Criminal Statistics
According to the 2018 report of the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, law enforcement law agencies in Berrien County recorded 3,765 index offenses in the first half of 2018, 81% of which were property crimes. There were 2,277 reports of larceny-thefts, 542 burglary incidents and 242 reports of motor vehicle theft, making larceny the most recurring offense in the subset, and arson the least common with 20 reported incidents. On the other hand, aggravated assault was recorded to be the most recurring violent crime with 444 incidents, followed by rape and robbery with 141 and 93 incidents respectively.
Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police Department serves as the primary custodian of criminal history information for the state. The Department provides access to criminal records and background checks in compliance with state laws. However, requests for criminal records are also processed at the county level, and in Berrien, by the County Sheriff's Office. The office provides most law enforcement related services to county residents including maintaining county-level criminal history information and performing background checks on residents.
How to Get Criminal Records
The Records Division of the Berrien County Sheriff's Office maintains and disseminates records and reports generated by the office. Interested persons may obtain non-confidential criminal history information or request background checks by completing a Freedom of Information Act Request Form, indicating the name of the subject and a preferred address for receiving the requested records. Completed forms may then be sent to:
Berrien County Sheriff's Office,
919 Port Street,
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7141
Similarly, the Michigan State Police Department processes requests for fingerprint-based checks through the Berrien County Sheriff's Office. The subject of the check is required to obtain and complete a Live Scan request application from the employer, licensing agency or requesting organization. Completed forms should then be submitted by the subject to the Fingerprinting Section of the Sheriff's Office. Fingerprinting for Concealed Carry Weapons Applications is done during working hours on Tuesdays through Fridays. However, all other applications can be processed on any working day during office hours at the above-stated address.
How to get Arrest Records and Police reports
The Berrien County Sheriff's Office disseminates arrest records to requesting persons within the provisions of state laws. Only the subject of the record is entitled to request these records unless the requestor has a notarized authorization from the subject and a photo ID to confirm their identity. Interested and eligible persons may send a written request for arrest records to the Sheriff's office at:
Berrien County Sheriff's Office,
919 Port Street,
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7141
Police and incident reports can also be obtained by sending a completed Freedom of Information Act Request Form to the above-mentioned address. Requests should indicate the date, place, and type of incident as well as the suspect(s)/complainant(s) name(s)(as applies to the event).
How to Find Sex Offender Information
All information regarding convicted and registered sex offenders resident in Berrien County is housed in the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. Interested persons may view specific sex offender information including their compliance status and online identifiers by searching the registry by the name of the offender, location, zip code or proximity to specific addresses. Additionally, Berrien County residents may register to receive relevant email notifications about sex offenders in the county by subscribing to the MSP Email Alert System.
Where to Find Inmate and Jail Information
The Berrien County Sheriff's Office provides information regarding persons incarcerated in the county jail and relevant jail information such as inmate visitation guidelines and contact information, commissary, and approved bail and bond agencies. These can all be viewed on the Jail Information Page. The Sheriffs Inmate Search Tool can also be used to view information about incarcerated persons such as their primary charge, visiting schedule and booking date. Interested persons may also request to be notified about any changes to the detention status of an inmate using the tool.
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
The Berrien County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains and provides public to court records of cases filed and heard by the county courts. Interested persons may request court records in person or via mail by downloading and completing the Court Records Request Form stating the type of record required as well as the case file number of the record and the name of the plaintiff/defendant of the case. Completed applications should be accompanied by a payment of $10 (or $13) for certified copies and sent to:
County Clerk Office
Berrien County Courthouse
811 Port Street, Room 123
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Location Of All Courts In County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Berrien County, Michigan:
Berrien County Circuit Court
Berrien County Courthouse
811 Port St, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-0392
Fax: (269) 982-8643
Berrien County Trial Court
Niles Courthouse
1205 N Front St, Niles, MI 49120
Phone: (269) 684-5274 ext. 6288
Fax: (269) 687-1261
Berrien County Trial Court
Berrien County Courthouse
811 Port St, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-0392
Fax: (269) 982-8643
Where and How to Get Property Records
The Berrien County Register of Deeds Office is tasked with recording, retaining and issuing records pertaining to the ownership of land and real property within the county. Interested persons may request copies of plats, deeds, liens, mortgages and related documents by querying the office in person or via mail at:
Register of Deeds
701 Main Street
3rd Floor
St. Joseph, MI 49085
The requestor will be required to provide details of the document required including the grantor or grantee name, the recording number of the document as well as the date of the recording.
