Van Buren County Police Records Lookup
Van Buren County police records are public documents held by the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office in Paw Paw and local police departments across this southwest Michigan county. These records cover incident reports, arrest records, accident reports, jail data, and more. You can request Van Buren County police records online through the county's FOIA form, by email, or by mail to the sheriff's office. This page lays out the full process and directs you to the right offices and tools.
Van Buren County Records at a Glance
Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Records
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office is located at 205 South Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079. The main phone number is (269) 657-3101. The Warrant Division can also be reached at (269) 657-3101. The county website is at vanburencountymi.gov. The county's main address for administration purposes is 212 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079, reachable at (269) 657-8200.
To request records, you can use the online FOIA form at vanburencountymi.gov/forms/freedom-of-information-act-foia-request. When filling out the form, specify whether you need Sheriff's Office Records or County Administration Records, since these are processed by different offices. You can also email your request to SheriffSupportStaff@vbco.org, which handles records requests for the sheriff's office at extension 5514. The services page at vanburencountymi.gov/departments/sheriff/services gives an overview of what the sheriff's office handles.
The MSP FOIA page at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles state-level records requests. Use it for any records tied to Michigan State Police posts or troopers that served the Van Buren County area.
Van Buren Township has its own police department that operates separately from the county sheriff. The Van Buren Township Police are located at 46425 Tyler Rd., Van Buren Twp., MI 48111. Their main number is (734) 699-8900 and their general email is info@vbtmi.gov. For police records specific to Van Buren Township incidents, contact the township police records division at tharman@vbtmi.gov. Records from Van Buren Township incidents will not be at the county sheriff's office.
Note: When emailing SheriffSupportStaff@vbco.org, include as much detail as possible about the record you need, including the date, location, names involved, and any case or report number you have.
Van Buren County Courts and Records
Court records for Van Buren County are separate from sheriff police records. The 7th District Court is located at 212 East Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079. You can reach the court at (269) 657-8218. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and civil cases under $25,000. Felony cases go to the Van Buren County Circuit Court, also located in Paw Paw.
Court records for both courts are searchable online at no cost through the Michigan Courts Case Search. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. These records are useful when you want to see what happened after an arrest or incident, including charges filed, hearings, and case outcomes. Certified copies of court documents require a visit to the county clerk or a written request with payment for the certified copy fee.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act at MCL § 15.231 applies to all of these county agencies. You do not need to be a Van Buren County resident to request records. Under MCL § 15.235, agencies must respond within 5 business days. Extensions of up to 10 additional business days are allowed with written notice. Denials must cite a specific exemption under MCL § 15.243.
Van Buren County Police Records Available
Records available from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office include incident reports, accident reports for crashes handled by the sheriff, crime reports, arrest records, booking records, jail records for people held at the county jail, and 911 dispatch records. These cover events in the county's unincorporated townships and rural areas. For events inside incorporated cities or townships with their own police, contact those departments directly.
Criminal history records for all 83 Michigan counties are available through ICHAT for $10 per search. Court records are free online through the Michigan Courts Case Search. Juvenile records are sealed under Michigan law and cannot be obtained through a standard FOIA request. Active investigation records may be withheld under MCL § 15.243 until the case is closed.
Van Buren County Police Record Fees
Van Buren County follows the state fee structure under MCL § 15.234. Paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Labor is billed at the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee, charged in 15-minute increments. No labor charge applies for searches under 15 minutes. Fringe benefits can be added at up to 50% of the labor rate. Mailing is actual postage. Non-paper media is actual cost.
If the estimated fee exceeds $50, the county can require a 50% deposit before starting. Low-income individuals can claim a $20 fee waiver by submitting an affidavit of indigence. This is available up to twice per calendar year. Always ask for a fee estimate before submitting a large request.
State Resources for Van Buren County Records
ICHAT, run by the Michigan State Police, covers criminal history records from all 83 Michigan counties, including Van Buren. The search fee is $10. Access it at michigan.gov/msp/services/ichat. It covers felonies and serious misdemeanors but not traffic cases or juvenile records. The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is free at mipsor.state.mi.us. The OTIS system at mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspx covers people in state custody. For crash reports handled by the MSP, use the Michigan Traffic Crash Purchasing System. For FOIA guidance, the Michigan Attorney General is at michigan.gov/ag/foia.
Nearby Counties
Van Buren County borders several southwest Michigan counties, each with its own sheriff and records process.