Search Michigan court records in 2026 using official court tools for public case lookup, civil cases, criminal cases, traffic matters, probate files, family court records, hearing dates, court directories, appellate opinions, virtual courtrooms and federal PACER records. This guide explains exactly where to search, what each portal covers, and when you must contact the local court clerk for certified copies or restricted records.
Need Michigan Court Records Right Now?
For most public Michigan trial court case searches, start with the official MiCOURT Case Search. Depending on the local court and case type, MiCOURT may show civil, traffic, criminal, domestic, divorce, family and probate case information. For older records, certified documents, sealed matters or counties with separate systems, contact the court listed in the official Michigan Trial Court Directory.
Michigan Court Records Overview
Michigan court records are official records created or filed in Michigan courts. They may include case numbers, party names, charges, claims, hearing dates, judgments, orders, register of actions, docket entries and case status. Michigan court records are usually searched through MiCOURT, individual county court systems, appellate court search tools, court clerk offices or PACER for federal cases.
The key mistake people make is treating every court record search as one single database. Michigan has circuit courts, district courts, probate courts, municipal courts in limited areas, appellate courts and federal courts. Some trial courts participate in MiCOURT Case Search, while others may use a county-level search tool or require a clerk request for full details.
What Michigan court records can usually be searched?
| Record Type | Best Starting Point | What You May Find |
|---|---|---|
| Trial court cases | MiCOURT Case Search | Civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, probate and local court case details when available |
| Circuit court records | County circuit court or MiCOURT | Felonies, divorce, family, major civil claims, appeals from lower courts |
| District court records | District court or MiCOURT | Misdemeanors, traffic, landlord-tenant, small claims, preliminary felony matters |
| Probate records | Probate court or MiCOURT | Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, wills and mental health matters where public |
| Appeals and opinions | Michigan Courts case search | Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court opinions, orders and case information |
| Federal cases | PACER | Federal civil, criminal, bankruptcy and appellate court records |
MiCOURT Free Public Case Search
MiCOURT Case Search is the official Michigan judiciary public case search portal for participating courts. It can show public case information for several case types depending on the court being searched. It is the cleanest starting point for “Michigan court records free public search,” “MiCOURT case search by name,” and “Michigan case number lookup” searches.
How to use MiCOURT Case Search step by step
- Open the official MiCOURT portal Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search. Avoid paid third-party sites before checking the official court portal.
- Read and accept the terms The system may require you to accept public access terms before searching. Read them carefully because online information is for public access and may not replace the official court file.
- Choose the correct court Select the Michigan court, county or jurisdiction connected to the case. If you do not know the court, use the Trial Court Directory or search nearby counties.
- Search by name or case number Use the case number when available. For name search, try legal name, middle initial, prior name, business name and spelling variations.
- Verify the result Check county, court, case type, party role, filing date, date of birth if displayed and hearing information before relying on a result.
MiCOURT case search fields people commonly use
| Search Need | Try This First | Micro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan case number lookup | Case number field | Enter the full number exactly as shown on your notice or court paper. |
| Michigan court records by name | Last name and first name | Add middle initial or birth year when the system allows it. |
| Michigan criminal case search | Defendant name or case number | Confirm whether the matter is in district court or circuit court. |
| Michigan traffic ticket search | Citation number or defendant name | Some traffic matters are handled through local district court systems. |
| Michigan probate case search | Estate name, protected person or case number | Some probate records may require contact with the probate court. |
Michigan Case Number Lookup
A Michigan case number search is more accurate than a name search. Court numbers reduce the risk of matching the wrong person, especially in large counties such as Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Genesee, Washtenaw, Ingham and Kalamazoo.
How to search by Michigan court case number
- Find the court file number Look at your ticket, complaint, summons, judgment, divorce paper, probate notice, hearing notice or attorney document. The number may be called a case number, court file number or docket number.
- Identify the court The same number format may exist in different courts. Confirm whether it is circuit, district, probate, appellate or federal.
- Open MiCOURT or the local court search Start with MiCOURT. If the court is not listed or the case does not appear, use the county court website or court clerk.
- Enter the number exactly Keep letters, dashes and leading zeros if shown. If the search fails, try the same number without punctuation.
- Save the court details Write down the court name, county, judge, filing date, hearing date and party role. These details help when requesting certified copies.
Search Michigan Court Records by Name
Michigan court records by name searches are useful when you do not know the case number. You can usually search a person, business, defendant, plaintiff, petitioner, respondent or estate name depending on the court and case type.
Micro-level name search steps
- Start with the legal last name Use the person’s current legal last name first. Then try previous names, maiden names, hyphenated names and common misspellings.
- Add first name and middle initial Common names can return many results. Middle initial, birth year or county can reduce wrong matches.
- Try business-name variations For company records, search the full legal name, trade name, abbreviation, “LLC,” “Inc,” and punctuation variations.
- Check party role A person may appear as defendant, plaintiff, petitioner, respondent, protected person, decedent, landlord, tenant or judgment debtor.
- Verify before using the record Do not rely only on a name match. Confirm court, county, birth details if visible, filing date and case type.
Michigan Criminal Court Records
Michigan criminal court records may show charges, arraignment details, probable cause conference dates, preliminary examination dates, bind-over information, circuit court filings, plea entries, sentencing information, probation terms, warrants in the case and public docket events. Criminal court records are different from a statewide criminal history background check.
Michigan criminal case lookup by county and court level
| Criminal Matter | Usually Starts In | Where Records May Move |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | District court | Usually remains in district court |
| Felony first appearance | District court | May move to circuit court after bind-over |
| Felony trial and sentencing | Circuit court | Final file usually handled in circuit court |
| Traffic misdemeanor | District court | Depends on charge and local court process |
| Appeal | Higher court | May appear in Court of Appeals or Supreme Court search |
How to search Michigan criminal court records online
- Search MiCOURT first Use MiCOURT Case Search by defendant name or case number.
- Check both district and circuit court Felony matters may begin in district court and later move to circuit court. If one court does not show the full case, search the other.
- Review docket events carefully Look for arraignment, probable cause conference, preliminary examination, bind-over, plea, sentence and probation entries.
- Use ICHAT for criminal history For statewide public criminal history, use Michigan State Police ICHAT instead of relying only on court dockets.
Civil, District and Small Claims Records
Michigan civil court records include lawsuits, contracts, debt collection, landlord-tenant cases, small claims, money judgments, personal injury cases and other disputes. District courts often handle small claims, landlord-tenant and lower-dollar civil matters. Circuit courts handle larger civil claims and many complex cases.
Michigan civil court records search by case type
| Case Type | Common User Search | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Small claims | Michigan small claims case search | District court or MiCOURT |
| Landlord-tenant | Michigan eviction records search | District court handling the rental property area |
| Debt collection | Michigan civil judgment lookup | District or circuit court depending on amount and filing |
| Large civil lawsuits | Michigan circuit court civil search | Circuit court in the county where filed |
| Business disputes | Michigan civil case lookup by business name | MiCOURT or county court search |
Steps to search a civil case
- Identify the county Civil cases are usually tied to where the parties live, where a dispute happened, where a property is located or where the business operates.
- Search by party or case number Use the plaintiff, defendant, business name or court file number in MiCOURT or the local court portal.
- Check the register of actions Review filings, hearings, orders, default entries, judgments and satisfaction details if available.
- Request documents from the clerk If the docket is public but images are not online, contact the court clerk for copies.
Divorce, Custody and Family Court Records
Michigan family court records can include divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, personal protection orders, paternity, Friend of the Court matters and other domestic relations cases. Many family case dockets are public, but sensitive documents or details may be limited, confidential or only available to parties and attorneys.
