SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Clare County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Michigan state publishers on the review date. 3 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Clare County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Clare County, Michigan — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
31,405
Population
Census estimate
11,935
Households
Census estimate
$47,816
Median income
Annual household
$112,400
Median home value
Census ACS
Harrison
County seat
In Michigan
Criminal records
2 sources
Court records
5 sources
Wants & warrants
see state portal
Property records
12 sources
Vital records
see state portal
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
Clare County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Clare County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | 55th Circuit Court Departments – Clare County Michigan |
| Criminal records | Inmates — Vinelink Contact Us - Michigan Sex Offender Registry |
| Wants & warrants | No verified source — see Clare County state portal below |
| Property records | Home | Clare County | BS&A Online Home | City of Harrison | BS&A Online |
| Vital records | No verified source — see Clare County state portal below |
| Voter records | No verified source — see Clare County state portal below |
| Professional licenses | Clare Area Chamber of Commerce Home | Shiawassee County | BS&A Online |
| Recorded documents | No verified source — see Clare County state portal below |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Clare County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Clare County Records
2026
Clare County official government portal active
The official Clare County government website at www.clareco.net continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Clare County court records portal verified
State court system links for Clare County verified against the Michigan judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Clare County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Clare County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Clare County property records online
Clare County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
The 4-Step Clare County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Clare County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Clare 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 Clare County Records
❌ Myth: "Clare County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Clare County are held by the Michigan state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Clare 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 Clare County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Michigan state repository has verified, current Clare County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Clare County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Clare 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)
- www.clareco.net — Official Clare County government website
- e.courts.michigan.gov — Court records — official source
- mvic.sos.state.mi.us — Property records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Clare County & Michigan Records
For records not specific to Clare County, use Michigan's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Michigan statewide record systems:
- Michigan Court Records →
- Michigan Criminal Records →
- Michigan Property Records →
- Michigan Vital Records →
- Michigan Voter Records →
- Michigan Wants & Warrants →
- Michigan Licenses →
- Michigan Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Michigan statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About Clare County, Michigan
Clare County is located in central Michigan. The county seat is Harrison (official site: http://www.clareco.net/).
- Population: 31,405
- Households: 11,935
- Median household income: $47,816
- Median home value: $112,400
- Below poverty line: 22.1%
- Land area: 564.4 sq mi
- Population density: 55.6 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 3
- NCES schools indexed: 14
Home | Clare County | BS&A Online
Official Free
Assessing Search · Current Tax Search · Delinquent Tax Search · Property Sale Search · Employment Opportunities · All Employment Opportunities (Local) Search for Employment Opportunities · Municipalities · Select a Municipality · Currently not signed in · Sign In · Register · Why Register? Clare County | MI ·
Home | City of Harrison | BS&A Online
Official Free
City of Harrison | Clare | MI · Search our collection of records for properties, taxes, and utilities. What are you looking for? Address · Name · Parcel Number · For Citizens and Professionals · All Services · Popular · Resident · Real Estate and Title Companies ·
Home | Winterfield Township | BS&A Online
Official Free
Winterfield Township | Clare County | MI · Winterfield Township | Clare 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.
Register of Deeds
Official Free
<a href="http://www.clareclerkrod.com/register_of_deeds/index.php">Your Link Name</a>
Online Payment Tax Search | City of Clare | BS&A Online
Official Free
Property Sale Search · Special Assessment Search · Utility Billing Search · Online Payments · Building Department Payments · Current Tax Payments · Utility Billing Payments · Municipalities · Select a Municipality · Currently not signed in · Sign In · Register · Why Register? City of Clare | Clare County | MI ·
Online Payment Tax Search | Lincoln Township | BS&A Online
Official Free
Lincoln Township, Clare County · Please correct the errors and try again. Step 1: SearchUse the search critera below to begin searching for your record. Step 2: Select Record · Step 3: Make Payment · Getting Started... Welcome to the Tax Online Payment Service. This service allows you to make a tax bill payment for a specific property within your Municipality.
Home | Hayes Township | BS&A Online
Official Free
Hayes Township | Clare | MI · Search our collection of records for properties, taxes, permits, and assessments. What are you looking for? Address · Name · Parcel Number · For Citizens and Professionals · All Services · Popular · Resident · Real Estate and Title Companies ·
Home | Redding Township | BS&A Online
Official Free
Redding Township | Clare | MI · Search our collection of records for properties and taxes. What are you looking for? Address · Name · Parcel Number · For Citizens and Professionals · All Services · Popular · Resident · Real Estate and Title Companies ·
Home | Garfield Township | BS&A Online
Official Free
Garfield Township | Grand Traverse | MI · Search our collection of records for properties, taxes, and assessments. Address · Name · Parcel Number · For Citizens and Professionals · Popular · Resident · Real Estate and Title Companies · All · Pay delinquent personal property taxes and assessments.
Register to Vote - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
To register or update your voter registration for the upcoming election, you must go to your city or township clerk's office as soon as possible, but no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day . You can vote during the same visit. Here is what you need to bring with you.
