Van Buren County Criminal Records
Van Buren County criminal records are filed with the 36th Circuit Court and the 7th District Court in Paw Paw, Michigan. The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and law enforcement reports at 205 S. Kalamazoo Street. You can search cases online through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system or the statewide MiCOURT portal. This page covers the tools, offices, and procedures you need to find criminal records in Van Buren County.
Van Buren County Overview
Van Buren County Sheriff and Courts
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office is at 205 S. Kalamazoo Street in Paw Paw. Call (269) 657-2006 for non-emergency matters. Fax is available at (269) 657-2145. Dial 911 for emergencies. The sheriff handles patrol, arrests, inmate booking, and law enforcement records for all unincorporated parts of Van Buren County. The sheriff's page on the county site has department details and contact options.
The 36th Circuit Court and the 7th District Court both operate in Paw Paw. Circuit Court cases involve felonies and major civil matters. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil claims under the jurisdictional threshold. The county clerk's office is at 212 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Call (269) 657-8218 to reach the clerk. The Van Buren County website is the main portal for county services and departments.
| Sheriff's Office | 205 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
|---|---|
| Sheriff Phone | (269) 657-2006 |
| Fax | (269) 657-2145 |
| County Clerk | 212 E. Paw Paw St., Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
| Clerk Phone | (269) 657-8218 |
| Circuit Court | 36th Circuit Court, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
| District Court | 7th District Court, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
How to Search Van Buren County Criminal Records
The best place to start a Van Buren County criminal records search is MiCOURT Case Search, the free online tool from the Michigan Supreme Court. MiCOURT covers both the 36th Circuit Court and the 7th District Court. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results include case type, charges, docket entries, and hearing dates. No account is needed. The search is free.
For a comprehensive background check on any Michigan resident, the Michigan State Police operate ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT pulls from the statewide criminal history repository governed by MCL 28.241. This system covers arrests, charges, and dispositions from agencies across the state, including Van Buren County. A fee applies per search. Results reflect records that have been reported and processed by the state.
Michigan's OTIS system lets you search current and former MDOC inmates, including people sentenced in Van Buren County courts.
This site compiles public records information from various sources and can point you toward additional data points. For in-person searches, visit the county clerk's office at 212 E. Paw Paw Street during business hours. Staff can help you find case files and docket entries at no charge for inspection.Note: Van Buren County requests should be directed to the specific department handling the record, as different offices manage different record types.
FOIA Requests for Van Buren County Records
Under MCL 15.231, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, you have the right to request public records from Van Buren County agencies. Each agency has five business days to respond. Agencies may charge for time spent on search, retrieval, and copying. If you feel a fee is excessive, you can challenge it under the statute.
Submit FOIA requests to the appropriate department. For sheriff records, contact the sheriff's office directly at (269) 657-2006 or in writing to 205 S. Kalamazoo Street. For court records, contact the county clerk at (269) 657-8218 or in writing to 212 E. Paw Paw Street. For Michigan State Police records related to Van Buren County incidents, use the MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
The Michigan State Police FOIA portal handles requests for state police records and incident reports that may cover Van Buren County events.
Certain records are protected from release under MCL 15.243. This includes some active investigation files and personal identifying details. If an agency denies your request, you can appeal to the head of the agency or file suit in circuit court.
Fees for Van Buren County Criminal Records
Standard FOIA fees apply to records requested from Van Buren County agencies. Fees cover search and retrieval time plus actual copy costs. In-person inspection of public records at the clerk's office is generally free during business hours. You pay only when you want printed or certified copies.
ICHAT charges a per-name fee for each criminal history search run through the state system. Court copy fees are set by state statute and apply to certified and uncertified copies alike. Contact the county clerk at (269) 657-8218 for current court copy pricing. If you cannot afford fees, ask about fee waiver options when submitting your request.
Local Resources for Van Buren County Criminal Records
The Van Buren County Clerk's office at 212 E. Paw Paw Street is the main source for court records in the county. The clerk can help you find criminal case files, court orders, and sentencing records from the 36th Circuit Court and the 7th District Court. Business hours follow the standard county schedule, Monday through Friday.
For sex offender information, use the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at michigan.gov/psor. This free tool lets you search by name, city, or zip code for registered offenders in Van Buren County. The OTIS inmate search at mdocweb.state.mi.us covers MDOC inmates sentenced anywhere in Michigan. People with eligible convictions may apply for expungement under MCL 780.621, which was expanded in recent years to cover more offense types. The county website at vanburencounty.org links to all county departments and services.
Cities in Van Buren County
Van Buren County includes Paw Paw, South Haven, Bangor, Lawrence, and Decatur. Paw Paw is the county seat and home to all main county courts and the sheriff's office. No cities in Van Buren County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All criminal cases are handled through the courts in Paw Paw.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Van Buren County. Each has its own courts and records offices.