Services and Information

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On this page:

Election and Voting Information

Vital Records/Geneaology Information    

Marriage License Information  

Concealed Pistiol License Information  

"DBA" (doing business as) Information  

Notary Public Information  

Passport Information    

Polling Locations 

County Directory

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VITAL RECORDS/GENEAOLOGY INFORMATION       

Follow this link for a Request for Vital Record(s) form.

NOTICE: Due to the physical condition of the vital records, the Ionia County Clerk's Office prohibits the direct review of all vital records (MCL 33.2895, Administrative Rule R325.3234, Subrule 4).

BIRTH RECORDS

• Birth records 1897 or older - a certified copy of a birth record can be issued to any applicant, unless the record is sealed.
• Birth records 1898 to present - upon identification, a certified copy of a birth records after 1897 can be issued to any of the following: 1) the individual who is the subject of the record; 2) a parent named on the records; 3) an heir; 4) legal guardian (proof of a court Order is required); 5) court Order.

DEATH AND MARRIAGE RECORDS

A certified copy of a death or marriage record can be issued to any applicant upon the local registrar determining if the applicant has a legitimate reason and/ or is eligible to receive the record. A Request for Vital Records form is required for all death and marriage record requests.

FEES

There is a $2 per name search fee (non-refundable)

Certified copies of a record are $10.  If you request more than one copy of the same record, each additional copy is $5. 

REQUESTS BY MAIL

To request records by mail:

• Submit Request for Vital Records form
• Submit two money orders: 

1. One money order for $2 (per name) made payable to Ionia County Clerk
2. One money order for the certified copies (see FEES above)

• Send Request form and money orders to 100 W. Main St., Ionia, MI 48846

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Follow this link for An Affidavit for License to Marry 

To apply for a marriage license:

• One of the applicants must live in Ionia County
• Only one of the applicants needs to be present when applying for a marriage license;
• You need to know the information on your birth certificate, such as the state where your parents were born and your mother's maiden name
• You need social security numbers for both applicants;
• If you are 18 years of age, you must present your birth certificate when filling out an application;
• There is a $20 fee for the marriage license due at the time when you are applying for the license;
• The marriage license will be issued after a three-day waiting period. After the waiting period, the license can be picked up or can be mailed to you;
• The license is only valid and should be used within 30 days from the date of issue.

Marriage Records are available from 1837 to present date. The cost for a certified copy is $10 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record.

Follow this link for a Concealed Pistol License Application

Applications for a Concealed Pistol License and instructions are available at the Ionia County Clerk's office. Once the application is completed:

• The application, proof of your pistol training class and two photos are filed at the County Clerks Office along with a $105 filing fee (photos can be purchased at the Clerk's Office for $8)
• After filing the application, you need to contact the Ionia County Sheriff's Department to schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken;
• The applications are presented to the County Gun Board;
• Upon approval, the applicant is notified when his / her permit will be available to be picked up in the County Clerk's office
• The applicant must appear in person to pick up their license as a signature is needed;
• The permit is valid for not more than 5 years and will expire on the applicant's birthday

REQUIREMENTS

Public Act 381 of 2000 requires the following information be provided to obtain a Concealed Pistol License. A complete copy of this law is available at your local library or follow the link below: A copy of the firearm laws of this state shall be furnished upon filing an application.

 link to the Michigan Legislature website

Required information

1. 21 years of age or older,
2. Citizen of the United States of America or a Resident Alien,
3. Resident of Michigan for at least 6 months,
4. Successful completion of a Pistol Safety Training Course,
5. Not subject to an Order or Disposition for any of the following: a Mental Health Order, Legally Incapacitated, Involuntary hospitalization, found guilty by reason of insanity,
6. Not subject to a conditional bond release where firearm possession is prohibited,
7. Not subject to a Personal Protection Order ,
8. Not prohibited by MCL 750.224 (f) [felon in possession of a firearm],
9. Has never been convicted of a felony in Michigan or elsewhere,
10. Has no felony charge pending in Michigan or elsewhere ,
11. Has not been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, and 
12. Has not been convicted of one of the following misdemeanors in the 8 years immediately preceding the date of application:

