Saint Johns, Michigan Public Records

The 30th Circuit Court, also located at 100 East State Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-5270), handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, family law matters including divorce and child custody, adoptions, and probate matters including wills and estates. Clinton County Probate Court is part of the Circuit Court system at the same address (phone: 989-224-5280) and specializes in estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and juvenile matters. Michigan's statewide court case search is available at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, where users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to access docket information, case status, and sometimes court documents from participating courts. Certified copies of court records typically cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, though fees vary by document type. Records requests can be made in person at the court clerk's office or by written request with appropriate fees.

Their online GIS and property search system at clinton-county.org/equalization allows free searches by owner name, parcel number, or property address, displaying current assessed values, taxable values, property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size), sale history, and tax information. The system is updated regularly and provides aerial imagery and parcel boundary maps. The Clinton County Register of Deeds, also at 100 East State Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-5185, website: clinton-county.org/register-of-deeds), records and maintains all real property documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, liens (mechanics liens, tax liens, judgment liens), easements, land contracts, and other instruments affecting real property title. The Register of Deeds office provides free online access to recorded documents dating back several decades at clinton-county.org/register-of-deeds-search, where users can search by name (grantor/grantee), document type, date range, or legal description. Images of recorded documents can be viewed and printed at no charge. For certified copies, the office charges $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. The county's GIS parcel viewer integrates assessment data with mapping tools, allowing property research by address, parcel ID, or interactive map selection.

Federal Mogul Powertrain (now Tenneco), a major automotive parts manufacturer, has historically been a significant industrial employer in the Saint Johns area, producing engine components for the automotive industry. The Saint Johns Public Schools district employs approximately 200 staff members serving about 1,400 students. Agriculture remains important to the local economy, with Clinton County's rich farmland supporting corn, soybeans, wheat, and dairy operations; many agricultural supply businesses, grain elevators, and farm equipment dealers operate in and around Saint Johns. The city's downtown商业 district along Clinton Avenue features locally-owned retail stores, restaurants, professional services, and the historic Willis Theater. The median household income in Saint Johns is approximately $54,000, slightly above the state median. Recent economic development has focused on downtown revitalization, attracting small businesses and professional services, and leveraging Saint Johns' location along US-27 between Lansing and Mount Pleasant. The city benefits economically from its proximity to Lansing (20 miles south), providing access to larger employment markets while maintaining a small-town character that attracts residents seeking affordable housing and quality schools.

The Saint Johns Police Department, located at 121 East Walker Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-2345), serves as the primary law enforcement agency within city limits. The department's website (accessible through cityofsaintjohns.org) provides information on requesting police reports and incident records. Citizens can request accident reports, incident reports, and non-confidential police records by visiting the department in person or submitting a written FOIA request. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 100 East State Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-6791, website: clinton-county.org/sheriff), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Clinton County and operates the Clinton County Jail. The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction over county roads, unincorporated townships, and provides support to local police departments. To search for arrests and jail bookings, the Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at clinton-county.org/sheriff/inmate-search, which displays current detainees at the Clinton County Correctional Facility (jail) with information including names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231-15.246, grants public access to government records with limited exemptions. FOIA requests must be submitted in writing to the specific agency holding the records, and agencies must respond within five business days, either providing the records, denying the request with legal justification, or issuing a notice extending the response time up to ten additional business days. Fees may be charged for copying and labor but must be itemized and reasonable under statutory guidelines.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at michigan.gov/mdhhs with additional processing fees, and in-person requests can be made at county clerk offices. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, faster for online orders. The Clinton County Clerk's Office at 100 East State Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-5140, website: clinton-county.org/clerk) issues marriage licenses for Clinton County residents and those being married in Clinton County. Marriage license fees are $30, with a $10 discount for couples who complete premarital counseling. There is no waiting period once the license is issued, and licenses are valid for 33 days. Marriage records dating back to the county's formation are maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce records are obtained through the 30th Circuit Court at the same address (phone: 989-224-5270), as divorces are court proceedings. Michigan law restricts birth and death certificate access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with documented legal need; applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old are considered confidential under MCL 333.2882.

The Clinton County Clerk's Office at 100 East State Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-5140) handles assumed name (DBA - Doing Business As) filings for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under a name different from the owner's legal name; the filing fee is $10 and must be renewed every five years. Michigan business entity formation and registration is handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The Michigan Business Entity Search is available free online at cofs.lara.michigan.gov/corpweb where users can search by entity name, ID number, or registered agent to verify corporate status, view formation dates, check good standing, identify officers and directors, and access annual report information for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements, which establish secured interests in business assets and equipment, are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State at michigan.gov/sos. Property tax records for commercial properties are searchable through the Clinton County Equalization Department's online database at clinton-county.org/equalization, where business owners can view assessed values, taxable values, and payment history for commercial and industrial parcels.

Saint Johns voters are served by the Clinton County Clerk's Office, which functions as the county's election authority, located at 100 East State Street, Saint Johns, MI 48879 (phone: 989-224-5140, website: clinton-county.org/clerk). Michigan residents can register to vote online at michigan.gov/vote through the Michigan Voter Information Center, by mail, or in person at the county clerk's office, Secretary of State branch offices, or designated voter registration agencies. Michigan offers Election Day registration, allowing eligible citizens to register and vote on the same day by appearing in person with proof of residency. Saint Johns municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years for city council positions (seven council members elected at-large) and mayor. The next Saint Johns municipal election will be held in November 2025, with candidates filing in the spring and primary elections (if needed) in August 2025. City council members serve four-year terms, and the mayor is elected directly by voters for a two-year term. Saint Johns residents find their assigned polling location using the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and birth date, or by contacting the Clinton County Clerk. Michigan election records that are public include registered voter lists (available for purchase by political organizations and candidates under MCL 168.522), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at michigan.gov/sos), candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and ballot language for proposals and constitutional amendments. In the November 2024 presidential election, Clinton County reported approximately 65% voter turnout with roughly 23,000 ballots cast out of about 35,500 registered voters, reflecting strong participation in this competitive swing county. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Saint Johns and Clinton County voters will decide Michigan's gubernatorial race (Governor Gretchen Whitmer's current term expires January 2027), all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats, multiple statewide executive offices (Secretary of State, Attorney General), Clinton County commissioners, Clinton County Sheriff, Clinton County Clerk/Register of Deeds, Clinton County Treasurer, Clinton County Prosecutor, and judicial positions including circuit and district court judges. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots without providing a reason under a constitutional amendment approved in 2018; applications are available at michigan.gov/vote or through the Clinton County Clerk, and ballots can be requested for a single election or for all elections within a calendar year. Absentee ballots must be requested by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, though voters can register and request an absentee ballot in person through 8:00 PM on Election Day at the clerk's office.