What are Wexford County Public Records?
Per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Wexford County public records are digital or physical data received, maintained, used, or retained by a public body in the course of an official business or activity. Public records under the custody of public agencies may exist as books, memos, minutes, drafts, notes, charters, graphs, photographs, audio recordings, SMS, or emails. Under the Freedom of Information Act, public members have the statutory right to view and get Pontotoc County public records. Nevertheless, certain portions of public documents are exempt from public access. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act restrict access to public documents if it contains:
- Information or records subject to physician-patient privilege;
- Information or records subject to attorney-client privilege;
- Preliminary notes, drafts, inter or intra-agency memoranda which are not used or retained by a public agency in decision-making;
- Minutes of the meeting of public entities closed to the public;
- Personal information, such as social security number, driver’s license, credit card, and debit card account details, passwords, personal contact details, and insurance information;
- Juvenile records and data compiled by law enforcement agencies;
- Architectural and official building plans of government-owned buildings;
- Information that reveals the identity of law enforcement personnel or informants;
- Voters’ registration data that may reveal a voter’s personal information
- Trade secrets or negotiations voluntarily filed with a public agency for licensing purposes;
- Information compiled by law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation;
- Personnel data and similar files, such as salary information and analyses of employee misconduct (if the charges are untrue after due investigations);
- Voted registration information containing a voter's email address, home address, and phone number;
- Public documents containing information about the identity of informants in a law enforcement investigation;
- Information security records that may reveal vulnerabilities to a public agency's information technology system;
- Data about pending litigation that involves a public agency or entity.
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 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.
Wexford County Crime Statistics
The Michigan State Police (MSP) maintains a downloadable list of all crimes documented in Wexford County. The crime report contains information on all index crimes collated by local law enforcement agencies within the county. Persons or entities interested in viewing Wexford County crime statistics must visit the MSP’s online database. Per the 2021 crime statistics, Wexford County documented 59 index crimes. The accumulated figure features the following index crimes: 0 murder, 5 rapes, 1 robberies, 2 aggravated assaults, 17 burglaries, 31 larceny thefts, 3 motor vehicle thefts, and 0 arson.
In contrast, Wexford County reported 830 index crimes in 2016. In comparison with the 2020 index crime report, the index crimes rate in Wexford County fell by 21 percent.
Are Wexford County Criminal Records Public?
Wexford county criminal records are mainly accessible to the public unless legally exempt from public view. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, interested parties can easily obtain criminal records in Wexford County via local or state custodian agencies. However, criminal records containing ongoing investigations and confidential information are exempt from public view. Juvenile criminal records and expunged criminal records are examples of exempted public documents.
The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office is the county-level record custodian of all criminal cases. Record seekers can find copies of Wexford County criminal records from the Sheriff’s Office at:
1015 Lincoln Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9216
Fax: (231) 779-0218
Likewise, the Michigan State Police Department (MSP) serves as the state-level custodian for Wexford County criminal records. Through the MSP, record seekers can conduct a name-based or fingerprint-based check. To access Wexford County criminal records via name-based checks, interested persons must visit the MSP’s Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Requesters can immediately view and print search results on the ICHAT platform. Each search on the ICHAT platform costs $10, and payment is only via credit cards.
Alternatively, record seekers can obtain criminal records via fingerprint-based checks. To get fingerprint-based checks for employment reasons, requesters must follow these steps:
- Obtain a criminal record background check form from the employer;
- Fill out the section III and IV on the form;
- Submit the completed form to the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office at:
1015 Lincoln Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9216
Fax: (231) 779-0218
How to Obtain Wexford County Police Reports and Arrest Records
County residents and non-residents can obtain copies of police reports or arrest records from the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office. The County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for maintaining and issuing copies of Wexford County police reports or arrest records to interested public members. That said, record seekers can obtain the documents by visiting the Sheriff’s Office during business hours (Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at:
1015 Lincoln Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9216
Fax: (231) 779-0218
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Wexford County
Per the Sex Offenders Registration Act - Act 295 of 1994, the MSP maintains an online searchable registry for all sex offenders registered and residing in the state of Michigan. The online database features sex offenders’ sex crimes, photographs, and conviction details. Record seekers can obtain Wexford County’s sex offenders’ information on the online platform by inputting these details:
- The sex offender’s name;
- The sex offender’s location (city, street address, and zip code).
How to Find Wexford County Inmate Records
The Michigan Department of Correction provides access to Wexford County inmate records via the Offender Tracking Information System. Interested persons or entities can access Wexford County inmate information on the OTIS using the offender’s name, sex, age, race, MDOC number, offender status, and identifying body markings, such as tattoos and scars.
Wexford County Court Records
The Wexford County court system comprises a District Court, Probate Court, and Circuit Court. The county courts have jurisdiction over criminal, civil, traffic, small claims, probate, family, and adoption court cases. Furthermore, the clerks of these county courts are responsible for maintaining and issuing copies of Wexford County court documents to public members.
Location of All Courts in Wexford County
Wexford County Circuit Courts
28th Circuit Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9490
Fax: (231) 306-2155
Wexford County District Court
84th District Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9515
Fax: (231) 779-5396
Wexford County Probate Courts
Wexford County Probate Court
437 East Division Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9510
Fax: (231) 779-9485
Are Wexford County Court Records Public?
Not all Wexford County courts are publicly-accessible. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act restricts public access to confidential or sensitive court documents. For example, juvenile criminal records or child adoption court records are redacted or restricted from public view. In some cases, custodian agencies may allow public access to court records within a limited timeframe. For example, bankruptcy court records are only accessible within a set timeframe.
How to Obtain Wexford County Civil Court Case Records
Record seekers can obtain Wexford County civil court records from the Clerk of the 84th District Court. The Clerk of the 84th District Court has jurisdiction over civil court cases filed in the county. Thus, persons or entities interested in accessing these records must make an in-person request to the Clerk of the 84th District Court at:
Wexford County District Court
84th District Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9490
Fax: (231) 306-2155
Likewise, the 28th Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil court cases involving more than $25,000. Interested persons can access civil court case records from the Clerk of the 28th Circuit Court at:
28th Circuit Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9450
Fax: (231) 779-0447
Furthermore, record seekers can conduct a name-based search for court records on the Michigan Court search platform. To view Wexford County civil court records on the search platform, record seekers must select “the Wexford County 28th Circuit Court” and input the record subject’s name on the subsequent page.
How to Obtain Wexford County Criminal Court Records
The Wexford County 84th District Court is responsible for ensuring public access to all documented criminal court cases. Public members can request to view or get copies of Wexford County criminal records in-person at:
Wexford County District Court
84th District Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9490
Fax: (231) 306-2155
Alternatively, the Wexford County 28th Circuit Court has jurisdiction over criminal cases involving serious misdemeanors or felonies. Record seekers can obtain Wexford County criminal court case records from the Clerk of the 28th Circuit Court at:
28th Circuit Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9450
Fax: (231) 779-0447
Likewise, online copies of Wexford County criminal records are accessible via the Michigan Court search platform. To view Wexford County criminal court records on the search platform, record seekers must select “the Wexford County 28th Circuit Court” and input the record subject’s name on the subsequent page.
What are Wexford County Vital Records?
Wexford County vital records are government-verified data on all reported live events within the county. Interested individuals or parties can get copies of vital records by contacting the record custodian holding the record. The Wexford County’s 24th Circuit Court generates and issues copies of vital records to interested applicants at the county level. In contrast, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) enables access to all vital records in the state.
Wexford County Divorce Records
Wexford County divorce records contain data on all marriage or union dissolution within the county. The 24th Circuit Court, via the Family Division, is the record custodian for all Wexford County divorce records. Thus, interested persons can obtain copies of divorce records by visiting the Family Division of the 24th District Court at:
28th Circuit Court - Wexford
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9490 (Divorce and related matters);
Fax: (231) 306-2155
Wexford County Marriage Records
Wexford County marriage records comprise information on all marriage licenses issued by the Wexford County Clerk. The Wexford County Clerk maintains and provides access to certified copies of marriage certificates. Record seekers can access these documents via mail, email, or in-person request to the County Clerk.
To obtain the record in-person or via mail, record seekers must follow these outlines:
- Print, fill out, and sign a request form;
- Include a $15 money order for the first copy and $5 for additional copies (make a money order or check payable to “Wexford County Clerk”;
- Submit these documents in a self-addressed envelope to:
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9450
Wexford County Birth Records
Wexford County birth records comprise all reported birth events within the county. The Wexford County Clerk is the record custodian of all birth records. More so, it provides access to all Wexford County birth records via mail or in-person requests. Birth records are accessible to the record subject, immediate family, and persons with a legitimate interest in the document.
Thus, eligible requesters must follow the outlined steps to obtain copies of Wexford County birth records:
- Print, fill out, and sign a request form;
- Include a $15 money order for the first copy and $5 for additional copies (make a money order or check payable to “Wexford County Clerk”;
- Submit these documents in a self-addressed envelope to:
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9450
Wexford County Death Records
This type of record contains data on all death events in Wexford County. Death records are under the purview of the Wexford County Clerk. Furthermore, the County Clerk is responsible for issuing copies of certified death records to eligible persons. Per state law, eligible persons must have a legitimate interest in the record. On that note, Wexford County death records are accessible to eligible requesters via mail or in-person requests. To obtain copies of Wexford County death records, interested persons or entities must:
- Print, fill out, and sign a death record request form;
- Include a $15 money order for the first copy and $5 for additional copies (make a money order or check payable to “Wexford County Clerk”;
- Submit these documents in a self-addressed envelope to:
437 East Division Street
P.O. Box 490
Cadillac, MI 49601
Phone: (231) 779-9450
