Willis, Michigan Public Records

The 14A-2 District Court, phone (734) 222-3900, serves Augusta Township and surrounding communities, handling misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims cases up to $6,500, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations. The District Court also conducts preliminary examinations for felony cases and issues search warrants and personal protection orders. Michigan court records are accessible through the statewide Case Search system available at courts.michigan.gov/case-search, which allows searches by party name, case number, or attorney for cases filed in Washtenaw County courts. However, some records including juvenile cases, certain mental health proceedings, and sealed cases are not available through the public portal. Filing fees for certified copies of court documents are typically $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, though fees vary by document type. Walk-in requests for copies can be made at the Clerk's Office windows at the courthouse during business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Court records dating back decades are maintained, though older records may require in-person research in archived files.

The county provides a comprehensive online property search tool at www.washtenaw.org/1000/Property-Search where Willis residents can search by property address, parcel number, or owner name to access assessment data, sales history, property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size), and tax information. The database covers all parcels in Augusta Township and throughout Washtenaw County with no fee for basic searches. For recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments affecting real property, the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds maintains records at 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6730, website www.washtenaw.org/406/Register-of-Deeds. The Register of Deeds has digitized land records dating back to the county's founding in the 1820s, and these documents are searchable free of charge through the online portal at www.washtenaw.org/406/Register-of-Deeds by entering the property address, grantor/grantee names, or document number. Certified copies of recorded documents cost $1 per page with a $3 certification fee. Washtenaw County also provides a GIS mapping system at gis.washtenaw.org that displays parcel boundaries, aerial imagery, zoning districts, and overlay property data for all Willis-area parcels, allowing users to identify property lines, adjacent owners, and geographic features affecting land use.

Major employers for Willis residents include Dundee Cement Company (a Holcim company) located just south in Monroe County, which operates one of the largest cement plants in North America. Many Willis residents commute to Ann Arbor for employment at the University of Michigan (the county's largest employer with over 30,000 employees), Michigan Medicine hospitals, or technology companies in the Ann Arbor area. Washtenaw County overall has a median household income of approximately $71,000, though Willis and Augusta Township tend to have slightly lower incomes reflecting the rural agricultural character. The Whiteford Agricultural Schools serve area students, and education employment provides jobs for local residents. Small businesses in Willis include agricultural service providers, auto repair shops, and home-based enterprises. The community's proximity to US-23 and State Route 151 provides access to larger commercial centers while maintaining the rural lifestyle that attracts residents. Economic development in the area focuses on preserving agricultural land through conservation easements while allowing for limited residential growth in designated areas under Augusta Township's master plan.

Willis, Michigan does not have its own municipal police department due to its unincorporated status. Law enforcement services for Willis and all of Augusta Township are provided by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, phone (734) 994-2911, website www.washtenaw.org/sheriff. The Sheriff's Office handles all police services including patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response for Willis residents. To request police reports or incident records involving Willis addresses, residents must contact the Sheriff's Office Records Division at the Hogback Road location or submit a written FOIA request. Requests should include the date of the incident, case number if known, location, and names of involved parties. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office maintains jurisdiction over all unincorporated areas of Washtenaw County and provides court security and jail operations in addition to patrol services. Arrest records and jail booking information for individuals detained in connection with Willis-area incidents can be searched through the Washtenaw County Jail inmate roster at www.washtenaw.org/sheriff, which displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. Michigan residents may request public records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 through 15.246, which requires public bodies to provide access to records within five business days of a written request. The Sheriff's Office may charge reasonable fees for copying and labor involved in fulfilling FOIA requests. Records typically available include incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and dispatch logs, though certain investigatory records and ongoing case files may be exempt from disclosure under FOIA exemptions.

Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests, though expedited service is available for an additional fee. Online ordering is available through Michigan.gov/VitalRecords using a credit card, with identity verification required. Birth records are confidential for 100 years and requestors must demonstrate eligibility (parent, legal guardian, or the individual if over 18). Death certificates are also issued by the Michigan Division for Vital Records at the same address and phone number, with the same fee structure of $34 for the first copy. Death certificates are available to immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a documented legal interest. Marriage licenses in Michigan are issued by county clerks, and Willis residents obtain marriage licenses from the Washtenaw County Clerk, 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6655. Marriage licenses cost $20 for Michigan residents if both parties complete premarital education, or $30 without the education. The license is valid for 33 days and ceremonies must be performed in Michigan. Marriage records dating back to Washtenaw County's formation are maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce records are court records maintained by the 22nd Circuit Court at 101 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, as divorce cases are filed as domestic relations matters. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10 plus $1 per page and can be requested from the Circuit Court Clerk's office with proper identification and demonstration of eligibility to access the record.

The Washtenaw County Clerk, 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6655, accepts Certificate of Co-Partnership or Assumed Name filings for businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name. The filing fee is $10 and registrations are valid indefinitely but must be renewed if ownership changes. These records are public and can be searched at the County Clerk's office. For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships, Michigan businesses must register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division. The state maintains a free online business entity search at www.michigan.gov/corpentitysearch where anyone can search by business name, entity ID number, or registered agent to verify a company's status, view officers and directors, check good standing, and see filing dates. Business entity documents and corporate status reports can be ordered through the same portal. Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) financing statements, which create security interests in personal property and business assets, are filed with the Michigan Department of State and searchable at www.michigan.gov/sos. Property tax records for commercial properties in Willis can be searched through the Washtenaw County Equalization Division's online property database at www.washtenaw.org/1000/Property-Search by entering the business address or parcel number to view assessed values and tax obligations.

Willis, Michigan voters are served by the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds Elections Division, located at 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone (734) 222-6730, website www.washtenaw.org/469/Elections. This office administers all elections for Willis residents including federal, state, county, and township contests. Michigan residents can register to vote online at Michigan.gov/Vote, 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 residents to register and vote on the same day at their clerk's office or at their polling place with proof of residency. Voters must provide their Michigan driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering online. As an unincorporated community, Willis does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council; instead, residents vote in Augusta Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and trustees. Augusta Township elections are held in even-numbered years during the August primary and November general election cycle. The next Augusta Township elections will occur in August and November 2026, when township offices and potentially township millages will appear on the ballot. Willis residents find their assigned polling location by entering their address at Michigan.gov/Vote or by contacting the Washtenaw County Elections Division. Polling places for Augusta Township precincts are typically located at Augusta Township Hall, 8021 Talladay Road, Willis, MI 48191, and other community facilities depending on precinct boundaries. Election records that are public in Michigan include voter registration lists (excluding birthdates and driver's license numbers), campaign finance reports filed with the county and state, candidate filings and petitions, precinct-by-precinct election results, and absentee ballot statistics. These records are accessible through the County Clerk's office and through the Michigan Secretary of State's website at Michigan.gov/SOS. In the November 2024 presidential election, Washtenaw County recorded approximately 68% voter turnout with over 200,000 ballots cast, reflecting high civic engagement across the county including Augusta Township. On November 3, 2026, Willis and Washtenaw County voters will decide several important races including Michigan gubernatorial race (Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term expires in 2026), all Michigan House of Representatives seats (110 districts), Washtenaw County Commission districts, Augusta Township offices, and potentially state constitutional amendments or local millage proposals. The U.S. Senate race for Michigan is not scheduled for 2026 as both Senate seats were elected in 2024 and 2020 with six-year terms. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting, meaning any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without providing an excuse. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through Michigan.gov/Vote, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk's office or Augusta Township Clerk. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM the Friday before Election Day, though voters can request and submit an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office through 8:00 PM on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.