Public records come in different forms and categories. Sometimoties it is a necessity to know what type of record you are looking to find. This article is aimed at looking at free public records in Michigan. There are a number michigan lookup searches you can do online too.

Different sites and places offer differing public records information. This is also true for the laws that govern the availability of them to the public. These laws differ from state to state. This article will look at everything that has to do with obtaining public records in Michigan free of charge.

 Public Records

The term “public records” can be used to describe any document or piece of information that is available to anyone who wants to see it. In most cases, these documents are not kept by private companies. They are kept by government agencies, which means they are open to the public. The only time this does not apply is when the person keeping the document has an expectation of privacy.

In order to access the public records, one must first obtain permission from the owner of the record. If no one owns the record, then it belongs to the government agency that created it.

Types of Public Records

There are three main types of public records:

• Official records

  – These are created by the government. Examples include birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, divorce decrees, military discharge papers, etc.

• Business records

  – These are created for business purposes. Examples include invoices, receipts, financial statements, etc.

• Personal records

  – These are created as part of someone’s personal life. Examples include medical records, credit reports, criminal records, etc.

Most people have heard about freedom of information acts (FOIA). Some states have their own version of FOIA while others allow the federal government to dictate how much information should be made available to the public.

Michigan Freedom of Information Act

Michigan has its own version of FOIAs called the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MFIA). It was passed in 1976 and allows citizens to request public records without having to pay fees. However, there are some limitations on what can be requested. For example, if the record contains personal information such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, etc., then the requester cannot ask for those specific pieces of information.

If the record is considered confidential, then the requester may be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement before receiving the information. This is usually done because the information could contain sensitive details about someone else.

The MFIA requires that all requests be submitted in writing. There are two ways to submit a request. One way is through the mail. You must fill out a form and send it to the appropriate office. Another option is to use the Internet. To make a request online, you will need to go to www.michigan.gov/foia. Once there, click on the link labeled “Requesting Public Records Online.”

Once your request is received, the office will review it and determine whether it meets the requirements of the law. If so, it will provide you with a copy of the record. Otherwise, it will tell you why the request did not meet the criteria.

When searching for public records, you will want to know where to look. Different offices keep different types of records. Here are some examples of places you might search:

• County Clerk’s Office
• City Hall
• Police Department
• School District
• State Library
• Court System
• Local Government Offices
• Other Local Government Offices
• State Archives
• State Libraries

Michigan Free Vital Records

A vital record is one that contains personal details about an individual’s life. It can be birth, death, marriage, divorce, adoption or other similar events. Some states have laws regarding the release of these records.

They may require payment before they can be released. If this is the case, then there are some alternatives available. One alternative is to search for a copy of the original document. The reason why this works is because if the original document is still in existence then it should be easy enough to obtain a copy. Another option would be to contact the appropriate authorities and request that they send you a copy. You could also ask your local library to help you out.

Michigan Public Records Searches Online

There are many sources of public records in Michigan online. The Internet is by far the best source. It is very convenient and allows you to conduct searches from any computer with an internet connection. Using the internet to search for Michigan public records is quick and easy.

All you need to do is enter the keyword(s) that you are interested in into the search engine of your choice. Key words like “free public records in Michigan” or Michigan public records”. Once you have entered those words, click “search.” Your search results will appear. From here, you can review the different websites that come up. You can even save them so that you can return to them later.

You can also use the internet to search for specific records. For example, if your goal is to locate a particular birth certificate then you can simply enter the name of the person whose birth you would like to obtain. If you are looking for a death certificate or a marriage license, you can enter the names of the couple involved.

Another option is to visit your county clerk’s office. Many counties keep their records on site. Others keep them at a central location. Either way, you will want to go to the correct place. Most places charge a fee for copies of public documents. The amount varies depending on the type of document being copied.

These options can help you land free public records in Michigan. It would be a good idea to try both offline and online methods to maximize your chances to a positive outcome.

Do not forget to check out the OTIS Michigan Search tool, which is very useful in providing information about offenders in the state of Michigan.

Also see: Michigan Background check