Dickinson County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Dickinson County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through DickinsonRecords.us, which aggregates data related to public records maintained by Dickinson County, Michigan and its affiliated agencies. Records that may be located through official channels include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs, subject to applicable exemptions under state law. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the custodial office, the date of the record, and whether the document falls within a statutory exemption.

Records in Dickinson County may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at county offices, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Dickinson County government portal provides access to department directories, elected officials, and select public documents. County offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time.
The MiCOURT Case Search tool allows members of the public to search Michigan court case information online. As noted by the Michigan court system, "the information available here is presented on-line for informational use only and does not replace the official record on file with the court."
Property and deed records may be reviewed through the Dickinson County Register of Deeds office portal.
No statewide registration is required to conduct basic online searches, though certified copies require a formal request and applicable fees.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Dickinson County Clerk's Office at 705 S. Stephenson Ave., Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time. Requestors should identify the record type, approximate date range, and names of parties involved. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate custodial office if the record is maintained elsewhere.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Dickinson County Clerk at P.O. Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.235, a public body must respond to a request within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days.

Phone/Email:

Dickinson County Clerk: (906) 774-0955
Fax: (906) 774-4660

What Are Public Records in Dickinson County?

Public records in Dickinson County are defined under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act as any writing prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. The following record categories are maintained by county offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Dickinson County court system, which includes the Circuit Court, District Court, and Probate Court.
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts): Maintained by the Register of Deeds office, which records documents relating to land transactions.
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce): The County Clerk maintains birth certificates for Dickinson County from 1891 to the present. All vital records issued are certified copies; no photocopies are available.
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names): Filed with the County Clerk.
Tax records (property tax, assessment records): Maintained by the County Treasurer and Equalization Department.
Voting and election records: Maintained by the County Clerk under Michigan Election Law.
Meeting minutes and agendas: Published by the County Board of Commissioners and available through the county's official website.
Budget and financial documents: Available through the County Administrator's office.
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted): Maintained by the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, subject to FOIA exemptions.
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the County Planning and Zoning Department.

By Michigan statute, the County Clerk serves as the "keeper of records" from Dickinson County's founding in 1891 to the present, making that office the primary custodian for a broad range of historical and current county documents.

Is Dickinson County an Open Records County?

Dickinson County operates in full compliance with Michigan's statewide open records framework. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., all public bodies in the state — including county offices — are required to disclose public records upon request unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Act establishes that "it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."

Dickinson County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the state FOIA governs all public records requests submitted to county departments. The county's compliance with Michigan's sunshine laws extends to the Open Meetings Act, MCL § 15.261 et seq., which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that notice be provided in advance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dickinson County?

The fee structure for public records in Dickinson County is governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, which sets limits on what public bodies may charge. Current standard fees are as follows:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (letter/legal size)	$0.10 per page (standard rate under FOIA)
Certification of vital records (birth, death, marriage)	$15.00 per certified copy
Additional certified copies (same order)	$5.00 each
Electronic format copies	Labor and duplication costs as permitted by statute
Search/labor fees	Actual cost of labor for searches exceeding a threshold set by the public body

Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order made payable to Dickinson County. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of providing the copy, and must provide a detailed itemization of charges upon request. Fee waivers are available when the requester demonstrates that disclosure of the information is in the public interest and that the individual is indigent.

Fees for property records recorded through the Register of Deeds are set separately under Michigan recording statutes and vary by document type and number of pages.

Does Dickinson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Dickinson County. Under Michigan FOIA, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: viewing a record in person at the custodial office does not incur a fee, while obtaining a physical or electronic copy is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

The Dickinson County government website provides free access to meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and department information.
The MiCOURT Case Search portal offers free online access to court case information for Dickinson County proceedings.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Michigan State Police, is freely accessible to the public online. As stated by the Michigan State Police, "this registry is intended to assist the public in preventing and protecting against the commission of future criminal sexual acts by convicted sex offenders."
The Michigan Courts search tool provides free access to court documents, case information, orders, and opinions.
Vital records information and ordering instructions are available at no cost through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dickinson County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Dickinson County. Under Michigan FOIA, the right to inspect and receive copies of public records extends to all individuals, with the sole exception of persons currently incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities. Requestors are not required to be Michigan residents, and no statement of purpose is required to accompany a standard FOIA request.

Requestors are not required to provide identification for most record types, though certain vital records — such as birth and death certificates — require the requestor to demonstrate eligibility under Michigan vital records law. Certified copies of birth records are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives. Members of the public requesting their own records follow the same process as any other FOIA request, with no additional procedural requirements beyond standard identification for restricted record categories.

Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under Michigan FOIA and may submit requests by mail, in person, or electronically.

What Records Are Confidential in Dickinson County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from disclosure under Michigan FOIA and related statutes. The following records are not subject to public inspection or copying:

Sealed court records: Orders sealing case files are issued by the presiding judge and remove those records from public access.
Juvenile records: Protected under the Michigan Juvenile Code and not available for general public inspection.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Exempt where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure.
Medical records: Protected under HIPAA and Michigan law; not subject to FOIA disclosure.
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order or specific statutory procedures.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained confidentially by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services under state and federal child protection laws.
Personnel records: Exempt with limited exceptions for public employees' names, positions, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

Michigan FOIA, MCL § 15.243, enumerates specific exemptions and requires that any portion of a record not exempt must be disclosed after redaction of exempt material. Public bodies are required to identify the specific exemption relied upon when denying access to a record.

Dickinson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Dickinson County Clerk and Register of Deeds

Physical Address:
705 S. Stephenson Ave.
Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 609
Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Phone: (906) 774-0955
Fax: (906) 774-4660
Website: Dickinson County Clerk and Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central Time
Closed on state and federal holidays

Additional Offices:

Dickinson County Register of Deeds
705 S. Stephenson Ave., Iron Mountain, MI 49801
(906) 774-0955
Register of Deeds – Dickinson County

Dickinson County Circuit Court
705 S. Stephenson Ave., Iron Mountain, MI 49801
(906) 774-2717
Dickinson County Court System

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – Dickinson County
Vital records for births and deaths occurring outside Dickinson County may be obtained through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which maintains statewide vital records.