Effective February 28, 2017 the Clerk’s Office will be closed for the lunch hour (12-1 p.m.) until further notice.

Bay County Clerk Office

The Bay County Clerk files and maintains all vital records including Birth, Death and Marriage certificates. Records date back as far as 1867.

Genealogy is researched Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. Business professional names on assumed names and co-partnership forms are also issued from the Clerk.

The County Clerk serves as the Chief Election Officer and maintains an accreditation with the State of Michigan. The Clerk programs Optical Scan voting equipment to be utilized in every election. Legislation effective 1/1/05 places the County Clerk in charge of all school elections.

The County Clerk, with the assistance of local clerks, maintains a highly advanced statewide voter registration system known as QVF, the Qualified Voter File. Many states have followed the lead of Michigan election officials in this technology.

Campaign Finance reporting is held accountable under the watchful eye of the Clerk who files and scrutinizes reports of candidates, ballot question committees, and independent committees.

The office also secures military discharge records, verifies notary public applications for the state, and concealed weapons permits.

The County Clerk is also Clerk of the 18^th Judicial Circuit Court and maintains all court files.

The Clerk is a member of various committees by virtue of the office including: Plat Board; Gun Board; Board of Canvassers; Apportionment Committee; Election Commission; and Bay County Board of Commissioners.

Current Notice

2020 Voter Guide

Wanted Election Inspector/Precinct Worker Training

Training: Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 9:00 AM, Bay Arenac Intermediate School District Administration Building

S.O.S. News Update - Online Voter Registration is Live, Presidential Primary Series, and More

Click here for more information.

To use this convenient website, visitors must currently have a Michigan Driver’s License or Personal Identification Card

and qualify to vote in the state of Michigan (i.e., citizen, age, residency).

Are you ready for Real ID? Click here for more information.

Voter Registration Statistics

Hours of Operation

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

(Closed for lunch from 12:00 - 1:00)

METHODS OF PAYMENT

We accept cash, checks and U.S. money orders at this time.

For your convenience an ATM machine is located outside of our 1st floor office. Coming Soon Credit Cards to be accepted

Genealogy Research
Wednesday & Thursday
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Computer terminals are available daily. Record retrieval will be limited to Wednesday and Thursday due to staff reductions.

BAY COUNTY DIRECTORIES

"Know Your County Officials", Current (2019) County Directories available at the Clerk's Office - FREE

Plat Books

2016 Bay County Plat Books are available for purchase - $30.00 Each