How to find Michigan divorce records online
- Search the circuit court Divorce cases are usually handled by the circuit court in the county where the case was filed.
- Use party names or case number Search by either spouse’s legal name. Try maiden names, former names and spelling variations.
- Look for judgment of divorce The docket may show when the judgment was entered, but the actual document may need a clerk copy request.
- Request a certified copy if needed For Social Security, immigration, remarriage, pension, title or legal proof, request a certified judgment of divorce from the court clerk.
Probate Court Records
Michigan probate courts handle estates, guardianships, conservatorships, wills, trusts and certain mental health proceedings. Probate record access depends on the case type, county, court system and confidentiality rules. Public estate files may be easier to search than sensitive guardianship, mental health or protected-person matters.
Common Michigan probate records people search
- Estate case lookup by decedent name
- Letters of authority or letters of guardianship
- Guardianship or conservatorship case status
- Will filings and estate administration
- Probate court hearing dates
- Certified probate orders for banks or property transfers
How to search Michigan probate records
- Find the county probate court Use the Michigan Trial Court Directory to locate the probate court.
- Search MiCOURT if available Some probate courts have public case information through MiCOURT or a county court portal.
- Use estate or party names Try the decedent name, protected person name, guardian name, conservator name or case number.
- Contact the probate register for copies Certified letters or probate orders often must be requested directly from the probate court.
Traffic Ticket and Citation Search
Michigan traffic records are usually handled by district courts. A traffic matter may be civil infraction, misdemeanor traffic, ordinance violation or another case type depending on the ticket. Some courts provide online payment and case lookup through MiCOURT or the local court website.
Michigan traffic ticket lookup steps
- Read the citation Find the court name, citation number, charge, deadline, officer information and hearing instructions.
- Open MiCOURT or the local court page Search by citation number, case number, driver name or court location if the court supports online access.
- Check payment and hearing options Some tickets can be paid online. Others require a court appearance or contact with the clerk.
- Verify license consequences separately Court payment does not always solve driver responsibility, license, points or Secretary of State issues.
Michigan Court Date Lookup
If you need to know “when is my Michigan court date,” start with the case docket and the specific court’s schedule page. Some hearing information appears in MiCOURT. Some courts also provide local calendars, Zoom details or virtual courtroom links.
How to check a Michigan court date online
- Search the case docket Use MiCOURT by case number or party name and look for upcoming hearing entries.
- Check the court’s own website Some courts publish daily dockets, judge calendars, Zoom links or hearing schedules separately.
- Use the virtual courtroom directory For online hearings, use the official MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory.
- Call the court clerk if uncertain If your hearing date is unclear, changed or missing, contact the court listed on your notice.
Copies and Certified Court Records
Online court search is useful for research, but official proof often requires a certified court copy. Michigan copy procedures and fees can vary by court, county and document type. The safest path is to identify the exact court and contact the clerk’s office using the official Trial Court Directory.
When you may need certified Michigan court records
- Certified judgment of divorce for Social Security, pension, remarriage or immigration use
- Certified criminal disposition for employment, licensing or immigration review
- Certified probate letters for bank, title or estate matters
- Certified civil judgment or satisfaction document
- Certified name change order
- Appeal record, register of actions or court order for legal filing
How to request copies from a Michigan court
- Find the exact court Use the case number, county and court type. Then confirm contact details through the official Michigan Trial Court Directory.
- Identify the document Know the case number, party names, document title, filing date and whether you need plain or certified copies.
- Contact the clerk Ask whether the request can be made online, by mail, email, fax or in person.
- Confirm fees and delivery Copy costs vary locally. Ask about page fees, certification fees, payment methods, mailing time and whether a raised seal is required.
Sealed and Limited-Access Records
Michigan court records are generally public unless restricted by statute, court rule, court order or local administrative order. Some records may be sealed, confidential, nonpublic, redacted or limited to parties and attorneys. Online access can also be narrower than courthouse access.
