Dearborn Background Check Records
Dearborn background check records are available through the Dearborn Police Department, Wayne County courts, and the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Dearborn is in Wayne County just west of Detroit, and its court proceedings for felony cases go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice.
Dearborn Overview
Dearborn Police Department Records
The Dearborn Police Department handles incident reports, background checks, fingerprinting, and FOIA records requests for the city. To request a police report or submit a FOIA request, contact the department through the City of Dearborn website. The department follows Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, for all public records requests.
A FOIA request must be in writing and describe the specific records you are seeking. The city must respond within 5 business days, with the option to extend by 10 days with written notice. Fees are allowed under MCL 15.234 for copies. If the city denies your request, you have 180 days to appeal.
Fingerprinting services are available at the department for residents who need prints for licensing or other approved purposes. For criminal history searches, the department directs you to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, which covers all 83 Michigan counties.
Wayne County Court Records for Dearborn
Dearborn is in Wayne County, so felony cases and higher-level court proceedings go through Wayne County's court system. The 3rd Circuit Court, Wayne County's trial court of general jurisdiction, handles serious criminal cases at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226. You can call (313) 224-6262 for criminal case records from 1983 onward.
For older court records from 1942 to 1983, contact the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Records before 1942 may have additional archival steps. For the 19th District Court in Dearborn, which handles misdemeanors and traffic cases, search cases through the Michigan Courts online system.
Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(J), the public can inspect court records in person during business hours at no charge. Standard copy fees apply per MCL 15.234. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.
Dearborn Criminal History Through ICHAT
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the main tool for background checks in Dearborn. Go to apps.michigan.gov/ichat and enter the subject's full legal name and date of birth. The $10 search returns immediate results showing felony and serious misdemeanor records from all 83 Michigan counties. Credit card payment is required online.
ICHAT does not show local misdemeanors punishable by 93 days or less, traffic violations, juvenile records, suppressed records, federal cases, or out-of-state criminal history. For a more complete search, combine ICHAT with a Wayne County court records search and, if needed, a fingerprint-based check.
The Michigan State Police records access page.
Access ICHAT and fingerprint check information at michigan.gov/msp/services/chr.
FOIA Requests in Dearborn
To request public records from the City of Dearborn or the Dearborn Police Department, submit a written FOIA request through the city's official process. Under 1976 PA 442, the city must respond within 5 business days. Michigan State Police records can be requested through the MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia or by email to MSPRecords@Michigan.gov.
Wayne County has its own FOIA process for county-level records. The Wayne County Clerk's office handles vital records, court filings, and other county records. Written requests should describe the records you want, include relevant dates and names, and provide a copy of your photo ID if required.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides on FOIA rights and how to handle a denial or appeal.
Michigan OTIS and Sex Offender Registry
The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system at michigan.gov/corrections lets you check whether someone is currently under correctional supervision in Michigan. OTIS covers prisoners, parolees, and probationers, plus those discharged within the past 3 years. Search by name to see supervision status and other available details.
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us allows searches by name, county, or proximity to a Dearborn address. The registry shows whether each offender is in compliance and includes conviction details. This is maintained separately from OTIS.
Michigan offender tracking system for corrections supervision records.
OTIS at michigan.gov/corrections is Michigan's official correctional supervision database.
Michigan Clean Slate and Record Clearing
Dearborn residents with older convictions may qualify for record sealing under Michigan's Clean Slate law. The 2021 and 2023 bills provide for automatic sealing of eligible misdemeanor convictions after 7 years and felony convictions after 10 years. First-time OWI violations also became eligible for set-aside. Once sealed, records no longer appear in ICHAT public searches.
To check eligibility or start the expungement petition process, Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides and tools. Dearborn expungement petitions go through the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court.
Note: Record sealing affects public background check results, but law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records.
Wayne County and Nearby Cities
Dearborn is in Wayne County. For Wayne County circuit court records, the county clerk, and other county resources, see the Wayne County page. Other nearby cities with background check pages include: