Cass County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Cass County?
Public records in Cass County are official documents, files, and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of their official duties. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231 et seq., public records are defined as any writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records subject to limited statutory exemptions.
Cass County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple offices and departments:
- Court Records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Cass County Clerk and the Cass County Probate Court.
- Property Records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfers are recorded with the Cass County Register of Deeds.
- Vital Records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the County Clerk's office.
- Business Records — Assumed name (DBA) filings, business licenses, and permits are available through the County Clerk and local municipal offices.
- Tax Records — Property tax assessments and payment histories are maintained by the Cass County Treasurer and individual township assessors.
- Voting and Election Records — Voter registration data and election results are managed by the County Clerk's Elections Division.
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas — Records of the Cass County Board of Commissioners, planning commissions, and other public bodies are posted and archived by the County Clerk.
- Budget and Financial Documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Cass County Administrator's office.
- Law Enforcement Records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
- Land Use and Zoning Records — Zoning maps, permits, and variance decisions are held by the Cass County Planning and Zoning Department.
Is Cass County an Open Records County?
Cass County fully complies with Michigan's statewide open records framework, making it an open records county. Under Michigan FOIA, MCL § 15.233, any person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records held by a public body. The law establishes that government transparency is the default, and any denial of access must be grounded in a specific statutory exemption.
Key provisions of Michigan FOIA applicable to Cass County include:
- Public bodies must respond to a written FOIA request within 5 business days of receipt, with a possible 10-business-day extension under MCL § 15.235.
- Requests may be submitted in writing, including by electronic mail, to the designated FOIA Coordinator for each county department.
- Denials must be issued in writing and must cite the specific statutory basis for withholding the record.
Cass County has adopted a local FOIA policy consistent with state law. Each principal department designates a FOIA Coordinator responsible for processing requests. The county's compliance with Michigan's Open Meetings Act, MCL § 15.261 et seq., further ensures that deliberations of public bodies are conducted transparently and that meeting minutes are made available to the public.
How to Find Public Records in Cass County in 2026
Members of the public may access Cass County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process currently in effect:
- Identify the Custodial Office — Determine which county department holds the record sought (e.g., the Register of Deeds for property documents, the County Clerk for vital records and court filings).
- Submit a Written FOIA Request — Prepare a written request identifying the record with sufficient detail. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the relevant department's FOIA Coordinator.
- Use Online Portals Where Available — The Cass County government website provides access to certain records and department contact pages. Property and tax records may be searchable through the county's online GIS and assessing tools.
- Visit the Office in Person — Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours at the relevant department office.
- Await the Response — Under current law, the public body must respond within 5 business days, either granting access, extending the deadline, or issuing a written denial with the statutory basis cited.
- Appeal a Denial — If a request is denied, the requester may appeal to the head of the public body or pursue judicial review in the Cass County Circuit Court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cass County?
Current fees for public records in Cass County are governed by Michigan FOIA and vary by record type and the office processing the request. Under MCL § 15.234, a public body may charge a fee that does not exceed the actual cost of processing the request, including labor, duplication, and mailing costs.
Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Paper Copies — Typically $0.10 to $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies, depending on the department.
- Certified Copies — Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry a statutory fee set by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the County Clerk currently charges $10.00 for the first certified copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.
- Labor Costs — When a request requires more than a nominal amount of staff time to locate, separate, or redact records, the public body may charge for the labor at the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task.
- Mailing and Delivery — Actual postage and packaging costs may be added to the fee.
- Deposit — A public body may require a good-faith deposit of up to 50% of the estimated fee before processing a request estimated to exceed $50.00.
Fee waivers or reductions are available under MCL § 15.234(4) when the requester demonstrates that the public interest in disclosure is greater than any commercial benefit to the requester. Accepted payment methods generally include cash, check, and money order payable to the relevant Cass County department.
Does Cass County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Cass County, consistent with Michigan law. Members of the public are not required to pay a fee solely to inspect a public record on-site during regular business hours; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following free resources are currently available:
- In-Person Inspection — Any person may inspect public records at the relevant county office at no charge during posted business hours.
- Online Property and Tax Records — The Cass County Equalization and GIS portal provides free online access to property assessment data, parcel maps, and related tax information.
- Court Records Online — Basic case information for Cass County Circuit, District, and Probate Courts may be searched at no cost through the Michigan Courts Case Search system maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court.
- Election and Voter Records — Voter registration status and election results are available at no cost through the Michigan Voter Information Center operated by the Michigan Secretary of State.
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas — Current and archived meeting minutes of the Cass County Board of Commissioners are posted at no charge on the county's official website.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cass County?
Under Michigan FOIA, any person — defined broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, and other legal entities — may submit a public records request in Cass County. Requesters are not required to be Michigan residents or Cass County residents to exercise this right.
Key eligibility provisions under current law include:
- No Residency Requirement — Non-residents of Michigan retain the same right to request public records as residents.
- No Statement of Purpose Required — Requesters are generally not required to state the reason for their request, and a public body may not condition access on the requester's purpose.
- Identification — While identification is not legally required to submit a FOIA request, certain offices may require identification for in-person inspection of sensitive records or for the issuance of certified copies of vital records.
- Requesting Your Own Records — Individuals seeking their own records (e.g., personal court files, vital records) follow the same FOIA process but may also access certain records through specific departmental procedures, such as presenting a valid photo ID at the County Clerk's office.
- Restricted Record Types — Certain categories of records, such as law enforcement investigative files or juvenile court records, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity, as detailed in the exemptions section of Michigan FOIA.
Inmates currently incarcerated in a Michigan correctional facility are subject to specific limitations on FOIA requests under MCL § 15.232.
What Records Are Confidential in Cass County?
Not all government records in Cass County are subject to public disclosure. Michigan FOIA, at MCL § 15.243, enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Public bodies must apply a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release.
Records currently exempt from disclosure in Cass County include:
- Sealed Court Records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile Records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Michigan law.
- Ongoing Law Enforcement Investigations — Records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings.
- Personal Identifying Information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure.
- Medical and Health Records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Michigan health privacy statutes are exempt.
- Adoption Records — Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Michigan law.
- Child Welfare and Protective Services Records — Records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services relating to child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel Records — Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials' compensation and disciplinary records.
- Trade Secrets and Proprietary Business Information — Commercial or financial information submitted to a public body that constitutes a trade secret is exempt from disclosure.
- Security Plans and Infrastructure Details — Records describing the security systems, emergency response plans, or critical infrastructure of public facilities are withheld to protect public safety.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to separate and redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Cass County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Cass County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian of vital records, court filings, election records, and recorded documents. The Register of Deeds function is administered within the County Clerk's office in Cass County.
Cass County Clerk / Register of Deeds 120 N. Broadway Street, Suite 1, Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: (269) 445-4464 Cass County Clerk
Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), excluding state and federal holidays.
Cass County Sheriff's Office 321 M-62 North, Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: (269) 445-2481 Cass County Sheriff's Office
Cass County Treasurer's Office 120 N. Broadway Street, Suite 102, Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: (269) 445-4464 Cass County Treasurer
Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), excluding state and federal holidays.
Cass County Probate Court 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: (269) 445-4452 Cass County Probate Court
Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), excluding state and federal holidays.
Cass County Planning and Zoning Department 120 N. Broadway Street, Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: (269) 445-4464 Cass County Planning and Zoning
Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), excluding state and federal holidays.