LARA - Subdivisions
Official Free
Plats can now be searched for online at https://aca3.accela.com/lara/ . Instructions on using ACA can be reviewed under FAQs. Questions should be directed to the Office of Land Survey and Remonumentation at 517-241-6321. Subdivision Plat Searches - Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
Crime Map
Official Free
Field notes are the narrative record of the cadastral survey . They are written in tabular format and contain the detailed descriptions of entire survey process including the instrumentation and procedures utilized, calling all physical evidence evaluated in the survey process, and listing all ...
55th Circuit Court
Official Free
How do I find Court forms? How do I locate my Ballot Drop Box? How do I apply to be a Notary? View all News · Daylight Saving Time Sunday March 8, 2026 · WINTERFEST 2026 GARFIELD TOWNSHIP Read More · Lori Mott · County Clerk & Register Of Deeds Official Abstractor  (989)539-7131 (989)539-6166 clerk@clareco.net · Stacy Pechacek · Chief Deputy Clerk/Register of Deeds 55thcourt@clareco.net ·
Departments – Clare County Michigan
Official Free
Clare County Michigan Accessibility Statement · We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability
Payable Ticket Search Page - State of Michigan
Official Free
Michigan.gov Home Help Contact Us FAQ Policies · Copyright © 2013 State of Michigan
2011 Court Caseload Report 55th Circuit Court of Clare County Summary
Official Free
Out of County Violators · Civil · 2011 Court Caseload Report · 55th Circuit Court of Clare County Summary · Designated · Delinquency · Traffic · Child · Protective · Personal · Protection · Total · Beginning Pending · 0 · 16 · 0 · 4 · 0 · 20 ·
Available Courts - MiFILE - State of Michigan
Criminal & Court Records
.gov
Statewide Michigan court information.
courts.michigan.gov
Inmates — Vinelink
Official Free
Calhoun County - Probate Court Visit Court Website 161 E. Michigan Avenue Battle Creek, MI 49014 Phone: 269-969-6794 · Cass County - Cassopolis - 4th District Court Visit Court Website 60296 M-62 Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: 269-445-4424 · Clare County - Harrison - 80-1 District Court Visit Court Website 225 W Main St Harrison, MI 48625 Phone: 989-539-7173
Attorney General: Clare County Man Sentenced on Three Counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct
Official Free
This has been corrected to reflect the correct county of residence, Clare County. LANSING – On Friday, Geral Whitney , 69, of Harrison, was sentenced to 20 - 30 years’ incarceration by Judge Paul Stutesman in the 45th Circuit Court in St.
Clare Area Chamber of Commerce
Official Free
The Clare Area Chamber Of Commerce Is Continuing The Search For A New Director. Clare Area Chamber of Commerce president Shari Buccilli is a member of the Chamber’s Executive Board. Buccilli said Dave Coker had stepped back earlier in the year from his position as director and has since resigned.
Home | Shiawassee County | BS&A Online
Official Free
Find animal license records by owner or animal name, address, or license number.
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
Welcome to Clare County Register of Deeds, MI
Official Free
225 W Main St, PO BOX 438 Harrison, MI 48625 · Phone: (989) 539-7131 · Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Public Searching in our Vault closes at 4:00pm) Facebook link · Applying for Marriage License · Certified Clare County Marriage Record ·
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?
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)
Election results - Michigan Voter Information Center
Official Free
Loading · Your voter information · Vote at home · Register · Vote in person · Accessible voting · Your polling place · Language services (michigan.gov) · Preregister or register to vote online · Apply for an absentee ballot online
Clare County
Official Free
Find registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms by typing the name or ticker symbol of a company (CIK lookup info) (confidential treatment orders) (SEC correspondence with issuers) Some specific ways to access filings based on time, type, or other categories. Find keywords and phrases in more than 20 years of EDGAR filings, and filter by date, company, person, filing category, or location.
Administration – Clare County Michigan
Official Free
Clare County Michigan Accessibility Statement · clareco.net · November 5, 2025 ·
Clare County Michigan
Official Free
City of Clare · City of Harrison · Village of Farwell · Arthur Township · Franklin Township · Hamilton Township · Hatton Township · Freeman Township · Frost Township · Garfield Township · Grant Township · Greenwood Township · Hayes Township · Lincoln Township · Redding Township · Sheridan Township · Summerfield Township · Surrey Township · Winterfield Township · State of Michigan Branches of Government · Meeting Videos · Calendar ·
Search Cemeteries - Find a Grave
Official Free
Find the graves of ancestors, create virtual memorials or add photos, virtual flowers and a note to a loved one's memorial. Search or browse cemeteries and grave records for every-day and famous people from around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Clare County?
Clare County court cases are filed with the County Clerk. Search the Payable Ticket Search Page - State of Michigan portal: https://e.courts.michigan.gov/eTix/searchPage3cart.html. For federal matters, see PACER.
Are Michigan marriage records public?
Marriage records in Michigan are generally public — anyone can verify that a marriage occurred and request a non-certified copy. Certified copies (needed for legal purposes like name changes or immigration) may be restricted to the spouses, immediate family, or those with a court order.
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.
How do I run a Michigan background check?
Michigan background checks are handled by the Michigan State Police. Name-based searches are available through the official state portal (per-search fee applies). Fingerprint-based checks — required for licensing, foster care, and many employers — must be submitted through an approved vendor.
