Old Mission, Michigan Public Records

The bond and bail process follows Michigan state guidelines, allowing for the posting of bail to secure an inmate's release pending trial. Recently arrested individuals can be located through the Sheriff's Office or the online system.

Felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, and all family law matters (divorce, custody, parental rights) are heard in the 13th Circuit Court, located at 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4720. The same facility houses the Probate Court for Grand Traverse County, phone (231) 922-4735, which handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings. Michigan's court records can be searched online through the Michigan Court Access Portal at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov, which provides free access to case search functions for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases statewide. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Certified copies of court documents can be requested in person or by mail from the respective court clerk's office. The 86th District Court charges $10 per certified document plus $1 per page for additional pages. The 13th Circuit Court charges $10 per certified document. Copies of case files (non-certified) are typically $1 per page. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or credit/debit card. Records requests for older archived cases may require advance notice and additional processing time.

The county's online property search portal at www.grandtraverse.org/equalization allows free searches by property address, parcel number, or owner name, displaying current assessed values, taxable values, property characteristics (square footage, year built, acreage), sales history, and tax information. The system covers all properties on the Old Mission Peninsula, including the many waterfront parcels along East and West Grand Traverse Bay. The Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds, located at 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4760, website www.grandtraverse.org/registerofdeeds, records and maintains all real estate documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, land contracts, easements, and liens. Documents are indexed by grantor, grantee, and property description. The Register of Deeds provides free online access to recorded documents dating back to the 1850s through their website portal. Users can search by name, document type, book and page number, or parcel number and view digital images of recorded instruments at no charge. The office charges $1 per page for certified copies requested in person or by mail. Grand Traverse County also maintains a GIS mapping system accessible at www.traverseconnect.com/gis providing interactive parcel maps, aerial photography, zoning overlays, and property boundary information for the entire Old Mission Peninsula.

Cherry orchards remain significant employers during harvest season, though many historical orchards have transitioned to vineyard use. The Kroupa and Brys families are among the prominent agricultural landowners and operators on the peninsula. Tourism drives substantial economic activity, with the Old Mission Peninsula attracting visitors for wine tasting, scenic drives along Center Road and Peninsula Drive (M-37), cycling, beach access, and historic sites including the Old Mission Lighthouse and the 1839 Mission Church. The Old Mission General Store, Old Mission Tavern, and several bed-and-breakfast establishments serve visitors and residents. Peninsula Township operates Old Mission Point Park and several public beach access points. Educational employment comes from the Peninsula School (serving K-8 students). Many residents commute approximately 18 miles south to Traverse City for employment in healthcare (Munson Healthcare), education (Northwestern Michigan College), retail, and professional services. The peninsula's median household income is estimated above $75,000, reflecting the area's desirability for affluent retirees and second-home owners. Waterfront property values along East and West Grand Traverse Bay rank among the highest in northern Michigan. Agricultural preservation and resistance to commercial development characterize the peninsula's economic development approach, maintained through Peninsula Township zoning regulations emphasizing agricultural and residential uses.

Old Mission, as an unincorporated community, does not maintain its own police department. Law enforcement services for the Old Mission Peninsula are provided exclusively by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 851 Woodmere Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49686, phone (231) 995-5000, website www.grandtraverse.org/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas of Grand Traverse County, including the entire Old Mission Peninsula, and operates road patrol, marine patrol for Grand Traverse Bay waters, and investigative services. Residents can request police reports and incident records by visiting the Sheriff's Office administrative building during business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) or by submitting a written FOIA request. The Sheriff's Office maintains a records division that processes requests for accident reports, incident reports, and case files under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.).

Arrest and jail booking records for individuals detained in the Old Mission area can be searched through the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster, available online at www.grandtraverse.org/sheriff (navigate to Corrections/Inmate Search). The county operates the Grand Traverse County Jail at 851 Woodmere Avenue, Traverse City. The online inmate search typically displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs when available. For historical arrest records or more detailed information, requestors must submit a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office. Michigan FOIA law requires agencies to respond within five business days and permits reasonable fees for document search, review, and copying. Certain sensitive law enforcement records may be exempt under MCL 15.243, including active investigation files and records that would compromise ongoing enforcement efforts.

Michigan vital records can be ordered online at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs (Vital Records section) with processing times of approximately 4-6 weeks, or expedited service available for additional fees. In-person requests at the County Clerk's office are processed while-you-wait during business hours. Only eligible applicants can request vital records: the registrant (if age 18+), parent listed on the certificate, legal guardian, or legal representative with proper documentation. Valid government-issued photo identification is required. Marriage licenses for Old Mission residents are issued exclusively by the Grand Traverse County Clerk, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4760. The marriage license fee is $20 for Michigan residents ($30 for non-residents). Couples must apply in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. There is no waiting period or blood test requirement in Michigan. The license is valid for 33 days from issuance. Marriage certificates (certified copies of recorded marriages) cost $13 each. Divorce records are maintained by the 13th Circuit Court where the divorce was granted; most Grand Traverse County divorces are filed at 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4720. Certified divorce decree copies cost $10 plus $1 per page. The County Clerk maintains a marriage records database dating back to the 1850s, searchable by name and date. Records less than 100 years old have restricted access pursuant to MCL 333.2882.

The peninsula's numerous wineries and tasting rooms operate under licenses issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Businesses must register with the State of Michigan if operating under a name other than the owner's legal name or if establishing a formal business entity. Fictitious business name ("Doing Business As"/DBA) registrations in Michigan are filed with the county clerk where the business operates. For Old Mission businesses, filings are submitted to the Grand Traverse County Clerk, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4760. The filing fee is approximately $10 and registration must be renewed every five years. Michigan corporations, LLCs, and other formal business entities are registered with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporation Division. The Michigan business entity search is available free online at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch, allowing searches by entity name, identification number, or registered agent. The database displays entity status (active, dissolved), formation date, registered agent name and address, and principal office location. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches in Michigan are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State, UCC Section. Searches can be conducted online at www.michigan.gov/sos. Commercial property owners on Old Mission Peninsula can look up property tax assessments through the Grand Traverse County Equalization Department's online portal at www.grandtraverse.org/equalization, which displays taxable values, special assessments, and payment history for all commercial and agricultural parcels. Commercial property in Old Mission is assessed by the county and subject to Grand Traverse County, Peninsula Township (the peninsula is divided between Peninsula Township and Garfield Township), and various special assessment districts.

Old Mission voters are served by the Grand Traverse County Clerk/Election Division, located at 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4760, website www.grandtraverse.org/clerk. This office administers all federal, state, county, and township elections for Old Mission residents, maintains voter registration records, processes absentee ballot applications, provides election results, and certifies candidates and ballot proposals. Old Mission Peninsula is divided between Peninsula Township (covering the northern portion including Old Mission proper) and Garfield Township (covering the southern base of the peninsula); residents should confirm their specific township through the County Clerk.

Michigan residents can register to vote online at www.michigan.gov/vote or in person at the County Clerk's office, township clerk's office, or Secretary of State branch office. Michigan offers same-day voter registration through Election Day at the local clerk's office with proof of residency. Voters must be U.S. citizens, Michigan residents, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not serving a jail sentence. Acceptable ID includes Michigan driver's license, state ID, or documents showing name and current address. Old Mission, as an unincorporated community, does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Residents vote in Peninsula Township elections (or Garfield Township elections depending on location) for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustee positions. Peninsula Township board elections are held in even-numbered years during the August primary and November general election. The next Peninsula Township election is November 4, 2026.

Old Mission residents find their assigned polling location using the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and birth date or address. Polling places for Peninsula Township voters are typically located at the Peninsula Township Hall, 1622 Peninsula Drive, Old Mission, MI 49673. Michigan election records available to the public include the Qualified Voter File (voter registration list, available for purchase under MCL 168.522 for election-related purposes), campaign finance disclosures through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/sos, candidate filings and petitions, and precinct-level election results published by the County Clerk after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Grand Traverse County reported approximately 62% voter turnout with nearly 56,000 ballots cast from approximately 90,000 registered voters.

On November 3, 2026, Old Mission and Grand Traverse County voters will decide multiple races. Michigan does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (next Governor's race is 2026). However, Michigan's U.S. Senate seat held by Gary Peters is not up in 2026 (next election 2026 for the other seat). The 2026 ballot will include U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan's 1st Congressional District, all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats (including the 104th District covering Grand Traverse County), county commission seats for Grand Traverse County, Peninsula Township offices (supervisor, clerk, treasurer, trustees), various judicial positions including circuit and district court judges, and potentially county offices such as sheriff, prosecutor, clerk, treasurer, and register of deeds. Michigan voters can request absentee/mail-in ballots without stating a reason (no-excuse absentee voting approved by 2018 constitutional amendment). Applications are available at www.michigan.gov/vote, through the County Clerk, or township clerk offices. Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, though Michigan law allows in-person absentee ballot requests through 4:00 PM on the Monday before Election Day at the local clerk's office.