What are Calhoun County Public Records?
Calhoun County public records are any physical, electronic, or other means of recording public documents produced, owned, used, and kept by government agencies. Public records can be in the form of tapes, letters, maps, as well as any physical or digital method of recording information.
Although most records are accessible, the county government restricts some of its records based on the Michigan FOIA law. Public records such as academic research, law enforcement investigations, adoption records, Social Security number, sealed court records, trade secrets, juvenile records, medical records, mental health records, alcohol, and drug treatment records do not constitute public records.
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.
Calhoun County Crime Statistics
The Michigan State Police makes available online data of crime statistics reported in the state. Law enforcement agencies in Calhoun County provide crime statistics data for the county. In 2020, the Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR) reported 1,133 larceny thefts, 694 retail frauds, 619 aggravated assaults, 583 burglaries, 267 motor vehicle thefts, 92 sex crimes, 49 robberies, 32 arsons and, 11 murders. The total crime reported for 2020 was 4,006.
Per the 2016 crime report, the county recorded 4,857 crimes broken down into 2,139 Larceny thefts, 984 burglaries, 756 retail frauds, 572 aggravated assaults, 147 motor vehicle thefts, 135 sexual-related crimes, 90 robberies, 27 arsons, and 7 murders. Overall, the crime rate in the county over five years dropped by 17.5%.
Are Calhoun County Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records provide information on arrests and convictions of an individual who commits an offense. Calhoun County does not grant access to its criminal records; however, the Michigan State Police provides access to Criminal History Records for a fee. It offers searchers public online access to criminal records. Interested parties can access Calhoun County criminal records by querying the database by name or fingerprint. Requestors should have the full name, date of birth, sex, race, and alias of the record holder to search.
How to Obtain Calhoun County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Civil Division of the Sheriff's Office makes available police reports and arrest records for the county for a fee. Interested parties can obtain Calhoun County police reports and Calhoun County arrest records from the Sheriff's Office Records FOIA Request to access these records. Parties can also call (269) 969-6424 to request the records. Lastly, parties can send a request by mail to the Sheriff's Office located at:
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office
Attn: FOIA Request
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Calhoun County
Michigan State Police maintains a public online registry of sex offenders in the state and makes the record available. Record seekers can access Calhoun County sex offender information using the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry (SOR). To search the database, parties should have the full name, MDOC number, offender type, street address, zip code, county, and compliance status of the sex offender. Searchers can register for alerts by location to get email notifications whenever the status of a registered sex offender changes.
How to Find Calhoun County Inmate Records
The Records Division of the Sheriff's Office makes copies of inmate records available to public requestors. Requestors can obtain the Calhoun County inmate's record from the Calhoun County Sheriff's office. A search fee of $2.00 is applicable, payable with cash, money order, or check, and requestors should have a photo identification before the record is released. Contact the Sheriff's Office at:
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Records Division
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Calhoun County Jail?
The Sheriff's Office administers the daily operations of the correctional facility and grants visitation privileges to family and friends of inmates incarcerated in the county jail. Visitation occurs through video, on-site at the prison's visitation lobby, or remote at the visitor's location.
All visitors must register an account with a third-party service provider approved by the county jail to schedule a visitation session, and visits should be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Remote visitation costs $8.75 for a 25 minutes video visit session, while visits at the visitation lobby of the jail using the on-site visitation station are free.
Remote visitation hours are from 7:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. daily. On-site visitation occurs Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Calhoun County Court Records
Calhoun County court records are the activities and proceedings documented in a court file during a legal process, and the court clerk maintains them. Court records include civil, traffic, divorce, property, eviction, felony, juvenile, paternity, child custody, adoption, and bankruptcy. There is a Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court in Calhoun County.
The Circuit Court presides over criminal matters, domestic relations, juvenile cases, adoptions, emancipations, and general civil actions involving amounts greater than $25,000. The District Court handles criminal misdemeanors, landlord/tenant disputes, general civil cases with amounts below $25,000, and small claims. The Probate Court hears guardianship, juvenile delinquencies, conservatorships, estate, and mental health proceedings. Individuals can contact the courts at:
37th Circuit Court
Calhoun County Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6518
Fax: (269) 969-6922
10th District Court - 1
Calhoun County Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6666
Fax: (269) 969-6614
10th District Court - 2
Calhoun County Justice Center
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6794
Fax: (269) 969-6797
Are Calhoun County Court Records Public?
According to the Michigan Court Rules, most court records the County Clerk obtains, processes, and keeps are accessible. The Court Clerk is the custodian of all criminal, domestic, civil, and family court records. Although the Court Clerk grants access to its records, some court records are excluded from public view, and these records include:
- Medical records created by a medical service provider
- Mental health records
- Substance or drug abuse records
- Adoption records
- Juvenile records
- Grand jury information
- Sealed or confidential court records
- Crime victims' personal information
How to Obtain Calhoun County Civil Court Case Records
Calhoun County civil court case records are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for in-person requestors. Searchers can obtain civil court case records in-person at the County Clerk's Office for a fee. The office is open for in-person requests Monday through Thursday from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M and on Fridays from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. Contact the Circuit County Court Clerk Office at:
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Phone: (269) 969-6518
Fax: (269) 969-6922
Alternatively, interested parties can obtain Calhoun County civil court case records online using the MiCourt Case Search. Searchers should have the full name or business name, birth year, or case number and choose the court that presided over the case to query the database.
