Rogers City, Michigan Public Records

The 26th Circuit Court handles felony criminal trials, civil cases exceeding $25,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate proceedings, appeals from District Court, and juvenile cases. Michigan's statewide court case search system is available through the Michigan Court Online Services at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/caseaccess/, where residents can search for court records by name, case number, or party. Not all historical records are available online, and older cases may require in-person searches at the courthouse. The Presque Isle County Clerk's Office, located at 151 East Huron Avenue (989-734-3288), maintains court records and charges fees for certified copies: typically $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page of certified documents. Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk for $20, and divorce decrees certified copies are $10. Case files can be inspected in person during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Property tax records and assessments can be searched online through the Presque Isle County website at www.presqueislecounty.org, where residents can look up parcels by address, parcel number, or owner name. The Presque Isle County Register of Deeds, located at 151 East Huron Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779 (phone: 989-734-3288 ext. 132), records and maintains official documents related to real property, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, easements, and satisfaction of mortgages. Michigan law requires all real property conveyances to be recorded with the county Register of Deeds to establish chain of title. The Register of Deeds office provides access to recorded documents dating back to the county's establishment in 1871. While some basic parcel information is available online through the county website, full deed images and recorded documents typically require an in-person visit or written request with fees charged per page (usually $1 per page for copies). The Presque Isle County GIS system offers an online parcel viewer showing property boundaries, dimensions, zoning, and aerial photography, accessible through the county website. Property searches can be conducted by parcel number, owner name, or street address, providing information on property characteristics, sales history, and current assessment values.

Beyond the quarry, major employers include Rogers City Area Schools, McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital (Rogers City campus), the City of Rogers City, Presque Isle County government, and various retail and service businesses along the Business US-23 corridor. Tourism plays a seasonal but important economic role, with visitors drawn to Lake Huron beaches, fishing charters, the Presque Isle lighthouse stations, the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum, and outdoor recreation including hunting and snowmobiling. The service sector includes restaurants, lodging, and marine-related businesses. The median household income in Rogers City is approximately $38,000-$42,000, below both state and national averages, reflecting the community's blue-collar industrial base and rural character. The city's population has gradually declined from its mid-20th century peak as automation reduced quarry employment and younger residents migrated to larger urban areas. Recent economic initiatives have focused on downtown revitalization, promoting heritage tourism, and attracting retirees drawn to the area's natural beauty and affordable housing. Rogers City's economy remains closely tied to Great Lakes shipping and the continued operation of the limestone quarry, which provides not only jobs but also significant property tax revenue to the city and county.

The Rogers City Police Department, located at 193 East Michigan Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779, provides law enforcement services within city limits and can be reached at (989) 734-2156. Police incident reports and accident reports are available through written request to the department under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The department handles routine patrol, traffic enforcement, and criminal investigations for the city. The Presque Isle County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 151 East Huron Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779 (phone: 989-734-3421), has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Presque Isle County and provides backup to municipal police. The Sheriff's Office website at www.presqueislecounty.org provides information on services and contacts. For arrests and jail bookings, the Presque Isle County Jail maintains an inmate roster that can be accessed by calling the Sheriff's Office or visiting in person. Booking information typically includes the arrestee's name, age, booking date, charges filed, and bond amount. Michigan public records law, specifically the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) at MCL 15.231 through 15.246, grants citizens the right to inspect and receive copies of public records from state and local agencies. FOIA requests must be submitted in writing, and agencies must respond within five business days. Law enforcement agencies may redact certain information related to ongoing investigations or confidential informants. Requesters can be charged for the actual cost of labor, materials, and copying. Both the Rogers City Police Department and Presque Isle County Sheriff's Office accept FOIA requests by mail, in person, or email where applicable.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs for an additional convenience fee, with processing times of 3-4 weeks by mail or expedited service available. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old are restricted to eligible applicants including the registrant (if of legal age), parents, legal guardians, or persons with documented legal interest. The Presque Isle County Clerk's Office at 151 East Huron Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779 (phone: 989-734-3288) also maintains birth and death records and can provide certified copies for events that occurred in Presque Isle County. Marriage licenses are issued by the Presque Isle County Clerk for $20, with a three-day waiting period unless waived for an additional $10 fee. Both parties must apply in person with valid photo identification and social security numbers. Marriage records are public and can be searched dating back to the county's formation. Divorce records are maintained by the 26th Circuit Court at 151 East Huron Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779, as part of the court case file system. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10 plus $1 per additional page. Michigan law requires proper identification for all vital record requests, and applicants may need to complete specific request forms and provide proof of relationship or legal interest for restricted records.

At the county level, the Presque Isle County Clerk's Office at 151 East Huron Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779 (989-734-3288) handles certain business filings. Michigan businesses must register with the State of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees business entity formation and registration. The Michigan Corporation Division maintains records of all corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other business entities. The Corporate Entity Search is available online at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch where users can search by entity name, ID number, or registered agent to view business status, formation date, registered agent information, and officers/directors. Assumed name (DBA - "Doing Business As") filings are registered with the County Clerk in the county where the business operates. Presque Isle County businesses file DBAs at the County Clerk's office for a fee of approximately $10, renewable every five years. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and serve as lien records, are filed with the Michigan Department of State and searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos. Business property owners can look up commercial property assessments through the Presque Isle County Equalization Department at 989-734-3595 or online through the county's property search system, showing assessed values and tax obligations for commercial parcels.

Rogers City voters are served by the Presque Isle County Clerk's Office, located at 151 East Huron Avenue, Rogers City, MI 49779 (phone: 989-734-3288, website: www.presqueislecounty.org). The County Clerk serves as the chief election official for Presque Isle County, managing voter registration, conducting elections, maintaining voter rolls, and certifying election results. Michigan residents can register to vote online at the Michigan Secretary of State website (www.michigan.gov/sos) using the Online Voter Registration system, which requires a valid Michigan driver's license or state ID. Voters must register by 15 days before an election, though Michigan also allows Election Day registration at the clerk's office or polling place with proof of residency. Acceptable proof includes a Michigan driver's license, state ID, or current utility bill showing name and address. Rogers City holds municipal elections for mayor and city council seats. The Rogers City Mayor serves a two-year term, and the city council has seven members serving staggered terms. City elections are typically held in November of odd-numbered years, with the next Rogers City municipal election scheduled for November 2025. Local ballot measures, candidate filings, and sample ballots are available through the City Clerk at Rogers City City Hall (989-734-2191) and the County Clerk's office. Rogers City voters can find their assigned polling location using the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/vote, where residents enter their name and birth date to view their registration status, polling place address, and sample ballot. In the November 2024 presidential election, Presque Isle County reported approximately 60-62% voter turnout, with about 7,500 registered voters and roughly 4,600 ballots cast county-wide. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Rogers City and Presque Isle County voters will decide several key races: Michigan's gubernatorial election (Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term expires, with the Democratic and Republican nominees to be determined in August 2026 primaries), Michigan's U.S. Senate seat (Senator Gary Peters' seat is up for election in 2026), Michigan House of Representatives District 106 (which includes Presque Isle County), county offices including County Commissioners, Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, County Clerk, County Treasurer, and Register of Deeds. State Representative races and potential ballot proposals will also appear. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots for any reason; applications are available through the County Clerk, City Clerk, or online at www.michigan.gov/vote. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, though voters can request and vote an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through 4:00 PM the day before the election. Michigan election records that are public include voter registration lists (available to candidates and political organizations with restrictions), campaign finance reports (searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos), candidate filings and nomination petitions, and precinct-by-precinct election results. The Presque Isle County Clerk maintains historical election results and voter turnout statistics.