registering. Lewiston is an unincorporated community without its own municipal government, so residents do not vote in city council or mayoral elections; instead, voters participate in Rust Township or Loud Township elections (depending on their specific location), Montmorency County elections, state legislative races, and federal elections. Montmorency County offices up for election on rotating cycles include County Commissioner (six districts, four-year terms), Sheriff (four-year terms), Prosecutor (four-year terms), Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and Drain Commissioner. Lewiston voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote and entering their address, or by contacting the County Clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, Montmorency County recorded approximately 5,400 total votes cast out of roughly 8,200 registered voters, representing a turnout of approximately 66%. The county has historically favored Republican candidates in federal and state races. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Lewiston and Montmorency County voters will decide several significant races: Michigan Governor (four-year term), Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan Attorney General, one U.S. Senate seat (Gary Peters' seat, Class II, six-year term), Michigan's 1st Congressional District U.S. House seat, Michigan State Senate District 36, Michigan State House District 106, Montmorency County Commissioner positions for districts with expiring terms, and various township offices including supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustees for Rust Township and Loud Township. Judicial positions including 26th Circuit Court judge may also appear on the ballot if terms expire or vacancies occur. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots (called Absent Voter Ballots in Michigan) for any reason without providing justification; applications are available through the County Clerk or online at www.michigan.gov/vote, and completed ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (must be received by deadline, not just postmarked) or delivered to designated drop boxes or the clerk's office. Michigan voters can track their absentee ballot status online. Public election records available to Lewiston residents include the Qualified Voter File (voter registration list, available for purchase for lawful purposes), campaign finance disclosures for state and county candidates (searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos), precinct-level election results (published by the County Clerk and Secretary of State), and candidate filing documents. Michigan law prohibits using voter lists for commercial solicitation.