What Are St. Clair County Public Records?
St. Clair County administers public records according to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. According to the Act, all documents public officials create, use, store, or distribute in official business are public. Documents can come in various forms. According to the FOIA, these forms include typed or handwritten documents, photographs and maps, audio or video recordings, and other document forms.
Although the FOIA makes St. Clair records available to the public, some are confidential and available only to eligible persons. In St. Clair County, the public cannot obtain government records under the following conditions:
St. Clair County Crime Statistics
In St. Clair County, local law enforcement keeps records of crimes and arrests and sends them to the Michigan State Police. In turn, the State Police's Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) sends the information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It also publishes them in its Annual Crime Report.
In the CJIC's 2017 report, local law enforcement in St. Clair County recorded 596 violent crimes and 1,918 property crimes. Among the violent crimes were one murder, ninety rape cases, 32 robberies, and 473 cases of aggravated assault. Property crimes included 458 burglaries, 1351 cases of larceny, and 109 cases of vehicular theft.
However, according to the CJIC's 2020 report, violent crimes in St. Clair County dropped by 25%, and property crimes dropped by 19%. Per the report, St. Clair County law enforcement recorded two murders, 72 rape cases, and 23 robberies. Among 1519 property crimes, the county recorded 301 burglaries,1112 cases of larceny, and 106 cases of vehicular theft.
Are St. Clair County Criminal Records Public?
In St. Clair County, law enforcement officials abide by Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Thus, the public can access most St. Clair County criminal records upon request. Interested individuals can submit requests for criminal records to the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office's Service Bureau. The Service Bureau attends to requests between Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM and is located at the following address:
St. Clair County Sheriff
Services Bureau
1170 Michigan Rd,
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 987-1700
The public may also obtain St. Clair County criminal records by querying the Michigan State Police's Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
How To Obtain St. Clair County Arrest Records and Police Reports
Individuals interested in getting St. Clair County arrest records and police reports may query the Services Bureau of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office. The Bureau generates police and incident reports and provides them to the public upon request. Interested requesters must give accurate information about the desired report, including the involved parties' names, the type of incident, and the case file number. The Services Bureau charges $5 for the first page of police reports and $1 for each additional page. Interested individuals can submit requests to
St. Clair County Sheriff
Services Bureau
1170 Michigan Rd,
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 987-1700
How To Find Sex Offender Information In St. Clair County
In St. Clair County, all convicted sex offenders must register their current information with the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office forwards sex offender information to the Michigan State Police for inclusion in its online sex offender registry. To obtain St. Clair County sex offender information, interested persons may query the registry by the offender's name or offender ID. They may also search with the offender's current zip code or address. The Michigan State Police also allows the St. Clair residents to sign up for email alerts when an offender commits a new crime or changes location.
How To Find St. Clair County Inmate Records
Under the Sheriff's administration, convicted offenders in St. Clair County serve time at the St. Clair County Jail. While the Sheriff's Office maintains a record of all inmates in the jail, it does not make those records available online. Instead, individuals interested in obtaining St. Clair County inmate records may query the Michigan Department of Corrections portal known as OTIS. This portal allows the public to search for current inmates by their name and provides their arrest date, bail and bond conditions, and conviction details.
How Do I Visit An Inmate In St. Clair County Jail?
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office allows friends and family to visit inmates at the County Jail through on-site and off-site video visitation Sunday through Thursday from 12:15 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. Anyone that wishes to visit an inmate at St. Clair County Jail must open an account on the approved visitation website to register and schedule visits. The jail gives each inmate one free, thirty-minute visit per week. Inmates can receive up to three visitors per scheduled visit, including children.
All adult visitors that wish to visit on-site must provide a valid photo ID and submit to a physical search. Adult visitors must accompany minors below seventeen years of age. In addition, visiting minors must present a valid birth certificate. The County Jail does not approve of misconduct or abusive language, and security personnel will evict any visitor that exhibits disruptive behavior.
Remote visitors may schedule multiple visits as long as they are within the facility's normal operating hours. In addition, remote visitors must schedule their visits at least 24 hours in advance. The jail's personnel will monitor and record all visits. Remote visitors may not dress provocatively or exhibit provocative or pornographic behavior. The jail's personnel will restrict any violators from further visitation.
St. Clair County Court Records
St. Clair County court records are the official documents that court officials create when the court hears criminal cases, civil proceedings, juvenile cases, and other proceedings. The St. Clair County 31st Circuit Court is the county's central court, while the 72nd District Court and the St. Clair County Probate Court hear other cases in their jurisdiction.
Individuals interested in obtaining St. Clair County court records may submit an online court document request form to the 31st Circuit Court or use the Court Record Lookup Tool. Alternatively, they may search for court records through the Michigan Court Case Search Page.
