Not a government site. We do not sell records or host personal data. About us

County Records Guide
Menu

Grand Traverse County, Michigan public records

In Grand Traverse County, deeds are recorded by the Register of Deeds; property values come from the Equalization Department; court files are divided among the County Clerk, Circuit & Family Court Records, the 86th District Court and the Probate Court.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Business names (DBA)
  11. Voter records
  12. Historical records
  13. Good to know about Grand Traverse County records
  14. Office addresses, phones and hours
  15. Records that are not online: public records requests
  16. Questions people ask
  17. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  18. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsRegister of Deeds7Search deeds2345Free search, fee for copies$1.00 per page6
Property values and ownersEqualization Department8Property search9Free search, fee for copies—
Property tax billsTreasurer's Office10Tax bill search11—
Court casesCounty Clerk, Circuit & Family Court Records12
86th District Court13
Probate Court14		13th Circuit Court15
86th District Court16		Fees: circuit certified: $10 plus $1 per page17
Marriage recordsCounty Clerk's Office, Vital Records & Elections Division20Search marriage records1819$15 first certified copy; $5 each additional copy of the same record18
Divorce recordsCounty Clerk, Circuit & Family Court Records12—$10 plus $1 per page17
Birth certificatesCounty Clerk Vital Records22—$15 first copy; $5 each additional at the same time; age 65+ for own record $721
Death certificatesCounty Clerk Vital Records22—$15 first copy; $5 each additional23
Probate and willsProbate Court14—$1.00 first page, $0.50 each additional page; a 2-sided document counts as 224
Business names (DBA)County Clerk's Office, Vital Records & Elections Division20Search business names2526$10, valid 5 years27

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Grand Traverse County are recorded by the Register of Deeds.7

Online search
migrandtraverse.fidlar.com/…234Free search, fee for copies
Cost
Free for the index with no images; images through Tapestry cost $8.75 per name searched plus $1.00 per page printed, with a temporary $30 card hold5
Who runs it
Fidlar Technologies (Tapestry)5
Years online
May 1966 to present online2
Copy fee
$1.00 per page6
Certified copy fee
$5.00 additional fee6
Recording fee
$30.00 regardless of number of pages6
How to order
In office, or online through Records Search; recorded mail returns need a self-addressed stamped envelope or $3.006
Earliest records
Computer image index from 1966; documents back to 1853 by Liber and Page7

How deeds work in Michigan

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Equalization Department (county) sets property values8; the Treasurer's Office bills and collects the tax10.

Property search
maps.grandtraverse.org/propertysearch.asp (free GTC Parcel Search); BS&A for Board of Review detail, small fee9
Paid detail
BS&A website: detailed Board of Review information for a small fee (amount not stated)9
Tax bill search
Current taxes go to the township, city or village treasurer (county list of local treasurers); delinquent tax payment by card through BS&A: bsaonline.com/…11
Delinquent
Unpaid taxes pass to the County Treasurer on March 129
Parcel map (GIS)
gtcountymi.gov/467/Mapping-Gallery; Parcel Tax Data Viewer maps.grandtraverse.org (tax data current to March 31, 2026)30
Appealing a value
Local Board of Review, through the local assessor28

How property tax works in Michigan

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
13th Circuit Court (serves Antrim, Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties)Civil over $25,000, felonies, divorces, personal protection orders, appeals from District Court16County Clerk, Circuit & Family Court Records (Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice)gtcountymi.gov/… Database15
86th District Court—86th District Courtmicourt.courts.michigan.gov/… MiCOURT, linked by county16
Probate CourtConservatorship, decedent estates, guardianship, involuntary mental health treatment, trusts, wills, delayed registration of foreign birth14Probate Court—
Fees: circuit certified
$10 plus $1 per page17
Fees: circuit copies
Public terminal free; copies $0.50 per page17
Fees: register of action
$3 recent; $10 for 1994 or earlier17
Fees: circuit filing
New civil case $150.00 + $25.00 = $175.0031
Fees: district copies
$2.00 per page; certified $10.00 per case, $2 per additional page32
How to order
Mail, email or in person; give party names, case number, document title and date17

