Ontonagon County Phone Directory

The Ontonagon County phone directory lists contacts for public record offices in one of Michigan's most remote western Upper Peninsula counties. The village of Ontonagon serves as the county seat, sitting on the shore of Lake Superior. The courthouse there holds court records, vital documents, and property filings. This phone directory covers the circuit court, district court, county clerk, and register of deeds in Ontonagon County. With a very small population, most record requests are handled in person at the Ontonagon courthouse, though the statewide MiCOURT system gives you free online access to court case data.

Ontonagon Clerk Phone Directory

The Ontonagon County Clerk is at 725 Greenland Road in Ontonagon. The phone number is (906) 884-4255. This office handles vital records, court filings, and elections. You can request birth, death, and marriage certificates here.

Under MCL 333.2815, birth records less than 100 years old are restricted to the named person, parents, or legal representatives. Death and marriage records are public. Ontonagon County fees are typically lower than the state rate of $34. Because the county has few staff, it is a good idea to call the phone directory number above before you visit to make sure someone is available to process your request.

Ontonagon County's remoteness means mail requests may take longer than in more accessible parts of the state. The clerk handles multiple roles in this small county, including notary services and court filing assistance. Staff can answer questions about the phone directory of county services and direct you to the right department for your needs.

Court Records in Ontonagon County

The 32nd Circuit Court serves Ontonagon and Gogebic counties. It handles felonies, major civil suits, family law, and appeals. You can search Ontonagon County circuit court records through MiCOURT for free. Enter a name or case number to get results that show party names, case types, dates, and docket entries.

The 98th District Court in Ontonagon covers misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases under $25,000. District court records appear in MiCOURT too. Case type codes help you sort. CR is criminal. CB is civil. TR is traffic. The system is free and works at any hour. For document copies, contact the court clerk in Ontonagon since images are not available online.

Given the low population, Ontonagon County courts handle a lighter caseload than most Michigan counties. Search results in MiCOURT may be fewer, making it easy to find what you need.

Note: Juvenile records, sealed cases, and expunged files are not in the public phone directory for Ontonagon County courts.

Ontonagon Property Records

The Ontonagon County Register of Deeds records property documents at the courthouse. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts are on file. Search by name, parcel number, or address. Contact (906) 884-4255 for copy fees. Standard copies are about $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10.

Tax records are maintained by the Ontonagon County Treasurer. The treasurer tracks tax bills, assessed values, and payment history. Local assessors set property values, and the Board of Review takes appeals in March. Under MCL 15.231-15.246, property records from government offices are public and available through FOIA requests.

State Search Tools

State databases extend your Ontonagon County phone directory search. The ICHAT criminal check is $10 and shows Michigan convictions. The Voter Information Center checks registration. The Secretary of State has a free business search. The MDHHS handles statewide vital records at $34 per copy.

The Michigan Open Data Portal provides free datasets that can supplement your Ontonagon County phone directory research.

Download datasets in multiple formats at no cost from this state resource.

How to Get Records in Ontonagon County

Ontonagon County keeps its public records at the courthouse. The county clerk handles vital records and court files. The register of deeds stores property documents. The treasurer manages tax data. All offices share the same building, which makes it easy to handle multiple record requests during a single visit to Ontonagon.

For court records, use MiCOURT first. It is free, runs around the clock, and covers both circuit and district court cases. For vital records, the county clerk in Ontonagon is generally cheaper than ordering from the state office at $34 per copy. Property records go through the register of deeds, while tax questions go to the treasurer. The phone directory for Ontonagon County lists the right number for each office.

Because of the county's remote location on Lake Superior, mail requests are common. Send a letter to the correct office with a clear description of what you need, along with payment and a return address. Processing may take a bit longer than in more populated counties due to limited staff. Online searches through MiCOURT and statewide databases like ICHAT give you ways to look up Ontonagon County records from home without making the trip.

FOIA for Ontonagon County

File FOIA requests with the Ontonagon County FOIA coordinator at 725 Greenland Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953. Describe the records clearly. Response time is 5 business days with a possible 10-day extension. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Deposits apply over $50. Fee waivers exist for hardship or public interest. Appeals must be within 180 days.

Legal Resources

Legal Aid of Western Michigan at (616) 774-0672 serves the Upper Peninsula. Michigan Legal Help at (888) 783-8190 assists statewide. The Michigan Courts website has self-help forms. The State Bar referral line at (800) 968-0738 can find attorneys near Ontonagon.

Counties Near Ontonagon

Ontonagon County is in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. Neighboring counties have phone directory pages.