Farmington Hills Court Records
Farmington Hills court records are filed with the 47th District Court and the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. You can search case data online through Court Explorer, MiCOURT, or the court's own portal at fhgov.com. This page covers the courts that serve Farmington Hills, how to look up records online, what case files contain, and where to get help if you need it.
Farmington Hills Overview
Courts Serving Farmington Hills
The 47th District Court at 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road handles district-level cases for both Farmington Hills and the city of Farmington. This court covers traffic violations, civil infractions, small claims, landlord-tenant matters, and misdemeanor criminal cases. Judges Marla E. Parker and James E. Brady preside over the court. Felonies and major civil matters go to the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac, which handles all Oakland County circuit-level cases including family law and appeals.
| Court | 47th District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road Farmington Hills, MI 48336 |
| Phone | (248) 871-2900 |
| Serves | Farmington Hills and Farmington |
| Judges | Marla E. Parker; James E. Brady |
| Circuit Court | 6th Circuit Court, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac | (248) 858-0344 |
The 47th District Court has an important change coming to how cases are filed. Mandatory e-filing for civil cases started November 13, 2025. If you're filing a civil matter at the 47th District Court after that date, paper filing is no longer the standard option. You'll need to use the state's e-filing system, MiFILE, to submit civil documents. This doesn't affect criminal cases or traffic matters in the same way, but it's worth knowing if you're handling a civil lawsuit. Under MCR 8.119, all court records are presumed open to the public unless restricted by a specific rule or court order.
Felony transcript procedures at the 47th District Court also changed under MCR 6.110(G). New rules govern how felony transcripts are ordered and delivered, and the timeline for getting a transcript copy may differ from what was previously standard. If you need a felony transcript tied to a Farmington Hills case, call (248) 871-2900 to ask about the current process and any updated fees before placing your order.
Search Farmington Hills Court Records Online
Oakland County's Court Explorer at courtexplorer.oakgov.com/OaklandCounty is the main tool for finding Farmington Hills court records online. It covers district, circuit, and probate courts across Oakland County. You can search by name or case number and filter by court to focus on 47th District Court cases or 6th Circuit matters. Court Explorer is free and open to the public without an account.
The 47th District Court also has its own page at fhgov.com/47dc, which provides local court information, forms, and links for Farmington Hills residents. For statewide searches, MiCOURT covers courts across Michigan and is useful if you're not sure which court handled a particular case. Under MCL 15.232, you have a legal right to inspect and copy public records held by courts, so most case data is accessible to any member of the public who requests it.
Court Explorer Oakland County gives you direct access to 47th District Court records and 6th Circuit filings for Farmington Hills cases, all from a single search interface.
Court Explorer returns party names, case numbers, filing dates, and case status for Farmington Hills court records without requiring you to create an account or pay a fee.
Under MCR 1.109, courts must maintain records in a way that allows public access. That means even if a document isn't available online, the physical file should be viewable at the clerk's office during business hours. If you need documents from a Farmington Hills case that aren't showing up in Court Explorer or MiCOURT, call the 47th District Court at (248) 871-2900 to confirm what's available and how to get it.
The Michigan Courts homepage provides access to MiCOURT, court forms, and guidance on finding public court records for any city in Michigan, including Farmington Hills.
What Farmington Hills Court Records Include
Court records from the 47th District Court cover civil infractions, traffic violations, small claims cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and misdemeanor criminal charges. Each file normally includes the original charge or complaint, any motions or responses, court orders, and the final outcome. Circuit court records from the 6th Circuit include felony cases, divorce proceedings, child custody and support orders, civil suits over $25,000, and probate matters handled in Oakland County.
Civil filings at the district court level can show small claims judgments, whether a judgment was paid or appealed, and whether a garnishment was issued. These records are useful for background checks, tenant screening (in a general sense), and verifying whether a civil dispute was resolved. For felony cases at the 6th Circuit, the record will typically include the original charge, any plea agreements, sentencing information, and whether probation conditions were set. Under MCR 8.119, the court clerk must allow public inspection of any open case record.
Family court records from Farmington Hills cases filed at the 6th Circuit include divorce decrees, custody agreements, paternity determinations, and personal protection orders. Some portions of these records, especially those involving minor children, may be restricted. Even so, the basic case information is usually viewable, and the clerk can tell you what parts of a file are accessible. Under MCL 600.880b, courts may charge for copies but must allow access to non-restricted records on request. Note that the new e-filing mandate for civil cases at the 47th District means some case documents may now exist in digital form only.
Farmington Hills Court Record Fees
Copy fees at the 47th District Court and the 6th Circuit Court follow standard Oakland County and state guidelines. Rates are set by each court within ranges allowed by state law.
Standard fees at Farmington Hills courts include:
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $10.00 plus $1.00 per page
- Felony transcripts: call (248) 871-2900 for current rates under MCR 6.110(G)
Transcript fees changed with the new MCR 6.110(G) felony transcript procedures. If you need a transcript from a Farmington Hills felony case, call ahead to confirm the current rate and process before placing your request. For plain and certified copies of other case documents, the fees above are generally accurate but should still be confirmed by phone. Call (248) 871-2900 for 47th District Court matters or (248) 858-0344 for 6th Circuit records. All forms are available free at courts.michigan.gov/forms.
Michigan Courts publishes fee schedules online that cover copy costs and other charges for district and circuit courts, including the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills.
Note: Fees can change at any time. Always call to confirm current copy costs before submitting a mail request or visiting in person.
Legal Help in Farmington Hills
For help with Farmington Hills court records or court procedures, Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a solid first stop. The site covers district and circuit court procedures, how to get copies of records, and how to handle cases without a lawyer. It has specific guides for Oakland County courts and links to local resources.
Oakland County has several legal aid and self-help resources. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service at michbar.org can connect you with an attorney for a low-cost consultation. Oakland Mediation Center handles dispute resolution and can sometimes help with minor civil matters before they escalate to court. For lower-income residents, community legal aid programs in the Oakland County area may take on civil cases. Call the State Bar referral line to find out what's available near Farmington Hills.
Electronic filing for civil cases at the 47th District Court is now mandatory as of November 13, 2025. If you're filing a civil matter, use MiFILE to submit documents and track your case. The platform works for both attorneys and self-represented parties. Free forms for all Michigan courts are available at courts.michigan.gov/forms.
Oakland County Court Records
Farmington Hills is in Oakland County. All circuit and probate court filings for Farmington Hills cases go through the Oakland County court system in Pontiac. For a full list of county court offices, contact details, and additional search options, visit the Oakland County court records page.
Nearby Cities
Looking for court records in other Michigan cities near Farmington Hills? These nearby qualifying cities also have dedicated court records pages.