Union, Michigan Public Records

For felonies, major civil cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate, and appeals from district court, the Cass County Trial Court (5th Circuit Court) has jurisdiction. The Circuit Court is located at 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031, phone (269) 445-4426. Probate matters—including estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships—are also handled by this court, operating as the Cass County Probate Court. Michigan offers online access to some court records through the Michigan Court Access Portal at courts.michigan.gov/courts/trial-courts/court-access. However, this system does not provide comprehensive records for all cases and jurisdictions. More detailed case information typically requires in-person requests at the clerk's office. The Cass County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, located at the Circuit Court address, maintains case files and provides certified copies. Fees for certified court documents are typically $10 for the first page and $1 per additional page, plus search fees that vary by request complexity. Probate records, once cases are closed, become public and can be searched at the Probate Court office. For comprehensive case histories, litigants and researchers should contact the appropriate court clerk directly and be prepared to provide case numbers or party names.

Residents and prospective buyers can search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view assessed values, property characteristics (square footage, year built, acreage), tax amounts, and assessment history. The online system typically includes interactive GIS mapping that allows users to view parcel boundaries, zoning, and surrounding properties. This data is updated annually following the Board of Review process each spring. For recorded legal documents—including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, easements, and land contracts—the Cass County Register of Deeds maintains the official record. The Register of Deeds office is located at 120 N Broadway, Cassopolis, MI 49031, phone (269) 445-4458, and operates Monday through Friday, typically 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Many recorded documents are available for free online search and viewing through the county's document search portal. Users can search by grantor, grantee, document type, or legal description. Images of recorded documents are often viewable without charge, though certified copies require a fee (typically $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus $5 for certification). The Register of Deeds also handles plat maps, surveys, and condominium documents. Michigan is a "race-notice" state, meaning the first party to properly record a document generally has priority, making title searches critical for real estate transactions.

Due to Union's unincorporated status and small population, there are no major corporate employers within the community itself. However, residents often commute to nearby towns and cities for employment. Major employers in the broader Cass County area include the Cass County government offices in Cassopolis, Dowagiac Union Schools and Dowagiac Public Schools, Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, and manufacturers such as Ameriwood Industries and MGP Ingredients. South Bend, Indiana, located about 20 miles southwest, provides additional employment in higher education (University of Notre Dame, Indiana University South Bend), healthcare (Beacon Health System), and manufacturing. Cass County's estimated median household income as of recent census data is approximately $52,000, with Union Township's rural character generally reflecting lower incomes than more urbanized parts of the county. The area has seen modest growth in recent years, driven primarily by retirees and remote workers attracted to affordable land, access to lakes, and a slower pace of life. Tourism and recreation contribute modestly to the economy, particularly around the county's many lakes and vineyards. Union's economy remains closely tied to Cass County's overall economic health, which benefits from its location along the I-94 corridor linking Detroit and Chicago, and its proximity to the South Bend-Elkhart metro area. The region's wine and agritourism industries continue to expand, adding value to the traditional agricultural base.

Union, Michigan is an unincorporated community with no municipal police department. Law enforcement services for Union and Union Township are provided by the Cass County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 321 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (269) 445-1560, and additional information is available at www.casscountymi.org/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office handles all patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response for Union residents. To request police reports or incident records, residents should contact the Sheriff's Office during business hours (typically Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) and submit a written FOIA request. Fees may apply for copies of reports, typically ranging from $0.50 to $1.00 per page, plus labor costs if the request requires significant staff time.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office also operates the Cass County Jail, located at the same address in Cassopolis. To search for current inmates and recent arrests, the public can access the online inmate roster at the Cass County Sheriff's website. The roster typically displays the inmate's name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and booking photo (mugshot). The system is updated regularly, though delays of several hours may occur. For arrests not yet appearing online or for older records, a formal request to the Sheriff's Records Division may be necessary. Under Michigan law, public records—including police reports, arrest logs, and booking information—are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. FOIA requests must be submitted in writing (by mail, fax, or email), and agencies have five business days to respond. Certain records, such as those involving ongoing investigations, juveniles, or confidential informants, may be partially or fully exempt from disclosure.

