How To Find Court Records in Michigan

Perhaps you're trying to uncover details about a high-profile case in Oakland County Probate Court, only to face a maze of paperwork and multiple clerks.

For residents and researchers, accessing Michigan court records can quickly become frustrating and time-consuming. CourtCaseFinder addresses these challenges by offering a streamlined, user-friendly platform for searching court records across the state.

When available, you can review case summaries, involved parties, filing history, the current status of cases, or judgments. You can quickly gain insights into court records, which are official documents maintained by the state judiciary detailing filings, proceedings, and case outcomes.

Make the most of every information to examine case histories, prepare for a lawsuit, or deepen your understanding of the legal dynamics that shape everyday life.

How To Access Michigan Public Court Records

While CourtCaseFinder simplifies looking up court records in Michigan with our intuitive platform, comprehensive case reports, and aggregated data, you should know there are other ways to access such resources. The Michigan Judiciary offers the following official methods:

Online Access

Public court records can be viewed online via the Case Search portal on the Michigan Judiciary's "One Court of Justice" website.

This free tool allows you to search for cases, orders, and opinions from the Michigan Supreme Court (MSC), Court of Appeals (COA), Court of Claims (COC), and Circuit Courts.

Record Request by Mail

In Michigan, most courts, particularly trial courts, accept record requests by mail. For example, the Livingston County 44th Circuit Court provides a Record Request Form that you can complete and send to the Clerk of Court with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The cost is $1.50 per page, and certified copies are available for $10.

Visiting a Courthouse

To obtain court records in person, visit the court where the case was filed. Each court may have specific requirements, such as completing forms, providing identification, or scheduling an appointment, so contact the court clerk beforehand.

If you don't know the case number or party name, you can use a public access terminal at the courthouse to view case indexes, when available.

Michigan Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), passed in 1977, grants the public the right to access records maintained by government agencies at every level in the state.

In general, unless a statute, court rule, or a specific order under Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.119(I) restricts access, court records are open to inspection. Typical records available include case numbers, party names, docket entries, filed pleadings, and document images.

Michigan law recognizes that some records must remain private due to their sensitive nature, such as:

• Victim home and work addresses and telephone numbers must not appear in court files or ordinary documents unless in a transcript or used to identify the crime location (Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) Section 780.758).
• Records obtained by the prosecutor pursuant to an investigative subpoena are protected from public disclosure (MCL Section 767A.8).
• Records concerning a deceased person's will and estate administration are confidential (Probate Code).
• All adoption-related filings should be secured in separate, locked files (MCL Section 710.67).

Who Oversees the Courts in Michigan?

The Michigan Supreme Court holds the overall authority to manage the state courts. The Court appoints a State Court Administrator, who serves as the head of the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), to assist in statewide court oversight and administration.

As the operational backbone of the judiciary, this office makes sure that lower trial courts are equipped to deliver justice effectively across the state.

The SCAO carries out several important duties:

• Provide judges and staff with education, training, and technology support.
• Establish statewide policies such as case reporting and decision timelines.
• Assist courts with family and child welfare cases.
• Support local dispute resolution centers to improve community access to justice.

What Types of Courts Exist in Michigan?

Michigan's state court system has three main levels. Trial courts hear civil, criminal, probate, and family cases and determine the facts.

Appeals from these courts go to the Court of Appeals, which reviews legal errors, and then to the Supreme Court for final decisions. Additionally, the Court of Claims is a specialized court that handles lawsuits filed directly against the state.

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Michigan Supreme Court (MSC)	Court of last resort with seven justices: reviews Michigan Court of Appeals decisions; may affirm, reverse, or remand; also oversees court administration and procedural rules.	Selects cases of major legal or public importance
Court of Appeals (COA)	Intermediate appellate court created by the 1963 Constitution. Four districts: Detroit, Troy, Grand Rapids, Lansing. Panels of three judges sit statewide. It uses conflict panels to resolve precedent disputes.	Appeals from Circuit/Probate Courts and some agencies, original actions (e.g., mandamus, superintending control, unfunded mandate claims)
Circuit Courts	Broadest trial-level jurisdiction. 57 Circuit Courts with judges elected for 6-year terms. Have appellate authority over lower courts/agencies.	Civil cases >$25,000, felony criminal cases, family law (divorce, custody, adoption, abuse/neglect, juvenile delinquency), appeals from lower courts and agencies
District Courts	Local trial courts with about 100 courts across the state.	Misdemeanors (≤ 1 year jail), traffic offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, civil cases ≤ $25,000, small claims, ordinance violations
Probate Courts	Specialized courts with 78 courts statewide.	Wills, estates, and trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, treatment orders for mentally ill and developmentally disabled individuals
Court of Claims (COC)	Statewide, the limited jurisdiction court has been located within the Court of Appeals since 2013. Four appellate judges (one chief) are assigned by the Supreme Court.	Civil actions seeking damages against the State of Michigan, incl. contracts, tax disputes, constitutional claims, prisoner litigation, highway defects, and malpractice suits

What Federal Courts Are In Michigan?

Michigan state courts handle the bulk of everyday disputes, from traffic tickets and small claims to family matters like custody and support.

In contrast, federal courts focus on broader constitutional and national concerns. Their jurisdiction includes challenges to federal statutes, treaty obligations, and disputes involving diplomats or multiple states. They also oversee bankruptcy, admiralty matters, and habeas corpus issues. The table below shows the federal courts in Michigan.

Federal Court	Jurisdiction	Location & Contact Information
U.S. District Courts - Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan	Act as Michigan's federal trial courts, handling crimes such as human trafficking, bank fraud, illegal firearms trade, and public corruption. Resolve civil disputes over constitutional rights, interstate contracts, labor law, and tribal sovereignty.	Michigan Eastern District U.S. District Court Website: mied.uscourts.gov Detroit: Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse 231 W. Lafayette Boulevard Detroit, MI 48226 Ann Arbor: Federal Building 200 E. Liberty St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Bay City: United States Post Office Building 1000 Washington Avenue Bay City, MI 48708 Flint: Federal Building and U.S Courthouse 600 Church St. Flint, MI 48502 Port Huron: Federal Building and United States Courthouse 526 Water St. Port Huron, MI 48060 Phone: 313- 234-5000 Michigan Western District U.S. District Court Website: miwd.uscourts.gov Grand Rapids: 399 Federal Building 110 Michigan St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: 616-456-2381 Lansing: 113 Federal Building 315 W Allegan Street Lansing, MI 48933 Phone: 517-377-1559 Kalamazoo: 107 Federal Building 410 W Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo MI 49007 Phone: 269-337-5706 Marquette: 330 Federal Building 202 W Washington Street Marquette, MI 49855 Phone: 906-226-2021
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts - Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin	Cover bankruptcy cases in the Eastern, Western, and Northern parts of Michigan. Handle personal debt discharges, business reorganizations, and repayment plans for family farmers and commercial fishermen	Michigan Eastern District U.S. Bankruptcy Court Website: mieb.uscourts.gov Bay City: 111 First Street Bay City, MI 48708 Phone: 989-894-8840 Detroit: 211 West Fort Street Detroit, MI 48226 Phone: 313- 234-0065 Flint: 226 West Second Street Flint, MI 48502 Phone: 810-235-4126 Michigan Western District U.S. Bankruptcy Court Website: miwb.uscourts.gov Co-located with the U.S. District Court offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Marquette Phone (Grand Rapids and Marquette): 616-456-2693 Traverse City: Logan Place West 3249 Racquet Club Drive Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 810-235-4126

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit handles federal appeals from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. So, if a decision from any of the federal courts above is challenged, the case moves up to this court for review.

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in Michigan Courts?

Michigan trial courts, which include Circuit, District, and Probate Courts, manage a substantial number of cases each year, totaling roughly 2.4 million filings annually.

The table below provides an approximate breakdown of the annual caseload across Michigan trial courts based on case type:

Court Type	Case Category	Approx. Annual Case Filings
Circuit Court	Criminal (Non-Capital)	~40,000
	Criminal (Capital)	~2,000
	Felony Juvenile	~100
	General Civil	~14,000
	Other Civil	~1,000
	Other Civil Damage	~4,000
	Auto Negligence	~19,000
	Court of Claims	~100
	Criminal Appeals	~200
	Civil Appeals	~400
	Agency Appeals	~1,000
	Other Appeals	~200
	Paternity	~11,000
	Divorce (With Children)	~14,000
	Divorce (No Children)	~17,000
	Support	~17,000
	UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act)	~400
	Other Domestic	~3,000
	Adult Personal Protection (Domestic)	~22,000
	Adult Personal Protection (Non-Domestic)	~11,000
	Adoption Code Proceedings	~2,000
	Juvenile Code Proceedings	~29,000
District Court	Civil Infractions	~68,000
	Misdemeanor	~107,000
	Felony	~65,000
	Traffic (Misdemeanor)	~220,000
	Traffic (Civil Infractions)	~905,000
	OUIL/OWI	~25,000
	Small Claims	~29,000
	Summary	~170,000
	Parking	~404,000
	Civil	~214,000
Probate Court	Small Estates	~4,000
	Estate Administration	~,22,000
	Determination of Heirs	~10
	Trust Test.	~70
	Trust Inter Vivos	~1,000
	Adult Guardianship	~11,000
	Adult Conservatorship	~2,000
	Minor Conservatorship	~800
	Minor Guardianship	~3,000
	Mental Commitment	~17,000
	Judicial Admin	~50
	Protective Orders	~400
	Civil	~300
	Other Civil Matters	~1,300

