Criminal Records
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office serves as the county’s primary law enforcement agency and is responsible for generating a variety of records and reports pertaining to crime and criminal activity within county limits. However, the Michigan State Police Department is the States central repository of criminal history information and is tasked with processing requests for criminal history background checks.
How to Get Criminal Records
The Criminal History Unit of the Michigan State Police Department processes criminal history checks by conducting name or fingerprint-based searches. Ottawa County residents may direct all requests for criminal records to the Unit
To request name-based criminal history checks, requestors may register on the MSPD platform using their valid email address. Once registered, the requesting party may search for a record using the ‘Search for Criminal History’ tool available on the portal. This will require the requestor to furnish the tool with the full name, gender, and race of the subject, and make a non-refundable credit card payment of $10 per search. Results for each query are generated within minutes of the request.
Fingerprint-based record requests can be made by obtaining a Live Scan Request Form from the requesting employer or licensing agency. The requestor must complete the application as required and schedule an appointment with an Approved Live Scan Vendor or the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. All inquiries relating to the process may be made to the CHU at msp-crd-applhelp@michigan.gov.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
All information regarding sex offenders in Ottawa County is housed in the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. Interested persons may view the addresses and compliance status of registered offenders by searching the registry by offenders name, location, registration number, or by their proximity to specific locations. County residents may also subscribe to receive Email Alerts regarding notable changes in offender locations within the county.
Where and How to Get Inmate and Jail Information
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is tasked with managing the affairs of the county jail and disseminating information concerning the facility and its inmates. Interested persons may make inmate and jail-related queries to the Sheriff's Office at (616) 738-4000.
The Corrections Division also operates an Inmate Lookup Tool which can be used to obtain information regarding current detainees of the county jail. The tool provides information regarding the inmates' primary charge, court dates, bail and bond conditions, and potential release date. Inmates can be searched by first or last name, booking date and/or gender.
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
Records of court cases heard by the Ottawa Circuit Court are maintained and disseminated by the Circuit Court Records Division of the Court. Interested persons may record copies of records that have been deemed non-confidential, by querying the division via mail or in person.
To obtain a record, the requesting party will be required to provide information regarding the court case in question - this may include the name of the plaintiff, defendant or litigant, the case file number of the record, the date on which the case was filed and any related information beneficial for tracking the record. The Circuit Court Records Division is managed by the County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office which can be reached at:
414 Washington Ave,
Room 320
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8315
Fax: (616) 846-8138
Location of All Courts in County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Ottawa County, Michigan:
20th Circuit Court - Ottawa
414 Washington Ave, #300,
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8320
Fax: (616) 846-8179
20th Circuit Court - Ottawa - Juvenile
12120 Fillmore St,
West Olive, MI 49460
Phone: (616) 786-4100
Fax: (616) 786-4154
58th District Court - Grand Haven
414 Washington Ave,
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8280
Fax: (616) 846-8291
58th District Court - Holland
85 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Phone: (616) 392-6991
58th District Court - Hudsonville
3100 Port Sheldon Rd,
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Phone: (616) 662-3100
Fax: (616) 669-2950
Ottawa County Probate Court
12120 Fillmore St,
West Olive, MI 49460
Phone: (616) 786-4110
Fax: (616) 738-4624
Vital Records
The State of Michigan Vital Records Office retains and disseminates records of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces which occurred within state limits, including Ottawa county. However, this service is also provided by the Ottawa County Clerk/ Register's Office which serves as the county’s repository of vital records. Essentially, Ottawa County vital records can be obtained at the state or county level; however, requestors will be required to meet the eligibility requirements for accessing the record of interest in order to access it.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted by the Ottawa Circuit Court are managed and issued by the Family Court Section of the Circuit Court Records Division. Interested persons may obtain copies of divorce requests by requesting them in person or via mail.
Requestors are generally required to provide information regarding the divorce, including the names of the spouses (as well as any maiden names), the case file number of the record and the date and place of the divorce. Mail-in requests also require that the requestor provide a stamped and self-addressed envelope with which the record will be delivered. Divorce records should be made to the County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office at:
414 Washington Ave,
Room 320
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8315
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
Requests for Ottawa County marriage records are processed by the Vital Records Division of the County Clerk's Office. The records maintained and issued by this office are the certificates of marriages that were licensed within county limits.
To request a marriage record copy, the requestor may query the County Clerk's office in person or download and complete the Application for Certified Marriage Record form. The form must be accompanied by a cheque or money order payment of $15 (plus $6 for same-day deliveries) and submitted to:
Ottawa County Clerk
12220 Fillmore Street,
Room 130
West Olive, MI 49460
Where and How to Get Birth and Death Records
Records of births and deaths which occurred in Ottawa county are documented and maintained by the county clerk's office. However, while copies of death certificates are public records and may be obtained by interested persons, birth records are not accessible to anyone other than the subject of the record, their parent or legal guardian or their legal representatives.
Interested and eligible persons may obtain these records by downloading and completing the Certified Vital Records Application Form. The form should be notarized and submitted along with the fees and ID requirements indicated to:
Ottawa County Clerk
12220 Fillmore Street,
Room 130
West Olive, MI 49460
(616) 994-4531
countyclerk@miottawa.org
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 Ottawa County?
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act allows for public access to property records in Ottawa County. Anyone interested in these records may obtain them by submitting requests to the Register of Deeds Office or the Treasurer's Office. Varying copy or request fees may be required.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Ottawa County
The Ottawa County Register of Deeds Office is the official keeper of property records in the county. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, this office is required to entertain requests for desired property records and issue copies of all available records. Property records are available online and offline.
Interested persons may request by fax, mail, email, or in person. Each record costs $1 per page. There is also an email fee of $3 for a maximum of five documents and a fax fee of $3 for ten pages. The Register of Deeds Office accepts checks, cash, credit cards, and escrow payments. Credit card payments incur additional fees. Applicants are required to submit requests using the following details:
Ottawa County Register of Deeds
12220 Fillmore Street
Room 146
West Olive, MI 49460
Phone: (616) 994-4510
Fax: (616) 994-4521
Email: register@miottawa.org
Ottawa County Register of Deeds – Grand Haven
414 Washington Avenue
Room 115
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8109
Fax: (616) 846-8131
8:00 am to 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Requestors may also obtain property records from the Ottawa County Treasurer's Office. This office records revenue, conducts tax foreclosures, and maintains property tax rolls and certifications for all properties in the county. Interested persons may submit requests to the:
Ottawa County Treasurer's Office – West Olive
12220 Fillmore Street
Room 155
West Olive, MI 49460-0310
Phone: (616) 994-4501
Fax: (616) 994-4509
Toll Free: (888) 731-1001, ext. 4501
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Ottawa County Treasurer's Office – Grand Haven Office
Grand Haven Court House
414 Washington Avenue
First Floor
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 846-8357
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
How to Look Up Ottawa County Property Records
Members of the general public can find property records online using the Ottawa County Real Property Search. The data available combines information from units such as the Treasurer's Office and the Equalization Department. Residents can use the public search to find records by owner name, parcel number, or property address.
The Register of Deeds Office also maintains an online document search. Saving, viewing, or printing documents cost $1 per page, plus a convenience fee that varies depending on the total cost of the request, or the number of pages per image.
Locations of Ottawa County Property Assessors
Ottawa County Equalization Department
12220 Fillmore Street
Room 110
West Olive, MI 49460
Phone: (616) 738-4826
Phone: (Toll-Free): (888) 731-1001 ext. 4826
Fax: (616) 738-4009
Email: equalization@miottawa.org
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
