Mackinac Island, Michigan Public Records

The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, divorce and family law matters, and probate cases including estates and guardianships. The Mackinac County Probate Court is consolidated with the Circuit Court at the same location. Michigan court records are accessible through the statewide Michigan Court Access Portal at https://courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which allows searching by party name or case number for many district and circuit court records. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page at the courthouse clerk's office. Case file copies cost 25 cents per page. Some older records may require in-person requests at the Mackinac County Clerk's office.

Parcel searches are available by address, owner name, or parcel identification number, showing assessed values, property characteristics, tax history, and aerial imagery. The Mackinac County Register of Deeds, located at 100 South Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, phone (906) 643-7309, records and maintains all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, land contracts, and other instruments affecting real property title. Michigan statute requires recording within specific timeframes to perfect legal interest. The Register of Deeds website offers online document searching at www.mackinaccounty.net/register-of-deeds, with some records digitized back to the 1800s. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. The county's GIS parcel viewer provides interactive mapping tools to search properties by location, overlay zoning districts, and view property boundaries with survey information.

Other major employers include Mission Point Resort, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission (which employs rangers, interpreters, and maintenance staff), the City of Mackinac Island government, Mackinac Island Public Schools (serving approximately 50-60 students year-round), and numerous family-owned businesses including Ryba's Fudge Shops, Murdick's Fudge, May's Candy Shop, and various hotels and restaurants along Main Street. Carriage tour companies including Mackinac Island Carriage Tours provide significant employment. The island has no manufacturing or industrial facilities due to its historic preservation character and vehicle ban. Median household income is difficult to estimate due to the unique seasonal population dynamics and significant tourism-driven business income. The year-round population of approximately 500 swells to over 15,000 daily visitors at peak summer season. Recent economic developments include ongoing restoration of historic properties, expansion of shoulder-season tourism programming, and increased winter visitation. The island's economy is heavily regulated to preserve its historic character, with strict zoning and architectural review requirements. Property values are extremely high due to limited supply and high demand from both commercial operators and wealthy second-home owners.

The Mackinac Island Police Department serves the incorporated city, headquartered at 7358 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, phone (906) 847-3344. The department operates year-round with expanded staffing during tourist season. Police reports and incident records can be requested in person at the station or by written FOIA request. The department handles city ordinance violations, traffic enforcement (bicycle and carriage), and criminal matters within city limits. The Mackinac County Sheriff's Office, located at 100 South Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, phone (906) 643-7582, provides broader law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of Mackinac County and assists the island police when needed. The Sheriff's Office website is www.mackinaccounty.net/sheriff. For arrests and jail bookings, the Mackinac County Jail maintains an inmate roster searchable at the Sheriff's Office or by calling. The facility houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanants, with booking information including names, charges, bond amounts, and booking dates available to the public. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 through 15.246) guarantees public access to government records, including police reports, arrest logs, and booking records. Requests must be submitted in writing, and agencies have five business days to respond. Fees may apply for copies and staff time exceeding costs prescribed by statute.

Death certificates cost the same ($34 first copy, $16 additional). Only eligible individuals can request vital records: the person named on the record (if 18+), spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, legal representative, or someone with court order or documented legal need. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access. Marriage licenses are issued by the Mackinac County Clerk, 100 South Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, phone (906) 643-7300. The marriage license fee is $20 if both parties complete premarital education or $30 without, with a 3-day waiting period. Certified marriage certificate copies cost $10. Divorce records (judgments of divorce) are maintained by the 50th Circuit Court at the same address, with copies available for $10 plus $1 per page. Michigan statute MCL 333.2882 governs vital records access and restrictions.

Mackinac County does not separately register business names, but fictitious name (DBA) filings for businesses operating under names other than the owner's legal name must be registered with the Mackinac County Clerk at 100 South Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, phone (906) 643-7300. Michigan state business entity formation and registration is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The Michigan business entity search is available free at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch, allowing searches for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered entities by business name or identification number. Records show entity status, registered agent, formation date, and principal office address. Professional licenses are issued by LARA through various boards and can be verified at www.michigan.gov/licenseverification. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State at www.michigan.gov/ucc. Commercial property tax assessments are searchable through the Mackinac County Assessor's online database, showing taxable values for business properties.

Mackinac Island voters are served by the Mackinac County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for the county. The office is located at 100 South Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, phone (906) 643-7300, website www.mackinaccounty.net/clerk. Michigan residents can register to vote online at www.michigan.gov/vote or in person at the County Clerk's office, Secretary of State branch offices, or on Election Day at their polling location with proof of residency. Voter registration deadline is 15 days before an election for advance registration, though same-day registration is available. A Michigan driver's license or state ID is required for online registration. The City of Mackinac Island holds municipal elections in odd-numbered years, with the next city council and mayoral elections scheduled for November 2025. City council consists of six members serving staggered four-year terms. City election information is available through Mackinac Island City Hall at (906) 847-3348. Mackinac Island voters cast ballots at the Mackinac Island Community Hall, 7416 Main Street. Mainland Mackinac County residents vote at various township halls. Polling place lookup is available at www.michigan.gov/vote by entering your address. Michigan makes various election records public including voter registration files (available for purchase for election-related purposes), campaign finance reports through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/cfr, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 general election, Mackinac County reported approximately 65-70% voter turnout, with roughly 1,400 ballots cast from approximately 2,100 registered voters. On November 3, 2026, Michigan voters will decide several statewide races including the Governor's office, Secretary of State, Attorney General, all State House seats (110 districts with 2-year terms), State Senate seats (not a full Senate election year), and various county offices including Mackinac County Commissioners, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds. Michigan does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next Senate elections are 2024 and 2028). Mackinac Island city voters may also decide local ballot questions. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots without providing a reason under constitutional amendments passed in 2018. Applications are available at www.michigan.gov/vote or through the County Clerk, with ballots mailed approximately 45 days before elections. Completed ballots must be received by 8 PM on Election Day.