NEWAYGO COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS

What Are Newaygo County Public Records?

Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act states that Newaygo County public records include any writing that a public official prepares, owns, uses, or stores while performing their official functions. Also, according to the Act, “writings” include various types of recordings. These could be handwritten or typewritten notes, printed or photocopied documents, camera or photocopied images, maps, and any other kind of recording.

Although the FOIA’s definition of public records is broad, not all are available to interested individuals. According to Michigan’s FOIA, Newaygo County officials can choose to keep certain records from the public under the following conditions:

• If divulging the information would amount to an unjustifiable invasion of the record holder’s privacy;
• If disclosing the information would complicate ongoing law enforcement proceedings;
• If revealing the information would take away a person’s right to a fair trial;
• If divulging the information would divulge a confidential informant’s identity;
• If the information relates to an ongoing criminal investigation;
• If the information would expose current law enforcement investigative procedures;
• If disclosing the information would put law enforcement personnel’s lives in danger;
• If the information includes trade secrets or confidential financial information;
• If the information is subject to attorney-client privilege;
• If the information is subject to doctor-client privilege;
• If the state exempts the information explicitly from disclosure.

Newaygo County Crime Statistics

Law enforcement officials in Newaygo County collect crime and arrest data and forward it to the Michigan State Police. The State Police’s Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) collects the data (along with information from other counties) and pools it into its Annual Crime Report.

In 2017, the CJIC reported 153 violent crimes in Newaygo County, including two murders, 77 rapes, two robberies, and 72 cases of aggravated assault. It also reported 602 property crimes, broken into 147 burglaries, 423 cases of larceny, and 32 cases of vehicular theft.

Over three years, violent crimes in Newaygo County went up by 4.5%, while property crimes decreased by 19.7%. In a 2020 report, the CJIC stated that Newaygo County law enforcement recorded no murders. They did, however, record 51 rape cases, one robbery, and 108 cases of aggravated assault. Among property crimes, law enforcement recorded 118 burglaries, 326 cases of larceny, and 39 cases of vehicular theft.

Are Newaygo County Criminal Records Public?

Most Newaygo County criminal records are available for public inspection, per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. The Michigan State Police allows interested persons to obtain Newaygo criminal history information through its Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). In addition, the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department maintains criminal records, and interested persons can obtain by submitting in-person requests to the following address:

Newaygo County Sheriff
1035 E James Street,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7303

How To Obtain Newaygo County Arrest Records and Police Reports

The Newaygo County Police Department generates police reports and arrest records and makes them publicly available per Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act. Interested persons may obtain Newaygo police reports by submitting in-person requests to the Department at the address below:

Newaygo Police Department
29 North State Road
Newaygo, MI 49337
Phone: (231) 652-1657

How To Find Sex Offender Information In Newaygo County

Per Michigan’s laws, individuals convicted for sex offenses in Newaygo County must register their information with local law enforcement, who forward that information to the Michigan State Police. The Michigan State Police publishes all sex offender information online on its sex offender registry. Individuals interested in obtaining Newaygo County sex offender information can query the registry using offenders’ full names. The registry will return positive searches with the offender’s known aliases, physical descriptions, photographs, phone numbers, and addresses.

How To Find Newaygo County Inmate Records

The Newaygo County Jail is under the County Sheriff’s administration and houses convicted criminals in Newaygo County. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office maintains information on all incarcerated persons. Interested individuals can obtain Newaygo County inmate records by contacting the Sheriff’s office at the following address:

Newaygo County Sheriff
1035 E James Street,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7303

In addition, the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office allows crime victims to obtain information about their convicted attacker’s custody status online through the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) service. Crime victims can get custody information online and via telephone.

How Do I Visit An Inmate In Newaygo County Jail?

In Newaygo County, convicted criminals serve time in the Newaygo County Jail. Friends and family can visit jail inmates via on-site or at-home video visitation. Visitation is available seven days a week, per the following schedule:

9:00AM – 11:40AM

1:00PM – 5:40PM

7:00PM – 8:40PM

All intending visitors must create a user account on the approved visitation app to purchase credits and schedule visits. Newaygo County Jail provides free on-site video visitation on Saturdays only. Visitors must use a computer or internet-enabled mobile device with a speaker, camera, and high-speed internet at home. All inmates and visitors reserve the right to a pleasant visiting experience, and any visitor that behaves inappropriately or disruptively will face immediate eviction.

Newaygo County Court Records

Court officials generate Newaygo County court records during official court proceedings. These records include criminal court records, civil court case records, family court records, and other proceedings in the county court system. The Circuit Court is the county’s central court, and interested persons can obtain copies of court records by querying the Newaygo County Circuit Court Clerk.

The Newaygo County Circuit Court also allows interested persons to obtain public case information online through the Michigan Court Case Search Page.

Below are the locations of all courts in Newaygo County:

27th Circuit Court - Newaygo
1087 Newell St,
P.O. Box 885,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7235
Fax: (231) 689-7241

78th District Court - Newaygo
Newaygo County Courthouse
1092 Newell St,
P.O. Box 129,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7257
Fax: (231) 689-7258

Newaygo County Probate Court
Newaygo County Courthouse
1092 Newell St,
P.O. Box 885,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7270
Fax: (231) 689-7276

Are Newaygo County Court Records Public?

Per Michigan Court Rule 8.119(E), most Newaygo County court records are in the public domain. The public can request and view most court files or documents unless they include restricted information or if a judge seals them. Per state statutes, the following court records are not available for public view:

• Information related to mediation;
• Jury questionnaires;
• Grand jury information;
• Drug court participation records;
• Crime victim addresses and telephone numbers;
• Infectious disease testing results;
• Search warrants within sixty-five days of issuance;
• Adoption records;
• Waivers of parental consent for abortions;
• Wills filed for safekeeping.

How to Obtain Newaygo County Civil Court Case Records

The Newaygo County Circuit Court allows the public to get civil court case records online or in person. Individuals that wish to obtain Newaygo County civil court records online may query the Michigan Court Case Search Page. Researchers can look for particular cases using the plaintiff’s names and will obtain the following information:

• The case number, type, status, file date, judge, and next hearing date;
• All the parties on the case and their role;
• Any hearing scheduled for a case and the results of those hearings;
• Docket entries showing case activity;
• All fees owed, paid, adjusted, and outstanding;
• All receipts, the receipt number, date, amount paid, and payee;
• Case status history;

Individuals that wish to obtain copies of civil court case records in person may visit the Newaygo 27th Circuit Court. The court is open anytime from Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Requesters must provide the case number, parties’ names and pay the appropriate search and copy fees.

27th Circuit Court - Newaygo
1087 Newell St
P.O. Box 885,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7235
Fax: (231) 689-7241

How to Obtain Newaygo County Criminal Court Records

The public can obtain Newaygo County criminal court records online or in person. Individuals interested in getting Newaygo criminal court records online may visit the Michigan Court Case Search Page. Researchers must provide the defendant’s full name and, if the records exist, will get the following information:

• The case number, type, status, file date, judge, and next hearing date;
• All the parties on the case and their role;
• Any hearing scheduled for a case and the results of those hearings;
• Docket entries showing case activity;
• Judgment and conviction information;
• All receipts, the receipt number, date, amount paid, and payee;
• Case status history;

For in-person requests, interested individuals may visit the Newaygo 27th Circuit Court anytime from Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. The researcher must provide the defendant’s full name the case number and pay the appropriate search and copy fees.

27th Circuit Court - Newaygo
1087 Newell St,
P.O. Box 885,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7235
Fax: (231) 689-7241

What Are Newaygo County Vital Records?

Newaygo County administrators generate and store vital records to mark the important events that occur among county residents. Some Newaygo County vital records that Newaygo County administrators generate include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. The Newaygo County Clerk’s Office provides certified copies of marriage, birth, and death records. On the other hand, interested individuals can obtain copies of Newaygo County divorce records from the Newaygo County Circuit Court and the Michigan Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics.

Where And How To Obtain Newaygo County Divorce Records?

Per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Newaygo County divorce records are in the public domain. Therefore, interested persons can obtain them by querying the Newaygo County Circuit Court in person or by mail.

In-person requesters may visit the Newaygo 27th Circuit Court anytime from Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Researchers must provide the divorcees’ full names, the case number, and the divorce date. They must also pay the appropriate search and copy fees.

27th Circuit Court - Newaygo
1087 Newell St,
P.O. Box 885,
White Cloud, MI 49349
Phone: (231) 689-7235
Fax: (231) 689-7241

The public can also request divorce verification letters by mail from the Michigan Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics. Requesters must complete a vital records request form, attach a money order for $34 and mail the application to the following address:

Michigan Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics
333 S. Grand Ave
P.O. Box 30195
Lansing, MI 48909

Where And How To Obtain Newaygo County Marriage Records?

According to Michigan laws, Newaygo County marriage records are available to the public. Interested persons can obtain them by completing a Newaygo County marriage certificate request form and providing the following information:

• Name of both Applicants at the time of application
• Date of Marriage
• Return address and daytime phone number
• Signature

Certified copies of marriage records cost $13 for the first copy and $5 for additional copies ordered simultaneously. Requesters can mail the completed application to:

Newaygo County Clerk
1087 Newell St, P.O. Box 885
White Cloud, MI 49349

Where And How To Obtain Newaygo County Birth Records?

In Newaygo County, birth certificates are not available to the public. Only the registrant or a parent named on the record may request a Newaygo County birth certificate. Eligible requesters may obtain certified copies of Newaygo County birth records by completing a birth certificate request form and providing the following:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Parent’s Names (including mother’s MAIDEN name)
• Signature
• Return address and daytime phone number
• Copy (front and back) of driver’s license or state-issued ID

Requesters must include a check or money order (payable to Newaygo County Clerk) for $17 per record. Individuals age 65+ may pay $11 per record. Additional copies ordered simultaneously cost $6 each. Applicants may send completed requests to:

Newaygo County Clerk
1087 Newell St, P.O. Box 885
White Cloud, MI 49349

Where And How To Obtain Newaygo County Death Records?

Newaygo County generates death records for individuals that die in the county and makes them available to the public. Individuals interested in getting Newaygo County death records can complete a death record application form with the following information:

• Name
• Date of Death
• Return address and daytime phone number
• Signature

Requesters must attach a money order (payable to Newaygo County Clerk) for $13. Additional copies ordered simultaneously cost $5. Send completed applications to:

Newaygo County Clerk
1087 Newell St, P.O. Box 885
White Cloud, MI 49349