Find Leelanau County Residents Directory

Leelanau County is located in the northwest part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, with Leland as its county seat. The Leelanau County residents directory brings together public records from county courts, the register of deeds office, and state-level search databases. About 22,000 people live here, and the records tied to those residents are mostly open under Michigan law. This page offers a search tool and links to the offices and online resources you need to look up public information for people in Leelanau County.

Leelanau County Residents Directory Court Records

The 13th Circuit Court serves Leelanau County along with Grand Traverse and Antrim counties. It handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, and family law. The Leelanau County courthouse is at 8527 E. Government Center Drive in Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Call (231) 256-9824 for case info. Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, most court records here are public. You can view files at the clerk window or search online.

The 86th District Court covers Leelanau County. It takes misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases under $25,000. The MiCOURT portal gives you free access to search both courts. Enter a party name or case number to see results. The system shows case status, filing dates, hearing times, and charges.

Court records in the Leelanau County residents directory cover criminal filings, civil claims, and domestic cases. Sealed records and juvenile cases are not included in public searches.

Leelanau County Criminal History Search

The ICHAT system from the Michigan State Police handles criminal history checks that include Leelanau County. Each search costs $10. You need a full name and date of birth. Results show felony convictions and serious misdemeanors with more than 93 days. ICHAT pulls data from all 83 counties in Michigan, so it covers Leelanau County along with everything else.

For state prison inmates, the OTIS search from the Michigan Department of Corrections is free. You can search by name or MDOC number to find inmates, parolees, and probationers. OTIS shows facility, sentence details, and release dates. It does not include people in the Leelanau County jail.

The Leelanau County Sheriff runs the local jail. Call (231) 256-8800 for booking and inmate data. They can confirm if someone is in custody, what the bond is, and when the next court date falls.

Property Records in Leelanau County

The Leelanau County Register of Deeds records all property documents. The office is at 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Phone is (231) 256-9682. Every deed, mortgage, lien, and land contract in the county must be filed here under MCL 565.29. Copies cost about $1.00 per page. Certified copies run a few dollars more.

Property records are a key part of the Leelanau County residents directory. They list names of buyers and sellers, parcel numbers, and sale prices. Leelanau County has a lot of waterfront property, so the register of deeds handles a high volume of real estate filings relative to its population. You can make requests in person or by mail. The county equalization office has tax data and parcel maps that also help with people searches in Leelanau County.

Vital Records for Leelanau County Residents

The Leelanau County Clerk handles birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and related vital records. The office is in Suttons Bay at the Government Center. Call (231) 256-9824. Certified copies cost $15 to $30. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person requests. Mail requests need a check and ID copy.

The Michigan Voter Information Center also provides voter data for Leelanau County residents. Enter a name, date of birth, and zip code to look up registration status. Under MCL 168.509(q), full birth dates and Social Security numbers stay private in voter files, but basic registration and district info is public. Voter data adds another layer to the Leelanau County residents directory.

Leelanau County Public Records Requests

Michigan's FOIA law, MCL 15.231 through 15.246, covers all Leelanau County offices. Put your request in writing and send it to the right department. The office has five business days to respond under MCL 15.235. They can take up to ten more days with written notice.

Fees range from $0.10 to $1.00 per page in Leelanau County. MCL 15.234 allows for fee waivers in hardship cases. Not all records are open. MCL 15.243 lists exemptions for personal data, law enforcement work, and other categories. Denied requests must come with a written explanation. FOIA is one of the best tools in the Leelanau County residents directory for records that are not online.

Access Leelanau County Residents Directory Online

The Michigan State Police page shown below connects to ICHAT and other statewide tools for Leelanau County residents.

Check the Michigan Legislature website for the full text of records statutes. The Michigan Department of Corrections page links to OTIS and other Leelanau County residents directory tools.

Leelanau County Clerk Office

Nearby Counties

Leelanau County borders these areas in northwest Michigan. Search the residents directory for them here.