Clare County Police Records Lookup

Clare County police records are maintained by the Clare County Sheriff's Office in Harrison, Michigan. These records cover incident reports, arrest records, jail data, accident reports, and more for the county's townships and rural areas. You can request Clare County police records through a written FOIA submission, by email, or by visiting the sheriff's office in person. Accident reports specifically are available online through a third-party service. This page covers every method available and what you need to know before you submit a request.

Clare County Sheriff's Office

The Clare County Sheriff's Office is located at 255 W. Main Street, Harrison, MI 48625. Sheriff John S. Wilson leads the department. The main phone line is (989) 539-7166. The fax number is (989) 539-2588. For records specifically, reach the records division at extension 4220. The control room, which handles dispatch and non-emergency calls, is at extension 4238. Jail administration is handled by Lt. Bryan Dunn at extension 4249.

The sheriff's office website at clareco.net/department/sheriff covers the department's services, contact details, and records request information. The county's main website at clareco.net is the starting point for all county services. If you are not sure where to begin, the sheriff's page has the most relevant information for police record requests.

The Clare County Sheriff's page covers department services and records request procedures. Visit clareco.net/department/sheriff to find contact information and links to records forms.

How to Request Clare County Police Records

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., gives anyone the right to request public records. No reason is required. There is no residency requirement. The law covers police incident reports, arrest records, jail data, dispatch logs, and other law enforcement documents created by the Clare County Sheriff's Office.

To request records, download the FOIA Request for Public Records form from clareco.net. Fill it out completely and send it to one of these options: by email to vanwagnerl@clareco.net or FOIA@clareco.net, by fax at (989) 539-2588, or by mail to Clare County FOIA Coordinator, 225 W. Main St., P.O. Box 438, Harrison, MI 48625. In-person requests are also accepted at the office during business hours.

Include your full name and contact information, the type of record you need, the date or date range, the names of anyone involved, and a case or incident number if you have one. Under MCL § 15.235, the sheriff's office must respond within 5 business days. They may extend by up to 10 additional business days with written notice explaining the delay.

The Clare County website at clareco.net links to the sheriff's office, FOIA forms, and other public record resources. It is the best starting point for any records request in the county.

Accident Reports in Clare County

Traffic accident reports for Clare County are available online through LexisNexis BuyCrash at buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com. The Clare County Sheriff's Office directs requesters to this service for accident reports, which is faster than a formal FOIA request in most cases. Reports are typically available within 7 to 10 days of the crash date.

For accidents where the report is not yet in the BuyCrash system, or for crashes handled outside the typical reporting window, submit a FOIA request directly to the sheriff's office records division at extension 4220. You can also contact the Michigan State Police if the MSP investigated the crash, as their reports go through the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System.

Fingerprinting Services at Clare County Sheriff

The Clare County Sheriff's Office offers fingerprinting services for residents who need them for background checks, licensing, or other purposes. Fingerprinting is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. You need to call ahead to confirm availability and to find out the current fee for your specific type of fingerprinting request. The office prefers exact cash, check, or money order for payment. No childcare is available during the appointment.

For work-related background checks and licensing that require LiveScan fingerprinting, call the sheriff's office at (989) 539-7166 and ask for the records division. They can confirm the current fee and schedule your appointment. These services are not handled through FOIA and have their own separate process and fee schedule.

Fees for Clare County Police Records

Under MCL § 15.234, paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is billed at the rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee, in 15-minute increments. Searches under 15 minutes are free of any labor charge. For requests estimated to cost more than $50, the office may require a 50% deposit before starting work.

Indigent requesters can apply for a fee waiver covering the first $20 of any FOIA request. Submit an affidavit showing you receive public assistance or cannot afford the fees. This waiver is available up to twice per calendar year. Contact the records division at extension 4220 or email vanwagnerl@clareco.net for questions about fees and waivers before submitting a large request.

Statewide Police Record Tools for Clare County

The Michigan State Police ICHAT system gives you access to criminal history records for all 83 counties, including Clare. The fee is $10 per search and covers felonies and serious misdemeanors at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. ICHAT does not cover juvenile records, traffic offenses, or out-of-state records. It is a good tool when you need a general history check rather than a specific incident report.

The Michigan Courts Case Search lets you look up court records by name or case number at no cost. It covers Clare County's district and circuit court cases. Court records show charges filed, hearing dates, and case outcomes. Use it alongside police records to get the full picture of how a case was handled. The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is free and searchable by name or location.

Nearby Counties

Clare County is in the central Lower Peninsula. Several neighboring counties have their own sheriff's offices and records processes.