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How to Find Public Records in Sanilac County in 2026
SanilacRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Sanilac County, Michigan. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find records spanning court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, and government meeting minutes, among other categories. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law. Record categories that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and property assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, the Sanilac County Clerk's Office, public access terminals located at county offices, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Sanilac County official website provides departmental portals for the Clerk, Register of Deeds, and courts.
- Court case information is searchable through the Michigan Courts case search portal, which is maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court as a public service.
- The Register of Deeds maintains property records accessible through the county's online land records system.
- No registration is required to conduct basic searches through the Michigan Courts portal.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Sanilac County Clerk's Office or the Register of Deeds, both located at the Sanilac County Courthouse, 60 W. Sanilac Ave., Sanilac Center (Sandusky), MI 48471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved when presenting a request at the public counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail at 60 W. Sanilac Ave., Sandusky, MI 48471. Requests must include a description of the record sought, the requestor's name and return address, and any applicable fees. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.235, a public body must respond to a written FOIA request within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days.
Phone/Email:
- Sanilac County Clerk: (810) 648-3212
- Sanilac County Register of Deeds: (810) 648-3340
- Email contact information is available through the respective departmental pages on the county website.
What Are Public Records in Sanilac County?
Public records in Sanilac County are defined under Michigan law as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.232, a "public record" encompasses documents, computer data, photographs, films, and other recorded information created or received by a government agency. The following record types are currently maintained by Sanilac County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, and probate court records | Sanilac County Circuit Court / District Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | County Clerk's Office |
| Business licenses and fictitious names | County Clerk's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Treasurer / Equalization |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | County Administrator / Clerk |
| Law enforcement records | Sanilac County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Local Township / County Planning |
The Sanilac County Clerk's Office serves as the central repository for vital records, 24th Circuit Court clerk records, notary licenses, and fingerprinting services, among other functions.
Is Sanilac County an Open Records County?
Sanilac County operates in full compliance with Michigan's statewide open records framework. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county offices, courts, and boards — are required to disclose public records upon request unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes 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."
The Sanilac County government affirms its commitment to public service, stating that "our professional workforce strives to provide high quality services to all who work, live and play in Sanilac County." County departments are required to designate a FOIA Coordinator responsible for processing requests and issuing written responses. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions enumerated in state law. Michigan's Open Meetings Act, MCL § 15.261 et seq., further requires that deliberations and decisions of public bodies occur in open sessions accessible to the public, with meeting minutes made available as public records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Sanilac County?
The cost to obtain public records in Sanilac County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under Michigan FOIA, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of processing the request. Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Document copies: $0.10 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black-and-white copies (per MCL § 15.234, fees may not exceed the actual cost of duplication)
- Certification of records: Fees vary by office; the County Clerk charges a standard certification fee per document
- Property record copies (Register of Deeds): Fees are set by the state legislature; as noted on the Register of Deeds page, "documents are recorded by a uniform system and statutory fees set by the state legislature"
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Certified copies are subject to statutory fees established under Michigan law
- Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may not exceed the actual cost of the electronic medium used
- Labor costs: A public body may charge for the labor cost of searching, examining, and separating exempt from non-exempt material, calculated at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task
- Inspection: No fee may be charged for in-person inspection of public records
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are available under FOIA when the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and that the primary purpose is not commercial.
Does Sanilac County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Sanilac County offices during regular business hours. Michigan law prohibits charging a fee for the mere inspection of public records; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources provide free access to public records:
- Michigan Courts case search portal: The Michigan Supreme Court's public case search tool allows members of the public to search court case information at no cost. As stated on the portal, "the Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service."
- Sanilac County Courts online docket: Current hearing schedules and party information for Sanilac County District, Probate, Circuit, Juvenile, and Family Division courts are accessible online without charge.
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the County Clerk's Office, Register of Deeds, and other county offices at no cost during regular business hours.
- County website portals: Departmental pages on the Sanilac County website provide access to publicly posted documents, agendas, and minutes without charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing a record in person carries no fee, obtaining a physical or electronic copy is subject to the applicable fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Sanilac County?
Any person may submit a public records request in Sanilac County. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state; non-residents retain the same right to request public records as Michigan residents. Under current law, a requestor is not required to:
- Establish residency in Michigan or Sanilac County
- Provide a government-issued identification document (for most record types)
- State the purpose for which the records are sought
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are subject to restrictions under Michigan's Vital Records Act, MCL § 333.2882, which limits certified copies to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. Persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities are explicitly excluded from FOIA rights under MCL § 15.232. Requesting one's own records may require identity verification, while requests for records pertaining to other individuals are subject to applicable privacy exemptions.
What Records Are Confidential in Sanilac County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Michigan FOIA enumerates specific categories of exempt records under MCL § 15.243, which provides that a public body may withhold records that fall within defined exemptions. Confidential or restricted records in Sanilac County include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Michigan court rules
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed under Michigan adoption statutes
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under the Child Protection Law
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' performance-related information
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety
MCL § 15.243 further provides that exemptions are to be construed narrowly, and a public body bears the burden of establishing that a withheld record falls within a recognized exemption. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt material, the public body is required to separate and disclose the non-exempt portions.
Sanilac County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Sanilac County Register of Deeds
60 W. Sanilac Ave., Suite 1
Sandusky, MI 48471
(810) 648-3340
Register of Deeds – Sanilac County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Sanilac County Clerk's Office
60 W. Sanilac Ave.
Sandusky, MI 48471
(810) 648-3212
Sanilac County Clerk's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Sanilac County Circuit Court – 24th Judicial Circuit
60 W. Sanilac Ave.
Sandusky, MI 48471
(810) 648-3212
Sanilac County Circuit Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Sanilac County Sheriff's Office
65 N. Elk St.
Sandusky, MI 48471
(810) 648-2000
Sanilac County, MI – Official Website
Office Hours:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week (dispatch); administrative offices Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM