Quincy, Michigan Public Records

The Branch County Trial Court (Circuit Court), located at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, phone (517) 279-4305, has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations matters including divorce and child custody, juvenile cases, and appeals from district court. The Probate Court, at the same address (517-279-4334), handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health proceedings, and trust matters. Michigan court records can be searched through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal at https://www.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/, which provides access to district and trial court case information statewide, though not all historical records may be digitized. For certified copies of court documents, the Branch County Clerk's Office charges fees according to Michigan Court Rules: typically $10 for certification plus copy fees of $1.00 per page for the first page and $0.50 per page for additional pages. Requests for specific case files can be made in person at the courthouse or by mail with proper case information and payment.

The county provides an online property search tool through the Branch County GIS system at the county website https://www.co.branch.mi.us, where residents can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view assessment data, tax information, and parcel maps. The searchable database includes current and historical ownership, land characteristics, building details, and aerial imagery. The Branch County Register of Deeds, located at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, phone (517) 279-4306, records and maintains all land title documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, land contracts, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property. Michigan is a race-notice state for recording, meaning the first party to properly record a valid interest generally has priority. The Register of Deeds office provides public access to recorded documents, with indexes searchable by grantor, grantee, and legal description. Many counties in Michigan now offer online document search and viewing through third-party vendors or county websites, though fees may apply for viewing or printing documents. The Branch County GIS/parcel viewer provides integrated access to both assessment data and recorded documents, allowing property searches by multiple criteria and the ability to view scanned images of deeds and mortgages for a fee.

Small manufacturing operations in the area include auto parts suppliers and agricultural equipment services. Retail businesses along Main Street and U.S. Route 12 serve local residents and travelers, including gas stations, restaurants, a grocery store, and service businesses. The village benefits from its location along the U.S. 12 corridor and proximity to Interstate 69, providing access to larger employment centers in Coldwater (Branch County seat) and the broader region. The median household income in Quincy is estimated at approximately $45,000-$50,000, reflecting the rural agricultural and small-town character. Recent economic development has focused on maintaining the village's small business base and supporting agricultural operations. Branch County overall has a mixed economy with significant agricultural production, manufacturing (particularly automotive suppliers), and service sectors, and Quincy participates in this broader county economic context as a small residential and agricultural community. The area has seen modest population stability with some challenges common to rural Michigan communities, including an aging population and limited commercial development opportunities.

The Quincy Police Department, located at 36 North Main Street, Quincy, MI 49082, provides law enforcement services within the village limits. The department can be reached at (517) 639-9155. Residents can request police reports, accident reports, and incident records by contacting the department directly in person or by written request. The Quincy PD handles routine patrol, traffic enforcement, and initial response to crimes within the village. For areas outside Quincy village limits or for more serious investigations, the Branch County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services. The Branch County Sheriff's Office is located at 260 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, phone (517) 279-4571, website https://www.co.branch.mi.us/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office operates the Branch County Jail and maintains countywide patrol and investigative services. Arrest records and jail booking information for Branch County can be searched through the Branch County Sheriff's Office inmate roster, typically available by calling the jail or visiting the Sheriff's Office website. Inmate searches generally provide information including the arrestee's name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and booking photograph. Michigan public records requests, including law enforcement records, are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. Under FOIA, residents may submit written requests to any public body for records, with agencies required to respond within five business days. Certain records such as ongoing investigations, confidential informant information, and records that would compromise security may be exempt. Fees for copies and search time may apply according to the agency's published FOIA procedures.

Certified copies can be ordered online through the state's VitalChek service at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs, by mail, or in person at county clerk offices. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail or immediate for in-person requests at a county office. The Branch County Clerk's Office, located at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, phone (517) 279-4301, website https://www.co.branch.mi.us/clerk, serves as a local issuing agent for vital records and can process requests for birth and death certificates with immediate issuance. Marriage licenses are issued by the Branch County Clerk's Office; Michigan requires a three-day waiting period after application, and licenses are valid for 33 days. The marriage license fee is $30. Marriage records are public and maintained permanently by the County Clerk. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Branch County Trial Court (Circuit Court) and can be searched through court records. Michigan law requires requesters of birth and death certificates to show valid government-issued photo identification and establish eligibility (the individual named, parent, legal representative, or someone with documented legal interest). Records less than 100 years old (birth) or 50 years old (death) have restricted access.

Branch County does not generally require a county-level general business license, though specific activities regulated at the county level (such as certain agricultural operations or waste hauling) may require permits from the Branch County Building and Planning Department. Fictitious business name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA) in Michigan are filed with the County Clerk where the business operates. The Branch County Clerk's Office, 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, phone (517) 279-4301, maintains DBA filings which cost approximately $10 and must be renewed every five years. These are public records searchable at the Clerk's office. For formal business entity formation, Michigan corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities must register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The Michigan business entity search is available online at https://cofs.lara.michigan.gov/SearchApi/Search/Search, providing free access to entity status, registered agent information, formation date, officers and directors (for corporations), and members/managers (for LLCs). UCC financing statement filings (security interests in personal property) are filed with the Michigan Department of State and searchable at https://www.michigan.gov/sos. Business personal property taxes are assessed by the local assessor (Branch County Equalization Department); businesses must file personal property statements annually. Commercial real property assessments are also handled by the county assessor and searchable through the same property database used for residential parcels.

Quincy voters are served by the Branch County Clerk's Office, which administers elections for all of Branch County. The Branch County Clerk/Register of Deeds is located at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036, phone (517) 279-4301, website https://www.co.branch.mi.us/clerk. Michigan residents can register to vote online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ through the Michigan Voter Information Center, maintained by the Michigan Secretary of State. Michigan offers Election Day registration, allowing qualified residents to register to vote in person at their city or township clerk's office or at their polling place on Election Day with proof of residency. To register in advance, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of Michigan and their city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day. Quincy village conducts municipal elections for the Village President and Village Council seats; these nonpartisan elections are typically held in November of odd-numbered years. The next Quincy village election is scheduled for November 2025, with candidate filing deadlines typically in July. Residents can find information about local candidates and ballot issues through the Branch County Clerk's Office and the Village of Quincy. To find their assigned polling place, Quincy residents should use the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/, which allows lookup by name and date of birth or address. The site also shows sample ballots, absentee ballot status, and voter registration status. Michigan's election records are largely public under state law: voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted) are available for purchase for election-related purposes; campaign finance reports are searchable online through the Michigan Secretary of State at https://miboecfr.nictusa.com/cfr/dumpall/cfrdetail/; candidate filings and petition information are public; and precinct-level election results are published after each election. In the November 2024 general election, Branch County reported approximately 60-65% voter turnout, with over 21,000 ballots cast out of approximately 33,000 registered voters. The November 3, 2026 general election will include races for Governor of Michigan (term expires January 2027), all Michigan House of Representatives seats (2-year terms), one U.S. Senate seat (Michigan Class 1 seat currently held by Senator Debbie Stabenow is up in 2024, and Class 2 seat held by Gary Peters is up in 2026 if he runs), U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan's 5th Congressional District (which includes Branch County), and various county offices including Branch County commissioners, county clerk, register of deeds, treasurer, prosecutor, and sheriff. Michigan allows no-excuse absentee voting; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, by mail, or in person at the local clerk's office (for Quincy village residents, contact the Quincy Village Clerk or Branch County Clerk). Applications must be received by the Friday before the election for mail delivery or by 4 p.m. on the Monday before the election for in-person pickup.