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Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Branch County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Michigan state publishers on the review date. 4 primary .gov / official sources cited below.

Branch County — Key Numbers (2026)

Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Branch County, Michigan — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
46,187
Population
Census estimate
16,769
Households
Census estimate
$60,600
Median income
Annual household
$140,200
Median home value
Census ACS
Coldwater
County seat
In Michigan
Branch County Records Availability Map
Criminal records
2 sources
Court records
4 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
5 sources
Vital records
1 source
Voter records
see state portal
Professional licenses
2 sources
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources   One source   Use state portal

Branch County Records at a Glance

Record typeBranch County verified sources
Court recordsCourts – Branch County, Michigan
Definitions - Branch County, Michigan
Criminal recordsVINE is not working right now - VINELink
Contact Us - Michigan Sex Offender Registry
Wants & warrantsNo verified source — see Branch County state portal below
Property recordsRecording Requirements – Branch County, Michigan
Home | Branch County | BS&A Online
Vital recordsDeath Certificate Request Form – Branch County, Michigan
Voter recordsNo verified source — see Branch County state portal below
Professional licensesDoing Business As (DBA) – Branch County, Michigan
Online Payment Tax Search | Branch County | BS&A Online
Recorded documentsNo verified source — see Branch County state portal below
Branch County — Verified Record Sources by Type (2026)
Court records4Criminal records2Wants & warrants0Property records5Vital records1Voter records0Licenses2Recorded docs0
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Branch County. Data verified June 04, 2026.

What Changed in 2026 — Branch County Records

2026
Branch County official government portal active
The official Branch County government website at branchcounty.gov continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Branch County court records portal verified
State court system links for Branch County verified against the Michigan judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Branch County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Branch County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Branch County property records online
Branch County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.

The 4-Step Branch County Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Start at the Branch County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Branch County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Michigan statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Michigan state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.

Five Things People Get Wrong About Branch County Records

❌ Myth: "Branch County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Branch County are held by the Michigan state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Branch County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have Branch County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Michigan state repository has verified, current Branch County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Branch County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Branch County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).

Primary Sources (All Verified)

Related — Branch County & Michigan Records

For records not specific to Branch County, use Michigan's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Michigan statewide record systems:
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Other counties in Michigan: Benzie · Berrien · Calhoun · Cass · Charlevoix

About Branch County, Michigan

Branch County is located in south central Michigan. The county seat is Coldwater (official site: https://branchcounty.gov/).