Birth certificates cost $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for additional copies. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, faster for online orders ($10-15 expedite fee applies). Only eligible individuals—the person named on the certificate (if age 18+), parents, legal guardians, or those with documented legal interest—may obtain certified copies, and valid photo ID is required. Marriage licenses in Michigan are issued by county clerks. Union residents apply at the Cass County Clerk's Office, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031, phone (269) 445-4454. The marriage license fee is $20 if both applicants complete premarital education, or $30 otherwise. Applicants must apply in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers; there is no waiting period in Michigan, and the license is valid for 33 days. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost approximately $15 each and can be requested from the county clerk. Divorce records are court documents maintained by the Cass County Circuit Court (5th Circuit), not vital records. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk at 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031, phone (269) 445-4426, with fees typically $10 for the first page and $1 per additional page plus certification. Michigan vital records are generally available from 1867 forward, with some earlier records held by local jurisdictions.

Union Township may require zoning permits or approvals for home-based businesses or commercial construction; inquiries should be directed to the Union Township Hall (contact information available through the Cass County government website). For fictitious business names (Doing Business As or DBA), Michigan requires registration with the county clerk. Union residents file DBAs with the Cass County Clerk, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031, phone (269) 445-4454. The fee is typically around $10, and the filing is valid for multiple years. DBA records are public and can be searched at the Clerk's office. For formal business entities—corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships—Michigan requires registration with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division. The state's online database, the Michigan Corporations Online Filing System, is accessible at www.michigan.gov/corporations. The public can search by entity name, registered agent, or file number to view entity status (active, dissolved), formation date, registered agent, and officers or managers. Annual statement filings are required to keep entities in good standing. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filings in Michigan are also handled by LARA and can be searched online through the state's UCC search portal. These records show secured interests in business assets and are critical for lenders and creditors. For property tax information related to commercial properties in Union, business owners should consult the Cass County Equalization Department online at www.casscountymi.org or call (269) 445-4455 to search assessed values and tax obligations by parcel number or address.

Union, Michigan voters are served by the Cass County Clerk's Office, which administers all elections for the unincorporated community and Union Township. The Cass County Clerk/Register of Deeds is located at 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031, phone (269) 445-4454, with election information and sample ballots available at www.casscountymi.org (click Elections or Clerk). Union residents register to vote online through the Michigan Secretary of State at www.michigan.gov/sos, or in person at the county clerk's office, township clerk, or any Secretary of State branch office. Michigan offers Election Day registration, allowing residents to register and vote on the same day at their clerk's office or polling place with proof of residency. Acceptable ID includes a Michigan driver's license, state ID, or documents such as a utility bill or bank statement showing name and current address. The voter registration deadline for advance registration is 15 days before an election, but same-day registration remains available.

Because Union is unincorporated, it does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, Union residents vote in Union Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustees. These local offices are typically decided in the August primary and November general elections in even-numbered years. The next major election is November 3, 2026, when Union and Cass County voters will decide several key races. In 2026, Michigan will hold elections for Governor (the current term expires in 2027, so the 2026 race will determine the next four-year term), all 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, state Board of Education seats, and various county offices including Cass County commissioners, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, clerk, treasurer, and register of deeds. There is no U.S. Senate seat from Michigan up for election in 2026 (Michigan's next U.S. Senate race is in 2024 and 2030). Union residents will also vote on any township-level millages or ballot proposals.

To find their assigned polling place, Union voters can use the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.michigan.gov/sos (click "Check Your Voter Registration"), enter their name and birth date, and view their precinct and polling location, typically a local school, township hall, or community center. Michigan allows no-excuse absentee voting; any registered voter may request an absentee ballot by mail, online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, or in person at the county or township clerk's office. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the Friday before the election, though voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person at the clerk's office up until 8:00 PM on Election Day. In the November 2024 presidential election, Cass County saw voter turnout of approximately 65-70% of registered voters, consistent with statewide trends in competitive presidential cycles. Public election records in Michigan include voter registration rolls (available with restrictions to prevent misuse), campaign finance disclosures for state and local candidates (accessible via the Michigan Secretary of State's Campaign Finance database), precinct-level election results, and candidate filings. These records are available through the Cass County Clerk and the Michigan Bureau of Elections at www.michigan.gov/sos.