Houghton County Criminal Records
Houghton County criminal records are kept by the Sheriff's Office and the County Clerk in Houghton, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. These records cover arrests, court cases filed in the 12th Circuit Court, and criminal history going back many years. You can search them in person, by mail, or through statewide tools like ICHAT. This page covers the key steps, contacts, and laws that govern access to criminal records in Houghton County.
Houghton County Overview
Houghton County Sheriff and Circuit Court
The Houghton County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across this large Upper Peninsula county. It is the main agency for arrests, local incident reports, and jail records. The office sits at 403 E. Houghton Avenue in the city of Houghton. If you need records tied to a specific arrest or law enforcement contact, this office is where you start. Call (906) 482-2121 during business hours to reach the records division.
Court records in Houghton County run through the 12th Circuit Court and the 97th District Court. The County Clerk manages these files from the office at 401 E. Houghton Avenue, just around the corner from the Sheriff. The clerk's office can be reached at (906) 482-1150. Circuit court handles felony cases; district court covers misdemeanors, local ordinance violations, and traffic matters. Both sets of records are kept at the courthouse and can be accessed during regular business hours.
The Houghton County Government website is the starting point for finding local department contacts, including links to the Sheriff and County Clerk.
The county website lists contact info for all major offices, including those that hold criminal records and court files. Use it to confirm current hours and mailing addresses before you submit a records request.
| Sheriff's Office | Houghton County Sheriff |
|---|---|
| Address | 403 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931 |
| Phone | (906) 482-2121 |
| Fax | (906) 482-0212 |
| County Clerk Address | 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931 |
| Clerk Phone | (906) 482-1150 |
| Circuit Court | 12th Circuit Court |
| District Court | 97th District Court |
How to Search Houghton County Criminal Records
The best statewide tool for criminal history in Houghton County is ICHAT, run by the Michigan State Police. ICHAT covers felony and serious misdemeanor convictions reported from all 83 Michigan counties. Each search costs $10 and runs by name. The database is built on reporting required under MCL 28.241, which directs law enforcement agencies to report criminal history data to the state. Results are returned quickly and can be saved or printed.
For court case records specific to Houghton County, use MiCOURT, the free state case search portal. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. It covers both circuit and district court records. Some older cases may not be fully indexed, but most public criminal cases filed in recent years appear there. If you can't find what you need online, the County Clerk at (906) 482-1150 can assist with in-person lookups.
In-person searches at the Houghton courthouse give you access to the full physical file. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the person you are searching. Staff can pull case files and make copies on request. This method works best for older records or cases where you need certified copies.
FOIA Requests in Houghton County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to request government records, including criminal records held by the Sheriff's Office and County Clerk. You must submit a written request to the agency that holds the records. The agency has 5 business days to respond, with an option to extend by up to 10 additional business days if needed.
For law enforcement records like incident reports and arrest logs, send your written FOIA request to the Houghton County Sheriff's Office at 403 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931. For court records, direct your request to the County Clerk at 401 E. Houghton Ave. Not all records are open. Under MCL 15.243, agencies can lawfully withhold records that could harm an active investigation, identify a confidential informant, or invade personal privacy. If a request is denied in full or in part, you have the right to appeal or seek judicial review.
Note: Houghton County has limited online records access, so written FOIA requests or in-person courthouse visits are the most reliable options for obtaining criminal records.
Record Copy Fees in Houghton County
Copy fees in Houghton County follow Michigan's standard FOIA fee schedule. Plain copies typically cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies carry an added $10 fee per document. Some departments may charge for staff time if your request takes more than a few minutes to process. Ask about estimated fees before you submit so there are no surprises.
ICHAT searches through the Michigan State Police cost $10 per name. That fee is fixed statewide. Court copy fees at the clerk's office follow the Michigan court fee schedule. If you need the same certified document in multiple copies, each one carries the same certification charge.
Additional Resources for Houghton County Records
The Michigan Department of Corrections runs the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) as a free public tool. OTIS shows current and former state prison inmates, those on parole, and those under probation supervision. If you are looking for someone who has been through Michigan's prison system, OTIS is the right starting point. It does not cover records from local county jails.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable by name, address, or zip code. It covers registered offenders statewide, including those in Houghton County. The registry is maintained by the Michigan State Police and updated on a regular basis.
Michigan's Clean Slate law under MCL 780.621 allows some people to have their criminal records automatically expunged after enough time has passed and all conditions are met. Up to 4 misdemeanors can be cleared after 7 years, and up to 2 felonies after 10 years. If a search comes back with no results, expungement may be the reason. The Michigan Sheriffs' Association page for Houghton County has additional contact information for the local Sheriff's Office.
Communities in Houghton County
Houghton County sits in the Keweenaw Peninsula region of the Upper Peninsula. Communities include Houghton, Hancock, Calumet, Laurium, and smaller townships spread across the county. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all criminal cases from these areas are handled through the 12th Circuit Court and 97th District Court in Houghton.
Nearby Counties
Houghton County is surrounded by other Upper Peninsula counties. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check where the incident or case was filed.