Oceana County Criminal Records
Oceana County criminal records are filed at the Circuit Court and District Court in Hart, the county seat. The County Clerk and Sheriff's Office are the primary contacts for record access, whether you need case filings, arrest history, or certified copies of court orders. Online search options are available through the state ICHAT system and a local fee-based portal. This page walks through how to search, what to expect, and who to contact for Oceana County criminal records.
Oceana County Overview
Oceana County Sheriff and Court Contacts
The Oceana County Sheriff's Office main location is in Hart. The jail is at 1064 Industrial Park Drive in Shelby, which is a separate facility from the main office. The business phone for the Sheriff is (231) 873-2123. The jail holds up to 66 beds. For inmate information, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Most requests for criminal records from the Sheriff go through FOIA since there is no dedicated online portal for law enforcement data.
The County Clerk at 100 S. State Street in Hart handles circuit court records. The clerk line is (231) 873-4328. For circuit court matters specifically, call (231) 873-4609. The fax number is (231) 873-1391. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Circuit court records in Oceana County go back to the mid-1800s for some document types. The main county website is at oceana.mi.us.
The Oceana County website provides access to department contacts, court records information, and county services.
Use the county website to navigate to the Clerk, Sheriff, and court pages for records requests and contact information.
| Sheriff (Main) | (231) 873-2123 |
|---|---|
| Jail Address | 1064 Industrial Park Drive, Shelby, MI 49455 |
| County Clerk | 100 S. State Street, Hart, MI 49420 |
| Clerk Phone | (231) 873-4328 |
| Circuit Court | (231) 873-4609 |
| Fax | (231) 873-1391 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Oceana County Criminal Records
Oceana County offers a fee-based online record search through BS&A Online. The portal is at bsaonline.com and charges $3 per record as of 2022. This covers civil and some criminal case data. It is a quick option for checking basic case information without going to the courthouse. Most criminal records in Oceana County are public under Michigan law, except for juvenile cases and records that have been suppressed by court order.
The Oceana County Circuit Court page explains how to access court records and request copies from the clerk.
The circuit court handles all felony criminal cases in Oceana County and maintains records going back to the mid-1800s for some document types.
For a statewide criminal history search, ICHAT at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the official Michigan State Police tool under MCL 28.241. It returns results based on a person's name and date of birth and covers convictions across all Michigan counties including Oceana. If you need an in-person search, the County Clerk's office can look up cases by name or case number at no charge. Copies cost extra.
The Oceana County Clerk page provides guidance on record access, vital records, and copy requests for county documents.
The Clerk's office is the main in-person resource for certified copies of Oceana County court records and official document requests.
The BS&A Online portal for Oceana County provides fee-based access to local records including case and property data.
This portal charges $3 per record and covers multiple record types for Oceana County, making it a convenient option for quick lookups.
FOIA Requests for Oceana County Records
Written FOIA requests are required for most law enforcement records in Oceana County. Under MCL 15.231, you have the right to request any nonexempt public record from county agencies. Submit requests to the department that holds the records you need. The Sheriff's Office handles arrest and incident report requests. The Circuit Court Clerk handles court file requests.
For circuit court records requested by mail, you must include a money order for any applicable fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. In-person viewing of public court records is free during business hours. Under MCL 15.243, agencies may withhold records tied to active criminal cases, ongoing investigations, or protected personal information. Response time is 5 business days from receipt of your request.
Note: Mail requests to the Oceana County Circuit Court Clerk must include a money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents.
Oceana County Record Fees
A name-based criminal history search at the Oceana County Clerk costs $5. This gives you basic case information from the local database. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for regular copies. Vital records from the Clerk cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record. Online lookups through BS&A cost $3 per record.
For the Michigan ICHAT background check through MSP, the state sets its own fee. Certified copies from the circuit court carry a higher cost than plain copies and must be requested in writing or in person. If you are unsure which fee applies to your request, call the County Clerk at (231) 873-4328 and ask before submitting your request.
Resources for Oceana County Criminal Records
The Michigan OTIS inmate search at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 covers people held in state prison or supervised by MDOC. For people held at the Oceana County Jail in Shelby, contact the Sheriff's Office. These are two separate systems. OTIS is free and searchable by name or MDOC number. It shows sentence status, facility location, and projected release dates.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor covers Oceana County registrants. You can search by name, zip code, or address. The registry is free and open to the public. For people seeking to expunge a conviction under MCL 780.621, the petition must be filed at the court where the conviction was entered. Legal aid in the region can help you assess eligibility.
Cities in Oceana County
Oceana County includes Hart, Shelby, Pentwater, and several townships. All criminal cases from these communities are filed at the 27th Circuit Court or the District Court in Hart. No cities in Oceana County currently meet the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Oceana County shares borders with several counties along Michigan's west coast. Check these pages if a case may have been filed outside Oceana County.