Antrim County Police Records Lookup
Antrim County police records are kept by the Antrim County Sheriff's Office in Bellaire, Michigan, and are available through a written FOIA request to the county. These records include incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, and jail information for incidents investigated in this northern Michigan county. Antrim County offers an online FOIA request portal, making it easier to start your request without visiting the office in person.
Antrim County Police Records at a Glance
What Records Are Available in Antrim County
The Antrim County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for this northern Michigan county, which borders Grand Traverse Bay. The office maintains incident reports for all deputy calls in the county. These reports include names of parties involved, the time, date, and location of the incident, charges filed if any, and the responding officer's written account. Once a case is resolved or charges are filed, these reports are available to the public. Records tied to open investigations are exempt from disclosure under MCL § 15.243.
Arrest records show booking details, charges, and custody status for people taken into custody by the Antrim County Sheriff. Accident reports filed by county deputies follow the UD-10 form used statewide. These can be ordered through the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System or directly from the sheriff's office. Jail and inmate records track people held in the county facility. Warrant information is also on file, though active warrants tied to ongoing cases may be restricted.
Court records for Antrim County are available through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal, which is free to use. You can search by name or case number and find charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. For statewide criminal history, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT tool, which costs $10 per search and covers felonies and serious misdemeanors from all 83 counties.
Antrim County Online FOIA Portal
Antrim County has an online FOIA request portal that makes it easier to submit records requests without mailing or visiting the office. You can access the portal and submit requests through the county government website.
The Antrim County government website at antrimcountymi.gov is the central hub for county services including FOIA requests. The site links to the sheriff's office, forms, and the online FOIA submission tool.
The county's FOIA request page is at antrimcountymi.gov/government/foia_request.php. You can fill out and submit your request online. This is the quickest way to get started. If you prefer to submit by mail or in person, send your written request to the Antrim County Sheriff's Office at 107 Grove Street, PO Box 568, Bellaire, MI 49615.
The office phone is (231) 533-8627 and the fax number is (231) 533-8166. Call the sheriff's office during business hours to ask about the current FOIA process and what to include in your request. The county clerk's phone is (231) 533-6860 if you need to reach the county's FOIA Coordinator for records held outside the sheriff's department.
How Michigan FOIA Applies to Antrim County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 et seq. gives any person the right to request public records from Michigan government agencies. No reason is needed. MCL § 15.233 confirms there is no residency requirement. These rules apply to all Antrim County agencies, including the sheriff's office, county clerk, and any other county department that holds records.
Write a FOIA request that describes the record you want clearly enough for staff to find it. Include the incident date, location, names of people involved, and a case or incident number if you have one. Add your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email. Submit it through the county's online portal, by mail to the sheriff's office, or by fax to (231) 533-8166.
Under MCL § 15.235, the agency must respond within 5 business days. A single extension of up to 10 additional business days is allowed with written notice. Email and fax submissions are considered received on the next business day after transmission. If your request is denied, you have 180 days to file a written appeal to the head of the agency. A circuit court action is possible if the appeal is also rejected.
Note: If you use the online FOIA portal, keep a copy of your confirmation number so you can track the status of your request.
Fees for Antrim County Police Records
Antrim County follows the standard Michigan FOIA fee schedule under MCL § 15.234. Copies are $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size paper. Non-standard formats cost actual price. Labor is billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid capable employee, plus up to 50% for fringe benefits, calculated in 15-minute increments. There is no charge for searches that take fewer than 15 minutes.
If the estimated total exceeds $50, a 50% deposit may be required before the agency begins work. Low-income requesters can claim a $20 fee waiver by submitting an affidavit of public assistance or indigency. This waiver is available twice per calendar year and cannot be used when requesting records for a paying third party.
Nearby Counties
Antrim County is in northwest Lower Michigan. Records from neighboring counties are linked below.