What are Allegan County Public Records?
As per the Michigan FOIA, Allegan County public records are kept by government agencies, bureaus, boards, departments, and commissions in the county. The law applies to all government information regardless of the physical form of the record. These records can be pictures, symbols, maps, paper, letters, paper or magnetic tapes, microfilms, microfiche, photographic films, and magnetic or punch cards. The records can be handwritten, typed, printed, photocopied, photographic form, or any other means or recording.
However, the Michigan FOIA laws exempt some public records from being viewed or copied by the public, including:
- Personal information in a public record
- Law enforcement officers investigate records where disclosure will interfere with its proceedings.
- Records prohibited from disclosure by a statute
- Documents that will disclose the Social Security number of an individual
- Confidential and proprietary trade secrets and financial information
- Medical records
- Law enforcement officers communication codes
- Records on a government agency's security measures, including its security procedures, regulations, combinations, passwords, and plans.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Allegan County Crime Statistics
The Michigan State Police provides online access to crime statistics in the state, and these statistics are obtained from all law enforcement agencies within the county. In 2021, the Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR) for Allegan County recorded 380 larceny thefts, 0 murders, 76 aggravated assaults, 13 sex crimes, 2 robberies, 1117 retail fraud, 76 motor vehicle thefts, and 3 arson cases.
Reports show that the county's crime rate increased by 1.7% since 2016 when there were 671 larceny thefts, 69 sex crimes, 6 robberies, 271 burglaries, 165 aggravated assaults, 127 retail frauds, 7 arsons, 67 motor vehicle thefts, and 0 murder.
Are Allegan County Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records list the offenses and convictions of an individual. Allegan County criminal records are available to the public at the Allegan County Sheriff's Office. Also, interested parties can access Allegan County's criminal records from the Michigan State Police using its Criminal History Search.
How to Obtain Allegan County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Allegan police reports and Allegan arrest records are public documents accessible from the County Sheriff's Office. Interested parties can fill out the online Sheriff's Office Records FOIA Request form to access these records. Alternatively, parties can request these records by mail or fax from the Sheriff's Office located at:
Allegan County Sheriff's Office
Attn: FOIA Administrator
640, River Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Fax: (269) 673-0406
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Allegan County
Interested parties can obtain Allegan County sex offender information from the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry (SOR). Searchers should have the full name, the MDOC number, street address, county, zip code, offender type, and compliance status of the sex offender to query the database. Users can also register for alerts by location and receive email notifications when the status of a sex offender changes.
How to Find Allegan County Inmate Records
The Allegan County Sheriff's Department administers the daily operations of the county jail, and interested parties can obtain the county's inmates records by contacting the Sheriff's Office located at:
Allegan County Sheriff's Office and Corrections Center
640 River Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0500
Fax: (269) 673-0406
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Allegan County Jail?
The Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and allows family and friends to visit inmates incarcerated in the county jail. The county provides video visitation either at the visitor's lobby in the county jail or remotely at the visitor's location, and all visitors must schedule visits 24 hours in advance. Video visitation at the county jail begins on Monday through Friday from 7:50 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Visitors requiring assistance on scheduling a visit can call (866) 516-0115.
Visitors must comply with the county jail rules on visitation such as:
- All visitors are allowed two visitors at a time, and this applies to children too.
- Children should be in the company of an adult during visits.
- The adult must supervise the child throughout the visit in the visitation area.
- Visitors intoxicated or under the influence of drugs will be denied the visit.
- Cell phone use during visits is prohibited.
- The county jail officers will not tolerate profanity, loud behavior, nudity, or abusive speech during visitation.
Allegan County Court Records
Allegan County court records are the official records generated and maintained by the court clerk during legal proceedings in the county. Court records include civil, traffic, criminal, juvenile, felony, divorce, paternity, and mental health. Allegan County has a Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases such as felonies, juvenile delinquencies, and domestic relations cases. The District Court has restricted authority over civil and criminal cases such as misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for felony criminal cases. Probate Court handles probate cases such as guardianships, adoptions, name change, and probate of wills. The County Clerk maintains Allegan County court records at the Clerk's Office located at:
48th Judicial Circuit Court
Allegan County Courthouse
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0300
Fax: (269) 673-0298
57th District Court - Allegan
Allegan County Courthouse
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0400
Fax: (269) 673-0490
Allegan County Probate Court
Allegan County Courthouse
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0250
Fax: (269) 686-5157
Are Allegan County Court Records Public?
