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Bay County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Bay County?

Public records in Bay County, Michigan, are defined under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. The Bay County official government website provides access to a broad range of documents maintained by various county departments. The following record types are currently available to members of the public:

  • Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files maintained by the Bay County Circuit Court and the 74th District Court at the Bay County Court Facility
  • Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfer documents maintained by the Bay County Register of Deeds
  • Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Bay County Clerk's Office
  • Business records — assumed name (DBA) filings, business licenses, and permits maintained by the County Clerk
  • Tax and assessment records — property tax records and parcel assessment data maintained by the Bay County Equalization Department
  • Voting and election records — voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance filings maintained by the County Clerk
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Bay County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions
  • Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports maintained by the Bay County Controller/Administrator's Office
  • Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Bay County Sheriff's Office
  • Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, variance applications, and planning commission documents maintained by the Bay County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Bay County an Open Records County?

Bay County fully complies with Michigan's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under MCL § 15.233, a public body must make its public records available for inspection and copying upon request. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted in 1976, establishes the legal right of any person to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records held by state and local government bodies, including Bay County departments and agencies. The Act further provides that all public records are presumed to be subject to disclosure unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Bay County administers its FOIA obligations through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Division, located within the Corporation Counsel's Office. The county does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits, and all county departments are required to respond to properly submitted FOIA requests within five business days, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days under MCL § 15.235.

How to Find Public Records in Bay County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Bay County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

Step 1 — Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; vital records and election records are held by the County Clerk; court records are held at the Bay County Court Facility.

Step 2 — Submit a FOIA request for county administrative records. Requests for records held by Bay County departments may be submitted through the online FOIA Request Portal, by mail, or in person at the FOIA Division, Suite 401, Bay County Building, 515 Center Avenue, Bay City, Michigan 48708. The request must reasonably describe the public record sought.

Step 3 — Request court records directly from the court. Pursuant to the court records request process, court records must be requested at the Bay County Court Facility, 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, Michigan 48708. Court records are not processed through the standard FOIA portal.

Step 4 — Use online search tools. Members of the public may use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to search for court case information statewide, including Bay County cases. Property records may be searched through the Register of Deeds online database.

Step 5 — Access county online services. The county's online services portal provides direct access to court dockets, case files, online case review for the 74th District Court, and traffic ticket payment options.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bay County?

Bay County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of providing the record. Current standard fees applicable to most requests include:

  • Paper copies — a per-page fee reflecting the actual cost of duplication, typically $0.10 to $0.25 per page for standard letter or legal-size documents
  • Labor costs — staff time for searching, locating, examining, and separating exempt from non-exempt material may be charged at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task, but only for requests exceeding the first hour of labor
  • Mailing and delivery costs — actual postage and packaging costs may be added when records are delivered by mail
  • Certification fees — certified copies of vital records and recorded documents carry separate statutory fees set by the County Clerk and Register of Deeds

Accepted payment methods at Bay County offices generally include cash, check, and money order payable to Bay County. The FOIA Division may require a good-faith deposit of up to 50 percent of the estimated fee before processing a request that is expected to exceed $50.00. Fee waivers or reductions are available when the requester demonstrates that disclosure of the information is in the public interest and that the requester is not able to pay the full fee.

Does Bay County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Michigan law, which requires that public bodies permit in-person inspection of non-exempt records at no charge. The following free access options are currently available:

  • In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect public records at the custodial office during regular business hours without incurring a fee, provided no copies are requested
  • Online court case search — The MiCOURT Case Search tool provides free access to court case information for Bay County and other Michigan jurisdictions
  • County online services — The Bay County online services portal offers free access to court dockets, case file information, and the 74th District Court online case review system
  • Register of Deeds online database — Property deed and land record searches are available at no cost through the Register of Deeds online portal
  • Clerk's Office records — Certain election results, meeting minutes, and publicly filed documents may be reviewed at no charge through the Bay County Clerk's Office

Who Can Request Public Records in Bay County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Bay County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requesters to provide identification or explain the reason for their request. The following eligibility provisions apply under current law:

  • Residency — Non-residents of Bay County and Michigan may submit FOIA requests and are entitled to the same access as residents
  • Identification — Requesters are not required to provide identification when submitting a FOIA request for general public records
  • Purpose — A requester is not required to state the purpose of the request, except in limited circumstances involving certain law enforcement or sensitive records
  • Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect personal information
  • Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed court documents, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or by court order
  • Organizations and legal entities — Corporations, nonprofit organizations, and other legal entities may submit FOIA requests on the same basis as individuals

What Records Are Confidential in Bay County?

Certain categories of records held by Bay County are exempt from public disclosure under Michigan law. MCL § 15.243 enumerates specific exemptions that public bodies may invoke to withhold or redact information from otherwise disclosable records. The following record types are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Michigan's Juvenile Code
  • Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with the investigation or endanger individuals
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
  • Medical and health records — Protected health information is exempt under both MCL § 15.243 and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential
  • Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public officials
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercial or financial information submitted to the county in confidence is protected from disclosure
  • Security and infrastructure plans — Records detailing security measures for public facilities or critical infrastructure are withheld to protect public safety

When a public body invokes an exemption, it must identify the specific statutory basis and, where feasible, provide the non-exempt portions of the record. Michigan courts apply a balancing test in certain circumstances to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the harm that disclosure may cause.

Bay County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Bay County Register of Deeds is the principal office responsible for recording and maintaining property-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts. The office accepts documents for recording in person, by mail, and through electronic recording (eRecording). The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains a statewide Register of Deeds directory by county for reference.

Bay County Register of Deeds 515 Center Avenue, Suite 102, Bay City, MI 48708 (989) 895-4228 Bay County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bay County Clerk's Office 515 Center Avenue, Suite 101, Bay City, MI 48708-5941 (989) 895-4280 Bay County Clerk's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bay County FOIA Division (Corporation Counsel) 515 Center Avenue, Suite 401, Bay City, MI 48708 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Division

Bay County Court Facility (Court Records) 1230 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 48708 Court Records Request

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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