Delta County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Delta County?

Public records in Delta County, Michigan, are defined under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL § 15.231 et seq.) as any writing prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these documents subject to limited statutory exemptions.

Delta County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple offices and departments, including:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files maintained by the Delta County Trial Court
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfer documents held by the Register of Deeds - Delta County
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued through the County Clerk and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Business records — assumed name filings, business licenses, and permits maintained by the County Clerk
Tax records — property tax assessments, payment histories, and delinquent tax records held by the County Treasurer
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Delta County Board of Commissioners and subordinate boards, available through the County Administrator's office
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports available from the Delta County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, permits, and planning documents maintained by the Delta County Planning and Zoning Department

The Delta County official website serves as the primary portal for accessing land records, tax information, and departmental contacts.

Is Delta County an Open Records County?

Delta County fully complies with Michigan's statewide open records framework. Under MCL § 15.233, any person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records held by a public body. This statute establishes that government transparency is the default rule, and any denial of access must be grounded in a specific statutory exemption.

Key provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) applicable to Delta County include:

Public bodies must respond to a written FOIA request within five business days of receipt, with a possible ten-business-day extension under documented circumstances
Denials must be issued in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon
Requestors have the right to appeal a denial to the head of the public body and, thereafter, to circuit court

Delta County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements of state law. All county departments, including the Sheriff's Office, Clerk, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds, are individually designated as public bodies subject to FOIA obligations. The county's compliance with Michigan's Open Meetings Act (MCL § 15.261 et seq.) further ensures that deliberative proceedings of the Board of Commissioners and other public bodies are conducted transparently and that meeting minutes are made available to the public.

How to Find Public Records in Delta County in 2026

Members of the public may access Delta County records through several channels depending on the record type sought.

Online search: Property and land records are currently searchable through the internet land records system available on the Delta County website. Court case information may be accessed through the MiCOURT Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court.
In-person inspection: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours to inspect records at no charge. The Delta County Courthouse, located at 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829, houses the Clerk, Register of Deeds, Treasurer, and Trial Court.
Written FOIA request: For records not available online or at the public counter, a written FOIA request must be submitted to the FOIA Coordinator of the appropriate department. Requests may be delivered in person, by mail, or by email where the department accepts electronic submissions.
Vital records: Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records may be requested through the Delta County Clerk or through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services vital records office. The state's birth, death, marriage, and divorce records portal provides current ordering instructions and fee schedules.
Sex offender information: Members of the public may search the Michigan sex offender registry maintained by the Michigan State Police to locate registered offenders residing in Delta County.

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

Current fees for public records in Delta County are governed by the Michigan FOIA fee schedule established under MCL § 15.234, which sets limits on what public bodies may charge requestors.

Standard fees applicable to Delta County records requests include:

Paper copies: A public body may charge no more than $0.10 per sheet for standard 8.5" × 11" black-and-white copies
Labor costs: Charges for the labor of searching, locating, and examining records are limited to the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task, plus fringe benefits not to exceed the actual cost
Digital copies: Fees for records provided on digital media reflect the actual and most reasonably economical cost of the digital storage medium
Certified copies: Vital records and certain court documents carry separate statutory certification fees set by the County Clerk and the State of Michigan; these fees vary by record type
Accepted payment methods: Delta County offices generally accept cash, check, and money order; individual departments should be contacted to confirm currently accepted payment methods

A public body may require a good-faith deposit of up to 50 percent of the estimated fee before processing a request when the total estimated cost exceeds $50.00. Fee waivers or reductions are available under MCL § 15.234 when the requester demonstrates that disclosure of the public record is in the public interest and that the individual is indigent and receiving public assistance.

Does Delta County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Michigan law, and no fee may be charged solely for inspecting a record in person. Several categories of Delta County records are also accessible at no cost through official online platforms.

Land and property records: The internet land records search system accessible through the Delta County website allows members of the public to search deed and property transfer information without charge.
Property deed and mortgage records: The Register of Deeds - Delta County office provides online access to recorded land documents.
Court case information: Basic case status and party information for Delta County court proceedings is available at no cost through the MiCOURT Case Search system.
Sex offender registry: The Michigan State Police sex offender registry is freely accessible to the public online.
Meeting minutes and agendas: Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the Delta County website at no charge.

Fees apply only when a requestor seeks physical or digital copies of records rather than in-person inspection.

Who Can Request Public Records in Delta County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Delta County. Under MCL § 15.233, the right to inspect and receive copies of public records extends to all individuals regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Michigan residents or Delta County residents to access public records
Identification: Public bodies may not require a requestor to identify themselves or disclose the purpose of the request as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records subject to restricted access
Purpose: No justification or explanation of intended use is required for standard public records requests
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information
Restricted record types: Certain records, including adoption files, juvenile court records, and law enforcement investigative files, carry access restrictions that apply regardless of the identity of the requestor

Non-residents retain the full right of access afforded to any person under Michigan FOIA and are subject to the same fee schedule as residents.

What Records Are Confidential in Delta County?

Certain categories of records held by Delta County public bodies are exempt from disclosure under Michigan law. MCL § 15.243 enumerates the specific exemptions that public bodies may invoke to withhold records or portions of records from public inspection.

Exempt and confidential record categories currently applicable in Delta County include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under the Michigan Juvenile Code
Ongoing law enforcement investigations: Records that would interfere with an active criminal investigation or disclose the identity of a confidential informant are exempt
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
Medical and health records: Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Michigan medical privacy statutes are exempt
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures
Child welfare and protective services records: Records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt except for name, position, compensation, and dates of employment
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to a public body in confidence is protected from disclosure
Security and infrastructure plans: Records that would endanger public safety or critical infrastructure if disclosed are exempt

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to separate the exempt material and disclose the remainder. Michigan courts apply a balancing analysis in disputed cases to determine whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in confidentiality.

Delta County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Delta County Register of Deeds is the principal office responsible for recording and maintaining land records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments for Delta County, Michigan.

Delta County Register of Deeds 310 Ludington Street, Suite 103, Escanaba, MI 49829 (906) 789-5100 Register of Deeds - Delta County

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. Members of the public may inspect land records in person during these hours or access the online land records search system through the county website at any time.

Delta County Clerk's Office 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829 (906) 789-5100 Delta County

The County Clerk maintains vital records, election records, business filings, and Board of Commissioners records. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Delta County Trial Court 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829 (906) 789-5100 MiCOURT Case Search

Court records for civil, criminal, probate, and family matters are maintained by the Trial Court clerk. Case information is also accessible online through the MiCOURT system.