Crime Numbers
The Michigan State Police collects, compiles, and analyzes crime statistics reported by the various local law enforcement agencies in the state. Its most recent report indicates that Lapeer County recorded 1 murder, 64 aggravated assaults, 53 rapes, and 2 robberies in 2018. The county’s law enforcement agencies also received reports of 417 cases of larceny, 170 burglaries, 51 motor vehicle thefts, and 7 arsons.
Compared to the county’s 2014 crime data, murder (100%), rape (17.8%), motor vehicle theft (41.7%), and arson (40%) rates were higher in 2018. Lapeer County’s five-year crime trend also reveals falling aggravated assault (4.5%), robbery (66.7%), burglary (1.2%), and larceny (18.7%) rates in the same period.
Criminal Records
Criminal records including criminal history records, police records, and inmate records are public information in Michigan. Residents of Lapeer County can make requests for name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history checks through the Criminal Justice Information Center of the Michigan State Police. The center only allows name-based searches through its online system known as Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Register a username and billing account information to be able to search this portal. Each name based search costs $10 payable by a credit or debit card. After check-out, search results are displayed for viewing and printing for up to 7 days. Note that name-based searches return arrests and conviction data of all felonies as well as misdemeanors punishable by more than 93 days of jail custody.
For fingerprint-based criminal record checks, persons living in Lapeer County will need to obtain Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Cards from the sheriff's office or city police departments. After obtaining this card, provide a return address in the Block F section of the card and then send it along with appropriate payment to:
Michigan State Police
CJIC
P.O. Box 30266
Lansing, MI 48909-7766
A fingerprint-based criminal history report costs $30 and each additional certified copy costs $1. Pay these fees with a check or money order made out to the State of Michigan.
Both fingerprint-based and FBI background checks are required for licensing and employment in the State of Michigan. Applicants will need to obtain Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Forms from their respective employers or licensing agencies. Complete sections II and VI of the form before taking it to the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department, any city police department, or an approved private Live Scan vendor. The law enforcement agency or private vendor will electronically transmit the fingerprints to the Michigan State Police for analysis. Usually, the MSP directly mails the search result to the requester within 7 days. Live Scan checks cost between $45 and $70. Note that private vendors charge additional service fees.
The Records Division of the Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department provides copies of police reports to persons requesting them. Enquire about obtaining these records by contacting the Records Division. Call its office at (810) 667-0440 or visit the Sheriff’s Office located at:
3231 John Conley Drive
Lapeer, MI 48446
Fax: (810) 664-5520
The Lapeer County Sheriff’s Department does not maintain an online database of registered sex offenders in the county. However, residents can search for and view sexual offenders in the county by accessing the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry provided on the Michigan State Police’s website. Make results more specific by providing unique names, addresses, cities, and zip codes.
There are two prisons in Lapeer County. Below are their addresses and contact details:
Lapeer County Jail
3231 John Conley Drive
Lapeer, MI 48446
(810) 667-0445
Thumbs Correctional Facility (TCF)
3225 John Conley Drive
Lapeer, MI 48446
(810) 667-2045
The Lapeer County jail is a county-managed detention facility solely run by the courts/corrections division of the Lapeer County Sheriff's Office. The Thumbs Correctional Facility is an all-male state prison maintained by the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Visit the statewide Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections to search for active prisoners incarcerated in the Lapeer County detention facilities.
Friends and kins of inmates in Lapeer county jail can deposit money into their commissary accounts by contacting the third-party vendor selected by the Sheriff’s Office for commissary services. Contact the vendor at (866) 422-6833 to enquire about available payment methods and other regulations for sending money to inmates.
Thumbs Correctional Facility uses a different third-party vendor to oversee its commissary services. To fund the account of an inmate in this facility, start by completing the Deposit Form. Send this form along with a money order to the vendor’s lockbox address located at:
GTL Financial Services
5700 SW 34th Street
Suite 1315 Gainesville, FL 3260
The vendor also allows friends and family to fund inmate’s accounts online or via phone at (888) 988-4768. The maximum commissary amount to be paid at a time is $300. Note that service fees apply to all online and phone transactions.
Court Records
There are three trial-level courts in Lapeer County. The Lapeer County Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction presiding over various serious criminal, civil, and family matters. While the Lapeer County District Court presides over various minor civil and criminal cases, the Probate Court handles all cases pertaining to wills, guardianship, estate administration, and more.
Visit the county complex to inspect and request for copies of court records. Contact the clerk to get additional information about records and copy fees.
Outlined below are the addresses and contact details of all courts in Lapeer County, Michigan:
Lapeer County Circuit Court
40th Judicial District
Lapeer County Complex
255 Clay Street
Lapeer, MI 48446
Phone: (810) 667-0358
Fax: (810) 667-0264
Lapeer County District Court
71-A Judicial District
Lapeer County Complex
255 Clay Street
Lapeer, MI 48446
Phone: (810) 667-0314
Fax: (810) 667-0424
Lapeer County Probate Court
Lapeer County Complex
255 Clay Street
Lapeer, MI 48446
Fax: (810) 667-0261
Vital Records
Divorce decrees are kept by the Circuit Court Section of the Lapeer County Clerk. Visit the clerk’s office during weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to request for and obtain copies of records of divorces finalized in the county. The clerk’s office is located on the second floor of the Lapeer County Complex. Talk with the clerk at (810) 667-0358 to enquire about copy fees, and mail requirements.
To request for a Lapeer County divorce certificate from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), download and complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Divorce Record. Take this form to the MDHHS office with a check or money order for required fees. The form can also be delivered by mail. Below are the physical and mailing addresses of the State Vital Records Office:
Physical Address
Vital Records Office
South Grand Building
1st Floor
333 S Grand Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Regular/Rush Mail Address
Vital Records Request
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Marriage certificates are available from both the Vital Records Section of the Lapeer County Clerk's Office and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. To request copies of marriage certificates from the county clerk, visit the first floor of the county complex during normal business hours. Alternatively, print and complete the Vital Records Request Form and then send it along with appropriate fees for the number of copies requested to:
County Complex Building
225 Clay Street
Lapeer, MI 48446
The Vital Records Section charges $10 for the first copy of a marriage certificate and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Acceptable payment methods are cash (for in-person requests only), check, and money order made payable to the Lapeer County Clerk. Note that mail requests are also processed the same day.
Marriage certificates can also be obtained from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Complete and submit the Application for a Certified Copy of a Marriage Record in person or by mail to the addresses listed above. Make sure to enclose a government-issued ID, proper fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope (for mail requests).
Birth records and death records registered in Lapeer County can be obtained from the County Clerk’s Office or from the MDHHS. The procedures for ordering these records are the same as for marriage records. Submit a request to the County Clerk’s Office by completing the birth/death section of the Vital Records Request Form. Enclose a check or money order for copy fees before proceeding in person to the First Floor of the County Complex Building. Make sure to attach a copy of a current driver’s license if requesting for a birth certificate.
Alternatively, send the form by mail to the County Complex’s mail address listed above. The first copy of a birth record or death record costs $10 and each additional copy costs $3. Pay with cash, check, or money order payable to the Lapeer County Clerk. Note that cash payments are restricted to walk-in visitors only.
Lapeer County residents can also request copies of birth records or death records from the MDHHS. Simply complete the Application for a Certified Copy of a Birth or Death Record. Take the form along with a valid ID and fees to the office in Lansing. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope as well as a check or money order for the applicable fees if requesting by mail.
