michigan public records online: practical ways to search smarter

What you can find

From court dockets to property deeds, business filings, and inmate data, Michigan's open data laws let you review many documents without visiting an office. Most agencies maintain portals; a few still require mail or in-person requests.

How to begin

Start with the official source. The state judiciary indexes cases by name or number, county registers post land records, and the Department of State hosts business entity searches. When unsure, search the agency name plus “records” and verify the domain ends in .gov.

• Use precise names and date ranges to narrow hits.
• Try alternate spellings; middle initials often matter.
• Check each county’s site; coverage varies by jurisdiction.
• Download fee schedules before ordering certified copies.
• Protect privacy by redacting SSNs and minors’ details when sharing.

If a dataset is missing, file a FOIA request describing the records, timeframe, and preferred format. Be concise, ask for fee waivers when appropriate, and track deadlines. With patience and good queries, public information becomes usable insight.