Where to Look in Michigan
The six most productive places to start a people search in Michigan. Each links directly to the official record source.
Official Michigan Sources
State-level databases and agency record portals.
Michigan Courts
Dockets, civil & criminal case filings, judgments.
Property & Tax Records
Deeds, assessor data, owner history, liens.
Inmates & Offenders
State prison rosters, sex offender registries, jails.
Vital Records
Birth, death, marriage, divorce — certified records.
Michigan FAQ
Laws, fees, turnaround, and common questions.
1About Michigan Public Records
Governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.), the state generally promotes transparency. However, Michigan is unique in that the Governor and state legislature are currently exempt from FOIA. At the local level across 83 counties, public records are highly accessible.
2Best Starting Points in Michigan
Michigan DOC Offender Tracking (OTIS)
https://mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspxThe Offender Tracking Information System provides info on prisoners, parolees, and probationers.
What it's useful for: Fast criminal history verification for state-level offenses.
Michigan LARA Corporations Search
https://cofs.lara.state.mi.us/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspxThe state's official business entity search portal.
What it's useful for: Finding business owners and registered agent addresses.
3Official State-Level Sources
Michigan Secretary of State
https://www.michigan.gov/sosHandles vehicle registrations and elections.
What it's useful for: General state administrative inquiries.
https://mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us/search/business
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) MiBusiness Registry Portal. Free entity search covers corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and trade names.
What it's useful for: Verifying that a Michigan business is registered and finding its registered agent and filing history.https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/
The Internet Criminal History Access Tool. Anyone can search the official MSP Criminal History database by name for $10 per search using Visa or MasterCard.
What it's useful for: Self-service Michigan criminal background searches by name without fingerprinting.4Court Records in Michigan
Michigan utilizes a structured tier system: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts (57 general jurisdiction circuits), District Courts, and Probate Courts. The 36th District Court in Detroit is one of the busiest in the nation.
Michigan MiCOURT Case Search
https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/Provides limited statewide court case searching for participating courts.
What it's useful for: Finding civil and criminal trial court dockets without checking every county.
https://www.courts.michigan.gov/
The official site of Michigan's unified judicial system. Links to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court (general jurisdiction), District Courts, and Probate Courts in each county.
What it's useful for: Finding the right Michigan court and accessing rules, forms, and county-court contact information.5Property and Tax Records
To establish a timeline of a person's residency, check the local Register of Deeds for mortgage and deed transfers.
https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/collections/register-of-deeds
Each Michigan county has an elected Register of Deeds responsible for recording deeds, mortgages, land contracts, and liens. The state portal lists all 83 counties with contact info and websites.
What it's useful for: Locating the correct Michigan Register of Deeds when researching property ownership and recorded liens.6Business and Licensing Records
LARA Professional License Verification
https://aca3.accela.com/LARA/The Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs portal for verifying builders, nurses, CPAs, etc.
What it's useful for: Verifying credentials and finding disciplinary actions.
7Corrections and Inmate Records
Michigan Sex Offender Registry
https://www.communitynotification.com/cap_office_disclaimer.php?office=54438The official public registry for registered sex offenders in MI.
What it's useful for: Community safety and address verification.
https://mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2/otis2.aspx
Michigan Department of Corrections' free public search for prisoners, parolees, and probationers currently under MDOC supervision. Search by name or MDOC number.
What it's useful for: Confirming current Michigan custody, parole, or probation status by name or MDOC number.https://mspsor.com/
The Michigan State Police-operated public Sex Offender Registry. Free search by name, registration number, or location.
What it's useful for: Identifying registered Michigan sex offenders by name or geographic area.8Vital Records
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are housed at the State Vital Records Office. Access to birth records is restricted to the individual or parents for 100 years.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office. Issues certified Michigan birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates dating back to 1867.
What it's useful for: Officially ordering a Michigan birth, death, or marriage certificate for legal, identity, or estate purposes.9Voter Registration
The Michigan Voter Information Center allows individuals to verify their own registration status, while researchers can request public voter rolls for larger data pulls.
10Archives, Genealogy, and Obituary Resources
Seventhland Resources, Michigan Archives
https://www.michigan.gov/archivesofmiPreserves historical documents, naturalization records, and old census data.
What it's useful for: Deep historical and genealogical research.
11Major County and City Resources
Wayne County (Detroit) is the state's largest and operates the massive 3rd Circuit Court. Other critical counties include Oakland, Macomb, Kent (Grand Rapids), Genesee (Flint), Washtenaw, and Ingham (Lansing).
12People Search Tips for Michigan
13Privacy, Legal Framework, and FCRA Compliance
Always adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Michigan public records provide raw data, but using them for housing or employment decisions outside of FCRA parameters is illegal.
More Michigan Record Tools
Combine a people search with Michigan-specific record searches for a complete profile. These companion directories are already live on PublicRecordCenter.com:
Search People in Other States
Every state's public records system works differently. Click any state for its dedicated people-search directory.
Frequently Asked Questions — Michigan
Is Michigan people search free?
Yes, state portals like OTIS and MiCOURT are free.
Are Michigan court records online?
Yes, through MiCOURT and individual county clerk websites.
How do I find property records in Michigan?
Search the county Register of Deeds.
Can I check if someone has a criminal record in Michigan?
Yes, via the DOC OTIS portal.
How do I verify a Michigan business?
Use the LARA database.
Where can I find Michigan inmate information?
The MDOC OTIS system.
What is the Michigan public records law?
The Michigan FOIA.
Can I use Michigan public records for background checks on employees?
No, not without an FCRA-compliant CRA.