Below are the locations of all courts in St. Clair County:
31st Circuit Court - St. Clair
St. Clair County Courthouse
201 McMorran Blvd, #1100,
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 985-2200
Fax: (810) 985-2241
72nd District Court - Marine City
2088 S Parker,
Marine City, MI 48039
Phone: (810) 765-4057
Fax: (810) 765-1143
72nd District Court - Port Huron
St. Clair County Courthouse
201 McMorran Blvd, #2900,
Port Huron, MI 48060,
Phone: (810) 985-2072
Fax: (810) 982-1260
St. Clair County Probate Court
St. Clair County Courthouse
201 McMorran Blvd, #2700,
Port Huron, MI 48060,
Phone: (810) 985-2066
Fax: (810) 985-2179
Are St. Clair County Court Records Public?
Yes, the public can access most St. Clair County court records, according to Michigan Court Rule 8.119(E). However, some court records are exempt from public view, according to state statutes. Such records include:
- 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 St. Clair County Civil Court Case Records
The St. Clair County 31st Circuit Court tries civil cases and makes them available to the public through the St. Clair County Clerk's office. Individuals interested in getting St. Clair County civil court case records must fill the clerk's online court document request form. The processing fee for court records is $5. Requesters must pay an additional $10 to receive copies of court records by standard mail.
Requestors may also obtain St. Clair County civil court case records by querying the Court Record Lookup Tool. They can search for civil court case records using the case ID or the plaintiff's first and last names.
How To Obtain St. Clair County Criminal Court Records
The public can obtain St. Clair County criminal court records from the 31st Circuit Court through the County Clerk's office. The clerk's office allows interested persons to request criminal court records online, using the court document request form. It charges $5 to process requests and an additional $10 to send copies of court records by standard mail.
Interested individuals can also find St. Clair criminal court records using the Court Record Lookup Tool. Requesters can search for criminal court records using the case ID or the defendant's full name.
What Are St. Clair County Vital Records?
St. Clair County vital records refer to county agencies' official documents - created when residents experience significant life events. Examples of such events include births, deaths, marriages, and marriage dissolution. The St. Clair County Clerk's Office is responsible for issuing eligible requesters' birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. However, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides all vital records filed from 1867 to date at the state level.
Where And How To Obtain St. Clair County Divorce Records?
The St. Clair County 31st Circuit Court grants all divorces in the county and makes records available to the public through the County Clerk's office. Individuals that wish to obtain copies of St. Clair County divorce records may request them online, in person, or by mail.
For online requests, interested persons must complete the county clerk's divorce judgement request form. In addition, requesters must provide:
- The divorced parties' full names.
- The case file number.
- The presiding judge's name.
- The year of divorce.
The processing fee is $5, and requesters must pay an additional $10 to receive copies via standard mail.
For in-person or written requests, interested persons must also provide the details mentioned above and submit requests to:
St. Clair County Clerk
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 1100
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 985-2200
Fax: (810) 985-2241
Where And How To Obtain St. Clair County Marriage Records?
In St. Clair County, the County Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses and makes copies available to the public. In addition, interested individuals can request copies of St. Clair County marriage certificates online or in person. Online requesters must fill the clerk's online marriage certificate request form and provide the couples' names and the marriage date. The request fee is $20, including the standard $5 online processing fee and $15 to receive certified copies by US mail. Interested individuals may also submit in-person requests for certified copies of St. Clair County marriage records to the following address:
St. Clair County Clerk
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 1100
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 985-2200
Fax: (810) 985-2241
Where And How To Obtain St. Clair County Birth Records?
The St. Clair County Clerk's Office issues birth certificates for all children born within the county. However, it only gives copies of birth certificates to the registrant, the parents (listed on the record), or their legal representatives. Interested and eligible persons can obtain St. Clair County birth certificates by submitting online or in-person requests.
Online requesters must complete the County Clerk's birth record request form. In addition, they must complete and attach a birth certificate form and a color copy of a government-issued ID. The fee for obtaining copies of birth records is $20.
In-person or mail-in requesters must complete a mail-in birth record request Form. Mail-in requesters must include a self-addressed and stamped envelope and a cheque or money order for $15 (additional copies requested simultaneously cost $6 each). Submit all requests to:
St. Clair County Clerk
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 1100
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 985-2200
Fax: (810) 985-2241
Where And How To Obtain St. Clair County Death Records?
The St. Clair County Clerk's office generates death records in the county and issues copies of death certificates to the public. Interested persons can request St. Clair County death certificates online, in person, or by mail-in request.
Individuals that wish to request copies of death records online must complete the Clerk's Death Record Request Form, indicating the deceased's name and the year of death. Requests cost $20 each. In addition, in-person and mail-in applicants must fill a Mail-in Death Record Request Form. Finally, mail-in applicants must attach a self-addressed and stamped envelope and a cheque or money order for $15 (additional copies requested simultaneously cost $6 each). Submit all requests to:
St. Clair County Clerk
201 McMorran Blvd. Room 1100
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 985-2200
Fax: (810) 985-2241
