Criminal Records in Kalkaska County
Kalkaska County criminal records are kept by the Sheriff's Office and the courts in Kalkaska, Michigan. The 13th Circuit Court handles felony cases, and the 87th District Court covers misdemeanors. You can search court records through MiCOURT, run a background check using ICHAT, or request records from the county offices directly. This page covers the key resources and contacts for finding criminal records in Kalkaska County.
Kalkaska County Overview
Kalkaska County Sheriff and Circuit Court
The Kalkaska County Sheriff's Office is located at 605 N. Birch St. in Kalkaska. The main phone line is (231) 258-8686 and fax is (231) 258-3388. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across the county and maintains records of arrests, warrants, and incidents. Call the office for police reports or to ask about a warrant status. Contact the office first if you are unsure where to send a records request.
The 13th Circuit Court serves Kalkaska County as well as Grand Traverse County. The court handles felony criminal cases for both counties. The 87th District Court in Kalkaska handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings on felony charges. Both the Sheriff's Office and the county clerk are located at 605 N. Birch St. The county clerk's phone is (231) 258-3300. For the full list of county services and contact information, visit the Kalkaska County government website at kalkaskacounty.net.
| Sheriff's Office | 605 N. Birch St., Kalkaska, MI 49646 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff Phone | (231) 258-8686 |
| Sheriff Fax | (231) 258-3388 |
| County Clerk Phone | (231) 258-3300 |
| County Clerk Address | 605 N. Birch St., Kalkaska, MI 49646 |
| 13th Circuit Court | Serves Kalkaska and Grand Traverse Counties |
| 87th District Court | Kalkaska, MI |
| County Website | kalkaskacounty.net |
| Sheriffs Assoc | misheriff.org - Kalkaska County |
Searching Kalkaska County Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the main tool for criminal background checks in Michigan. ICHAT queries the statewide criminal history database, which covers Kalkaska County arrests and court dispositions along with data from all other Michigan counties. You need a full name and date of birth. There is a small fee, and results are returned quickly. This is the right tool for any formal background check purpose.
For specific court cases in Kalkaska County, MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search lets you look up cases by name or case number. You can see charges, hearing dates, docket entries, and case outcomes for cases at the 13th Circuit Court and the 87th District Court. MiCOURT is free to use. For records that are not in the online system, contact the county clerk at (231) 258-3300 or visit the office at 605 N. Birch St. in Kalkaska.
The Kalkaska County government website is shown below.
Visit kalkaskacounty.net for county offices, contacts, and public services.
FOIA Records Requests in Kalkaska County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 gives the public the right to request government records. In Kalkaska County, written FOIA requests go to the department that holds the record you are looking for. For Sheriff's Office records, submit your request at 605 N. Birch St. or call (231) 258-8686 for guidance. For court records, the county clerk at the same address can help. Standard Michigan FOIA rules apply. The county has 5 business days to respond, with a possible 10-day extension.
Fees for FOIA requests in Kalkaska County are standard under Michigan law. Copying is typically $0.10 per page. If the estimated cost exceeds a certain threshold, you may be asked for a deposit before the county begins processing. Under MCL 15.243, certain records are exempt, including active investigation files and records that could endanger someone's safety. The county will inform you of any exemptions that apply to your request.
The MiCOURT case search portal is shown below.
Use MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search to search Kalkaska County court cases.
Statewide Criminal Record Tools
For people who have served time in Michigan state prison, the OTIS database at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 is a free resource that shows custody status, conviction details, and release information. Cases that originated in Kalkaska County and resulted in state prison sentences will appear here. This is different from ICHAT, which covers a broader range of arrests and charges.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor is maintained by the Michigan State Police under MCL 28.241. Searches are free by name or zip code and cover all registered offenders in Michigan including those in Kalkaska County. For expungements, MCL 780.621 outlines the eligibility rules and process in Michigan. Legal aid organizations in northern Michigan can assist with expungement filings for those who qualify. The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles requests for state police records.
The state records database for Kalkaska County is shown below.
Note: The 13th Circuit Court serves both Kalkaska and Grand Traverse counties, so some case records may list the court location as Traverse City rather than Kalkaska.
Cities in Kalkaska County
The village of Kalkaska serves as the county seat. No cities in Kalkaska County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All criminal cases for Kalkaska County residents go through the 13th Circuit Court and the 87th District Court. Some hearings and filings may also take place in Traverse City, where the 13th Circuit Court is centrally located.
Nearby Counties
Kalkaska County shares its circuit court with Grand Traverse County. These surrounding counties also have their own court systems for criminal records.