Criminal records and background checks

Police reports
Sheriff Records Division by FOIA33

How Michigan courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the County Clerk's Office, Vital Records & Elections Division.20

About this search
Index of all applicants, updated nightly1819
Copy fee
$15 first certified copy; $5 each additional copy of the same record18
Marriage license fee
$20 county applicants; $30 out-of-state applicants; 3-day waiver $10034
License fee resident
$2035
How to order
Mail, email/online form or office drop box18

Michigan marriage records, statewide

Divorce records

Kept by: Circuit & Family Court Records, County Clerk12

Copy fee
$10 plus $1 per page17
Copy from the state
MDHHS holds divorce records from 189736

Michigan divorce records: decree or state record

Birth certificates

Kept by the County Clerk Vital Records.22

From
185637
Who
Mother, father, legal guardian or person named; heirs with proof; ID required unless the record is at least 100 years old37
Fee
$15 first copy; $5 each additional at the same time; age 65+ for own record $721
Fee senior
$7 for own record, $5 each additional21
How to order
In person, online portal or mail with form and photo ID copy38
Online portal
officialrecordsonline.com/… (vendor portal linked by county)3839

Ordering a Michigan birth certificate

Death certificates

Kept by the County Clerk Vital Records.22

From
186723
Who
Open to the public; no ID23
Fee
$15 first copy; $5 each additional23
Genealogy viewing
Records 75+ years old, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-Noon and 2-4:30 p.m.23

Ordering a Michigan death certificate

Probate records and wills

Kept by the Probate Court.14

Copy fee
$1.00 first page, $0.50 each additional page; a 2-sided document counts as 224
Certified copy fee
$10 certification plus $1 per page24
Payment
Check or money order payable to Grand Traverse County Probate Court; no cards24

Finding a will or probate case in Michigan

Business names (DBA)

Kept by the County Clerk's Office, Vital Records & Elections Division.20

Fee
$10, valid 5 years27

Voter records

Kept by the County Clerk, Elections.22

Check your registration
mvic.sos.state.mi.us (Michigan Voter Information Center)42
Registration
Local city or township clerk, or the county clerk42

Historical records

Military discharge
DD214 confidential: veteran, person with written permission, or surviving heirs only43

Good to know about Grand Traverse County records

  • Deed documents reach back to 1853; court records in office to April 26, 1859; births from 1856; deaths from 1867.7
  • The Register of Deeds offers a free index and a separate paid image service, both on Fidlar.2
  • The Register does not supply blank deeds or advise on preparing them.7
  • The Sheriff Records Division also handles Traverse City Police Department records.33
  • The County Equalization Department cannot change individual assessments.28

Office addresses, phones and hours

Register of Deeds

Address
400 Boardman Ave, Ste. 100, Traverse City, MI 496847
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.7

Equalization Department (county)

Address
400 Boardman Ave., Ste. 103, Traverse City, MI 496848
Phone
231-922-4772; fax 231-922-44478
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.8

Treasurer's Office

Address
400 Boardman Avenue, Ste. 104, Traverse City, MI 4968410
Phone
231-922-4735; fax 231-922-465810
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except holidays10

County Clerk's Office, Vital Records & Elections Division

Address
400 Boardman Ave., Ste. 101, Traverse City, MI 4968422
Mail
Grand Traverse County Clerk, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 4968438
Phone
231-922-4760; fax 231-922-479422
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm, except holidays; CPL and marriage applicants no later than 4:00 pm20

County Clerk, Circuit & Family Court Records (Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice)

Address
280 Washington St., Ste. 206, Traverse City, MI 4968420
Phone
231-922-4710; fax 231-922-464717

86th District Court

Address
280 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 4968413
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.44

Probate Court

Address
280 Washington Street, Suite 223, Traverse City, MI 4968414
Mail
280 Washington Street, Suite 223, Traverse City, MI 4968414
Phone
231-922-6862; fax 231-922-445814
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; no lunch closure14

Circuit Court Family Division (records kept by the County Clerk)

Phone
Family Court 231-922-464020

Sheriff's Office Records Division

Address
851 Woodmere Avenue, Traverse City, MI 4968633
Phone
231-995-5000; fax 231-922-911433
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm33

County Clerk Vital Records

Address
400 Boardman Ave., Ste. 101, Traverse City, MI 4968422
Hours
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.22

County Clerk, Elections

Address
400 Boardman Ave., Ste. 101, Traverse City, MI 4968422

Equalization/GIS Department

Address
400 Boardman Avenue, Ste. 10346
Phone
231-922-4775; fax 231-922-444746

Records that are not online: public records requests

Where to send it
[email protected] for most departments; [email protected] for Sheriff; [email protected] for Health Department45

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Grand Traverse County?

