Find Warrant Records in Bay County
Bay County warrant records are held by the sheriff's office and courts in Bay City. With a population over 103,000, Bay County is one of the larger counties in the Saginaw Bay region. The 74th District Court, the 18th Circuit Court, and the Bay County Sheriff all handle warrant-related cases. Public access terminals at the county building give you a way to search case records on your own. You can also use the MiCOURT online portal or contact offices directly. This page explains every option for finding Bay County warrant records.
Bay County Quick Facts
Bay County Sheriff Warrant Search
The Bay County Sheriff's Office is at 503 Third St. in Bay City. Call (989) 895-4125. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office takes warrant inquiries in person or by phone. You will need the full name and date of birth of the person you want to check on. The sheriff handles arrests, warrant service, and jail operations for Bay County.
Bay County processes more warrants than many smaller counties because of its population. Arrest warrants here follow MCL 764.1a. A judge must find probable cause from a sworn complaint before issuing one. The warrant names the defendant, states the charge, and orders the arrest. Felony warrants do not expire in Michigan. Misdemeanor warrants are good for six years. Under MCL 764.15, any peace officer in the state can execute a Bay County warrant. The Bay City Police Department also handles warrant arrests within the city limits, working alongside the sheriff's office.
Bay County Court Warrant Records
The 74th District Court is at 1230 Washington Ave., Suite 747, in Bay City. Phone (989) 895-4275. This court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and civil claims under $25,000. The 74th District Court has an online case review system that may give you access to some case details. The 18th Circuit Court is at 1230 Washington Ave. in Bay City, reachable at (989) 895-4265. Circuit court covers felony cases, family law, and appeals.
Bench warrants are a common reason people search Bay County warrant records. A judge issues a bench warrant when someone skips court or breaks an order. Under MCL 764.3, the judge must explain the reason for issuing a bench warrant over a summons. The warrant stays active until recalled by the court or until the person shows up. Court clerks at both the district and circuit courts can check the status of a bench warrant for you. Ask at the clerk's window or call during hours.
Bay County also has public access terminals at the Bay County Building at 515 Center Ave. These terminals let you search case records without waiting for a clerk. They pull from the same database as the court staff, though they may not show live warrant status for every case.
Note: Public access terminals at the Bay County Building let you search case records independently during business hours.
Bay County Warrant Records Online
The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the primary online tool for Bay County court records. It covers both the 74th District Court and the 18th Circuit Court. You can search by name or case number for free, with no account needed. The system shows case status, filing dates, hearing schedules, and the register of actions. Records go back to about 2000. MiCOURT does not flag active warrants, so contact the court clerk to confirm warrant status.
The screenshot below shows the Michigan State Police homepage, where you can find links to ICHAT and other record tools.
The Michigan State Police website connects to criminal history tools and most wanted lists relevant to Bay County.
The ICHAT system from the state police costs $10 per search. It shows felony arrests and serious misdemeanor convictions at the state level. ICHAT does not include active warrants, local misdemeanors, or federal records. The MDOC OTIS database is free and tracks offenders under state corrections supervision. It can help you find warrants tied to parole or probation violations in Bay County.
FOIA Requests for Bay County Records
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request warrant records from Bay County. Under MCL 15.231, put your request in writing and send it to the Bay County Clerk. Describe the records you want. No form or reason is needed. The county has five business days to respond and can take a 10-day extension for larger requests.
Page copies cost $0.10 each. Labor fees may apply for time-consuming searches. Active warrant records may be denied under MCL 15.243 if releasing them would hurt an investigation. Closed case records are more likely to be provided. You can submit by mail, in person at the courthouse, or by email.
Search Warrants and Public Access in Bay County
Search warrants in Bay County must follow MCL 780.651. A judge issues them on probable cause backed by a sworn affidavit. The warrant specifies the place to search and items to seize. Officers get 10 days to execute under MCL 780.654. Returns of service go back to the issuing court. You can get copies of executed search warrants from the court clerk or through FOIA.
Court records in Bay County are mostly open to the public under MCR 8.119. Anyone can view case files and docket entries at the clerk's office. Juvenile records are sealed. Personal Protection Orders are restricted online. Judges can seal records by order. Once warrants are served and cases move through the system, records generally become accessible through the clerk or the Michigan Courts website. The criminal history records page from the state police provides more info on accessing records at the state level.
Nearby County Warrant Records
Bay County shares borders with several other counties. If you need to search beyond Bay County, these neighboring jurisdictions maintain their own warrant records.