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How to Find Public Records in Cheboygan County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, and other official materials may access a broad range of publicly available information through CheboyganRecords.us and through the official offices of Cheboygan County, Michigan. This resource aggregates publicly available data and may assist users in locating records across multiple categories, though completeness and currency of individual records are subject to the policies of the originating government agency.
Records that members of the public may find through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and property assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The MiCOURT Case Search portal provides online access to circuit, probate, and district court case information. As noted by the Michigan courts system, "The information available here is presented on-line for informational use only and does not replace the official record on file with the court."
- Property and deed records are searchable through the Register of Deeds directory maintained by the Michigan Department of Treasury.
- The Michigan State Police maintains the Sex Offender Registry, which is searchable at no cost by name or geographic area.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most state-maintained portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Cheboygan County Clerk's Office to inspect records during regular business hours. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating documents, processing copy requests, and directing requestors to the appropriate department.
Cheboygan County Clerk's Office 870 S. Main Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 (231) 627-8808 Cheboygan County Clerk
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state and federal holidays.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the Cheboygan County Clerk at P.O. Box 70, Cheboygan, MI 49721. Requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.235, a public body must respond within five business days of receiving a written request, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days.
Phone/Email:
- Phone: (231) 627-8808
- Fax: (231) 627-8453
- Email: clerk@cheboygancounty.net
What Are Public Records in Cheboygan County?
Public records in Cheboygan County are defined under Michigan law as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.232, a "public record" encompasses documents, photographs, maps, electronic data, and other recorded information regardless of physical form.
The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Cheboygan County Circuit Court / Probate Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates | County Clerk |
| Business licenses and fictitious name filings | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Treasurer / Equalization Department |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk / Board of Commissioners |
| Budget and financial documents | County Administrator's Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning and Zoning Department |
Court case information for the Cheboygan Circuit Court, Cheboygan Juvenile Division, and Cheboygan Probate Court is accessible through the Michigan Courts case search portal. Land use decisions and zoning applications are treated as public records under the Cheboygan County zoning ordinance, which states that such determinations "shall be presented to the applicant in written form" and constitute part of the public record.
Is Cheboygan County an Open Records County?
Cheboygan County fully complies with Michigan's statewide open records framework. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county offices, courts, and boards — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes that "it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."
The Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners and all county departments operate in compliance with Michigan's Open Meetings Act, which requires that deliberations and decisions of public bodies be conducted in open session. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law; the Michigan FOIA governs all public records requests submitted to county offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cheboygan County?
The standard fee structure for public records in Cheboygan County is governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act and the county's adopted FOIA procedures. Current fees are as follows:
- Paper copies: $0.10 per page (standard 8.5" x 11")
- Certification of records: $1.00 per document (County Clerk)
- Electronic copies: Fees reflect the actual cost of the digital medium used (e.g., USB drive, CD)
- Labor/search fees: Charged at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request; the first hour of labor is provided at no charge
- Inspection of records: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records
Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of providing the copy, and must provide a detailed itemization of charges upon request. Fee waivers are available for indigent individuals who submit an affidavit of indigency, and for nonprofit organizations acting in the public interest. Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to Cheboygan County.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copy (per page) | $0.10 |
| Certification | $1.00 per document |
| Electronic copy | Actual cost of medium |
| In-person inspection | No charge |
| Labor (after first hour) | Lowest-paid capable employee rate |
Does Cheboygan County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the Cheboygan County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Michigan law requires that public bodies permit inspection of non-exempt records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Several categories of records are available at no cost through official online portals:
- Court case information: The MiCOURT online case search provides free access to case index data for Cheboygan Circuit Court, Probate Court, and Juvenile Division.
- Sex offender information: The Michigan State Police sex offender registry is freely accessible online. As stated by the Michigan State Police, "This registry is intended to assist the public in preventing and protecting against the commission of future criminal sexual acts by convicted sex offenders."
- Property and deed records: Basic property information is available for inspection at the Register of Deeds office without charge.
- Meeting minutes and agendas: County Board of Commissioners minutes and agendas are posted on the county's official website at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review original records in person at no charge, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cheboygan County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Cheboygan County. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, the right to inspect and receive copies of public records extends to all individuals, with the sole exception of persons currently incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, who are prohibited from submitting FOIA requests under MCL § 15.232.
Requestors are not required to:
- Be a Michigan resident
- Provide government-issued identification (for most records)
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
Non-residents of Michigan retain the same rights as residents under state law. Identification may be required for records that contain sensitive personal information or for requests involving vital records such as birth and death certificates, where the requestor's relationship to the subject may affect access. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court files or vital records — may be asked to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure.
Certain record categories, including adoption records, juvenile court records, and law enforcement investigative files, are subject to additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Cheboygan County?
Not all government records in Cheboygan County are available to the public. Michigan law identifies specific categories of exempt records that public bodies may withhold from disclosure. The primary exemptions are set forth in MCL § 15.243, which enumerates the following categories of confidential or restricted records:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Michigan's juvenile code.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and health records: Records protected under HIPAA and Michigan health privacy statutes are exempt.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed by statute.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services relating to child protective investigations are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' performance evaluations and disciplinary records.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records whose disclosure would jeopardize public safety or security are withheld.
When a public body withholds a record, it must provide a written explanation identifying the specific statutory exemption relied upon and must separate and release any non-exempt portions of the document.
Cheboygan County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Office Name: Cheboygan County Register of Deeds
Physical Address: 870 S. Main Street Cheboygan, MI 49721
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 70 Cheboygan, MI 49721
Phone: (231) 627-8808 Fax: (231) 627-8453 Email: clerk@cheboygancounty.net Website: Cheboygan County Register of Deeds
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Additional Offices:
Cheboygan County Circuit Court 870 S. Main Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 (231) 627-8820 Cheboygan County Circuit Court
Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office 870 S. Main Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 (231) 627-3155 Cheboygan County Sheriff
Cheboygan County Treasurer 870 S. Main Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 (231) 627-8813 Cheboygan County Treasurer