The Register of Deeds keeps deed records. To order copies: In office, or online through Records Search; recorded mail returns need a self-addressed stamped envelope or $3.00. Plain copies: $1.00 per page. Certified copies: $5.00 additional fee.76

Can I search Grand Traverse County land records online for free?

Yes, searching is free; copies cost extra. Free for the index with no images; images through Tapestry cost $8.75 per name searched plus $1.00 per page printed, with a temporary $30 card hold. The official search: migrandtraverse.fidlar.com/…5

How much is a birth certificate in Grand Traverse County?

$15 first copy; $5 each additional at the same time; age 65+ for own record $7.21

Where do I get a divorce decree in Grand Traverse County?

Divorce decrees are court records; ask the Circuit & Family Court Records, County Clerk.12

How much does a marriage license cost in Grand Traverse County?

$20 county applicants; $30 out-of-state applicants; 3-day waiver $100.34

How do I look up who owns a property in Grand Traverse County?

Use the property search of the Equalization Department (county): maps.grandtraverse.org/propertysearch.asp9

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Grand Traverse County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in Michigan with a full guide: Allegan County, Bay County, Calhoun County, Clinton County, Eaton County, Genesee County, Ingham County, Jackson County, Kalamazoo County, Kent County, Lapeer County, Lenawee County, Livingston County, Macomb County, Midland County, Monroe County, Muskegon County, Oakland County, Ottawa County, Saginaw County, St. Clair County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County. Every county in the state: Michigan county list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026
  2. Search for DocumentsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  3. Search for Documents ONLINE | Grand Traverse County, MIGrand Traverse County, MIchecked November 8, 2026
  4. View & Print Documents - (Payment Required) | Grand Traverse County, MIGrand Traverse County, MIchecked November 8, 2026
  5. View & Print Documents (Payment Required)Grand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  6. Recording Fees (effective October 1, 2016)Grand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  7. Register of Deeds OfficeGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  8. Equalization DepartmentGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  9. Parcel InformationGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  10. Treasurer's OfficeGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  11. Local Unit Treasurer InformationGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  12. Circuit & Family Court RecordsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  13. 86th District CourtGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  14. Probate CourtGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  15. Criminal Records DatabaseGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  16. CourtsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  17. Records RequestGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  18. Certified Copies (marriage)Grand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  19. Certified Copies | Grand Traverse County, MIGrand Traverse County, MIchecked November 8, 2026
  20. County Clerk's OfficeGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  21. Birth Record FeesGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  22. Vital Records & Elections OfficeGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  23. Death RecordsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  24. Probate Fee ScheduleGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  25. Online Database SearchGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  26. Online Database Search | Grand Traverse County, MIGrand Traverse County, MIchecked November 8, 2026
  27. Assumed Name Fees & PaymentsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  28. Reviewing Local AssessmentsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  29. Delinquent TaxesGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  30. Mapping GalleryGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  31. Filing FeesGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  32. File Review/Copy Request formGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  33. Sheriff Records DivisionGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  34. Out of State ApplicantsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  35. County Resident ApplicantsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  36. Order Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce RecordsMDHHSchecked November 7, 2026
  37. Birth Certificate RequestsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  38. Request ProcessGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  39. Request Process | Grand Traverse County, MIGrand Traverse County, MIchecked November 8, 2026
  40. Death Records DatabaseGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  41. Death Records Database | Grand Traverse County, MIGrand Traverse County, MIchecked November 8, 2026
  42. ElectionsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  43. Military Discharge RecordsGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  44. Court Hours & HolidaysGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  45. Freedom of Information RequestGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  46. GISGrand Traverse County, Michiganchecked November 7, 2026
  47. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026