The state of Michigan entered the union on January 26, 1837 making it the 26th state to be admitted. Michigan is ranked 8th in populous with 9.8 million residents and 11th largest area in the United States with over 96 thousand square miles of land. Michigan has 83 counties, 276 cities and over one thousand other municipalities such as townships and villages. Counties and municipalities serve as a local branches of Michigan’s state government.
Michigan’s legislature passed government transparency laws in 1976 to give the public rights to access information and records held by public agencies. This state law is similar to the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in giving citizens data of government affairs such as budgets and employee salaries. These laws extend to all state or local level agencies.
Residents of Michigan often request records from government agencies for their personal or business needs. As the government is a large custodian of essential recorded documents we require from time to time, easy and prompt access to records is important. Simple online free searches can reveal addresses and find people you’re looking for. A full background check can also be conducted by obtaining the numerous variety of records in a person’s past.
Michigan background checks can consist of just a criminal search or a person’s history by investigation of lawsuits, driving records, credit check, property, divorces, judgments, liens and bankruptcies. The repository for arrests in Michigan, charges filed, and convictions can be access with the Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) system by the Michigan state police. See information provided by courts, law enforcement, prisons and prosecutors of arrests, charges of offenses with a sentence of over 92 days, felonies and misdemeanors. See how to obtain court records from the Michigan Judicial System. Order copies of civil cases including divorces, current trials and criminal cases. Broaden the coverage of a background search with Michigan marriage records dating from 1867, including official birth and death certificates. Look up past divorces from 1897 to the present recorded by Michigan Vital Records Office, Department of Community Health.
Online databases are available to the general public providing free instant information. Verify a professional licensure of a teacher. Check an attorney’s Michigan state bar membership. Quality reports can reveal details providing additional information you may need for future searches. Locate assets searching Michigan’s recorders and governing agencies. Search for real estate owner information and other details from Michigan county assessing agencies. The department of licensing and regulatory affairs provides a databank showing images of articles of incorporation, business ownership data and corporate filings. Michigan’s PACER system allows access to bankruptcy cases that can reveal list of assets and liabilities.
Utilizing the proper tools when conducting a search can result in a better more comprehensive final report with less time spent browsing unrelated or low quality sites. Access a public record directory that lists the most current and up to date resources of Michigan government and privately owned sites can show where to find the a particular record or a broad investigation. Quality sites contain free forms with easy how to instructions for any member of the public unfamiliar with agency procedures.
