Presque Isle County

Presque Isle County is located in the northeastern corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, bordered by Lake Huron to the east. Presque Isle County seat is Rogers City, a lakefront community that is the economic and governmental hub of this rural county. Established in 1871, Presque Isle County covers approximately 660 square miles of land area, with an additional 2,601 square miles of Great Lakes water. Presque Isle County derives its name from the French term meaning "almost an island," referring to the peninsula formations along its Lake Huron shoreline. As of recent census estimates, the population is approximately 12,900 residents, making it one of Michigan's least densely populated counties. Major landmarks include the historic Presque Isle Lighthouses (Old Presque Isle County Lighthouse built in 1840 and New Presque Isle County Lighthouse built in 1870), Rockport State Recreation Area, and the massive limestone quarrying operations that have defined Presque Isle County's economy for over a century. Presque Isle County is unique for being home to the world's largest limestone quarry, operated by Carmeuse Lime & Stone, which has shaped both the scene and economic identity of Presque Isle County. Presque Isle County Clerk's office is located at 151 East Huron Avenue in Rogers City, MI 49779, handling vital records, elections, and various county administrative functions. The Register of Deeds office, also at Presque Isle County building, maintains all property records, deeds, and land transactions. Presque Isle County Equalization Department is the Assessor's office, overseeing property valuations and tax assessments throughout Presque Isle County's townships and municipalities.

• The Register of Deeds office, also at Presque Isle County building, maintains all property records, deeds, and land transactions.

The Presque Isle County Court serves Presque Isle County, Michigan and handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The courthouse is located in the county seat of the county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Michigan online court portal.

Presque Isle County Michigan court jurisdiction is located in Rogers City, Michigan. The court address is: 885 E. Michigan Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small claims. The court also handles probate matters, juvenile matters, and family law matters.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• To request arrest records, citizens must submit a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, describing the records sought with reasonable specificity.
• Mugshots and booking photos are maintained by the arresting agency and Presque Isle County jail; these are generally available through FOIA requests, though fees for copying and redaction may apply.
• Michigan law allows agencies to charge for the actual cost of labor and materials in fulfilling FOIA requests.
• The Michigan State Police operates a post in nearby Alpena that provides support services and investigative assistance to Presque Isle County law enforcement agencies.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process follows Michigan state guidelines, allowing for the release of individuals pending trial upon payment of bail set by the court.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• To search court records in Presque Isle County, individuals may visit the courthouse in person during business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM) and request access to case files.
• Fees for copies typically range from $1.00 per page for standard documents, with certified copies costing an additional certification fee of approximately $10.00.
• Research fees may apply for extensive record searches exceeding 15 minutes of staff time.

• The Register of Deeds office provides public access to these records during regular business hours.
• While Presque Isle County does not currently offer a full online document search system, interested parties can contact the office to request specific document copies or title searches.
• Fees for document copies are established by Michigan statute at $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, with certified copies requiring an additional fee.
• Property owners and prospective buyers can request property tax information, payment history, and current tax status by contacting these offices directly.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time is generally 2-3 weeks when applying by mail, or same-day/next-day if applying in person, depending on workload.
• Death certificates are similarly available through the County Clerk's office for deaths that occurred in Presque Isle County, with the same fee structure as birth certificates.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Presque Isle County Clerk's office; couples must apply in person, provide identification, and pay the license fee of approximately $30.00.
• Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the County Clerk for $13.00 per copy.
• Divorce records (divorce decrees and judgments) are court records maintained by the circuit court clerk, not vital records, and must be requested through the 26th Circuit Court.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Michigan Secretary of State maintains a free online Business Entity Search at michigan.gov/corpentitysearch where anyyou can look up registered businesses, view filing status, registered agents, and formation dates.
• The Rogers City Chamber of Commerce, serving the greater Presque Isle County area, provides business networking and promotion services and can be contacted through their website at rogerscitychamber.com or by phone at.