What are Clare County Public Records?
The Michigan Freedom of Information Law defines Clare County public records as records received, prepared, or maintained by a public agency for public business. Per state law, public records may exist as photographs, audio files, videotapes, symbols, maps, building plans, charters, notes, drafts, and emails. In addition, Clare County public records may include social media posts and text messages related to a public activity. However, not all public records are obtainable or disclosed to the public. Per the State's Freedom of Information Law, the following documents are exempt from public access:
- Personal information, such as social security numbers, driver’s license information, credit or debit card details, passwords, personal contact details, and insurance information
- Preliminary notes, drafts, and inter or intra-agency memoranda not used or retained by a public agency for decision-making
- Minutes of closed meetings
- Medical records that contain a patient’s personal information
- Voters’ registration information
- Trade secrets or negotiations filed with a public agency for licensing purposes
- Information protected by the attorney-client privilege
- Law enforcement agencies’ investigatory files and procedures
- Documents containing information about the identity of informants in a law enforcement investigation
- Records that may reveal vulnerabilities to a public agency's information technology system
- Juvenile records and information compiled by law enforcement agencies
- Data about pending litigation that involves a public agency or entity
Clare County Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes annual crime reports received from local law enforcement agencies through its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. According to the 2018 report, Clare County recorded 328 offenses, including 71 violent crimes, 256 property crimes, and 1 arson. Reported violent crimes were 21 rape incidents and 50 aggravated assault cases. There were no recorded murders or robberies.
The 2017 report showed a total of 465 offenses, including 79 violent crimes, 383 property crimes, and 3 arson cases. Specifics include 2 murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases, 23 rape incidents, 4 robberies, and 50 aggravated assault offenses. Other reported figures include 125 burglary incidents, 235 larceny-thefts, and 23 motor-vehicle thefts. The figures show that between 2017 and 2018 crime in Clare County reduced by 29.5%.
Are Clare County Criminal Records Public?
Clare County criminal records are available to interested members of the general public. Searchers may obtain these records by submitting official requests to the Michigan State Police (MSP). However, juvenile records and information about certain local misdemeanors may be unavailable.
Record seekers can conduct name-based checks using the MSP’s Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Fingerprint-based requests for Clare criminal records are also available at $30.00 for the first copy, and $1.00 for each additional copy. Payment requires checks or money orders made out to the State of Michigan. Requestors should visit any approved Live Scan vendor for fingerprinting services and submit completed fingerprint cards with payment to:
Michigan State Police
CJIC
P.O. Box 30266
Lansing, MI 48909-7766
How to Obtain Clare County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Requestors can obtain Clare County arrest records and police reports from the Clare County Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers can contact the Sheriff’s Office with the names of involved persons, incident date, charge information, incident description, and other record details. Interested persons should submit requests for Clare arrest records and related reports to:
Clare County Sheriff Department and Clare County Correctional Facility
255 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7166
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Clare County
The Michigan State Police maintains an online database that contains details of sex offenders resident in Clare County. Record seekers can search the Michigan Sex Offender Registry to obtain an offender’s name, sex, offense information, photograph, location, and conviction details. Searchers can also view records of absconded sex offenders in Clare County.
How to Find Clare County Inmate Information
The Clare County Correctional Facility is the county-level custodian of all inmate records. Anyone seeking these records may submit requests containing inmate information to the address below:
Clare County Correctional Facility
255 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7166
Clare County Court Records
The Clare County court system comprises District, Circuit, and Probate Courts. Per the Michigan Court Rule 8.119(E), Clare County court records are public records. Interested persons can submit requests to any of the county’s courts for records of overseen cases. Nevertheless, not all court records are public documents. Courts may prevent access to entire records or parts of records that contain sensitive information. For example, members of the general public cannot obtain copies of juvenile or adoption records. Record seekers can find Clare court records at the following locations:
Clare County Circuit Court
55th Circuit Court - Clare
Clare County Courthouse
225 West Main Street
P.O. Box 438
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Fax: (989) 539-6616
Clare County District Court
80th District Court - Clare
Clare County Courthouse
225 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7173
Fax: (989) 539-4036
Clare County Probate Court
Clare/Gladwin Probate Court - District 17
Clare County Courthouse
225 West Main Street
P.O. Box 96
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7109
Fax: (989) 539-7229
How to Obtain Clare County Civil Court Case Records
The Clare County 55th Circuit Court maintains records of all civil court cases. To obtain Clare County civil court case records, interested persons must submit record details to the clerk’s office at the overseeing court. Required details include the names of parties to the case, charge information, court date, and judgment details. Parties should submit in-person requests to either of the following:
Clerk of the 55th Circuit Court
225 West Main
P.O. Box 438
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-2510
Clare County Building
225 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7173
How to Obtain Clare County Criminal Court Records
Clare County criminal court records are available at the Circuit or District Courts. Information required to obtain copies includes the charge information, court dates, attorney or litigants’ names, and judgment details. Parties should note that copies of desired court records may cost varying request fees. Interested persons should submit requests to:
Clerk of the 55th Circuit Court
225 West Main
P.O. Box 438
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-2510
Clare County Building
225 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7173
What are Clare County Vital Records?
Clare County vital records are government-generated records of life events that happen in the county, including divorces, marriages, births, and deaths. Government agencies at the local and state levels are responsible for generating and issuing copies of Clare County vital records to interested members of the general public. However, Michigan law prevents public access to some Clare vital records.
Divorce Records
Clare County divorce records contain information on all divorce events. Interested requestors can obtain these records from the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Requests should include the names of both parties to the divorce, the divorce date, and the divorce location. Copies of Clare County divorce decrees may cost copy fees. Record seekers should submit requests to:
Clare County Court Building
225 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7173
Marriage Records
Clare County marriage records are government-generated records of marriages solemnized in the county. Parties may obtain these records from the Clare County Clerk - Register of Deeds at $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Payment requires checks or money orders made out to the Clare County Clerk.
The Register of Deeds office also provides verification of marriage records to interested persons. These records confirm the record bearers’ names, dates, and places where the marriage event occurred. Requestors should send completed verification of marriage document forms and a check or money order for $10.00. All requests for Clare County marriage certificates or verification documents should be submitted to:
Clare County Register of Deeds
225 West Main Street
P.O. Box 438
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Fax: (989) 539-6616
Birth Records
The Clare County Clerk - Register of Deeds’ office maintains records of births in the county. The office only issues newer copies to the following requestors:
- The subject named on the record
- The subject’s parent named on the record
- The subject’s legal guardian or legal representative
- The subject’s heir with a copy of the death certificate if the person is deceased
- Persons with court orders issued by courts of competent jurisdiction
All other interested persons can obtain Clare County birth records 100 years or older. Clare County birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. However, records may cost $6.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each extra copy if the requestor is a senior citizen at least 65 years old. Each requestor should enclose a completed Application for Certified Birth Record, a copy of a valid state or government-issued ID, and a check made out to the Clare County Clerk. All parties should submit requests for Clare County birth certificates to:
Clare County Register of Deeds
225 West Main Street
P.O. Box 438
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Fax: (989) 539-6616
Death Records
Clare County death records contain information on deaths in the county. Interested persons can obtain certified copies of Clare County death records from the Register of Deeds office. Record seekers may request records filed since 1879.
Each Clare County death certificate costs $15.00. Additional copies of the same record cost $5.00. Parties should submit self-addressed stamped envelopes, money orders payable to the Clare County Clerk, and completed copies of the death record application. Alternatively, record seekers may verify a Clare County death by submitting a Verification of a Clare County Death Record. All applicants should send requests to:
Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds’ Office
225 West Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Fax: (989) 539-6616
