North Star, Michigan Public Records

The 29th Circuit Court, located at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-5220, has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations matters including divorce and child custody, adoptions, probate and estate administration, guardianships, and appeals from District Court. Both courts are part of Michigan's unified court system. Court records can be searched through Michigan's statewide case management system at www.courts.michigan.gov/case-search, though not all historical records have been digitized. In-person searches are available at the court clerk's offices during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page in District Court. Circuit Court charges $10 for certified copies plus $1 per page. Non-certified copies are typically $1 per page. Document filing fees vary by case type: small claims filing is $40-$65 depending on the amount claimed, civil case filing in District Court ranges from $60-$85, Circuit Court civil filing is $175, and domestic relations filings are $175-$230. Probate filing fees vary by estate size and type of proceeding.

Property tax information and assessments can be searched online through the county's property search portal at www.gratiotmi.com, where users can search by parcel number, owner name, or property address to view current assessed values, taxable values, property characteristics, tax history, and special assessments. The online system provides access to property tax bills and payment status. The Gratiot County Register of Deeds, located at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-5213; website www.gratiotmi.com, records and maintains all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, liens, land contracts, easements, and other instruments affecting real property title. The Register of Deeds office provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based system requiring registration and payment of search fees. Document images can be viewed and printed for a per-page fee. Recording fees for deeds are $30 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Mortgages and most other instruments cost $30 for the first page and $3 per additional page. A transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of property value (or $7.50 per $1,000) applies to most property transfers. Gratiot County offers a GIS mapping system accessible through the county website, allowing users to view parcel boundaries, aerial photography, zoning information, and property characteristics. This interactive map can be searched by address or parcel number and provides links to assessment and ownership data.

Agricultural support businesses including equipment dealers, grain elevators, and farm supply companies provide local employment. Ashley Community Schools, which serves North Star, is among the larger employers for area residents. Many North Star residents commute to Ithaca (10 miles southwest) for county government jobs, retail, and healthcare positions at MyMichigan Medical Center Gratiot. Others travel to Saginaw (approximately 30 miles east) for manufacturing and service sector employment. Median household income in Seville Township is estimated at approximately $52,000, somewhat below Michigan's statewide median. The local economy remains closely tied to commodity agriculture prices and federal farm policy. Recent years have seen consolidation of smaller farms into larger operations and some diversification into specialty crops and organic farming. The rural character and lack of commercial zoning have limited retail and industrial development, with North Star maintaining its identity as a quiet farming community. Population has remained stable or slightly declining, consistent with rural trends across Michigan's agricultural regions.

North Star, as an unincorporated community in Seville Township, does not maintain its own police department. Primary law enforcement services are provided by the Gratiot County Sheriff's Office, located at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-6300. The Sheriff's Office website at www.gratiotmi.com provides information on services, though online records access is limited. The Sheriff's Office handles patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response for North Star and other unincorporated areas of Gratiot County. To request police reports or incident records involving North Star, residents must contact the Sheriff's Office directly during regular business hours or submit a written FOIA request. Michigan State Police also maintain jurisdiction and operate from the Mt. Pleasant Post at 2109 East Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858; phone (989) 773-5951, providing support for major investigations and highway patrol on M-57 and other state routes near North Star. Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in Gratiot County are maintained at the Gratiot County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Ithaca address. While Gratiot County does not currently offer a comprehensive online inmate roster, jail information including current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts can be obtained by calling the jail at (989) 875-6302 or visiting in person. Public records requests in Michigan are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231-15.246, which grants public access to government records with specific exemptions for ongoing investigations and certain personal information. FOIA requests must be submitted in writing to the custodian of records at the Sheriff's Office, and agencies must respond within five business days, either providing the records, denying the request with legal justification, or issuing an extension notice.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs for an additional convenience fee of approximately $9.95, with processing times of 2-3 weeks for mail orders and expedited options available. Certified copies can only be requested by eligible individuals including the person named on the certificate (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper authorization and government-issued photo ID. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access. The Gratiot County Clerk's Office, located at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-5210, issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in Gratiot County. The marriage license fee is $30, with an additional $10 for certified copies of the marriage certificate after the ceremony. Couples must apply in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers; there is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 33 days from issuance. Marriage records dating back to the county's founding in 1855 are maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce records are court records maintained by the 29th Circuit Court at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-5220. Divorce decrees and judgments are public record and can be obtained from the Circuit Court clerk's office for $10 per certified copy plus $1 per additional page.

The Gratiot County Building Department, phone (989) 875-5219, handles construction permits and zoning compliance. Businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file an Assumed Name (DBA - Doing Business As) certificate with the Gratiot County Clerk's Office, located at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-5210. The filing fee is $10, and certificates must be renewed every five years. Michigan corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities must register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The Michigan business entity database can be searched online at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch, providing free access to information on business name, entity type, incorporation date, registered agent name and address, status (active, dissolved, etc.), and sometimes officer information. New entity formation can be filed online through LARA's website, with LLC formation costing $50 and corporation formation costing $60. Annual statements are required with a $25 fee. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches and filings, which record security interests in personal property and business assets, are maintained by the Michigan Department of State and searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos. Business personal property taxes are assessed by local units; North Star businesses would be assessed by Seville Township and can obtain assessment information through the Gratiot County Equalization Department at (989) 875-5226. Commercial real property assessments and taxes are searchable through the county's online property database.

North Star voters are served by the Gratiot County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all county residents. The office is located at 214 East Center Street, Ithaca, MI 48847; phone (989) 875-5210; website www.gratiotmi.com. Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, in person at the county clerk's office or township clerk, by mail, or at Secretary of State branch offices. Michigan now offers Election Day registration, allowing eligible residents to register and vote on the same day at their city or township clerk's office through 8 PM on Election Day, though advance registration is encouraged. Voters must provide proof of residency such as a Michigan driver's license, state ID, or current utility bill. North Star, as an unincorporated community, has no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote in Seville Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustee positions. Township elections are held in even-numbered years during the August primary and November general election. The next regular township elections will occur in August and November 2026. North Star voters can locate their assigned polling place through the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and birth date or address. Seville Township residents typically vote at the Seville Township Hall. In the November 2024 presidential election, Gratiot County recorded approximately 58% voter turnout, with about 14,200 ballots cast out of roughly 24,500 registered voters. The county leaned Republican, consistent with its historical voting patterns in recent presidential elections. For the November 3, 2026 general election, North Star and Gratiot County voters will decide multiple important races. Michigan's gubernatorial election is in 2026, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer term-limited and unable to run, creating an open race for both parties. All 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot; North Star is in the 98th District. Michigan does not have a U.S. Senate race in 2026 (next in 2024 and 2028). County-level races will include Gratiot County commissioners, sheriff, prosecutor, clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, and drain commissioner. Seville Township offices will also be on the ballot. Michigan allows no-excuse absentee voting; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Applications can be submitted online through www.michigan.gov/vote, by mail, or in person at the township or county clerk's office. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Friday before the election for mail delivery, or voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person at the clerk's office through 8 PM on Election Day. Michigan law (MCL 168.1 et seq.) makes voter registration lists, precinct-level election results, and campaign finance reports for state and county candidates public records. The Michigan Secretary of State maintains the campaign finance database at www.michigan.gov/cfr. Local candidate filings and financial disclosures are available through the county clerk's office.