  • Population: 46,187
  • Households: 16,769
  • Median household income: $60,600
  • Median home value: $140,200
  • Below poverty line: 15.0%
  • Land area: 506.4 sq mi
  • Population density: 91.2 people / sq mi
  • Public libraries indexed: 6
  • NCES schools indexed: 18
PR
Recording Requirements – Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
paper, with a blank margin of 2 1/2″ at the top of the first page and 1/2″ on all other margins . Documents must display on the first line of print of the first page, a single statement identifying the recordable event that the instrument evidences. MCLA 565.201 Sec.
PR
Home | Branch County | BS&A Online
Official Free
Branch County | MI · Search our collection of records for properties, taxes, utilities, and permits. Address · Name · Parcel Number · For Citizens and Professionals · Popular · Resident · Real Estate and Title Companies · Contractors · Municipal Staff ·
PR
Home | City of Coldwater | BS&A Online
Official Free
Rental Property Search · Schedule an Inspection · Municipalities · Select a Municipality · Currently not signed in · Sign In · Register · Why Register? City of Coldwater | Branch County | MI · City of Coldwater | Branch County | MI · powered by · powered by ·
PR
Home | Kinderhook Township | BS&A Online
Official Free
Kinderhook Township | Branch County | MI · Kinderhook Township | Branch County | MI · powered by · powered by · Welcome to BS&A Online, powered by BS&A Software. This page is filled with customizable widgets that allow you to interact with the BS&A data provided by the online and desktop applications.
PR
Register to Vote - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Online at Michigan.gov/VoterRegistration · At a Secretary of State branch office · At your city or township clerk’s office or your county clerk’s office · At any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities · By mailing in a completed voter ...
PR
Preliminary Plat & Condominium Review
Official Free
The Land Division Act 288 of 1967 and the Condominium Act 59 of 1978 requires that developers, owners, or proprietors notify the MDOT and other state and local governments of their intent to develop a subdivision plat or condominium project in the State of Michigan.
CT
Courts – Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
15th Circuit Court The Branch County Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit) has jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases, civil cases where the amount in dispute is greater than $25,000, domestic relations cases including divorce, paternity, and family support, appeals from administrative agencies and the District Court, disputes involving the title to land and matters involving equity.
CT
Definitions - Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
CIVIL LITIGATION The Court exercises jurisdiction over all civil disputes between parties wherein the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000 . SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS Exclusive jurisdiction is exercised over these matters by District Court.
CT
Probate Court – Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
The mission of the Probate Court for the County of Branch is to serve the public by exercising its legal jurisdiction and responsibility as set forth in the State Constitution, the Michigan Probate and Mental Health Codes and Court Rules .
CT
Payable Ticket Search Page - State of Michigan
Official Free
Michigan.gov Home Help Contact Us FAQ Policies · Copyright © 2013 State of Michigan
CT
State Court Administrative Office MICHIGAN TRIAL COURTS December 2023 Delta
Official Free
On the district court detail map, the blue shading indicates a county-funded court.
CR
VINE is not working right now - VINELink
Official Free
ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY USERS OF THIS SITE WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL BE USED ONLY FOR VINE SERVICES, INCLUDING NOTIFICATION PURPOSES. The VINE service representatives may contact you from time to time to ask about your experience with the VINELink site and our VINE services.
CR
Attorney General: Branch County Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Pre-Teen Girls, Furnishing Them with…
Official Free
LANSING – Yesterday, Anthony Cuyler , 47, a Branch County resident extradited from Mexico in April 2024, was convicted by a Branch County jury of three counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine ...
LC
Doing Business As (DBA) – Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
$14.00 for Renewing the Certificate of Assumed Name or Co-partnership . Two (2) certified copies will be provided. $10.00 for Dissolution; Change of address of Business; Change of Ownership. $2.00 for certified copy of a Business Registration currently on file.
LC
Online Payment Tax Search | Branch County | BS&A Online
Official Free
Apply for a Permit · Building Department Search · Employee Self Service · Enter Employee Timesheets · My Timesheet · Personal Employment Info · Personal Financial Info · Year To Date Info · Employee Documents · Employment Opportunities · All Employment Opportunities (Local) Search for Employment Opportunities · Municipalities · Select a Municipality · Currently not signed in · Sign In · Register · Why Register? Branch County | MI ·
LC
Search for Licensee - Accela Citizen Access
Official Free
Once you are logged into your MiPLUS account, you can apply for a license, submit a request, or view existing records, by clicking on the word “Licenses”. Enter information below to search for a Licensee. Disclaimer: Licensing and registration records are made available on this website
VR
Death Certificate Request Form – Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
You can also search the Death Record with the Branch County Clerk. Death Certificate Request Form The flat rate for a copy printed from Microfilm is $10.00. Be advised that the information available varies from year to year. Certification of the microfilm record is $10.00 extra. The NON-REFUNDABLE search fee for any vital record is
VT
Search Cemeteries - Find a Grave
Official Free
Bronson, Branch County, Michigan, USA · 22 requests · 2,718 memorials · 81% photographed · 285 with GPS · Also known as: California Township Cemetery, Halls Corners Cemetery · California, Branch County, Michigan, USA · 14 requests · 1,562 memorials ·
VR
Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Browsers that have javascript disabled will not be able to access some features of this site · Where are my clerk’s offices? Where are my ballot drop boxes? Where is my polling place? Am I registered? What's on the ballot · How do I apply for an absentee ballot?
BZ
Branch County, Michigan – Official Government Website
Official Free
10:00 am - 11:00 am Conference Room at the Branch County Communications Center · 9:00 am - 10:00 am Road Commission Offices – Commissioner’s Board Room Meetings Calendar » · Kinderhook Consumers Energy/ITC Michigan Scheduled Power Outage 4/22/26 · Please refer any offerings of help to our Victim Services Coordinator at 517-617-7609 or email at trailing4u@gmail.com Prosecuting Attorney Open Position Public Notice ·
BZ
Minutes & Agendas - Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
Board of Commissioners · Minutes & Agendas · 2025 · 01/28/2025 · 01/14/2025 · 01/07/2025 Organizational Meeting · 01/28/2025 · 01/14/2025 · 01/23/2025 · 01/09/2025 · 2024 · 12/17/2024 · 12/10/2024 · 11/26/2024 · 10/22/2024 · 10/8/2024 – Special Meeting ·
BZ
Notary services
Official Free
A notarization on a document certifies that the person whose signature is entered on the document personally appeared before the notary, established his or her identity, and personally signed the document in the presence of the notary. To meet the qualifications of a Michigan Notary Public, all the following must be met by the applicant. Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence · Be a resident of the county in which you request appointment (if you do not reside in Michigan, maintain a principal place of business in the county you request appointment)
BZ
Election Results
Official Free
Voter registration statistics · More election information · Frequently asked questions · Language services (michigan.gov) Privacy notice · Preregister or register to vote online Apply for an absentee ballot online Get a printable application Your clerk Notice of cancellation Subscribe to ballot notifications Unsubscribe from ballot notification list · Election Type Options · Choose Results Type... County Results ·
BZ
Department Directory – Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
Department Directory · Branch County 911 / Central Dispatch · Administration · Airport · Animal Shelter · Board of Commissioners · Brownfield Redevelopment Authority · Building and Grounds Maintenance · Building Department · County Clerk · Department of Public Works ·
OT
Directory
Official Free
Who We Are - The Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce is located in Coldwater, MI and the central hub of Branch County. Our unique town allows us as a Chamber of Commerce to easily promote our small businesses and beyond.
OT
USGenWeb Branch County, Michigan
Official Free
Welcome to the USGenWeb for Branch County, Michigan. If you're a Branch County researcher, or just have something that might be of interest, you are invited to share genealogical or historical information you have about this county and its people with others through this site .

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up court cases in Branch County?
Branch County court cases are filed with the County Clerk. Search the Courts – Branch County, Michigan portal: https://branchcounty.gov/courts/. For federal matters, see PACER.
Does an arrest show up on a background check before conviction in Michigan?
Yes — in Michigan, an arrest can appear on a name-based background check from the moment of booking, even before any court ruling. Whether it appears on an employment screening depends on the type of check (name-based vs. fingerprint-based) and how recent the arrest is.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Michigan?
In Michigan, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by Michigan law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
Are Michigan criminal records public?
Mostly yes. Michigan's public-records law makes adult arrests, court filings, and conviction histories accessible to anyone unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Juvenile cases and sealed records are generally excluded by statute.