Ontonagon County Criminal Records
Ontonagon County criminal records are held by the County Clerk and Sheriff's Office in Ontonagon, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The county is small and remote, so most records requests go through the Clerk's office directly or through the statewide ICHAT system. This page covers how to find criminal case data, request copies, access arrest records, and submit FOIA requests for Ontonagon County law enforcement and court records.
Ontonagon County Overview
Ontonagon County Sheriff and Clerk Contacts
The Ontonagon County Sheriff's Office is at 620 Conglomerate Street in Ontonagon. The main phone number is (906) 884-4901. The fax is the same number. The Sheriff's Office uses the Michigan State Police Statewide Network of Agency Photos (SNAP) for face recognition access, which connects local law enforcement to statewide law enforcement tools. For arrest records or incident reports, submit a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office.
The County Clerk is Stacy C. Preiss, who also serves as Register of Deeds. The Clerk office is at 725 Greenland Road in Ontonagon. The main phone is (906) 884-4255. Email the Clerk at spreiss@ontonagoncounty.org. The county website at ontonagoncounty.org links to all department pages. Hours are Monday through Friday, though exact hours should be confirmed by calling ahead since this is a small county office.
The Ontonagon County website is the primary portal for accessing department contact information and county public records services.
This county website links to the Clerk and Sheriff pages, along with vital records access and court information for Ontonagon County.
| Sheriff's Office | 620 Conglomerate St, Ontonagon, MI 49953 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff Phone | (906) 884-4901 |
| County Clerk | 725 Greenland Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953 |
| Clerk Phone | (906) 884-4255 |
| Clerk Email | spreiss@ontonagoncounty.org |
| Hours | Monday through Friday (call to confirm) |
Searching Ontonagon County Criminal Records
Ontonagon County does not have a dedicated local online court search portal. The best starting point for online searches is the statewide ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT is run by the Michigan State Police and shows criminal convictions across all Michigan counties under MCL 28.241. It is the most reliable source for Ontonagon County conviction history and is available online 24 hours a day.
For court case data, the statewide MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov also covers Ontonagon County courts. You can search by name or case number to find docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. In-person access to the full case file requires a visit to the Clerk's office in Ontonagon. Since this is a small county, call ahead to confirm what records are available and whether staff can assist with your search.
The Ontonagon County Clerk and Register of Deeds page explains the records available and how to submit requests for certified copies and vital records.
The Clerk handles vital records, court documents, and the Property Fraud Alert program for Ontonagon County residents and those requesting records from out of area.
Arrest warrant information for Ontonagon County is available through the Sheriff's Office. The warrant database is not published online, but the Ontonagon County Sheriff arrest warrants page provides information on how the warrant system works and how to check warrant status through the department.
The Ontonagon County Sheriff's arrest warrants page explains the warrant process and how to check on active warrants through the Sheriff's department.
Use this page to understand how arrest warrants are handled in Ontonagon County and what options are available for checking warrant status.
FOIA Requests in Ontonagon County
Under MCL 15.231, you can request public records from Ontonagon County agencies in writing. Submit requests to the Clerk's office for court and county records. Submit requests to the Sheriff for law enforcement records. The Clerk has vital records request forms available on the county website. The Property Fraud Alert program is also available through the Clerk for residents who want to monitor their property records.
Response time is 5 business days. Agencies may extend by 10 days with written notice. Under MCL 15.243, certain records are exempt, including active investigations, personal medical data, and juvenile records. Because this is a small county, the Clerk may handle FOIA requests directly without a dedicated FOIA coordinator.
Note: Vital records in Ontonagon County cost $10 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record.
Ontonagon County Records Fees
Vital records from the Ontonagon County Clerk cost $10 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same document. This covers birth, marriage, and death records for events that occurred in Ontonagon County. Register of Deeds copies are billed at statutory fees set by Michigan law. Online payment is available for vital records requests through the county website.
Court copy fees follow the standard Michigan schedule. Viewing records in person is free during business hours. For statewide ICHAT background checks, the Michigan State Police sets the fee separately. If you are unsure of the total cost before submitting a request, the Clerk can provide an estimate by phone or email before you send payment.
Ontonagon County Criminal Records Resources
The Michigan OTIS inmate search at mdocweb.state.mi.us/otis2 covers state prison inmates and those on parole or probation under MDOC. For Ontonagon County Jail, contact the Sheriff's Office. The Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor includes all registered sex offenders in Ontonagon County and is free to search by name or location.
Expungement of eligible Ontonagon County convictions is available under MCL 780.621. Petitions must be filed at the court where the conviction was entered. Given the county's remote location, legal aid services from regional organizations can help residents navigate the expungement process without having to travel extensively.
Cities in Ontonagon County
Ontonagon County includes the village of Ontonagon and several townships in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. All criminal cases from these communities are handled through the county courthouse in Ontonagon. No cities in Ontonagon County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ontonagon County in the Upper Peninsula. Use these links if a case may have been filed in a neighboring county.