logo
LenaweeRecords.us
Search Public Records

Lenawee County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lenawee County?

Public records in Lenawee County are defined according to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically under § 15.232(i), as "a writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function, from the time it is created." This comprehensive definition encompasses a wide variety of documents maintained by county offices and departments.

Lenawee County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
  • Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments)
  • Vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees)
  • Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
  • Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
  • Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
  • Meeting minutes and agendas (County Commission, boards, committees)
  • Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
  • Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted by law)
  • Land use and zoning records (permits, applications, zoning maps)

The Lenawee County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, including vital records, court filings, and election documents. Property records are maintained by the Lenawee County Register of Deeds, while court records are managed by the Lenawee County Circuit Court.

Each record type is subject to specific retention schedules as mandated by the Michigan Records Management Services, which determines how long documents must be preserved and when they may be destroyed.

Is Lenawee County an Open Records County?

Lenawee County adheres to Michigan's open records laws, primarily operating under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at § 15.231 et seq. This statute establishes the public's right to access government records and information.

Under § 15.231(2) of the Michigan FOIA, the legislature has declared that "all persons... 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... so that they may fully participate in the democratic process."

Lenawee County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in compliance with state law. The county maintains a FOIA Coordinator who is responsible for processing and responding to all FOIA requests submitted to county departments.

Additionally, Lenawee County operations are subject to Michigan's Open Meetings Act (OMA), § 15.261 et seq., which requires that most meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with proper notice given, and minutes recorded and made available for public inspection.

The county has adopted formal FOIA procedures and guidelines as required by § 15.233(4) of the Michigan FOIA, which are available on the county website and at county offices. These procedures outline the process for submitting requests, applicable fees, and appeal procedures for denied requests.

How to Find Public Records in Lenawee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Lenawee County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

  1. Submit a formal FOIA request to the appropriate department:

    • Complete the county's FOIA Request Form
    • Submit requests via email, mail, fax, or in person to the FOIA Coordinator
    • Clearly describe the records sought with sufficient detail

  2. Access online resources:

  3. Visit county offices in person:

    • The County Clerk's Office for vital records, notary registrations, and election information
    • The Register of Deeds for property records
    • The Circuit Court Clerk for court records

  4. Request vital records:

  5. Check for specialized databases:

Pursuant to § 15.235 of the Michigan FOIA, county officials must respond to requests within 5 business days, though this period may be extended by an additional 10 business days if necessary.

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

Lenawee County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 15.234 of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees for providing copies of records. The current fee structure includes:

  • Standard paper copies: $0.10 per page
  • Certified copies: Additional $1.00 per document
  • USB drives/electronic media: Actual cost of the media
  • Labor costs: Hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task (for requests exceeding 15 minutes of staff time)
  • Mailing costs: Actual cost of postage

Specific record types have statutorily established fees:

  • Birth certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
  • Death certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
  • Marriage licenses: $20.00 application fee plus $15.00 for certified copies
  • Certified copies of court records: $10.00 to $15.00 depending on document type
  • Property record copies: $1.00 per page

Lenawee County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (with a processing fee) for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available under certain circumstances. According to § 15.234(2) of the Michigan FOIA, a public body may waive or reduce fees if it determines that doing so is in the public interest because access to the information primarily benefits the general public. Additionally, individuals who submit an affidavit stating they are indigent and receiving public assistance may receive a waiver of the first $20.00 of fees.

Does Lenawee County Have Free Public Records?

Lenawee County provides free access to certain public records as required by Michigan law. Under § 15.233(3) of the Michigan FOIA, individuals have the right to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. The following free options are available:

  • In-person inspection of records at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
  • Online access to certain records through the county website, including:

The Lenawee County District Library provides public computer access where residents can view online county records at no charge.

Free public records access is also available through:

While inspection is free, requestors seeking copies of records will generally incur the fees outlined in the county's FOIA procedures. Additionally, certain specialized searches or requests requiring extensive staff time may incur labor costs even if the requestor only wishes to inspect records.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lenawee County?

Under § 15.232(e) of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, "any person" may request public records from Lenawee County. This broad definition includes:

  • Michigan residents
  • Non-Michigan residents
  • Business entities
  • Organizations and associations
  • Media representatives
  • Government agencies

Requestors are not required to:

  • State the purpose of their request
  • Provide identification for most record types
  • Be a resident of Lenawee County or Michigan
  • Explain why they want the records

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Requestors must demonstrate they are an eligible party under Michigan's Vital Records Act, § 333.2882. This typically includes the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order.
  • Driver records: Access is restricted under the Michigan Vehicle Code, § 257.208c, and the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act.
  • Medical records: Protected under HIPAA and only available to the individual or their authorized representative.
  • Certain law enforcement records: May require proof of identity or legal interest.

For most general county records, requestors may remain anonymous if they wish, though providing contact information is necessary if copies are requested or if the records cannot be produced immediately.

Foreign nationals have the same rights to public records as U.S. citizens under Michigan's FOIA, though certain federally-controlled information may have additional restrictions.

What Records Are Confidential in Lenawee County?

Lenawee County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure under § 15.243 of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. These confidential records include:

  • Personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, including:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Driver's license numbers
    • Financial account information
    • Medical and mental health records

  • Law enforcement records that would:

    • Interfere with ongoing investigations
    • Deprive a person of a fair trial
    • Disclose the identity of confidential sources
    • Endanger law enforcement personnel

  • Records specifically exempted by other statutes, including:

    • Juvenile court records (except as provided in § 712A.28 of the Juvenile Code)
    • Child protective services records under § 722.627 of the Child Protection Law
    • Adoption records under § 710.67 of the Michigan Adoption Code
    • Mental health records protected by § 330.1748 of the Mental Health Code

  • Records related to:

    • Attorney-client privileged communications
    • Pending litigation involving the county
    • Trade secrets or commercial information voluntarily provided in confidence
    • Bids or proposals prior to final contract award
    • Testing data for employment or academic examinations

  • Security-related information:

    • Emergency response plans
    • Critical infrastructure details
    • Security measures and procedures

  • Personnel records revealing information of a personal nature, though certain information about public employees (name, salary, job title) remains public

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, § 15.244 requires the county to separate the material and make the non-exempt information available. The county must explain any denial of records by citing the specific statutory exemption that applies.

Michigan courts apply a balancing test when considering privacy exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential privacy invasion, as established in Mager v. Department of State Police.

Lenawee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Lenawee County Register of Deeds
301 N. Main Street, Courthouse, Old Judicial Building
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 264-4538
Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lenawee County Clerk's Office
301 N. Main Street, Courthouse, Old Judicial Building
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 264-4599
County Clerk

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lenawee County Circuit Court
425 N. Main Street
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 264-4597
Circuit Court

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lenawee County Department of Health and Human Services
1040 S. Winter St., Suite 3013
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 264-6300
Lenawee County DHHS

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Lenawee County

Michigan Courts Case Search

Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records

Michigan Driving Records

Lenawee County Department of Health and Human Services

Michigan Supreme Court Case Search

Categories

Criminal RecordsCourt RecordsInmate RecordsArrest recordsWarrant SearchProperty RecordsDivorce Records