About the County Clerk

Public Notice: Manistee County Clerk’s Office Temporary Business Procedures

Due to the State of Emergency declared by Governor Whitmer in regards to the COVID-19 virus, effective immediately, the Manistee County Clerk’s Office will be operating business by phone, email or fax.

Counter by Appointment Only

Counter traffic will be by appointment only. Only the party that has the appointment will be allowed entrance to the office. This will allow for safe self-distancing for your health and the health of the Staff in the County Clerk’s Office.

Court Filings

During this temporary period, Court filings for the 19th Circuit Court and 19th Circuit Court Family Division (up to 20 pages per document) will be accepted by fax or email with the appropriate filing or motion fee paid and the original documents mailed within three days. Please call our office for appropriate fees. Be sure to include your phone number in case the office needs to contact you.

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

Personal Protection Forms

• Petition and Order for Personal Protection Order (Domestic Relationship) (PDF)
• Petition and Order for Personal Protection Order (Nondomestic) (PDF)

Concealed Pistol License Applications

Intake of new Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Applications is suspended as fingerprinting by the Sheriff’s Department has been suspended. If you want to apply for a CPL renewal, please do so online through the State of Michigan website.

Candidate Filings

Candidate Filings are due by April 21, 2020 by 4 pm, by appointment only.

Genealogy Research

Genealogy research is temporarily suspended.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. However, your health and welfare as well as our Staff are our main concern. Thank you for your understanding. Stay well.

Jill M. Nowak
Manistee 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.

Election Coordinator

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

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.