The County Clerk collects, processes, and stores all civil, criminal, domestic, and family case records and makes them accessible on request. Although the Clerk grants access to its records, not all court records are disclosed to the public. Court records such as juvenile records, adoption records, sealed or confidential court records, alcohol and drug treatment records, grand jury information, jury questionnaires, drug court participation records, and crime victims' personal information cannot be made public. Parties interested in obtaining Allegan County court records can do so for a fee from the office of the Clerk of the Court from Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The request for court records can be by mail, phone call, or in-person at:
48th Judicial Circuit Court
Allegan County Clerk's Office
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0300
How to Obtain Allegan County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court cases settle claims of liability by the actions of one party on another; the claim could be of harm, monetary, or injury to one's integrity. Under the management of the County Clerk, the Circuit Court Records Division maintains all civil court case records in the county and makes them available to requesters. Interested parties can obtain Allegan County civil court case records in person, by fax or mail from the Records Division Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. located at:
48th Judicial Circuit Court
Allegan County Clerk's Office
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0300
Alternatively, parties can obtain Allegan County civil court case records from Michigan Courts Online Case search. Searchers can use the advanced search and choose a court in Allegan County.
How to Obtain Allegan County Criminal Court Records
The Allegan County Circuit Court Clerk presides over all criminal cases and manages the Circuit Court Records Division of the county. Parties interested can obtain Allegan County criminal court records from the Clerk's Office in person, by mail, or fax. The Clerk's Office is open for in-person requests from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M Monday to Friday at:
48th Judicial Circuit Court
Allegan County Clerk's Office
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0300
Michigan Court provides an online search for court records in the state. Searchers can obtain Allegan County criminal court records using the advanced search options and choosing the court that presided over the case.
What are Allegan County Vital Records?
Allegan County vital records are official documents of important life events issued by the county. Allegan County's vital records include birth, death, and marriage records. The County Clerk is the caretaker of the county's vital records and is responsible for creating and maintaining the records and granting requesters access to these records. Vital records are also available at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS).
Where and How to Obtain Allegan County Divorce Records
A divorce decree is issued by the court to end a marriage formally. The County Clerk maintains divorce decrees and grants certified copies to searchers on request for a fee. Parties interested in obtaining a divorce decree can do so from the courthouse where the divorce was granted. Interested parties can obtain Allegan County divorce decrees from the County Clerk's Office at the address below:
48th Judicial Circuit Court
Allegan County Clerk's Office
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0300
The MDHHS issues divorce verification to the public. Parties interested can obtain the record provided the requester has the information to be verified. Interested parties can order an Allegan County divorce verification online, in-person, by phone, or by mail. Online and phone requests are available from a third-party website for a fee, and requesters can call (866) 433-9897 to order the record by phone. In-person requesters must schedule an appointment online, and the office is open for in-person requesters from 10.00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Tuesdays through Thursdays. A record seeker requesting the divorce verification by mail can fill out the Request for Verification of a Michigan Divorce record form and submit it at:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Service
Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Where and How to Get Public Allegan County Marriage Records
A record seeker can access Allegan County marriage certificates at the Vital Records Office of the County Clerk, provided the couple procured the marriage license in the county. Interested parties can request the record by email or by mail. To request by mail, parties should fill out the Marriage Certified Copy Request Form and send the completed form to vitalrecords@allegancounty.org. Requesters ordering Allegan County marriage records by mail can fill out the Marriage Certified Copies Request form via mail and send the completed form, the fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Allegan County Clerk
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Allegan County
The County Clerk Office provides only certified copies of marriage records as confidential marriage records do not exist in Michigan.
Where and How to Find Allegan County Birth Records
To request an Allegan County birth record, the requester must be the birth record holder who must be or older or the parent of the record holder named on the birth certificate. However, a legal guardian or an heir to a deceased with proper identification can access the birth record.
Eligible parties can obtain Allegan County birth records from the County Clerk's office by mail or in person. It costs $10.00 for the first copy of the record, and additional copies cost $4.00. The fees are payable by cash, money order, check, or credit or debit card. Requesters of a birth record by mail or in-person should submit the Certified Copy Request Birth Form, a copy of driver's license or passport, a self-addressed and duly stamped envelope, and the fees be mailed or dropped off at:
Allegan County Clerk
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
In the absence of a valid driver's license or passport, the requester can submit the application for birth record with any three of the following:
- Marriage license or divorce record
- Social Security card
- Bank statements
- Paycheck stubs
- Utility bill
- Car registration
- Health insurance card
- Medical bill from a doctor, hospital, or dentist
- School records
- Voters registration
- Landlord-tenant agreement
- Letter from a government agency such as the IRS
- Military ID
- Department of Correction ID
- Probation records
Where and How to Find Allegan County Death Records
Record seekers can obtain Allegan County death records from the County Clerk's Office. Interested parties can order a death record by mail or email. Death records cost $10.00 for the first copy, and subsequent copies cost $4.00, and the fees are payable by cash, credit or debit card, check, or money order. Requesters may obtain Allegan County death record from the County Clerk's Office.
Allegan County Clerk
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Email: vitalrecords@allegancounty.org
