How to Access Court Records in Michigan: Complete Guide

Understanding Michigan's Court System

Before you start searching for court records in Michigan, it's essential to understand how the state's court system is organized. Michigan operates a four-tier court structure: the Supreme Court at the top, followed by the Court of Appeals, trial courts (circuit and district), and specialized courts like probate and municipal courts.

Most of the court records you'll need are found at the trial court level. Circuit courts handle felony criminal cases, major civil cases over $25,000, family matters including divorce and custody, and appeals from lower courts. District courts process misdemeanor cases, civil cases under $25,000, traffic violations, and preliminary examinations for felonies. Knowing which court level handled your case is crucial because records are maintained separately by each court.

Using MiCOURT: Michigan's Statewide Case Search

The Michigan Supreme Court operates MiCOURT, a free online portal that provides public access to case information from participating courts across the state. This system is your first stop for searching Michigan court records electronically.

To use MiCOURT effectively, navigate to the Michigan Courts website and select the case search option. You can search by party name, case number, business name, or attorney name. The system displays basic case information including case numbers, filing dates, case types, and party names. However, MiCOURT has important limitations you need to understand.

The system shows case summaries and docket entries, but it doesn't provide access to actual court documents, exhibits, or full case files. Not all Michigan courts participate in MiCOURT-some counties maintain their own separate systems. Additionally, certain case types are restricted or sealed by law, including adoption records, juvenile cases, and some mental health proceedings.

County-Level Court Record Access

Each Michigan county maintains its own court records, and access methods vary significantly. Wayne County, home to Detroit, operates its own online system separate from MiCOURT. The Wayne County Clerk's office provides searchable databases for both civil and criminal cases in circuit and district courts.

Oakland County offers e-Filing services that include public access to certain court documents. Macomb County maintains records through its clerk's office with limited online availability. Kent County (Grand Rapids) has a comprehensive online portal for case searches and some document access.

For rural counties, online access may be minimal or nonexistent. In these cases, you'll need to contact the county clerk's office directly. Each courthouse typically has a public access terminal where you can search records in person at no cost, though printing documents usually incurs a per-page fee ranging from $0.25 to $1.00.

In-Person Court Record Searches

Sometimes online resources aren't sufficient, and you'll need to visit the courthouse in person. This is particularly true for older cases, sealed documents that require a court order to access, or detailed file contents not available online.

When visiting a courthouse, bring valid government-issued identification. Most courts require you to sign in and may screen belongings. Head to the clerk's office-for circuit court records, visit the county clerk's circuit court division; for district court records, go to the specific district court location.

Provide as much information as possible: the full legal name of at least one party, approximate case filing date or date range, case type if known (criminal, civil, family), and case number if available. Clerks can perform searches, but having specific details speeds up the process dramatically.

You can typically review records at the courthouse for free, but obtaining copies costs money. Most courts charge per page, so large case files can become expensive. Some courts offer certified copies for an additional fee-these carry an official seal and are required for certain legal purposes.

Criminal Records vs. Court Records: What's the Difference?

Many people confuse criminal records with court records, but they're distinct types of information. Court records document the legal proceedings in a case-filings, motions, hearings, judgments, and orders. These are maintained by the courts themselves.

Criminal records, on the other hand, are compiled by law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. They include arrest records, conviction records, incarceration history, and sometimes mugshots and fingerprints. The Michigan State Police maintains the statewide criminal history database.

If you need comprehensive background information rather than details about a specific court case, a criminal records search tool can save considerable time by aggregating data from multiple sources including sex offender registries, corrections records, arrest databases, and court records across jurisdictions.

Accessing Specific Types of Michigan Court Records

Different types of cases have different access rules in Michigan. Criminal case records are generally public unless sealed by court order, but victim information is often redacted to protect privacy. Juvenile criminal records are confidential with rare exceptions.

Civil case records including lawsuits, small claims, and contract disputes are typically public. However, parties can request that certain sensitive information like Social Security numbers or financial account details be redacted or sealed.

Family court records involving divorce, custody, and paternity cases are public, but the Friend of the Court records containing financial and personal information have restricted access. Adoption records are sealed and require a court order to access.

Probate records including wills, estate proceedings, and guardianships are generally public and maintained by the probate court in each county. These records can be valuable for genealogical research or verifying estate proceedings.

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for Court Records

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act applies primarily to executive branch agencies, not the judicial branch. Courts are not technically subject to FOIA, but they maintain public records under court rules and common law principles of open courts.

If you encounter resistance accessing public court records that should be available, cite Michigan Court Rule 8.119, which establishes the public's right to access court records except where specifically prohibited. The Michigan Supreme Court's policy favors public access unless confidentiality is required by statute, court rule, or case law.

To request records formally, submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk describing the records you seek with sufficient specificity. The court may charge reasonable copying fees but cannot charge research or retrieval fees for public records. If access is denied, you can file a motion with the court to compel release of the records.

Online Tools for Efficient Court Record Research

If you're conducting frequent court record searches-whether for employment screening, tenant background checks, investigative journalism, or legal research-manually searching county-by-county becomes impractical.

Professional researchers and businesses often use specialized tools that aggregate public records from multiple sources. A criminal records search platform can query sex offender registries, corrections databases, and court records across Michigan and nationwide from a single interface, dramatically reducing research time.

For professionals conducting comprehensive background investigations, combining court record searches with other verification tools creates a complete picture. For example, using an email verification tool can help you confirm someone's identity and contact information before diving into extensive court record research.

Understanding Record Expungement and Sealing in Michigan

Not all court records remain permanently accessible. Michigan's expungement laws allow certain criminal convictions to be set aside, making them inaccessible to most public searches.

Under Michigan's Clean Slate Act, eligible individuals can petition to expunge certain felonies and misdemeanors. Some expungements now occur automatically without requiring a petition. Once expunged, the court records are not destroyed but become non-public-they're sealed and removed from public access systems.

If your court record search reveals no information but you have reason to believe a case exists, the records may be sealed, expunged, or the case may be in a non-participating court. Traffic misdemeanors, certain juvenile matters, and successfully completed diversionary programs often don't appear in public searches.

Practical Tips for Michigan Court Record Searches

Start your search with the most specific information possible. A common name like "John Smith" may return hundreds of results across Michigan courts. Include middle names, suffixes (Jr., Sr., III), and approximate ages when possible.

Search variations of names. People may appear in court records under nicknames, maiden names, or with middle names used as first names. Maria Rodriguez might also appear as Maria Martinez-Rodriguez or Maria M. Rodriguez.

Check multiple court levels. A case might be filed in district court and later appealed to circuit court, creating separate case files. Criminal defendants might have cases in multiple counties.

Document your searches thoroughly. Record which courts you searched, what date ranges you covered, and what search terms you used. This documentation proves due diligence if you need to show you conducted a comprehensive search.

Understand timing limitations. Newly filed cases may not appear in online systems immediately. There's often a lag of several days to weeks between filing and online availability. Recent warrants, arrests, or filings might not yet be searchable.

When You Need Professional Court Record Research

Some situations demand more thorough research than you can reasonably conduct yourself. Employment background checks for positions of trust, legal due diligence for business transactions, investigative research for litigation, and adoption or custody proceedings often require professional-level searches.

Professional background check services access law enforcement databases not available to the general public. They search court records across multiple jurisdictions systematically. They understand the nuances of record interpretation and can identify sealed or expunged records through indirect evidence.

Whether you're conducting occasional personal searches or need regular access to court records for business purposes, having the right tools makes the difference between spending hours manually checking individual county websites and getting comprehensive results in minutes. Modern criminal records search tools aggregate data from thousands of sources including Michigan's district courts, circuit courts, and statewide databases, making professional-level research accessible without the professional-level cost.

Privacy and Legal Considerations

Just because court records are public doesn't mean you can use them for any purpose. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the use of background checks, including court records, for employment, housing, credit, and insurance decisions.

If you're using Michigan court records for employment screening, you must comply with FCRA requirements including obtaining written consent, providing pre-adverse action notices if you plan to take negative action based on the records, and giving applicants the opportunity to dispute inaccurate information.

Michigan law also prohibits discrimination based on criminal records in certain circumstances. Employers cannot ask about or consider arrests that did not result in conviction, misdemeanors after two years, or convictions that have been expunged.

For personal use-checking on a potential roommate, researching a business partner, or reviewing your own records-fewer restrictions apply, but you should still respect privacy and use information responsibly. Publishing someone's court records online or using them for harassment could expose you to civil liability.

Getting Started with Your Michigan Court Record Search

Begin by clearly defining what you need. Are you looking for information about a specific case, or conducting a comprehensive background check? Do you need detailed case documents, or just verification that a case exists?

For specific case information where you know the parties and approximate timing, start with MiCOURT or the specific county court website. For comprehensive criminal background information across jurisdictions, use an aggregated search tool that covers multiple sources simultaneously.

Remember that thoroughness matters more than speed when accuracy counts. A missed record in a county you didn't search could be the most important one. Taking a systematic approach and using tools designed for comprehensive coverage ensures you're getting complete information rather than just convenient information.

Michigan's public records system provides substantial transparency into court proceedings, but navigating it efficiently requires understanding the structure, knowing where to look, and having the right tools for your specific needs.