You can visit the "One Court of Justice" Statistics and Reports page to explore comprehensive data on Michigan courts, including performance metrics and findings from public satisfaction surveys.

How Do I File a Case in Michigan Courts?

Starting a lawsuit in Michigan can be challenging, and attempting it without understanding the proper course of action can make the process even more complicated. Follow these steps to handle your case without hassles:

1. Verify Where You Should File Your Case

Before filing, determine which court has jurisdiction over your case. Claims for $25,000 or less are handled in District Courts, which often oversee small claims and other civil matters. Meanwhile, cases involving more than $25,000 should be filed in the Circuit Court.

2. Prepare Necessary Forms

The State Court Administrative Office approved forms for filing in Michigan courts, which you can access for free on the "One Court of Justice"website. You can also purchase forms directly from the court. For general civil cases, you have to file a Complaint (Form MC 01a) and a Summons (Form MC 01).

3. Submit Your Papers to the Court

File copies of your original documents with the court. Depending on the court and case, you may be required to submit documents online using the MiFILE TrueFiling system.

Most documents filed with the Circuit Courts, including domestic civil and criminal cases, must be e-filed. Certain cases, such as case-type code EM (emancipation of a minor), are excluded from e-filing. For cases excluded from e-filing, file in person or mail documents to the court clerk.

You should also pay the filing fee. In small claims, the fee is $30 if the claim is $600 or less, $50 if it is more than $600 but under $1,750, and $70 if it is more than $1,750 but under $7,000.

4. Notify the Defendant of What You Filed

When you file a document with the court, the other party must also receive a copy so they have a chance to respond. You can ask a process server, friend, or family member over 18 who is not part of the case to do this for you.

Serving is only allowed after filing, once the clerk assigns a case number and signs the Summons.

How Is the Michigan Court System Unique?

A distinctive feature of the Michigan court system is its Court of Claims (COC), the sole forum where individuals and private entities can sue the State of Michigan for actions taken by its agencies and employees.

The COC has statutory authority to handle a wide range of cases, including election and campaign disputes, Open Meetings Actviolations, and tax matters.

Unlike many other states, where a person must first file a claim with a separate, specific administrative board, government department, or tribunal before pursuing a lawsuit, Michigan's centralized Court of Claims streamlines the process. This makes it easier for citizens to hold the state accountable for legal grievances.

Michigan Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Alcona
• Alger
• Allegan
• Alpena
• Antrim
• Arenac
• Baraga
• Barry
• Bay
• Benzie
• Berrien
• Branch
• Calhoun
• Cass
• Charlevoix
• Cheboygan
• Chippewa
• Clare
• Clinton
• Crawford
• Delta
• Dickinson
• Eaton
• Emmet
• Genesee
• Gladwin
• Gogebic
• Grand Traverse
• Gratiot
• Hillsdale
• Houghton
• Huron
• Ingham
• Ionia
• Iosco
• Iron
• Isabella
• Jackson
• Kalamazoo
• Kalkaska
• Kent
• Keweenaw
• Lake
• Lapeer
• Leelanau
• Lenawee
• Livingston
• Luce
• Mackinac
• Macomb
• Manistee
• Marquette
• Mason
• Mecosta
• Menominee
• Midland
• Missaukee
• Monroe
• Montcalm
• Montmorency
• Muskegon
• Newaygo
• Oakland
• Oceana
• Ogemaw
• Ontonagon
• Osceola
• Oscoda
• Otsego
• Ottawa
• Presque Isle
• Roscommon
• Saginaw
• Saint Clair
• Saint Joseph
• Sanilac
• Schoolcraft
• Shiawassee
• Tuscola
• Van Buren
• Washtenaw
• Wayne
• Wexford

Where to Find Additional Information About Michigan Courts?

• Michigan Courts
• Michigan Court System
• Michigan Court of Appeals
• Michigan District Courts
• Judges of Michigan
• The Supreme Court of Michigan

FAQs