Grand Traverse County Residents Directory

Grand Traverse County is in the northwestern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Traverse City serves as the county seat and is the largest city in the area. Close to 100,000 people live in Grand Traverse County. The residents directory for Grand Traverse County draws from court records, property files, voter data, and other public sources maintained by county and state offices. Use the search tool below to look up a person or check public records. The sections on this page also list key offices, phone numbers, and links to state databases you can use.

Grand Traverse County Residents Directory Court Records

The 13th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law matters for Grand Traverse County. The courthouse is at 328 Washington Street in Traverse City, MI 49684. You can call (231) 922-4701 for case info. Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, most court records are public and can be searched by anyone. The MiCOURT case search lets you look up cases from this court online. Enter a name or case number to get started.

The 86th District Court serves Grand Traverse County and handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases under $25,000. It is at the same courthouse location. Grand Traverse County sees a fair amount of court activity given its population size and the tourism traffic that flows through the area. The residents directory for Grand Traverse County includes records from both circuit and district courts. Criminal case results show charges, pleas, and sentencing details. Civil results include the parties, claim type, and any court orders or judgments entered.

Probate court is also at 328 Washington Street. It covers wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Some probate files are restricted, particularly those involving minors or individuals with disabilities.

Property Records in Grand Traverse County

The Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds keeps all land records. The office is at 400 Boardman Avenue, Suite 104, Traverse City, MI 49684. Call (231) 922-4760 for questions. All deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and land contracts filed in Grand Traverse County go through this office. Under MCL 565.29, property transfers must be recorded here to have priority over later claims.

Grand Traverse County offers online access to property records through the county website. You can search by name, parcel number, or address. The system shows ownership history, assessed values, and recorded documents. This is a useful part of the Grand Traverse County residents directory for anyone tracing property ties to a specific person. Copies from the Register of Deeds cost about $1.00 per page, and certified copies are around $5.00 per document. The equalization department also maintains tax and assessment data that you can check for any parcel in the county.

Search Grand Traverse County Criminal History

Use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system to check criminal history for Grand Traverse County residents. It costs $10 per search. You need a full name and date of birth. ICHAT shows felony convictions and serious misdemeanors with more than 93 days of jail time across all Michigan counties.

The screenshot below shows the Michigan State Police ICHAT portal used for criminal history searches in the Grand Traverse County residents directory.

The Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office is at 851 Woodmere Avenue in Traverse City. Call (231) 922-4550 for booking or jail info. For people in state prison, the OTIS search tool from the Michigan Department of Corrections is free. ICHAT does not show federal crimes, traffic offenses, or juvenile records. Expunged records under MCL 780.621 are also excluded from public results.

Grand Traverse County Vital Records

The Grand Traverse County Clerk keeps birth, death, and marriage records. The office is at 400 Boardman Avenue, Suite 100, Traverse City, MI 49684. Phone is (231) 922-4760. Certified copies cost $15 to $30. You can order in person or by mail. Bring a valid photo ID. VitalChek is available for online orders, though extra fees apply.

Voter records are another piece of the Grand Traverse County residents directory. The Michigan Voter Information Center lets you check registration status for Grand Traverse County residents. Enter the person's name, date of birth, and zip code. The system shows whether they are registered, their polling place, and district info. Under MCL 168.509(q), full birth dates and Social Security numbers are kept out of public voter files. You can also check voter participation history.

Grand Traverse County Public Records Requests

Michigan's FOIA law, MCL 15.231 through MCL 15.246, gives you the right to request records from Grand Traverse County offices. Send a written request to the department that holds the data you need. Be specific. The office has five business days to respond under MCL 15.235, with a possible ten-day extension.

Copy fees vary by office but usually fall between $0.10 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies are about $5.00 each. Fee waivers are possible under MCL 15.234. Not all records are available. MCL 15.243 lists exemptions for law enforcement data, personal info, and other protected categories. A denial must be in writing with the exemption cited. You can appeal the decision to the department head or take it to court.

Grand Traverse County Clerk Office

Nearby Counties

Grand Traverse County is surrounded by other northwest Michigan counties. Search the residents directory for these neighboring areas.