Vital Records
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is the primary repository of vital records in the state of Michigan. The office processes requests for copies of these records and issues them to eligible requestors. At the county level, the Berrien County Clerks Office is the primary custodian and issuer of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. While the eligibility requirements of all records vary with each record, vital records may generally be obtained at the county or state level.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
The Berrien County Clerk also functions as the County's Clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains records of divorces granted by the County Court. Interested persons may request copies of divorce records in person or via mail by downloading and completing the Court Records Request Form stating the names of the divorcees, the date of the filing and the place of the divorce. The completed applications must then be submitted along with a payment of $10 (or $13 for certified copies) to:
County Clerk Office
Berrien County Courthouse
811 Port Street, Room 123
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Where and How to Get Marriage Records, Birth Records and Death Records
The Office of the Berrien County Clerk exclusively issues certified copies of marriage, birth and death records and charges a fee of $13 for all records plus $4 for every additional copy requested.
Birth records can only be requested and obtained by the subject of the record, their direct relative (who can prove their relationship) and a legally authorized representative. However, both marriage and death records are considered public records in the state of Michigan.
To obtain these records interested persons are required to download and complete the Birth Certificate Copy Request Form, the Death Certificate Request Form or the Marriage License Copy Request. Completed forms must then be accompanied by the fee and ID requirements stated on the respective forms and submitted via mail or in-person to:
County Clerk Office
Berrien County Courthouse
811 Port Street, Room 123
St. Joseph, MI 49085
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.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Berrien County?
Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, property records in Berrien County are open to the public. Requestors can access these records by submitting applications to the county's record keepers. Obtaining copies of Berrien County property records may cost varying fees.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Berrien County?
The Berrien County Register of Deeds maintains property records and makes them available to all interested persons. The office is responsible for reviewing and recording legal documents related to property ownership according to Michigan law. The Berrien County Register of Deeds also keeps indexes and scans images of related documents recorded since 1831. These images are public and accessible online and offline.
Property records available at the Register of Deeds Office cost $1 per page, while documents larger than tabloid size cost $3 per page. If the requester does not visit the office to participate in the search process, searches cost 50 cents per name per year. The office charges a minimum search fee of $5. Each page of a UCC filing and a federal or state tax lien costs $2 and $1 per page, respectively. All applications for property records should go to the following address:
Berrien County Register of Deeds
701 Main Street
3rd Floor
St Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7111, ext. 8562
Fax: (269) 982-8659
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email: rod@berriencounty.org
How to Look Up Berrien County Property Records
The Register of Deeds maintains an online services platform that provides access to Berrien County property records. Users may create accounts or log in as guests. Records are accessible by providing names, instrument numbers, tax ID numbers, liber information, platted and unplatted descriptions, etc. Available document types include deeds, fixtures, liens mortgages, UCC, and other miscellaneous documents.
Property records are also accessible online using the Berrien County Tax Information Search provided by the Berrien County Treasurer's Office. Searchers may enter the property's address, owner's name, or parcel number. Users may search for all available online records or restrict search results as preferred. Anyone can search for assessment information, details related to current tax or delinquent tax, property sale specifics, and special assessment data. Although registration is not required, registered users may be allowed to skip convenience fees where applicable.
Location of Berrien County Property Assessors
Berrien County Department of Equalization
701 Main Street
1st Floor
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7111, ext. 8215
