Ann Arbor Background Check Lookup
Ann Arbor background check records can be searched through the Ann Arbor Police Department, the 15th District Court, Washtenaw County courts, and the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is one of Michigan's most populous cities and the county seat of Washtenaw County.
Ann Arbor Overview
Ann Arbor Police Department Records
The Ann Arbor Police Department handles incident reports, police records, and FOIA requests for city law enforcement records. If you need a copy of a police report from Ann Arbor, contact the department through the city website at a2gov.org. The department processes records requests under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442.
Fingerprinting services are available at the department for residents who need prints for licensing, adoption, or other approved purposes. The Ann Arbor Police Department also directs criminal history inquiries to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, which is the statewide tool for background checks. Local incident records are separate from the statewide criminal history database.
Michigan FOIA law requires a response within 5 business days. The city can extend that by 10 days with written notice. Fees for copies follow MCL 15.234, which allows agencies to charge reasonable costs per page. If your request is denied, you have 180 days to appeal.
15th District Court Records in Ann Arbor
The 15th District Court serves Ann Arbor for misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters. The court's home page is at a2gov.org/15th-judicial-district-court-home/. You can search cases online through the court's case search portal at a2gov.org/15th-judicial-district-court-home/online-services/case-search/. This lets you look up cases by name or case number from the Ann Arbor district court.
You can also search Ann Arbor court cases through the statewide Michigan Courts online system. This covers the 15th District Court and the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. You can search by party name or case number and see docket entries, hearing dates, and case status.
Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(J), the public has the right to inspect court records in person during business hours at no charge. Copies carry a per-page fee set by the court under MCL 15.234. Certified copies cost more than standard copies.
Washtenaw County Circuit Court for Ann Arbor
Felony criminal cases involving Ann Arbor residents go through the Washtenaw County Circuit Court. This is the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family court matters including divorce and custody for Washtenaw County residents.
The Washtenaw County Circuit Court is also in Ann Arbor since Ann Arbor is the county seat. Court records can be searched through the Michigan Courts online system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. In-person record searches are available at the courthouse during business hours.
The Washtenaw County Clerk's office maintains circuit court filings, vital records, and election records. For records by mail, contact the clerk with a written request describing what you need, including date ranges and names involved.
Ann Arbor Criminal History Through ICHAT
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the main tool for criminal history searches in Ann Arbor. A $10 search returns immediate results covering felony and serious misdemeanor records from all 83 Michigan counties. You enter the subject's full legal name and date of birth. Each alias or maiden name is a separate search and a separate $10 charge.
ICHAT does not include: records that have been sealed or suppressed, local misdemeanors punishable by 93 days or less, traffic violations, juvenile records, federal criminal history, and records from other states. For a more complete picture, you may want to combine ICHAT with a court records search and a fingerprint-based check if the situation calls for it.
The Michigan State Police records page for ICHAT and fingerprint-based checks.
Access ICHAT and learn about fingerprint check options at michigan.gov/msp/services/chr.
FOIA Requests in Ann Arbor
To request public records from the City of Ann Arbor, submit a written FOIA request to the relevant department. The FOIA coordinator handles requests through the city's official process. For police records, contact the Ann Arbor Police Department. For court records, contact the 15th District Court or the Washtenaw County Circuit Court clerk depending on the type of case.
For Michigan State Police records, submit requests online at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia or email MSPRecords@Michigan.gov. There is a $2.00 processing fee for online payments. Mail requests go to Michigan State Police, Cashiers Unit, P.O. Box 30266, Lansing, MI 48909.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides on how to submit FOIA requests and what to do if your request is denied or delayed.
Michigan OTIS and Sex Offender Registry
The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system at michigan.gov/corrections tracks people currently under correctional supervision in Michigan. Ann Arbor residents can use OTIS to check whether someone is currently in prison, on parole, or on probation in Michigan. OTIS also shows people discharged from supervision within the past 3 years.
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us is separate from OTIS. You can search for registered sex offenders in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County by name or by proximity to an address. The registry shows compliance status and conviction details for each registered offender.
Michigan offender tracking system for current supervision status.
OTIS at michigan.gov/corrections is the official Michigan corrections supervision database.
Michigan Clean Slate in Ann Arbor
Michigan's Clean Slate law, enacted in 2021 and expanded in 2023, allows for automatic sealing of qualifying convictions. Misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after 7 years. Felony convictions can be sealed after 10 years. First-time OWI violations became eligible for set-aside. Once sealed, a conviction no longer appears on ICHAT public searches.
Ann Arbor residents who want to petition for expungement can get guidance from Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org. The site has free tools to check eligibility and forms to start the process. The Washtenaw County Circuit Court is the right court to petition for Ann Arbor expungement cases.
Washtenaw County and Nearby Cities
Ann Arbor is in Washtenaw County. For county circuit court records, the Washtenaw County Clerk, and other county resources, see the Washtenaw County page. Nearby cities with background check pages include: