Washtenaw County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Washtenaw County?

Public records in Washtenaw County are defined according to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically under Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.232(i). The statute defines public records 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."

Washtenaw County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Washtenaw County Trial Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Register of Deeds
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and assumed name registrations (DBA)
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax foreclosure data
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the County Board of Commissioners and various boards and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Washtenaw County Clerk's Office maintains vital records, election records, and various other official documents. Property records are maintained by the Register of Deeds division, while court records are maintained by the Washtenaw County Trial Court. Tax records are maintained by the County Treasurer and local municipal assessors.

Is Washtenaw County an Open Records County?

Washtenaw County adheres to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this law, all persons except prisoners are entitled to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records upon request.

The statute specifically states in MCL § 15.231(2) that "It is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, 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, consistent with this act."

Washtenaw County has established specific FOIA procedures in compliance with state law. The county maintains a FOIA Coordinator who is responsible for processing and responding to all FOIA requests. Each department within the county government may also have a designated FOIA liaison to assist with requests specific to that department.

In addition to FOIA compliance, Washtenaw County also adheres to Michigan's Open Meetings Act, MCL § 15.261 et seq., which requires that most meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with meeting notices posted in advance, and minutes recorded and made available for public inspection.

How to Find Public Records in Washtenaw County in 2026

Accessing public records in Washtenaw County involves several methods depending on the type of record sought:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Washtenaw County official website. The county provides online access to:
- Property records through the Register of Deeds
- Court case information through the Michigan Courts Case Search
- Meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget documents and financial reports
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:
- For vital records, visit the County Clerk's Office
- For property records, visit the Register of Deeds
- For court records, visit the appropriate court division
FOIA Requests: For records not readily available, submit a FOIA request to the appropriate department:
- Complete the county's standard FOIA request form
- Submit the request via email, mail, fax, or in person
- Requests must include a specific description of the records sought
- The county must respond within 5 business days (with possible 10-day extension)
Court Records: Access court records through:
- The Michigan Courts Case Search portal
- In-person requests at the courthouse
- Requests for certified copies of court documents
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records can be requested:
- In person at the County Clerk's Office
- By mail with proper identification and fees
- Online through the county's vital records portal

When requesting records, be prepared to provide specific information about the record sought, including names, dates, and document numbers if available. For certain records, proper identification may be required.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washtenaw County?

Washtenaw County charges fees for public records in accordance with Michigan FOIA § 15.234, which allows public bodies to charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records.

The current fee structure for Washtenaw County public records includes:

Photocopies: $0.10 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: Additional $1.00 per document
Search and Retrieval: Labor costs may be charged at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task
Digital Copies: Actual cost of media (CD, DVD, flash drive)
Mailing Costs: Actual cost of mailing

Specific record fees include:

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
Divorce Decrees: $15.00 for certified copies
Property Records: $1.00 per page for copies of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Court Records: Varies by document type and court division

Payment methods accepted include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)

Under Michigan FOIA, a public body may waive or reduce fees if it determines that doing so is in the public interest because access to the information primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, individuals who submit an affidavit stating they are receiving public assistance or can demonstrate inability to pay may receive a waiver or reduction of fees.

Does Washtenaw County Have Free Public Records?

Washtenaw County provides free access to certain public records as required by Michigan law. Under MCL § 15.233(3), public bodies must furnish reasonable facilities for examining public records during normal business hours.

Records available for free inspection include:

County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and agendas available on the Washtenaw County website
Property assessment information through the online property lookup portal
Court docket information available through public access terminals at the courthouse
Voter registration verification through the Michigan Voter Information Center
County budget documents published online
Building permits and planning documents available for review at the Building Department

Additionally, the following online resources provide free access to certain public records:

The Washtenaw County GIS mapping system provides property information, zoning, and other geographic data
The Michigan Court Case Search provides basic case information for court records
The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners website provides meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings

While inspection of records is generally free, fees may still apply for copies or certified documents as outlined in the county's fee schedule. Citizens should note that while inspection is free, staff time for extensive searches may incur charges under FOIA provisions.

Who Can Request Public Records in Washtenaw County?

Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act MCL § 15.231(2), "all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, 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."

In Washtenaw County, the following eligibility requirements apply:

Residency: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records. Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request records.
Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, for certain sensitive records such as vital records or court documents, proper identification may be required.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records. The law specifically states in MCL § 15.233(1) that "a public body may not ask the purpose for which a person requests public records, except to determine whether the request is for a commercial purpose or to process a request for a fee waiver."

Special considerations apply to certain record types:

Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records have specific eligibility requirements. Generally, these records are available only to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those who can demonstrate a direct and legitimate interest.
Court Records: While most court records are public, certain case types (such as juvenile, adoption, and mental health proceedings) have restricted access.
Law Enforcement Records: Records related to ongoing investigations may be exempt from disclosure.

Non-residents have the same rights to access public records as residents under Michigan FOIA. The only exception to broad public access applies to incarcerated persons, who have limited rights to request records under MCL § 15.232(g).

What Records Are Confidential in Washtenaw County?

Certain records in Washtenaw County are exempt from public disclosure under Michigan FOIA § 15.243, which provides numerous exemptions to protect privacy, security, and other important interests.

Records that are generally confidential or exempt from disclosure include:

Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order
Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors, except under specific circumstances
Ongoing Investigation Records: Law enforcement records that would interfere with an active investigation or prosecution
Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account information, and other personal data
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Adoption Records: Records related to adoption proceedings
Child Welfare Records: Child protective services records and reports of child abuse or neglect
Personnel Records: Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted to government agencies
Security Information: Records related to security measures, emergency response plans, or critical infrastructure
Attorney-Client Communications: Communications protected by attorney-client privilege
Deliberative Process Materials: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated

Under MCL § 15.243(1)(a), information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy is exempt from disclosure. Additionally, Michigan law requires a balancing test for certain exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the interest protected by the exemption.

It's important to note that even when a record contains exempt information, the county must separate the exempt material and make the non-exempt portions available for inspection and copying.

Washtenaw County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds
200 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: (734) 222-6720
Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided: