Ingham County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Ingham County?
Public records in Ingham County are defined according to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically under § 15.232(i), as "a writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function, from the time it is created." These records document the activities and decisions of government agencies serving the public interest.
Ingham County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments)
- Vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees)
- Business records (licenses, permits, assumed names, co-partnerships)
- Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
- Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board of Commissioners, committees, boards)
- Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports, audits)
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records (permits, applications, zoning maps)
The Ingham County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including vital records, business registrations, and election documents. Property records are maintained by the Ingham County Register of Deeds, while court records are managed by the respective courts within the county's jurisdiction, including the 54-A District Court and the 30th Circuit Court.
Is Ingham County an Open Records County?
Ingham County adheres to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under MCL § 15.231 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this statute, all persons 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 Michigan FOIA specifically states in § 15.233(1) that "a public body shall furnish a requesting person with a reasonable opportunity for inspection and examination of its public records." This provision ensures transparency in government operations and accountability to the public.
Ingham County has implemented specific procedures to comply with state open records laws. The county maintains a FOIA policy that outlines the process for requesting public records, applicable fees, and response timelines. Each department within the county government has designated FOIA coordinators responsible for processing requests in accordance with statutory requirements.
Additionally, Ingham County complies with Michigan's Open Meetings Act (OMA), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with notices posted in advance, and minutes recorded and made available for public inspection.
How to Find Public Records in Ingham County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Ingham County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the MiCOURT Case Search system
- Property records are accessible via the Register of Deeds online portal
- Meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the County Board of Commissioners website
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For vital records and election documents, visit the County Clerk's office
- For property records, visit the Register of Deeds
- For court records, visit the specific court where the case was filed
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Written FOIA Requests: Submit a formal FOIA request to the relevant department:
- Use the county's standard FOIA request form available on the county website
- Include specific details about the records sought
- Submit via email, mail, or in person to the appropriate FOIA coordinator
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Telephone Inquiries: Contact the relevant department directly for guidance on record availability and retrieval procedures.
The county typically responds to FOIA requests within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension for complex requests as permitted under state law. Requestors should be as specific as possible when describing the records sought to facilitate prompt and accurate responses.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Ingham County?
Ingham County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act § 15.234, which permits charging "actual costs" for providing copies of public records. The current fee structure includes:
- Copying/Printing Fees: $0.10 per page for standard black and white copies
- Digital Media: $1.00 per CD/DVD or USB drive when electronic records are provided on physical media
- Labor Costs: Charged at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the necessary tasks (searching, retrieving, examining, reviewing, separating exempt information)
- Mailing Costs: Actual cost of mailing records using a reasonably economical method
Specialized records may have statutorily established fees:
- Birth certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Death certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage licenses: $20.00 for certified copies
- Property records: $1.00 per page for recorded documents
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit card payments, though convenience fees may apply.
The FOIA statute provides for fee waivers or reductions if the request is made by or on behalf of an indigent individual. Additionally, if the request is determined to primarily benefit the general public, a waiver or reduction of fees may be granted at the discretion of the FOIA coordinator.
Does Ingham County Have Free Public Records?
Ingham County provides free inspection of public records in compliance with Michigan FOIA § 15.233(3), which states that "a public body shall furnish a requesting person with a reasonable opportunity for inspection and examination of its public records." No fee may be charged for the right to inspect records, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches.
The following records are available at no cost:
- In-person inspection of any non-exempt public record during regular business hours
- Online access to Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and agendas
- Basic property information through the online property tax portal
- Voter registration verification through the Michigan Voter Information Center
- Public notices and announcements on the county website
The MiCOURT Case Search system provides free basic case information for many court records, though fees may apply for obtaining complete case files or certified copies of court documents.
Members of the public may use public computer terminals available at county offices and public libraries to access online records without charge. Staff assistance for locating records is generally provided without cost, though extensive research assistance may incur labor fees as permitted by FOIA.
Who Can Request Public Records in Ingham County?
Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act § 15.232(e), "person" is defined as "an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm, organization, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity." This broad definition establishes that any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Ingham County government agencies.
Key eligibility considerations include:
- Requestors are not required to be Michigan residents
- Identification is generally not required for most record requests, though specific records (such as vital records) may require proof of identity or relationship
- Requestors are not obligated to state the purpose of their request, except in limited circumstances involving certain sensitive records
- Commercial use of public records is permitted under FOIA
For certain restricted records, additional eligibility requirements apply:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates) are available only to individuals with a direct interest as defined in MCL § 333.2882
- Adoption records have specific access restrictions under Michigan law
- Some law enforcement records may have limited availability based on investigation status
When requesting records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and protect privacy. When requesting records about others, access may be limited based on the type of record and relationship to the subject.
What Records Are Confidential in Ingham County?
While Michigan's FOIA promotes transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under § 15.243, which enumerates specific exemptions. Ingham County maintains the following types of confidential records:
- Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Law enforcement investigative records that would:
- Interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
- Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Disclose the identity of a confidential source
- Disclose law enforcement investigative techniques
- Records specifically exempted from disclosure by statute, including:
- Juvenile records under the Juvenile Code
- Child protective services records under the Child Protection Law
- Mental health records protected under the Mental Health Code
- Medical records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Trade secrets or commercial/financial information voluntarily provided in confidence
- Attorney-client privileged communications and attorney work product
- Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Computer software programs developed by or for the public body
- Critical infrastructure and security information
The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the interest protected by the exemption. Under MCL § 15.244, if a record contains both exempt and non-exempt material, the exempt material may be redacted and the remainder disclosed.
Ingham County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Ingham County Register of Deeds
341 S. Jefferson Street
Mason, MI 48854
517-676-7236
Ingham County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Ingham County Clerk's Office
341 S. Jefferson Street
Mason, MI 48854
517-676-7201
Ingham County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
30th Circuit Court
Veterans Memorial Courthouse
313 W. Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48933
517-483-6500
30th Circuit Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and court-observed holidays
54-A District Court
124 W. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
517-483-4433
54-A District Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and court-observed holidays