Access Bay County Criminal Records
Bay County criminal records are available through the Sheriff's Office and County Clerk in Bay City, Michigan. Bay County is one of the larger counties in the region and has online tools for inmate searches and accident reports. Whether you need a court case history, an arrest record, or information on a current inmate, this page covers every search option available, from the county's own portals to statewide databases, along with fees, contact info, and your legal rights.
Bay County Overview
Bay County Sheriff and Circuit Court
Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham leads the Bay County Sheriff's Office at 503 Third Street in Bay City. The office handles all county law enforcement and manages the county jail. The main line is (989) 895-4050 and the fax is (989) 895-4061. For jail and inmate questions specifically, call (989) 895-4051. The Sheriff's Office has an online inmate search tool, which lets you look up people currently held in the Bay County Jail.
The Bay County Clerk's Office is at 515 Center Avenue in Bay City. Clerk Cynthia A. Luczak manages court records and vital records for the county. The main clerk line is (989) 895-4280, and the fax is (989) 895-4284. The 18th Circuit Court handles felony cases and can be reached at (989) 895-4265. The 74th District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic, and small civil matters. Court records from both courts are maintained at the Clerk's Office in Bay City.
| Sheriff | Troy R. Cunningham |
|---|---|
| Sheriff's Address | 503 Third Street, Bay City, MI 48708 |
| Sheriff Phone | (989) 895-4050 |
| Jail Phone | (989) 895-4051 |
| County Clerk | Cynthia A. Luczak |
| Clerk Address | 515 Center Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 |
| Clerk Phone | (989) 895-4280 |
| Circuit Court Phone | (989) 895-4265 |
| Circuit Court | 18th Circuit Court |
| District Court | 74th District Court |
How to Search Bay County Criminal Records
Bay County has its own online inmate search at baycounty-mi.gov/Sheriff/Inmate-Search. This tool lets you look up people who are currently being held in the Bay County Jail. It is free and updated regularly. If you need information about someone who was recently booked, this is the fastest way to check. The Sheriff's Office website also has information on how to access accident reports online.
For statewide criminal history searches, the Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the primary tool. ICHAT is authorized by MCL 28.241 and covers felony and serious misdemeanor records from all 83 Michigan counties, including Bay. Each search costs $10 and runs by name. It is the most comprehensive way to get criminal history on a statewide basis.
Court case records from Bay County's 18th Circuit Court and 74th District Court are searchable through the free MiCOURT Case Search portal. You can search by name or case number and see case status, docket entries, and party information. For full case documents, contact the Clerk's Office directly at (989) 895-4280.
The MiCOURT portal covers Bay County court filings from both the circuit and district courts. It is free to use and is the best remote option for reviewing case history without visiting the Bay City courthouse.
Note: Bay County's online inmate search covers current jail detainees only and does not show historical records or cases where the person has been released.
FOIA Requests in Bay County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request records from Bay County agencies. Bay County has a FOIA portal on the county website to help you submit requests electronically. For law enforcement records, you can also submit a written request directly to the Sheriff's Office at 503 Third Street, Bay City, MI 48708. Court records go through the Clerk's Office at 515 Center Avenue.
The county must respond within 5 business days. They may extend by up to 10 days for complex requests. Some records are protected under MCL 15.243, which covers exemptions for privacy, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement operational records. A denied request can be appealed. If the appeal fails, you can pursue the matter in court. Standard copy fees apply, and labor charges may be added for large requests.
Fees for Bay County Criminal Records
Police reports in Bay County carry a fee that varies by the type and length of the report. Accident reports may be available online through the Sheriff's Office website for a fee. Court record copies follow the Michigan statute fee schedule. ICHAT searches cost $10 per name through the state police. For fingerprinting services, fees vary depending on the type of service requested. Contact the appropriate office directly to confirm current fees before submitting a request.
More Resources for Bay County Criminal Records
The Michigan OTIS offender tracking system is free and lets you look up current and former Michigan prison inmates. Bay County residents who have been under Michigan Department of Corrections supervision appear in OTIS. It is searchable by name and covers parolees and those on probation, in addition to current inmates. It does not cover local Bay County Jail records.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry covers all registered sex offenders in Bay County by name, address, or zip code. The registry is managed by the Michigan State Police and updated regularly. It is free and available to anyone.
Michigan's Clean Slate law under MCL 780.621 allows automatic expungement of some criminal records after set waiting periods. Up to 4 misdemeanors may be cleared after 7 years without a new conviction. Certain felonies may be removed after 10 years. Expunged records will not appear in ICHAT searches, in MiCOURT, or in most standard criminal background searches. Keep this in mind when reviewing search results for Bay County individuals.
For those who need to file court documents in Bay County, MiFILE is the Michigan e-filing system. It allows attorneys and litigants to file court documents electronically, which can be useful for tracking related criminal case records as they are submitted.
Communities in Bay County
Bay County sits along Saginaw Bay in the northeast Lower Peninsula. Bay City is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Other communities include Essexville, Bangor Township, Hampton Township, Pinconning, and Kawkawlin. Bay City is the only community in the county that approaches qualifying size, but it does not meet the threshold for a dedicated city page in this guide. All criminal cases from Bay County communities are handled through the courts in Bay City.
Nearby Counties
Bay County is bordered by these counties in the central to northeast Lower Peninsula. If you need records from a nearby area, check which county processed the case.