Pontiac, Michigan Public Records

The Oakland County Circuit Court (6th Circuit), located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0344), handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, and appeals from district court. The Oakland County Probate Court, also at 1200 North Telegraph Road (phone: 248-858-0582), handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and juvenile matters. Michigan courts participate in the statewide case search system available at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which allows public searching of civil, criminal, and probate cases by party name or case number. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page in most Oakland County courts. Document copies without certification typically cost $1 per page. Filing fees vary by case type: small claims filing is $40-$65 depending on amount claimed, civil case filing ranges from $150-$375, and probate estate filing is approximately $175 plus additional fees based on estate value.

The county provides a free online property search tool at oakgov.com/propertysearch where users can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view current assessed values, property characteristics, sales history, tax information, and aerial imagery. The Oakland County Register of Deeds, located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0580, website: oakgov.com/clerkrod), records and maintains all real property documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, easements, and land contracts. The Register of Deeds provides free online access to recorded documents from 1982 to present at oakgov.com/clerkrod/land-records, allowing searches by name, document type, book and page, or parcel number. Documents can be viewed and printed at no charge, though certified copies require a $15 fee for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Oakland County also offers a comprehensive GIS mapping system at gis.oakgov.com with interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood zones, and multiple data layers for public use.

The General Motors Pontiac Assembly plant, which once employed thousands, closed in 2009, marking the end of large-scale automotive manufacturing in the city, though automotive suppliers and related businesses remain present. The median household income in Pontiac is approximately $36,000, significantly below the Oakland County average of over $80,000, reflecting the city's ongoing economic challenges and transition. Recent development efforts have focused on downtown revitalization, with new mixed-use developments, restoration of historic buildings, and efforts to attract small businesses and entrepreneurs. The city has marketed itself as an affordable alternative to more expensive Oakland County communities while capitalizing on its proximity to Detroit and M-59 corridor business centers. Pontiac benefits from Oakland County's overall economic strength as one of Michigan's wealthiest counties, though the city itself faces fiscal challenges and works to attract new investment and job creation in manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.

The Pontiac Police Department, located at 200 University Drive, Pontiac, MI 48342 (phone: 248-758-3000, website: pontiac.mi.us/police), provides law enforcement services within city limits. Citizens can request police reports, accident reports, and incident records by visiting the Records Division during business hours or submitting written requests under Michigan's FOIA. Reports typically require a case number or date of incident, and fees apply for copies. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-4911, website: oakgov.com/sheriff), provides patrol services to unincorporated areas of Oakland County and operates the Oakland County Jail. The Sheriff's Office also maintains specialized units serving the entire county including narcotics enforcement and fugitive apprehension. To search for arrests and jail bookings, the Oakland County Jail maintains an online inmate roster at oakgov.com/sheriff/inmate-search, which displays current inmates with information including booking date, charges, bond amount, mugshots, and expected release dates. Historical arrest records and booking logs can be requested through the Sheriff's Records Division. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 through 15.246) governs public access to law enforcement records, requiring agencies to respond to written requests within five business days and allowing limited exemptions for ongoing investigations and confidential informant information. Fees for copying records are set by statute and must be itemized.

Standard processing takes approximately 3-4 weeks, with expedited service available. Only eligible individuals (person named on certificate, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives) can request birth certificates. Death certificates are available to a wider range of requestors including family members and those with legal interest. The Oakland County Clerk's Office, located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0565, website: oakgov.com/clerkrod), issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Marriage licenses cost $20 for Michigan residents ($30 for non-residents) and require both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers. There is no waiting period or blood test required. The license is valid for 33 days from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Divorce records are maintained by the Oakland County Circuit Court at 1200 North Telegraph Road (phone: 248-858-0344), as divorces are court proceedings. Certified divorce decrees can be obtained from the court for $10 plus $1 per additional page.

DBA filings cost approximately $10 and must be renewed every five years. The County Clerk maintains searchable records of all active DBAs. For corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) maintains the statewide business registry accessible at michigan.gov/corpentities or through the LARA Business Portal at cofs.lara.michigan.gov/corpweb. This free online database allows searching by entity name, identification number, or registered agent to view formation dates, status, registered office addresses, and resident agent information. Annual reports and entity documents can also be accessed. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State at michigan.gov/ucc. Commercial property tax assessments in Pontiac can be searched through the Oakland County property search system at oakgov.com/propertysearch, which displays assessed values, taxable values, and tax payment history for commercial parcels. Businesses can also contact the Oakland County Treasurer at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 13 East (phone: 248-858-0611) for tax information.

Pontiac voters are served by the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Elections Division, located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 (phone: 248-858-0564, website: oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections). This office administers all federal, state, county, and local elections for Pontiac residents. Michigan residents can register to vote online at michigan.gov/vote up to 15 days before an election, or register in person at their city or township clerk's office, the county clerk's office, or Secretary of State office up through Election Day. Valid photo identification or alternative identification methods are required. Pontiac conducts municipal elections for mayor and city council in odd-numbered years, with the next mayoral election scheduled for November 2025. City council members serve staggered four-year terms with elections typically held in November of odd years. Voters can find candidate information, sample ballots, and local ballot measures through the Oakland County Elections website and the City of Pontiac Clerk's Office at 47450 Woodward Avenue. Pontiac residents can locate their assigned polling place by entering their address at michigan.gov/vote or by contacting the Oakland County Elections Division. Michigan provides extensive public access to election records including voter registration files (available with restrictions), campaign finance reports through the Michigan Secretary of State at michigan.gov/campaignfinance, candidate filings, and precinct-level election results. In the November 2024 presidential election, Oakland County reported approximately 65% voter turnout with over 650,000 ballots cast from roughly 1 million registered voters. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Pontiac and Oakland County voters will decide several important races including Governor of Michigan (four-year term), Michigan Secretary of State and Attorney General, all Michigan House of Representatives seats (110 districts), Oakland County Executive, Oakland County Commission seats, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds, Oakland County Treasurer, Oakland County Sheriff, and potentially Oakland County Prosecutor. One U.S. Senate seat representing Michigan is also up in 2026 (pending which class the seat belongs to). Michigan voters may also decide state ballot proposals and local millages. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote or by contacting their local clerk. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the local clerk by 5:00 PM the Friday before the election, though voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person at their clerk's office through 8:00 PM on Election Day.