• Operating under the influence 2nd offense - MCL 257.625 (1)(8)(b)
• Reckless driving - MCL 257.626
• Driving on a suspended license 2nd offense - MCL 257.904
• Hindering or obstructing weights and measures enforcement officer - MCL 290.629
• Hindering, obstructing, assaulting, or committing bodily inquiry upon director or authorized representative of the Motor Quality Fuels Act - MCL 290.650
• Possession of a controlled substance - MCL 333.7403
• Displaying sexually explicit materials to minors - MCL 722.677
• Assault or domestic assault - MCL 750.81
• Aggravated assault, or aggravated domestic assault - MCL 750.81a
• 4th degree child abuse - MCL 750.136(b)
• Accosting, enticing or soliciting a child for immoral purposes - MCL 750.145a
• Vulnerable adult abuse - MCL 750.145(n)
• Solicitation to commit a felony - MCL 750.157(b)
• Impersonating a sheriff, conservation officer, coroner, constable, or police officer - MCL 750.215
• Illegal sale of a firearm or ammunition - MCL 750.223
• Illegal sale of a self-defense spray - MCL 750.224(d)
• Sale or possession of a mechanical knife - MCL 750.226(a)
• Improper transportation of a firearm - MCL 750.227(c)
• Failure to have a pistol inspected - MCL 750.228
• Accepting a pistol in pawn - MCL 750.229
• Failure to register the purchase of a firearm or firearm component - MCL 750.232
• Improperly obtaining a pistol, making a false statement on an application to purchase a pistol, or using false identification to purchase a pistol - MCL 750.232a
• Intentionally aiming a firearm w/o malice - MCL 750.233
• Intentionally discharging a firearm w/o malice - MCL 750.234
• Possessing a firearm on prohibited premises - MCL 750.234(d)
• Brandishing a firearm in public - MCL 750.234(e)
• Possession of a firearm by a person less than 18 years of age - MCL 750.234(f)
• Intentionally discharging a firearm aimed without malice causing injury - MCL 750.235
• Parent of a minor who possessed a firearm in a weapon free school zone - MCL 750.235(a)
• Setting a spring gun or other device - MCL 750.236
• Possessing a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug - MCL 750.237
• Weapon free school zone violation - MCL 750.237(a)
• Stalking - MCL 750.411(h)
• Reckless, careless, or negligent use of a firearm resulting in injury or death - MCL 752.861
• Reckless, careless, or negligent use of a firearm resulting in property damage - MCL 752.862
• Reckless discharge of a firearm - MCL 752.863(a)
• Violation of a law of the United States, another state, or a local unit of government of this state or another state substantially corresponding to a violation described above
• The applicant has not been convicted of ANY OTHER MISDEMEANOR in this state or elsewhere in the 3 years immediately preceding the date of application
• The applicant has not been found guilty but mentally ill of any crime and has not offered a plea of guilty of, or been acquitted of, any crime by reason of insanity.
• The applicant has NEVER been subject to an Order of involuntary commitment due to a mental illness.
• The applicant does not have a diagnosed mental illness at the time the application is made regardless of whether he / she is receiving treatment.
• The applicant is not under a court Order of legal incapacity in this state of elsewhere. 

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Michigan law requires that persons who own, conduct or transact business in a county to register their business name(s) in that county as a matter of public record. Corporations, Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies and Not for Profit Organizations owned by Corporations do not file at the county level. (However, there are some other agencies besides the state that you may want to contact. A list of some of those agencies is available at the Vital Records office).

The fee to register a business name is $10 and the certificate is required to be renewed every five years.

Follow this link for a Business Registration Certificate form, Change of Business Address of Persons Conducting Business Under an Assumed Name form, or a Notice of Dissolution of Co-Partnership or Business Under Assumed Name forms .

 

A Notary Public is a person authorized by the state in which the person resides to administer oaths (swearing to truth of a statement), take acknowledgments, certify documents and to take depositions if the notary is also a court reporter. The signature and seal of stamp of a notary public is necessary to attest to the oath of truth of a person making an affidavit and to attest that a persona has acknowledged that he / she executed a deed, power of attorney or other document, and is required for recording in public records. The Secretary of State of each state appoints notaries public for a specified term of years. A notary public must see proof of identity (e.g. driver's license) of those swearing and keep an official journal of documents notarized. The authorize is good only in the state which appoints the notary.

Applicants requesting to become a notary public must have completed bond and an application which can be obtained at an insurance company. The applicant will then bring the bond into the Clerk's office and sign the bond in the presence of the County or Deputy County Clerk. The fee to file the bond in the County's office is $10.00. The Clerk will then seal and initial the application and return it to the applicant. The applicant will then need to mail the application to the State of Michigan to the address on the application, along with a $10.00 check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan. Clerk Clerk

 

 

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant issue or verify United States passports.

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time:  

• if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; 
• if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago;
• if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16;
• or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

 IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A PASSPORT 

You will need:

• A certified copy of your Birth Certificate - this MUST have a State or County raised seal and must include the date it was filed. Naturalize citizens are required to submit their Certificate of Naturalization.
• Two passport pictures (2" x 2"). May be obtained by the Ionia County Clerk's Office for $8.00.
• Your Driver's License or State ID.
• A check or money order payable to Department of State (see fee schedule below) and 
• A check or money order payable to the Ionia County Clerk (see fee schedule below). 

• Your social security number 
• Your Father's birthplace and birth date
• Your Mother's maiden name, birthplace and birth date
• Date of most recent marriage
• Date when widowed / divorced (if applicable)
• Naturalization information (if applicable)   

 IF YOU HAVE HAD A PASSPORT BEFORE AND ARE ELIGIBLE TO RENEW BY MAIL 

You will need:

• Your old passport (If you do not have this anymore, you will be required to fill out a DSP-64)
• Two passport photographs. These may be obtained at the County Clerk's office for an additional $8.00 fee.
• A check or money order made payable to the Department of State for $75.00

FEES

Age 16 years and over (Passport is valid for 10 years): Total Fee $100.00. Check or Money Order in the amount of $75.00 payable to the Department of State AND a check or money order in the amount of $25.00 payable to the Ionia County Clerk.                Note:  Children 16 years and older must sign their own applications.                    

Age 15 years and under (Passport is valid for 5 years): Total Fee $85.00. Check or money order in the amount of $65.00 payable to the Department of State AND a check or money order in the amount of $25.00 payable to the Ionia County Clerk.
Note: If applicant is under 16 years, both of their parents must sign their application.

New passport applications and renewal applications can be obtained at the Ionia County Clerks office.

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 For forms and more information on passports please visit the U.S. State Department Passport Services and Information Web Site by following the link below: