Crime Numbers
Crime statistics for Washtenaw County comes from the Michigan State Police. In its latest annual reports, the county recorded a total of 21,564 crimes in 2017. This represents a 10% reduction in overall crime rate compared to the 2013 total. A closer look at the county’s 2017 crime numbers show that there were 11 homicides, 217 rapes, 179 robberies, and 675 aggravated assaults. Reported incidences of property crimes include 872 burglaries, 4,018 larcenies, 417 motor vehicle thefts, and 37 arsons.
Compared to the crime numbers for 2013, homicide rate remained the same in 2017 but Washtenaw County recorded higher rape (61.9%), robbery (10.5%), aggravated assault (7.5%), and motor vehicle theft (8.9%) rates. On the other hand, the five-year crime trend for the county indicates falling burglary (42.4%), larceny (13.3%), and arson (5.1%) rates.
Washtenaw County Criminal Records
The Michigan State Police offers name-based and fingerprint-based criminal records. The fingerprint-based option is only available when requested by an executive order or a state or federal statue. This law enforcement agency offers the public name-based criminal history records through its ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) portal. Individuals must register and log in to this portal to search its database. Results are available to view and print after paying the required fee.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office also offers criminal records and provides records of arrest and incarceration in the county jail. Each local background check costs $10. To request for a criminal history record check, visit the Sheriff’s Office at:
2201 Hogback Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Washtenaw County Police Records
The Records Division of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office also accepts public requests for incident and accident reports. To request for any of these police reports, complete and submit the Freedom of Information Act form on the Sheriff’s website.
The fees for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) copies are 4 cents per page for black-and-white documents and 9 cents per page for color documents. There is a search fee of $32.75 per hour for searches that take longer than 15 minutes. Each CD/DVD of police records costs 88 cents plus $32.11 per hour as processing fee while jail booking photos cost $5 each.
Washtenaw County Sex Offender Information
The Michigan State Police maintains a centralized database of registered sex offenders living in the various counties of the state. To find those living in Washtenaw County, search the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. In addition to name searches, you can also provide city names, zip codes, and street addresses in Washtenaw County to narrow your search to offenders living in the county.
Washtenaw County Inmate Records
The Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office operates the Washtenaw County Jail. This detention facility is in the same building as the Sheriff’s Office. Its contact numbers are (734) 585-7247 (Inmate Information) and (734) 973-4487 (Inmate Visitation). To obtain Washtenaw County Inmate Records, inquirers will need to provide information with which to facilitate the search including the inmate's full name, offense details and arrest date (if known).
The county jail uses TouchPay to accept funds for inmates’ commissary and telephone accounts. Friends and family can make cash or Mastercard/Visa card deposits at the TouchPay kiosk located in the jail lobby. They can also make card deposits online at www.touchpaydirect.com or by calling the toll-free number, (866) 232-1899.
Court Records
Washtenaw County has one Circuit Court, three District Courts, and a Probate Court. In the course of judicial hearings and administrative processes, these courts generate Washtenaw County Court Records which provide an official account of all its functions.Find below the addresses and contact information of these courts.
22nd Circuit Court
Washtenaw County Courthouse
101 E Huron Street
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: (734) 222-3270
Fax: (734) 222-3077
14A District Court
Serving Washtenaw County, except the City of Ann Arbor and the Township of Ypsilanti
415 W. Michigan Ave.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (734) 484-6690
14B District Court
Serving Township of Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Township Civic Center
7200 S. Huron River Drive
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (734) 483-1333
15th District Court
Serving City of Ann Arbor
Justice Center
301 E. Huron
P.O. Box 8650
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 794-6759
Washtenaw County Probate Court
Washtenaw County Courthouse
101 E. Huron St.
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: (734) 222-3072
Members of the public can access the records of the 22nd Circuit Court on the Washtenaw Court Trial Court website. The District Courts host their records on the Michigan Courts Case Search portals. Search from the 15th, 14A, and 14B District Court webpages for the respective courts. The Washtenaw County Probate Court is part of the Family Division of the 22nd Circuit Court. Public records from this court are available on the Trial Court website.
To obtain copies of a Washtenaw County court record, contact the court where the case was filed by visiting the courthouse or calling its phone number. The public can also view records of the 22nd Circuit Court from the public computer terminals at the office of the Clerk of the Court – Court Services in the Washtenaw County Courthouse.
This office accepts walk-in, phone, and mail requests for copies of court records. Visit the Court Services office to request for records in person. Copies that are up to 30 pages are processed while you wait. Large requests of more than 30 pages are available within 10 days.
Call (734) 222-3270 to order copies of court records over the phone. Fees for phone requests are payable by credit card. For a mail request, include a check made out to Washtenaw County Trial Court. Send this payment and a completed Trial Court Records Request Form, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to:
Washtenaw County Trial Court
Records Department
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
The court charges $2 per page for plain copies of case records. Certified and Exemplified copies cost $10 per record plus $1 per page.
Vital Records
The Family Division of the 22nd Circuit Court hears all divorce cases in Washtenaw County. To obtain copies of your divorce decree or judgement, follow the same procedures described above for court records. Visit the office of the Clerk of the Court – Court Services or send a mail request using the Trial Court Records Request Form.
The Washtenaw County Vital Records provides certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates. To obtain one of these vital records, start by completing a Request for Certified Copies of Vital Records form. Bring or mail this to:
Washtenaw County Clerk – Vital Records Division
200 N. Main, Suite 100
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
When submitting your request by mail, include a copy of a valid driver’s license or state ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for copy fee.
The Vital Records charges $15 for the first copy of a birth, death, or marriage record. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $5. Individuals aged 65 years and older only pay $5 for the first copy of their birth certificates.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Washtenaw County?
Washtenaw County property records are open to the public for inspection and copying under the State of Michigan Freedom of Information Act. People interested in obtaining copies of Washtenaw County property records can request the same from the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deed.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Washtenaw County
The Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds maintains a repository for Washtenaw County property records. These property records include deeds, mortgages, and foreclosures. Requesters can obtain Washtenaw property records by contacting the office of the Register of Deeds at:
North Main
Suite 110
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: (734) 222-6710
Fax: (734) 222-6819
The office of the Register of Deeds is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. People will have to helpful information about requested documents such as:
- The Page of the recorded documents
- Type of document; deed, mortgage, easement
- The name of the first party grantor, mortgagor, or dischargor
- The name of the second party grantor, mortgagee, discharge
- The approximate year of recording.
- For deeds that were originally sold under Land Contracts, the year of the Land Contract pay-off will have to be provided
- The name of the subdivision for a request of Plat copies
How to Look Up Washtenaw County Property Records
The Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds' office maintains an online property and parcel lookup database. Requesters can search for parcel descriptions, equalized and taxable values, and recent sales on the site. There is typically no fee attached to searching the database and viewing data. However, requesters will have to pay $1.20 to view, print, or save document images. They can also subscribe for unlimited access to view & print documents from the online portal.
The weekly subscription cost $400 while the monthly subscription cost $1300. People interested in the annual subscription can contact the Register of Deeds office at (734) 222-6710 or by email.
To conduct a more thorough search of the database for Washtenaw County Property Records, a requester may visit the office in-person where staff support may be offered at:
North Main
Suite 110
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Requesters can book an appointment to visit the office as mentioned above by email or by calling (734) 222-6710.
Location of Washtenaw County Township Property Assessors
North Main Street
Suite 200
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
Phone: (734) 222-6600
Email: taxes@washtenaw.org
