Ypsilanti, Michigan Public Records

Michigan court records are searchable online through the statewide Michigan Court Case Lookup system (courts.michigan.gov/case-search), which provides access to case information, party names, case status, and hearing dates for both district and circuit courts. The system is free to use but does not provide full case documents online—those must be requested from the court clerk. Certified copies of court documents cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page at the Washtenaw County court clerk's office. Small claims filing fees are $35 to $60 depending on the claim amount, while civil case filing fees range from $150 to $400. The courts accept payment by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (with processing fees). Traffic citations issued in Ypsilanti are typically heard in the 14A District Court, where residents can pay fines online or contest tickets in person.

Property owners and the public can search the county's online property database at accesswashtenaw.com, which provides free access to parcel information including owner names, property addresses, assessed values, taxable values, square footage, year built, sales history, and aerial photography. The database is searchable by address, parcel number, or owner name and includes GIS mapping tools. The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds, located at 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6700, website: washtenaw.org/deeds), records and maintains all real estate documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, easements, and satisfaction of mortgages. The Register of Deeds office provides free online access to recorded documents dating back to the 1820s through the county's document search system at ewashtenaw.org/bsw. Users can search by name, document type, book and page number, or parcel number, view scanned images of recorded documents, and print copies at no charge. Recording fees are $30 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. The county's GIS parcel viewer at gisapp.ewashtenaw.org provides interactive mapping with zoning information, property boundaries, tax information, and aerial imagery.

The automotive legacy continues with Toyota Technical Center nearby and numerous automotive suppliers in the region. Depot Town, Ypsilanti's historic entertainment district, supports restaurants, breweries including the nationally recognized Michigan Brewing Company and Tap Room, and small retail businesses. The median household income in Ypsilanti is approximately $41,000, notably lower than the Washtenaw County average of approximately $70,000, reflecting the large student population and more affordable housing stock compared to neighboring Ann Arbor. Ypsilanti has seen recent economic development initiatives focused on downtown revitalization, with the Water Street redevelopment project and efforts to attract tech startups and creative businesses. The city benefits from proximity to Ann Arbor's robust economy while offering more affordable commercial and residential space. The Washtenaw County economy overall is driven by the University of Michigan, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors, with Ypsilanti serving as a more affordable residential and small-business community within this prosperous region.

The Ypsilanti Police Department, located at 1 South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (phone: 734-483-9510, website: cityofypsilanti.com/police), serves the City of Ypsilanti and maintains local law enforcement records. Residents can request police reports, incident reports, and accident reports by visiting the department in person or submitting written requests. Most non-sensitive reports are available within 5-10 business days, though fees may apply for copies. The department provides records of arrests, calls for service, and crime statistics under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (phone: 734-994-2911, website: washtenaw.org/sheriff), provides law enforcement services to Ypsilanti Township and unincorporated areas of Washtenaw County, as well as operating the county jail. For arrest and booking information, residents can search the Washtenaw County Jail inmate roster online at washtenaw.org/sheriff, which displays current inmates with booking photos, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and projected release dates. The roster is updated regularly and provides information on individuals held at the Washtenaw County Jail. Michigan public records requests are governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq., which requires government agencies to respond to requests within five business days and provide records unless exemptions apply for ongoing investigations, protected personal information, or security concerns. Requesters can appeal denials and may be charged reasonable copying fees.

Standard processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks, while rush service is available for an additional fee. Birth records are available from 1867 to present, though records prior to 1906 may be incomplete. Only eligible individuals can request vital records: the person named on the certificate (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper documentation. Death certificates are available to anyone with a direct and tangible interest. Marriage licenses are issued by the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office at 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6690). The marriage license fee is $30 and requires both applicants to appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 33 days. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $13. Divorce records are maintained by the Washtenaw County Circuit Court Clerk at 101 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-3270), where certified copies of divorce decrees can be requested with proper identification and a $10 fee for the first page plus $1 per additional page.

Businesses must also comply with zoning regulations enforced by the Planning and Development Department at the same address. Fictitious business name registrations (Doing Business As/DBA) in Michigan are filed with the county clerk where the business operates. For Ypsilanti, this is the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6690), with a filing fee of $10. Michigan does not maintain a centralized DBA database; records are kept at the county level. Corporate records, LLC registrations, and entity searches are handled by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations Division. The state maintains a free online database at cofs.lara.michigan.gov/searchbusiness where users can search business entity names, view corporation status, registered agents, officers, filing dates, and annual report compliance. UCC financing statements and lien searches are filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and searchable online at mi-sos.secureaccess-uccsearch.com for a fee. Commercial property tax information for Ypsilanti businesses can be searched through the Washtenaw County property assessment database at accesswashtenaw.com, showing assessed values, taxable values, and tax history for commercial parcels.

Ypsilanti voters are served by the Washtenaw County Clerk's Elections Division, located at 200 North Main Street, Suite 140, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (phone: 734-222-6730, website: washtenaw.org/elections). Michigan residents can register to vote online at Michigan.gov/vote up through Election Day; Michigan offers same-day voter registration at clerk's offices and polling places. Voters must provide a Michigan driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The City of Ypsilanti holds municipal elections for mayor and city council in odd-numbered years, with mayoral elections every four years (next in November 2025) and council seats elected for staggered four-year terms. City council consists of six members elected by ward, plus the mayor elected at-large. Local ballot measures, charter amendments, and school board elections also appear on city ballots. Candidate filing information and local ballot language are available through the City Clerk's office at cityofypsilanti.com/clerk. Ypsilanti residents can find their assigned polling place using the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and birth date, which displays polling location, sample ballot, and registration status. Michigan provides comprehensive public access to election records: voter registration lists are available for purchase for election-related purposes, campaign finance reports are searchable at miboecfr.nictusa.com, candidate filings are public records, and precinct-level election results are published by the county clerk at washtenaw.org/elections. In the November 2024 presidential election, Washtenaw County recorded approximately 72% voter turnout with over 240,000 ballots cast, reflecting the county's high civic engagement. The November 3, 2026 general election will feature Michigan's gubernatorial race (Governor Whitmer's term expires), all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats, multiple Washtenaw County positions including county commissioners and potentially county executive, judgeships, and local school board positions. No U.S. Senate seat from Michigan is up in 2026. Michigan voters can request absentee ballots without providing a reason through the Michigan Voter Information Center online, by mail, or in person at the county clerk's office; applications must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday before Election Day, though voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person at the clerk's office through 8 p.m. on Election Day itself.