Michigan records that may not appear online
- Juvenile records and child protection matters
- Adoption records
- Certain mental health records
- Sealed criminal cases or set-aside records
- Personal protection order details when restricted
- Confidential financial, medical or identifying information
- Nonpublic Friend of the Court records
- Documents redacted under Michigan court rules
Expungement and Set Aside Records
Michigan uses “set aside” language for many expungement matters. When a conviction is set aside, public access can be limited, but the legal effect depends on the case, statute and agency using the record. Some records may still be visible to law enforcement, courts or authorized agencies.
How court records help with Michigan expungement
- Find your case number Use MiCOURT, ICHAT or the original court to identify case numbers and conviction details.
- Check the judicial segment If you use ICHAT, review the judicial segment for case and disposition information.
- Use Michigan Legal Help Read the official self-help process at Michigan Legal Help expungement guidance.
- File in the correct court Set aside petitions usually require filing in the court connected to the conviction.
Court Records vs ICHAT Background Check
Michigan court records and Michigan criminal history searches are not the same thing. Court records show case activity in a court file. ICHAT is the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool for public criminal history record information maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center.
Which Michigan search should you use?
| Your Need | Use This | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| Find a court case, hearing, docket or party record | MiCOURT Case Search | MiCOURT Case Search |
| Find public criminal history maintained by MSP | ICHAT | Michigan State Police Criminal History Records |
| Find prison or supervision status | MDOC OTIS | Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS |
| Find federal district or bankruptcy case | PACER | PACER |
Michigan Appeals and Supreme Court Records
Michigan appellate records are searched separately from most trial court records. The Michigan Courts “Cases, Opinions & Orders” search provides access to Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court case information, opinions and orders where available.
How to search Michigan appellate records
- Open the appellate search page Go to Michigan Cases, Opinions & Orders.
- Search by party, docket number or keyword Use the appeal number if you have it. Otherwise search party names or legal keywords.
- Open opinions and orders carefully Appellate documents may include PDF opinions, unpublished opinions, orders and case status entries.
- Trace back to trial court if needed An appellate record often references the lower court case number and county. Use that information to request trial court records.
Federal Court Records in Michigan
Federal court records in Michigan are not searched through MiCOURT. Federal cases use PACER and federal court CM/ECF systems. Michigan has federal district court coverage through the Eastern District of Michigan and Western District of Michigan, plus federal bankruptcy courts.
Federal records you may need PACER for
- Federal criminal cases
- Bankruptcy cases
- Civil rights lawsuits
- Federal employment or agency disputes
- Patent, copyright or trademark cases
- Federal habeas corpus or immigration-related federal litigation
- Appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Register for PACER Create a PACER account at pacer.uscourts.gov.
- Choose the right federal court Use the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, bankruptcy court or PACER Case Locator.
- Search by party or case number Federal docket search works best when you know the case number or exact party name.
- Download documents carefully PACER may charge access fees. Save documents the first time you open them if you need copies.
Michigan federal court links
| Federal Court Need | Official Link |
|---|---|
| National PACER search | PACER Find a Case |
| Eastern District of Michigan records | Eastern District PACER records |
| Western District of Michigan records | Western District of Michigan |
| Western District bankruptcy records | Western District Bankruptcy PACER |
Michigan Court Locations
Michigan court records are tied to the court where the case was filed or closed. If you need a clerk, certified copy, public terminal, hearing confirmation or old file, use the official Michigan Trial Court Directory. This prevents you from using outdated county pages or wrong phone numbers.
Michigan Hall of Justice
925 W. Ottawa Street, Lansing, MI 48915
Main public resource: Michigan Courts
Find local trial courts: Michigan Trial Court Directory
Michigan trial court search by county
| Need | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Find a circuit court | Use the Trial Court Directory and select the county circuit court. |
| Find a district court | Search by city, county or district court number in the directory. |
| Find a probate court | Use the probate court listing for the county or probate district. |
| Find virtual courtroom access | Use the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory by county or judge. |
| Find court forms | Use the official Michigan Courts forms pages or Michigan Legal Help. |
Practical Search Tips for Michigan Court Records
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Michigan court records online for free?
Start with MiCOURT Case Search. Choose the correct court if required, accept the terms, and search by name, business name, case number or other available fields.
What is MiCOURT Case Search?
MiCOURT Case Search is the official Michigan judiciary public case search portal for participating courts. Depending on the court, it may show civil, traffic, criminal, domestic, divorce, family and probate case information.
Are Michigan court records public?
Many Michigan court records are public unless restricted by statute, court rule, court order or local administrative order. Some records are sealed, confidential, limited-access or not available through internet search.
Can I search Michigan court records by name?
Yes, many courts allow name searches through MiCOURT or local court systems. Search by legal name first, then try prior names, middle initials, business names and spelling variations.
How do I find a Michigan court case number?
Look at your court notice, ticket, summons, complaint, judgment, divorce papers, probate notice or attorney documents. The number may be called a case number, docket number or court file number.
How do I search Michigan criminal court records?
Use MiCOURT Case Search by defendant name or case number. For felonies, check both district court and circuit court because the case may start in district court and later move to circuit court.
Is MiCOURT the same as ICHAT?
No. MiCOURT is a court case search tool. ICHAT is the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool for public criminal history record information.
How do I get certified copies of Michigan court records?
Contact the court clerk where the case was filed or closed. Use the Michigan Trial Court Directory to find the correct court. Ask for the copy fee, certification fee, payment method and delivery options.
Can I search Michigan divorce records online?
Many divorce case dockets can be searched through circuit court or MiCOURT systems. For a certified judgment of divorce, request the document from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was filed.
How do I find a Michigan court date?
Search your case in MiCOURT and check upcoming hearing entries. Also check the local court website or the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory if the hearing is remote.
Why can’t I find a Michigan court record online?
The record may be sealed, restricted, old, filed in another court, moved from district court to circuit court, or available only through the court clerk. Contact the court directly before assuming the record does not exist.
How do I search Michigan probate records?
Use MiCOURT if the probate court participates, or contact the county probate court through the Michigan Trial Court Directory. Search by decedent name, protected person name, estate name or case number.
How do I search Michigan appellate court records?
Use the Michigan Courts Cases, Opinions & Orders search page for Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court opinions, orders and case information.
How do I search federal court records in Michigan?
Use PACER for federal court records. Federal civil, criminal and bankruptcy cases are not searched through MiCOURT.
Are juvenile records public in Michigan?
Many juvenile records are restricted or limited-access. Access depends on the case type, law, court rule, court order and the requester’s relationship to the case.
Can I watch Michigan court hearings online?
Some Michigan courts provide remote hearing access through the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory. Search by county, court or judge and follow the court’s instructions.
Can I use a Michigan court record for employment or licensing?
For official screening, do not rely only on a public court search. Use the background-check process required by the employer, licensing board or agency, which may include ICHAT, fingerprints or other authorized checks.
What is the official Michigan court records website?
The official statewide court website is courts.michigan.gov. The official trial court case search portal is MiCOURT Case Search.
Final Summary
For michigan court records, start with the official MiCOURT Case Search for many public trial court cases. Use the Michigan Trial Court Directory when you need a specific court clerk, certified copy, local court website or older file. Use Michigan Courts Cases, Opinions & Orders for appellate records, ICHAT for Michigan public criminal history, the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory for remote hearing access and PACER for federal cases.
The strongest search method is always the case number. If you only have a name, verify the court, county, case type, party role, filing date and identity details before relying on the result. If a record is missing online, it may still exist but be restricted, old, sealed, held by another court or available only through the clerk.
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