Mason County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Mason County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through MasonRecords.org as well as through official Mason County government offices and state-level repositories. Public records in this jurisdiction may include court filings, property documents, vital records, and administrative records maintained by county departments. The availability and completeness of specific records depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law.

Records that members of the public may search include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Property tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Online Access: Members of the public may search court case information through the Michigan court case search portal, which provides access to Mason Circuit Court, Mason Juvenile Division, and Mason Probate Court records. The Mason County official website provides access to county department directories, meeting minutes, and administrative documents. Property deed records may be located through the Michigan Register of Deeds directory. Some records require no registration; others may require submission of a written Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Mason County Clerk's Office at 304 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought, provide relevant identifying information (such as names, dates, or parcel numbers), and submit a written FOIA request if the record is not available at the public counter.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be addressed to the Mason County Clerk, 304 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431. Under MCL § 15.235, a public body must respond to a FOIA request within five business days of receipt, with a possible extension of up to ten additional business days.

Phone/Email: The Mason County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (231) 843-8202. Departmental contact information is available through the Mason County government directory.

What Are Public Records in Mason County?

Public records in Mason County are defined under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. The following record types are maintained by county offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Mason County Circuit/Probate Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Mason County Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Mason County Clerk
Business licenses and permits	Mason County Clerk / Local municipalities
Property tax and assessment records	Mason County Treasurer / Equalization
Voting and election records	Mason County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	Mason County Clerk
Budget and financial documents	Mason County Administrator
Law enforcement records	Mason County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Mason County Planning & Zoning

Court records, including civil and probate filings, may be searched through the Michigan Courts case search system. Standard court forms are available through the Michigan Courts SCAO forms repository.

Is Mason County an Open Records County?

Mason County operates in full compliance with Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 through 15.275, which establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by state and local government bodies. The Mason County website references this statute directly in its public notices, affirming the county's commitment to transparency.

As stated in the Michigan FOIA statute, "it is the public policy of this state that all persons, except those persons incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and public employees." Each county department serving as a public body is individually responsible for responding to FOIA requests directed to that office. The county does not maintain a single centralized FOIA coordinator for all departments; requestors must direct inquiries to the specific office that holds the record sought.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Mason County?

The current fee structure for public records in Mason County is governed by Michigan FOIA, which permits public bodies to charge fees that are limited to the actual cost of fulfilling a request. Standard fees applicable to most requests include:

Copies (paper): $0.10 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" black-and-white copies (per MCL § 15.234)
Copies (other sizes or color): Actual cost of duplication
Electronic format: Actual cost of the digital media used (e.g., USB drive, CD)
Labor/search fees: Hourly rate not to exceed the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of fulfilling the request, plus fringe benefits
Certification fees: Vary by office and document type
Mailing/delivery fees: Actual cost of postage or delivery

Inspection of public records at the office of the custodian is available without charge. Fee waivers or reductions may be granted if disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and primarily benefits the general public rather than the requestor. Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order payable to the relevant county department.

Does Mason County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at the offices of the relevant custodial departments during regular business hours. Members of the public are not required to pay a fee to view records in person at the public counter. The following resources provide free online access to certain record categories:

The MiCOURT case search tool provides free online access to court case information for Mason Circuit Court, Mason Juvenile Division, and Mason Probate Court. As noted on the portal, "the information available here is presented on-line for informational use only and does not replace the official record on file with the court."
The Mason County official website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, budget documents, and departmental contact information.
The Michigan Courts case search offers free access to opinions, orders, and case information at no cost to the user.

Free inspection differs from free copies. While viewing records at a public office carries no charge, obtaining paper or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mason County?

Under Michigan FOIA, any person—defined broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and other legal entities—may submit a public records request. Requestors are not required to be Michigan residents, and the statute does not permit a public body to require a requestor to state the purpose of the request as a condition of fulfilling it. Identification is not required for inspection of records at a public counter, though some offices may request it for administrative purposes.

Restrictions apply to persons currently incarcerated in state or local correctional facilities, who are excluded from FOIA rights under Michigan law. Certain record types—such as law enforcement investigative records, juvenile records, and sealed court documents—carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity. Members of the public requesting their own records (such as personal vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship to the subject of the record.

What Records Are Confidential in Mason County?

Michigan FOIA identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Under MCL § 15.243, the following record types are exempt from public access:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical records protected under HIPAA
Adoption records
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records (with exceptions for public employees' names, positions, and compensation)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Security plans and critical infrastructure details
Attorney-client privileged communications
Records specifically exempted by other state or federal statutes

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to separate the exempt portions and disclose the remainder. A public body denying a request must specify the statutory basis for each exemption claimed.

Mason County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Mason County Register of Deeds
304 E. Ludington Ave., Suite 103
Ludington, MI 49431
(231) 843-8411
Mason County Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Mason County Clerk's Office
304 E. Ludington Ave.
Ludington, MI 49431
(231) 843-8202
Mason County Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Mason County Circuit Court
304 E. Ludington Ave.
Ludington, MI 49431
(231) 843-8202
Mason County Circuit Court