Mason County Sex Offenders

Mason County sex offender records are publicly accessible through the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry, a free database maintained by the Michigan State Police. The registry lets residents search by name, address, or zip code to find registered sex offenders throughout Mason County, including the Ludington area. All local registration takes place at the Mason County Sheriff's Office on North Delia Street in Ludington, where registrants must appear in person to file updates and check-ins. This page explains how the registry works, what registration requires, and where to find local and state help in Mason County.

Mason County Sex Offender Registry Search

The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry search portal is the main way to look up registered sex offenders in Mason County. The search is free and open to anyone. You can search by the person's name, a specific street address, or a zip code, or select Mason County from the county dropdown to see all active registrants assigned to this area. Registry data is updated on a rolling basis as offenders report changes, so results reflect current addresses and information rather than outdated records.

Each profile shows the person's full name, photo, registered address, any other addresses linked to their record, vehicle details, tier level, and the offense behind their registration. Mason County is a small western Michigan county with the city of Ludington as its main population center. The county includes lakefront communities and rural townships along with the city itself, and active registrants from all those areas appear when you search by county. The data covers the entire geographic area, not just the city limits of Ludington.

The Mason County Sheriff's Office website provides local law enforcement information and community resources for residents of the Ludington area.

The Mason County Sheriff's Office at 302 N Delia St. in Ludington handles all local sex offender registration and compliance.

The statewide registry website at mspsor.com has background on how the program works. If you need to report inaccurate data or ask about a specific record, use the contact form at mspsor.com/Home/Contact to reach the Michigan State Police SOR team.

Mason County Sheriff Kim C. Cole and Local Registration

All sex offender registration in Mason County is handled by the Mason County Sheriff's Office, located at 302 N Delia St., Ludington, MI 49431. The main phone number is 231-843-3475. The department's website is at masoncounty.net. Sheriff Kim C. Cole has deep roots in Mason County, having been born and raised there as a seventh-generation resident. His family connection to the county stretches back to his great-great-grandfather, Sheriff Henry Cole, who served from 1899 to 1903. Sheriff Cole took the oath of office on January 1, 2013.

All registrants must appear in person at the sheriff's office to complete their initial registration and all required verification visits. No mail or online updates are permitted. At the time of registration, each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of their current address, and any vehicle information required. The initial registration fee is $50. Annual renewal fees of $50 are paid at each verification visit. A $550 lifetime cap applies, so once that total has been reached over time, no further fees are charged. The sheriff's office submits registration data to the Michigan State Police for inclusion in the public registry.

For emergencies in Mason County, call 911. For non-emergency matters related to sex offender compliance or registration questions, call the sheriff's office main line.

Note: Anyone moving into Mason County must register at the sheriff's office within three business days of establishing a local address, whether coming from another Michigan county or from out of state.

Registration Requirements Under Michigan Law

Michigan's Sex Offenders Registration Act, which starts at MCL 28.721, applies in every county, including Mason. MCL 28.723 requires anyone convicted of a qualifying sex offense to register with local law enforcement. That obligation begins before or at the point of release from custody, or within three business days of arriving in Michigan or moving to a new address. Convictions from other states or from federal court can also require registration in Michigan depending on what offense was involved.

MCL 28.725 details what must be kept current: home address, any secondary residence, work location, vehicle information, and school enrollment. Every change must be reported within three business days and handled in person at the Mason County Sheriff's Office. Missing a required update carries serious consequences. Under MCL 28.729, a first failure to comply can mean up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Second violations bring up to seven years and $10,000. Third and later violations can result in up to ten years and a $10,000 fine.

Sex Offender Tiers in Mason County

Michigan's three-tier classification system under MCL 28.725a determines how long a registrant stays on the list and how often they must verify. Tier I covers lower-level offenses including fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct under MCL 750.520e. Tier I registrants stay on the registry for 15 years and verify annually. These are the least frequent check-in obligations in the system.

Tier II applies to mid-range offenses such as second-degree criminal sexual conduct under MCL 750.520c. Those at Tier II must verify every six months and remain registered for 25 years. Tier III covers the most serious crimes, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct under MCL 750.520b, which typically involves penetration combined with factors like victim age, force, or a weapon. Tier III registrants verify every 90 days and stay on the public registry for life. The Michigan State Police assigns tier levels based on the offense of conviction. The Mason County Sheriff's Office cannot modify a tier assignment. Questions about tier status go to the MSP SOR unit in Lansing.

Note: Tier assignments made by the Michigan State Police apply for the full required registration period and are not subject to local review or modification.

Other Record Tools for Mason County

Beyond the sex offender registry, a few other resources can help with research in Mason County. The Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) is operated by the Michigan Department of Corrections and tracks people currently on parole or probation in the state. If a sex offender in Mason County is under active supervision, OTIS shows that information. It is separate from the PSOR and covers all types of convicted offenders under MDOC supervision, not just sex offense cases.

The Michigan State Police's ICHAT system offers criminal conviction history searches for a $10 fee per search. Results cover all Michigan felony and misdemeanor convictions, not just sex crimes. Court records for Mason County cases are held by the 51st Circuit Court in Ludington. For a broader case-level search, MiCOURT Case Search covers Michigan courts statewide. If you want to check whether someone was registered in another state before moving to Mason County, the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) searches all participating state registries at once and is free to use.

Reporting Concerns in Mason County

To report a suspected registration violation in Mason County, call the Mason County Sheriff's Office at 231-843-3475. Emergencies should always go to 911. For non-urgent compliance concerns, the main phone line handles inquiries during business hours. You can also reach the Michigan State Police SOR Unit at (517) 241-1806 or by email at psors@michigan.gov for state-level registry questions. The PSOR contact form at mspsor.com/Home/Contact is useful for reporting inaccurate registry data or flagging a possible violation online.

If an offender in Mason County is under MDOC supervision and you have a concern about their behavior, the assigned parole or probation officer is the right contact. Their information is generally accessible through the OTIS system. Written public records requests for Mason County sheriff office records should be sent to 302 N Delia St., Ludington, MI 49431. Michigan FOIA requests may involve fees for copying and processing as determined by the department.

Cities in Mason County

Mason County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site. To find registered sex offenders in specific communities in Mason County, including Ludington, Scottville, or Fountain, visit the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mspsor.com. The search tool lets you enter a city name, address, or zip code to find offenders in any part of Mason County.

Nearby Counties

Mason County is located in western Michigan along Lake Michigan. You can view sex offender registry information for neighboring counties below.