Suttons Bay, Michigan Public Records

Felony cases, appeals, and most family law matters including divorce are heard in the 13th Circuit Court for Grand Traverse County, located at 328 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 (231-922-4720), though probate matters are handled by the Leelanau County Probate Court at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 107, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (231-256-8233). Traffic tickets and civil infractions for Suttons Bay are processed through the 86th District Court. Michigan court records are searchable online through the statewide case search portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, though not all historical records are digitized. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney to find docket information, hearing dates, and case outcomes for participating courts. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page in District Court, while Circuit Court charges $10 plus $1 per page. Probate Court certified copies are $1 per page with a $10 certification fee. In-person record inspection is free during regular business hours, and non-certified copies cost approximately $0.25 per page depending on the court division.

The county provides a free online property search tool through the Leelanau County GIS system at gis.leelanau.gov where users can search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view current assessed values, property characteristics, tax information, and aerial photography. The system displays State Equalized Value (SEV), taxable value, acreage, building dimensions, and recent sales data. For recorded land documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and survey plats, the Leelanau County Register of Deeds maintains the official records at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 105, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (phone: 231-256-9824, website: www.leelanau.gov/registerofdeeds.asp). The Register of Deeds office provides online document search and viewing through a subscription-based service, though walk-in searches are free. Recorded document images can be accessed online for a fee, or copies can be requested in person for $1.00 per page for standard 8.5x11 documents and $2.00 per page for oversized plats or surveys. The office maintains land records dating back to the county's formation in 1863. Property history searches, including chain of title research, can be conducted by searching the grantor/grantee indexes available both online and at the office. The county's GIS parcel viewer integrates with recorded documents to provide comprehensive property information for all parcels within Suttons Bay and throughout Leelanau County.

Mawby sparkling wine producer, Suttons Bay Public Schools (part of the Leelanau School District), local marinas and boat services, Bahle Farms market and bakery, and numerous restaurants and hospitality businesses that serve summer tourists and seasonal residents. The Suttons Bay downtown district along St. Joseph Avenue features locally-owned retail shops, art galleries, and restaurants that draw visitors throughout the year but peak during summer months. Healthcare services are provided by facilities in nearby Traverse City, approximately 15 miles south. Estimated median household income in Suttons Bay village is approximately $58,000, though this varies significantly between year-round residents and seasonal property owners. The Leelanau Peninsula region has experienced steady growth in the wine and agritourism sectors over the past two decades, with more than 25 wineries now operating in the county. Real estate development, particularly of vacation homes and condominiums, has been a significant economic factor. The village has maintained its historic character while balancing growth pressures from tourism and seasonal residents. Leelanau County overall has a strong tourism economy connected to Grand Traverse Bay recreation, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the TART Trail system that passes through Suttons Bay connecting communities along the bay. Remote workers and retirees have increasingly settled in the area, contributing to year-round economic stability.

Law enforcement services for Suttons Bay are primarily provided by the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, as the village does not maintain its own police department. The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is located at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Sutton Bay, MI 49682 (phone: 231-256-8800, website: www.leelanau.gov/sheriff.asp). The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction throughout unincorporated areas of Leelanau County and provides contract services to villages including Suttons Bay, handling all criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response. To request police reports or incident records, residents must submit a written request to the Sheriff's Office either in person, by mail, or via the department's records request process, citing Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. Most non-confidential incident reports are available for a copying fee, typically $0.05 per page after the first 100 pages which are free, plus actual costs of labor if exceeding staff time limits. Arrest records and jail booking information for Leelanau County can be searched online through the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office website, which maintains an inmate roster showing current detainees at the Leelanau County Jail facility. The online roster typically displays booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and booking photograph when available. For historical arrest records or more detailed criminal history, requesters must contact the Sheriff's Records Division directly. Michigan State Police also maintain jurisdiction on state highways and can be reached at the Traverse City Post (231-946-8841) which serves the Leelanau County region. Under Michigan FOIA, law enforcement agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days, though extensions are permitted for voluminous requests.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs for an additional processing fee of approximately $12.50, with delivery in 7-10 business days, or expedited service for higher fees. Walk-in service is available at county clerk offices for recent records. The Leelanau County Clerk, located at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 103, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (phone: 231-256-9711, website: www.leelanau.gov/clerk.asp), can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates that occurred in Leelanau County, with same pricing as the state office. Michigan law restricts vital records access to the individual named (if of age), parents, legal guardians, or those with documented legal interest. Marriage licenses are issued by the Leelanau County Clerk's office for $30, with a three-day waiting period that can be waived by taking a premarital counseling course. Divorce records are obtained through the 13th Circuit Court where the divorce was granted. Michigan began statewide vital records registration in 1867, though earlier records may exist at the county level. Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and complete an application specifying their relationship to the person named on the certificate.

Leelanau County does not maintain a general business license registry, though certain regulated activities such as food service require health department permits through the Leelanau County Health Department at 7401 E. Duck Lake Road, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 (231-256-0200). Businesses must register with the State of Michigan for tax purposes. Fictitious business names (Assumed Names/DBAs) in Michigan are filed with the Leelanau County Clerk at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 103, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (231-256-9711), with a filing fee of $10 and renewals required every five years. Michigan corporations, LLCs, and other business entities are registered with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The free searchable database is available at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch where users can look up business entity status, registered agent information, filing dates, and officers/directors for active and dissolved companies. Annual statement fees are $25 for LLCs and nonprofit corporations. UCC financing statements (secured transaction liens) are filed with and searchable through the Michigan Department of State at www.michigan.gov/sos under business services. Property tax information for commercial properties in Suttons Bay can be searched through the Leelanau County Equalization Department's online parcel viewer at gis.leelanau.gov, showing assessed values, taxable values, and property classifications for all business properties. Commercial property is assessed at the same ratio as residential property in Michigan.

Suttons Bay voters are served by the Leelanau County Clerk, which functions as the county's election authority. The Leelanau County Clerk's office is located at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 103, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (phone: 231-256-9711, website: www.leelanau.gov/clerk.asp). Michigan residents can register to vote online through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/sos, and registration is available up to and including Election Day, though registering by the 15th day before an election allows for placement on poll books. Voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of Michigan. First-time voters who register by mail must provide identification when voting. The Village of Suttons Bay holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, with village president and trustee seats contested. The next Suttons Bay village election will be held in November 2026, with positions for village president, village clerk, village treasurer, and village trustees potentially on the ballot depending on term expirations. Suttons Bay is governed by a president and six-member village council. Candidate filings and local ballot measures are processed through the Leelanau County Clerk's office. Suttons Bay residents can find their assigned polling location by using the Michigan Voter Information Center at mvic.sos.state.mi.us, which requires entering name and birth date. Most Suttons Bay village residents vote at the Suttons Bay Township Hall or a designated location within the village. In the November 2024 presidential election, Leelanau County reported voter turnout of approximately 78%, with over 15,500 ballots cast out of roughly 19,900 registered voters, reflecting high civic engagement typical of northern Michigan communities. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Suttons Bay and Leelanau County voters will decide races including Michigan Governor (term expires 2026), Secretary of State, Attorney General, one U.S. Senate seat (depending on cycle), U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan's 1st District, Michigan State Senate District 37, Michigan State House District 104, Leelanau County Commissioner seats, Leelanau County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Sheriff, and Prosecuting Attorney, along with village offices and any local ballot proposals. Michigan allows no-reason absentee voting; any registered voter can request an absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center online, by mail, or in person at the county clerk's office. Applications must be received 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. Election records that are public in Michigan include voter registration lists (available for purchase for election purposes), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos), precinct-level election results (posted by the county clerk and Secretary of State), and candidate filings and petitions. Poll books showing who voted (but not how they voted) are public records available after elections.