How to Obtain Calhoun County Criminal Court Records
The Calhoun County Circuit Court Clerks grants access to in-person requests to inspect and obtain criminal court records. Interested parties can obtain Calhoun County criminal court records for a fee on Monday to Thursday from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M and on Fridays from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. The Clerk's Office is located at:
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Phone: (269) 969-6518
Fax: (269) 969-6922
In addition, parties can utilize the online MiCourt Case Search to obtain Calhoun County criminal court records. Searchers should have details relating to the case, such as the full name, business name, date of birth, and case number to access the records.
What are Calhoun County Vital Records?
Calhoun County vital records are official records kept and issued by the government of significant life milestones in the county. Vital records in Calhoun county include marriage records, birth records, death records, and divorce records. The County Clerk manages the county's vital records and makes them accessible to eligible parties on request. Calhoun County vital records are also available at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS).
Where and How to Obtain Calhoun County Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are the final judgment issued in court detailing the terms and conditions ending a marriage. A divorce decree is accessible by only the divorcing couple and their attorneys. Only the courthouse that granted the divorce issues the divorce decrees. Eligible individuals can obtain Calhoun County divorce record from the County Clerk's Office located at:
37th Judicial Circuit Court
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
161 East Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
The MDHHS issues divorce verification. Divorce verification contains specific details such as the name on the record, place, date, and the filing date of the divorce. Divorce verification is accessible by anyone provided the requestor can provide accurate details. The MDHHS charges $18.00 for a divorce verification search, and requestors can make payment with a check or money order. Additionally, in-person requestors can make payment with a credit card or cash. In-person requestors should schedule an appointment before visiting the Health Department on Monday to Thursday from 10.00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Parties interested in obtaining a divorce verification can fill out the Application For a Certified Copy - Michigan Divorce Records and mail the application to:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Service
Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI, 48909
Where and How to Get Public Calhoun County Marriage Records
Calhoun County marriage records are accessible at the Vital Records section of the Calhoun County Clerk Office and issue marriage certificates for only marriages conducted in the county. Requestors can order Calhoun County Marriage certificates by mail, fax, email, or in-person at the County Clerk's Office. It cost $20.00 for a copy of the record and $5.00 per additional copy of the same document requested. The fees are payable with a check, Visa or MasterCard, or a money order.
Interested parties can fill out the Certified Copy of Marriage License Request form. To order a marriage record by email, requestors should send the completed form and fees to clerk-ROD@calhouncountymi.gov. In-person requestors can drop off the completed form at the Clerk's Office from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M and on Fridays from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. Record seekers by mail or fax can send the completed form, the fees, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope at:
Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds
315 West Green Street
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-0718
Fax: (269) 781-0721
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Calhoun County
Confidential marriage is a marriage conducted without witnesses, and confidential marriage records are accessible by the couple only. Marriages in Michigan are considered public marriages; therefore, confidential marriage records in Calhoun County do not exist.
Where and How to Find Calhoun County Birth Records
Calhoun County birth records are accessible at the Calhoun County Clerk's Office. Generally, Calhoun County birth certificates are obtainable by the owner of the record or the parents named on the record. Other parties seeking a birth record must prove their relationship with the birth record holder.
Requestors can obtain a birth record by mail, in-person, email, or fax. Interested parties can fill out the Birth Certificate Request Form. The County Clerk charges $20.00 to obtain the certificate and $4 additional for subsequent copies of the same record. The fees are payable using a Visa Card, MasterCard, money order, or check. All record seekers, irrespective of the means of requesting the birth record, must provide:
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- The fees
- A valid photocopy of driver's license or a state-issued ID
Email requestors can submit the form at clerk-ROD@calhouncountymi.gov, and in-person requestors can drop off the completed form from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M and on Fridays from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. Mail and fax orders are sent to:
Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds
315 West Green Street
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-0718
Fax: (269) 781-0721
Where and How to Find Calhoun County Death Records
Calhoun County Clerk issues death certificates for death pronounced in the county. The County Clerk charges $14.00 for the record and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Record seekers can make payment with a Visa or MasterCard, check, or money order payable to the Calhoun County Clerk.
Eligible individuals can fill out the Death Certificate Request Form and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the fees to order the death certificates. Death records are accessible by email, mail, fax, or in-person. Email requestors can submit the completed form and fees at clerk-ROD@calhouncountymi.gov. The County Clerk's Office is open for in-person requestors from Monday through Thursday from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M and on Fridays from 8:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. Send mail and fax requests to the County Clerk's Office located at:
Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds
315 West Green Street
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-0718
Fax: (269) 781-0721
