Clare County Residents Directory

Clare County is in central Michigan. Harrison is the county seat. Around 31,000 people live in the county. The Clare County residents directory draws from court files, property transfers, voter rolls, and public data stored at local and state offices. Whether you need to look up a person or check a public record in Clare County, this page has the search tools and agency info you need. Use the search form below to get started, or scroll down for office contacts and links.

Clare County Court Records Search

The 55th Circuit Court handles felonies, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law cases in Clare County. The courthouse is at 225 West Main Street in Harrison, MI 48625. Call (989) 539-7131 for the clerk's office. Case records are public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119. The MiCOURT portal lets you search Clare County cases by name or case number for free. No account is needed.

Clare County also has the 80th District Court at the same Harrison location. It covers misdemeanors, traffic matters, and small claims. Both courts participate in the statewide search system, so one search can pull records from either court.

Results from the Clare County residents directory court search show case status, filing dates, hearing schedules, and dispositions. Criminal records include charges and sentencing. Civil records list the parties and claim type. Sealed cases and juvenile records will not come up in any public search.

Property Records in Clare County

The Clare County Register of Deeds files all property transfer documents. The office is at 225 West Main Street in Harrison. Phone is (989) 539-7131. Under MCL 565.29, every deed, mortgage, lien, and land contract must be recorded here. Michigan's race-notice system means the first properly filed document has priority in ownership disputes.

You can look up Clare County property records through the county's online tools or by visiting the office. Copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document. Property records in the Clare County residents directory reveal ownership history, sale prices, and any claims filed against a parcel. Some older records may only be available through book and page searches at the office.

Clare County Residents Criminal History

Check criminal records for Clare County through the ICHAT system run by the Michigan State Police. It costs $10 per search. You need a full name and date of birth to use it. Results cover felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 Michigan counties. The report includes arrest dates, charges, convictions, and sentencing info. ICHAT does not show federal cases, traffic tickets, juvenile records, or suppressed data.

The Clare County Sheriff is at 225 West Main Street in Harrison. Call (989) 539-7166 for jail and booking info. The sheriff runs the county lock-up and can give you current inmate data such as charges and bond amounts. State prison records are free to search on the OTIS tool from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

State Search Tools for Clare County

Michigan provides several statewide databases that cover Clare County residents. The image below shows one of the state portals you can use.

Voter records for Clare County are available through the Michigan Voter Information Center. Enter a name, date of birth, and zip code. The system shows registration status and polling place info. Michigan's Qualified Voter File holds about 7.3 to 7.9 million records. MCL 168.509(q) keeps full birth dates and Social Security numbers private in voter data.

Clare County Public Records Requests

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL 15.231 through 15.246, gives anyone the right to ask for records from Clare County offices. Write your request and send it to the department that holds the records. Be clear and include your contact info. The office has five business days to respond under MCL 15.235. A ten-day extension is allowed with written notice.

Fees in Clare County are $0.10 to $1.00 per page for copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. Fee waivers under MCL 15.234 are possible for people who qualify. MCL 15.243 lists exemptions that protect some records from disclosure. A denied request must come with a written explanation and the exemption cited. The Michigan Legislature website has the full FOIA statute.

Clare County Clerk Office

Nearby Counties

Clare County is in the middle of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Check the residents directory for these surrounding counties.