Grand Traverse County Criminal Records
Grand Traverse County criminal records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the 13th Circuit Court in Traverse City. The circuit court serves both Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Whether you need arrest records, court case details, or a formal background check, this page covers the tools and contacts you need to find criminal records in Grand Traverse County.
Grand Traverse County Overview
Grand Traverse Sheriff and 13th Circuit Court
The Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office sits at 851 Woodmere Ave. in Traverse City. Sheriff Michael D. Shea leads the department. The main office number is 231-995-5001. For non-emergency matters, use 231-922-4550. The Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement in unincorporated areas of Grand Traverse County, manages the county jail, and processes arrest records and warrants.
Criminal cases in Grand Traverse County go through two courts. The 13th Circuit Court at 328 Washington Street in Traverse City handles all felony cases. This court is shared with Leelanau County, which makes it one of the more active circuit courts in northwest Michigan. The 86th District Court, also at 328 Washington Street, handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings on felony charges. Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, and mental health proceedings. If you need court records from any of these courts, start at the county clerk's office in Traverse City or search through MiCOURT online.
| Sheriff's Office | 851 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff Phone | 231-995-5001 |
| Non-Emergency | 231-922-4550 |
| Sheriff | Michael D. Shea |
| 13th Circuit Court | 328 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| 86th District Court | 328 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Court Note | 13th Circuit serves Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties |
| County Website | gtcountymi.gov |
| Sheriff Website | co.grand-traverse.mi.us - Sheriff |
Searching Criminal Records in Grand Traverse County
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the go-to tool for criminal background checks in Michigan. It covers statewide arrest and conviction data. Visit apps.michigan.gov/ichat and enter the person's name and date of birth. The system charges a small fee. Results reflect what county courts and law enforcement agencies have submitted to the state criminal history repository. Grand Traverse County courts report to this system, so ICHAT is a reliable starting point.
For case-level details on specific court matters in Grand Traverse County, use MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search. Search by name or case number to see charges, docket entries, hearing dates, and case outcomes for cases at the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court. This free tool is useful when you know a case exists and want to track it. If a case does not show up in MiCOURT, contact the county clerk directly.
Grand Traverse County also does not maintain its own separate criminal records portal at the county level. All formal background checks for employment, licensing, or legal purposes should go through ICHAT, which pulls from the state's official criminal history database.
The OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 is another useful resource. It covers people who are or were in Michigan state prison. If a person's original case came from Grand Traverse County and they served prison time, their record will appear in OTIS. This is free to search and does not require registration.
The OTIS offender search system is shown below.
Use the OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 to search Michigan state prison records.
FOIA Requests in Grand Traverse County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request copies of government records. Grand Traverse County handles FOIA requests through its FOIA coordinator. The county FOIA page is at gtcountymi.gov/foia, where you can find written summaries of procedures and submit your request. Standard Michigan FOIA rules apply. The county has 5 business days to respond, with a possible 10-day extension if more time is needed.
For Sheriff's Office records like incident reports or arrest records, submit your FOIA request through the Sheriff's Office at 851 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686, or call 231-995-5001 for guidance. For court records, the county clerk's office at the 13th Circuit Court can help with copies of case files. Fees for copies are standard and based on labor and materials. Some records are exempt under MCL 15.243, including active investigation materials and records tied to personal safety concerns.
Note: The Grand Traverse County FOIA page at gtcountymi.gov/foia provides detailed instructions and a written summary of FOIA procedures specific to the county.
Sex Offender Registry and Additional Tools
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Michigan State Police under MCL 28.241. You can search it at michigan.gov/psor by name or location. The search is free and shows registered sex offenders across all Michigan counties, including Grand Traverse. This is an important tool for checking whether someone is registered as a sex offender in the area.
The Michigan Sheriffs' Association page for Grand Traverse County at misheriff.org provides verified contact details for the Sheriff's Office. The main Grand Traverse County government website at gtcountymi.gov links to all county departments, including the courts and clerk. If you are looking to expunge a criminal record in Michigan, review the eligibility rules in MCL 780.621. Grand Traverse County residents can also use the MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia to request records directly from the Michigan State Police.
The Michigan sex offender registry portal is shown below.
Search the Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor for registered offenders in Grand Traverse County and statewide.
Cities in Grand Traverse County
Traverse City is the county seat of Grand Traverse County. It is the largest city in the region and the hub for court activity, law enforcement, and public record access. No cities in Grand Traverse County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All criminal cases are processed through the 13th Circuit Court and 86th District Court in Traverse City.
Nearby Counties
Grand Traverse County is in northwest Michigan and shares the 13th Circuit Court with Leelanau County. These surrounding counties also have their own circuit courts and sheriff offices for criminal records.