Dearborn Court Records Lookup
Dearborn court records are held by the 19th District Court for local civil and misdemeanor matters and by the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit for felonies and family law cases. Dearborn has its own district court, separate from Detroit's 36th District, so you need to go to the right court when requesting records. You can search online through MiCOURT or Wayne County's OPA portal, visit the courthouse in person, or call the clerk. This page explains where to look, what the records include, and what fees apply.
Dearborn Overview
Courts Serving Dearborn
The 19th District Court is Dearborn's own district court, separate from Detroit's 36th District Court. It handles civil infractions, traffic cases, misdemeanors, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters for Dearborn residents. For felony cases, divorce, custody, and large civil suits, those go up to the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. Wayne County Probate Court also operates out of Detroit and handles estate, guardianship, and mental health cases for Wayne County residents including those in Dearborn.
| Court | 19th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 16077 Michigan Avenue Dearborn, MI 48126 |
| Phone | (313) 943-2060 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Circuit Court | 3rd Circuit Court, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit | (313) 224-6262 |
| Note | Separate from Detroit's 36th District Court; Dearborn cases go to the 19th District |
One point that trips people up: because Dearborn is in Wayne County and borders Detroit, many people assume their case is handled by the 36th District Court in Detroit. That is not correct for Dearborn residents. If your case arose in Dearborn, the 19th District Court on Michigan Avenue is your starting point for district-level records. The 36th District handles cases from the city of Detroit and a few other jurisdictions, but not Dearborn. Getting the right court saves you time when you are requesting records or filing documents.
All Michigan court records are presumed public under MCR 8.119, which applies to the 19th District and the 3rd Circuit alike. The circuit court in Detroit handles cases from across Wayne County, so if you are searching for a Dearborn case that escalated to a felony or involved a contested divorce, those records will be at the 3rd Circuit clerk's office or searchable in Wayne County's online portal.
Search Dearborn Court Records Online
The state's main public search tool is MiCOURT. It is free and covers courts statewide including the 19th District and the 3rd Circuit. You can search by name, case number, or attorney name. Results show filing dates, case types, party names, and current status. MiCOURT is a good first stop for any Dearborn records search. It does not always show full document images, but it confirms whether a case exists and tells you what court holds the file.
For 3rd Circuit Court cases, Wayne County runs an online public access portal at cmspublic.3rdcc.org. This tool is specific to 3rd Circuit cases and gives you case detail, docket entries, and hearing schedules. It covers major civil cases, felonies, and family law matters from Dearborn and the rest of Wayne County. The 3rd Circuit's own website at 3rdcc.org also has general information and links to its clerk's office resources.
The Michigan courts homepage is the main entry point for statewide court record searches, including Dearborn cases handled by the 19th District Court and the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County.
Under MCL 15.232, the public has the right to inspect and copy court records held by Michigan courts, and that right applies to Dearborn cases. Some records may be restricted under MCL 600.880b, which governs access to specific court documents. If you need to file documents electronically, MiFILE is the state's e-filing platform for participating courts. Court filings and records in Dearborn are also maintained under MCR 1.109, which sets statewide standards for record-keeping and access.
Michigan's court fee schedule page shows standard copy and certification fees that apply at Dearborn's 19th District Court and the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit.
If a case is not showing up in MiCOURT or the Wayne County OPA portal, it may be a sealed record, an older pre-digital file, or a case filed under a slightly different name. Contact the 19th District clerk at (313) 943-2060 or the 3rd Circuit clerk at (313) 224-6262 to follow up on any gap in the online search results.
What Dearborn Court Records Include
Court records from Dearborn courts vary by case type. The 19th District handles traffic citations, civil infraction judgments, small claims orders, misdemeanor charges, and landlord-tenant cases. Those files typically include the original complaint or ticket, any motions, court orders, and the final disposition. The 3rd Circuit handles felonies, divorce, custody, and major civil cases. Those files are more involved and include indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, divorce decrees, custody plans, and civil judgments.
Probate records for Dearborn residents are held at Wayne County Probate Court and cover wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health petitions. Plain copies of most documents are available from the clerk for a fee. Certified copies cost more but are needed for out-of-state filings and some legal proceedings. Hearing transcripts, when ordered, are priced per page and must be requested separately from the court reporter. Under MCR 8.119, most records are public, but sealed orders, juvenile cases, and some family law documents may be restricted under state rules.
If you are searching for a specific document and the clerk says it is restricted, ask for the basis under Michigan law. In most cases they can point to the rule or statute that limits access. The general right to inspect records under MCL 15.232 still applies, and you can request a review of any denial.
Dearborn Court Record Fees
Fees for Dearborn court records depend on which court holds the file and what type of copy you need. Both the 19th District Court and the 3rd Circuit Court set their own copy rates within the limits set by state law.
Typical copy fees at Dearborn area courts:
- Plain copies: $1.00 to $2.00 per page
- Certified copies: $10.00 plus $1.00 per page
- Transcript copies: priced per page, call to confirm current rate
For 19th District Court records, visit the clerk's office at 16077 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn or call (313) 943-2060 to confirm fees and ask about mail-in requests. For 3rd Circuit records, contact the Wayne County Circuit clerk at (313) 224-6262. Certified copies cost more but are required for legal proceedings and out-of-state use. Always call ahead to confirm current fees before you go. All Michigan court forms are free at courts.michigan.gov/forms. Copy fees are subject to change, so confirm before your visit.
Legal Help in Dearborn
If you need help finding or using Dearborn court records, several resources can assist. You don't need an attorney just to look up a public record, but legal help is useful when dealing with an active case or a contested matter.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free plain-language guides on court procedures for district, circuit, and probate matters. It covers common case types and explains what records you will encounter at each stage. For lower-income Dearborn residents, legal aid is available through Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and through Legal Aid and Defender Association, both of which serve Wayne County. The Wayne County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at (313) 961-3545 can also connect you with an attorney if you need one for a specific matter.
For e-filing, MiFILE is available for participating courts. Free forms are at courts.michigan.gov/forms. If you are not sure whether a case is in the 19th District or the 3rd Circuit, start with MiCOURT and search by party name. That will tell you which court holds the file and what the current status is.
Wayne County Court Records
Dearborn is in Wayne County. Felony cases and major civil filings from Dearborn are handled by the Wayne County court system, including the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit. For county-level court contact details, search tools, fee information, and more, visit the Wayne County court records page.
Nearby Cities
Looking for court records in other Michigan cities? These nearby qualifying cities also have dedicated court records pages.