About the County Clerk

Mission Statement

Maintain public records for the citizens of Manistee County. Provide information requested in a proficient and timely manner.

Primary Functions

The Manistee County Clerk’s Office has three major functions:

  • Maintain Vital Manistee County Records
  • Election Coordinator for Manistee County
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court
    • Processes and maintains all Circuit Court files

Vital Records

The Clerk’s Office issues, indexes and records Vital Records such as Marriage Licenses, Birth Certificates and Death Certificates.

The Manistee County Clerk's office has birth records or individuals born in Manistee County ONLY.  Birth records are restricted in Michigan.  An Individual is entitled to their own or their child's birth record only (must be named on the birth record).  Photo ID is required when requesting a birth record.

The Manistee County Clerk's office has death records for individuals whose death occurred in Manistee County ONLY.  If the decedent was a resident of Manistee County, however, passed away outside of Manistee County, you will need to contact the county in which the person passed away to obtain a death record.  Death certificates are a public record.  A death certificate can be obtained by anyone.  

The Manistee County Clerk's office has marriage records for individuals who were residents of the county and made application for the license in Manistee County at the time in which they were married.

Certified Copies of Vital Records are $15 for first copy/$5 each additional copy received at the same time-by mail or in person.

Election Coordinator

The Clerk’s Office is responsible for all Election Activities in Manistee County.  

There is one (1) EV (Early Voting) site for the entire county.  Manistee County participates in EV for State and Federal Elections as required per MCL 168.720c.

Clerk of the Circuit Court

As Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk’s Office maintains the Circuit Court Records of the 19th Circuit Court, Juvenile Court and the Family Division of the Circuit Court.

Boards & Commissions

The County Clerk is also the Clerk for the Board of Commissioners and statutorily serves on numerous County Boards and Commissions.

Court Forms
Search for State of Michigan court forms, including Personal Protection Order forms on the Michigan Courts website.

Personal Protection Forms


Notary Public

Notary Public service is provided free of charge up to a maximum of two (2) notarized signatures.  After the two (2) free notarized transactions, the fee is $5 per notarized signature transaction.

Become a Notary:  You must be 18 years of age or older, a Michigan resident, and reside in Manistee County.  

  • Complete an application for Michigan Notary Public Commission and return it to the Clerk's office.
  • with a $10,000.00 (ten thousand dollar) surety bond.
  • payment of $10.00 (ten dollars) processing fee payable to the Manistee County Clerk.
  • The applicant then must mail the application with a check/money order for $10.00 (ten dollars) to the State of Michigan.  (address on the form)

The Notary Certificate will be emailed directly to the applicant, from the State of Michigan.

Genealogy Research

Genealogy Hours:

Available Monday thru Friday from 10:00a.m. to 11:30a.m. and 1:30p.m. to 4:00p.m.

Space for genealogy research is limited to one individual at a time. 

Shelli Johnson
Manistee County Clerk