Detroit Court Records
Detroit court records are held at the 36th District Court and the Third Circuit Court, both serving Wayne County. Detroit has more court filings than any other city in Michigan, and most records are open to the public. You can search cases online, request copies in person, or access dockets and judgments through several official portals.
Detroit Overview
Courts Serving Detroit
Detroit is served by two main trial courts. The 36th District Court handles misdemeanors, civil claims under $25,000, small claims, and felony arraignments. It is known as "The People's Court" because more Detroit residents come through it than any other court in the state. The Third Circuit Court handles felony cases, civil cases above district court limits, family law matters, and probate. Both courts are in downtown Detroit.
The 36th District Court has 28 judges and 6 magistrates, plus around 300 staff. Chief Judge William C. McConico leads the court. It is not just the largest district court in Michigan but one of the busiest courts in the entire country. Its mission is to administer justice in an equitable, impartial, and timely manner in line with the rule of law. The court's scale means records go back many years and cover a wide range of case types.
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36th District Court | 421 Madison Street, Detroit, MI 48226 | (313) 965-2200 | M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm |
| Third Circuit Court | 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 | (313) 224-6262 | M-F (contact for hours) |
| Wayne County Probate Court | 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 | (313) 224-6250 | M-F (contact for hours) |
The official website for the 36th District Court is 36thdistrictcourtmi.gov. There you can find contact details, court hours, and links to case search tools. For the Third Circuit Court, visit 3rdcc.org, which has eFiling, public records access, docket information, and local administrative orders. Wayne County government resources are at waynecountymi.gov.
The 36th District Court also has a TDD/TTY line at (313) 965-4158 for those who are hearing impaired. The fax number is (313) 965-3951. The Office of the Chief Judge can be reached at (313) 965-8736 for administrative questions.
The screenshot below shows the 36th District Court's homepage at 36thdistrictcourtmi.gov, where you can find court hours, contact info, and case search access.
The 36th District Court site lists all divisions, payment options, and the scam alert notice that warns residents the court will never contact them by text to demand payment.
Search Detroit Court Records Online
Several online tools let you search Detroit court records without visiting the courthouse. The statewide MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ covers district and circuit court cases across Michigan, including Detroit's 36th District Court. You can search by name, case number, or party type. Results show party names, filing dates, case status, and docket entries. This system is free to use.
The Third Circuit Court runs its own public access portal called OPA at cmspublic.3rdcc.org. This covers circuit-level cases including felony criminal, civil, and family division matters in Wayne County. The main 3rdcc.org site also has direct links to eFiling at 3rdcc.org, court records access, docket lookup, and administrative records. If you need to file new documents, the circuit court accepts electronic filings through the same portal.
Under MCL 15.232, Michigan's Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to inspect and copy court records that are not sealed. Most Detroit court records fall under this rule. Under MCR 8.119, court clerks must keep case records and make them available during business hours. These rules form the legal basis for public access to Detroit court filings.
The screenshot below shows the Third Circuit Court's main portal at 3rdcc.org, which includes access to public case records, eFiling, and docket information for Wayne County.
The Third Circuit Court site provides online court hearings by division, local administrative orders, and options for paying fines or fees by phone, mail, or online.
Note: The Michigan courts portal at courts.michigan.gov links to all statewide court resources and is a good starting point if you are not sure which court handled a specific Detroit case.
What Detroit Court Records Contain
Detroit court records vary by case type, but most public case files include the names of all parties, the date the case was filed, the charges or claims involved, and the current status of the case. Criminal records from the 36th District Court show arraignment details, bond conditions, and sentencing information for misdemeanor cases. Circuit court criminal files include preliminary exam records, trial transcripts, and final judgments for felony cases.
Civil case records in Detroit often contain the complaint, any counterclaims, motions filed by both sides, hearing dates, and the court's final order or judgment. Family division records at the Third Circuit Court cover divorce filings, custody orders, child support judgments, and adoption records. Some family records are sealed or have restricted access. Probate court records from Wayne County cover estate inventories, wills admitted to probate, guardianship orders, and conservatorship filings.
Under MCR 1.109, Michigan courts must maintain records in a consistent format. Under Michigan Constitution Article 1, Section 23, courts must remain open and available to the public. These rules help ensure Detroit court records stay accessible. Not every document in a file is public. Some items, like juvenile records and mental health records, have limits under state law.
Fees and Copy Costs
Getting Detroit court records costs money. The 36th District Court and Third Circuit Court each have their own fee schedules. Copy fees depend on the type of document and whether you need a certified copy. Plain copies cost less. Certified copies are more expensive because the clerk must attest they are true and accurate reproductions of the original file.
You can pay fees at the 36th District Court in several ways. Online, by phone, by mail, or in person at 421 Madison Street are all accepted. The Third Circuit Court also has multiple payment options listed on its site. For specific fee amounts, call the 36th District Court at (313) 965-2200 or visit the court's website. The Third Circuit Court fee schedule is available at 3rdcc.org. Wayne County Clerk Cathy Garrett can be reached at (313) 224-5530 for county-level record fees.
If you need court forms, the Michigan courts system offers free downloads at courts.michigan.gov/forms/. Electronic filing through MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/ is available for certain case types in the Third Circuit Court.
Note: Fee waivers may be available for low-income requestors. Ask the clerk about filing an affidavit of indigency if cost is a barrier.
Legal Help in Detroit
Detroit has several resources for people who need help with court records or legal matters. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is the best free starting point. The site has plain-language guides on how to search court records, file court papers, and understand case types. It covers civil, criminal, family, and housing cases and includes step-by-step instructions for self-represented parties.
The Wayne County legal aid offices serve low-income Detroit residents. They can help with civil cases, family law matters, and housing disputes. Legal aid staff can also explain what court records are public and how to get copies. The Michigan Bar Association's referral service can connect you with a private attorney if you need paid legal help. Call (800) 968-0738 for a referral.
Detroit residents should also be aware of an active scam. Fraudsters send text messages claiming you owe court fines and demand immediate payment. The 36th District Court will never contact you by text to demand payment. Do not click links or give payment info in response to any such message. Report suspicious texts to local authorities. This alert is posted directly on the court's website at 36thdistrictcourtmi.gov.
All court forms for Michigan are free and available at courts.michigan.gov/forms/. The Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center at courts.michigan.gov also has self-help guides and resources for people navigating the court system on their own.
Wayne County Court Records
Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County. All circuit court, probate court, and district court records for Detroit fall under the Wayne County court system. For a full overview of Wayne County courts, fee schedules, courthouse locations, and online access tools, visit the Wayne County court records page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Detroit also have court records pages. These cities are served by different district courts but fall within the broader Wayne County and metro Detroit court system.