Flint Michigan Background Check Search
Flint background check records are available through the Flint Police Department, the 67th District Court, the Genesee County Circuit Court, and the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Flint is the county seat of Genesee County, and its court system handles both city-level cases and major criminal proceedings for the county.
Flint Overview
Flint Police Department Records
The Flint Police Department handles incident reports, crime reports, and FOIA records requests for the city. To get a copy of a police report or submit a public records request, contact the department through the City of Flint website. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, governs all public records requests from the Flint Police Department.
FOIA requests must be in writing and describe the specific records you need. The department has 5 business days to respond, with a 10-day extension available. Fees for copies follow MCL 15.234. If your request is denied, you have 180 days to appeal to the FOIA coordinator and then to circuit court if needed.
For statewide criminal history searches, the department directs residents to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, which maintains records reported by agencies across all 83 Michigan counties. The MSP Central Records Division at 517-241-0606 can answer questions about state criminal history records.
67th District Court Records in Flint
The 67th District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters for Flint and the surrounding Genesee County area. This court is the first stop for most criminal matters in Flint. You can search case records through the Michigan Courts online case search system by name or case number.
Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(J), you can inspect court records in person at the courthouse during business hours at no charge. Copies carry a per-page fee under MCL 15.234. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Contact the court clerk for current fees and procedures before making an in-person visit.
The Genesee County Circuit Court in Flint handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and family court matters for all of Genesee County. As the county seat, Flint is where the Genesee County Courthouse is located, making access to circuit court records straightforward for city residents.
Genesee County Circuit Court and Flint Cases
The Genesee County Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for the county. It handles felony criminal prosecutions, civil cases, and family court matters. The court is at the Genesee County Courthouse in Flint. For Flint residents charged with felonies, this is where their cases are heard after arraignment in district court.
Circuit court records can be searched through the Michigan Courts online system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. You can search by party name or case number. The Genesee County Clerk handles court filings and vital records for the county. Written requests for records should include your name, the type of record, relevant dates, and a copy of your photo ID.
For records searches that go further back, contact the Genesee County Clerk's Office directly. Staff can tell you which records are available online and which require an in-person visit or mail request.
Flint Criminal History Through ICHAT
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat is the main resource for background checks in Flint. Each $10 name search returns immediate results covering all Michigan felony and serious misdemeanor records from all 83 counties. You need the subject's full legal name and date of birth. Each alias or maiden name is a separate $10 charge.
ICHAT does not include local misdemeanors punishable by 93 days or less, traffic violations, juvenile records, suppressed or sealed records, federal criminal history, and records from other states. More information on ICHAT is at michigan.gov/msp/services/chr.
Michigan State Police ICHAT and criminal records access page.
Start at michigan.gov/msp/services/chr to run name-based searches or learn about fingerprint-based background check options through the Livescan system.
FOIA Requests in Flint
Flint residents can submit FOIA requests to the City of Flint, the Flint Police Department, or Genesee County agencies. Under Michigan's 1976 PA 442, agencies must respond within 5 business days with a 10-day extension available. Fees follow MCL 15.234. Denied requests can be appealed within 180 days.
For MSP records, submit online at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia or email MSPRecords@Michigan.gov. Online submissions carry a $2.00 processing fee. Mail payments go to Michigan State Police, Cashiers Unit, P.O. Box 30266, Lansing, MI 48909.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on FOIA rights, how to submit requests, and what to do if a request is denied. This is a good resource for Flint residents navigating public records requests for the first time.
Michigan OTIS and Sex Offender Registry
The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system at michigan.gov/corrections covers people currently under state correctional supervision, including prisoners, parolees, and probationers, plus those discharged within the past 3 years. Flint and Genesee County have historically had significant contact with the state corrections system, making OTIS a useful tool for residents searching someone's supervision status.
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us lets you search for registered sex offenders in Flint and Genesee County by name, county, or proximity to a specific address. The registry shows compliance status and conviction details.
Michigan offender supervision and tracking database.
OTIS and the sex offender registry are separate systems, each maintained by the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Michigan Clean Slate and Record Sealing
Michigan's Clean Slate law, passed in 2021 and expanded in 2023, allows for automatic sealing of eligible misdemeanor convictions after 7 years and eligible felony convictions after 10 years. First-time OWI violations also became eligible for set-aside. Once sealed, records no longer show on public ICHAT searches.
Flint residents who want to petition for early expungement can get free help from Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org. Petitions for Flint cases go to the Genesee County Circuit Court. The site has free eligibility tools and step-by-step guides for the expungement process.
Note: Genesee County Legal Aid and other legal services organizations in the Flint area may offer additional help with expungement petitions for low-income residents.
Genesee County and Nearby Cities
Flint is the county seat of Genesee County. For county circuit court records, the Genesee County Clerk, and county resources, see the Genesee County page. Other Michigan cities with background check pages include: