Find Clinton County Court Records

Clinton County court records are maintained at the courthouse at 100 E. State Street in St. Johns, where the 29th Circuit Court, the 65A District Court, and the Probate Court all operate. You can search Clinton County court records through MiCOURT online or contact the county clerk to request specific files in person or by mail. The 29th Circuit is a two-county circuit shared with Gratiot County, covering cases across both counties from the St. Johns courthouse.

Clinton County Court Offices

All three courts in Clinton County are at 100 E. State Street in St. Johns. The 29th Circuit Court, shared with Gratiot County, handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $25,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, and juvenile proceedings. The 65A District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil cases under $25,000, and small claims. The Probate Court handles estates, wills, guardianships, and mental health petitions. All three courts are in the same building, so residents can handle multiple court matters in one visit.

The County Clerk's office is the main contact for court records in Clinton County. Call the clerk at (989) 224-5150. The clerk processes document requests, issues certified copies, and helps people find records across all three court divisions. Under MCL 15.232, public records in Michigan are open to any person who requests them. The clerk must respond to a written request within five business days. Mailing a written request to the clerk is a practical option for people who live outside St. Johns.

Michigan Court Rule 8.119 sets uniform statewide standards for how courts store and provide access to their records. Clinton County courts follow these rules for case files, formatting, and public access. Because the 29th Circuit is shared with Gratiot County, some circuit-level administration may involve the Ithaca courthouse as well. Call ahead at (989) 224-5140 to confirm which location handles a specific type of circuit case.

Search Clinton County Court Records Online

The primary online tool for searching Clinton County court records is MiCOURT, run by the Michigan Supreme Court. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. MiCOURT covers the 29th Circuit and 65A District courts in Clinton County and returns basic case information, party names, docket events, and hearing dates without any account or fee requirement.

For full document access or older cases from before the mid-1990s, contact the clerk's office directly. The Clinton County website has contact information for the clerk and court offices. The Michigan Courts website provides statewide guidance on public access to records and links to forms and fee schedules. MCL 15.232 makes clear that any person can inspect public records, and the five-day response rule applies here just as it does in every other Michigan county.

MCR 1.109 governs the technical rules for how courts in Michigan file and store documents. It also outlines what is public and what can be sealed. Clinton County is one of the more populated mid-Michigan counties, so clerk staff handle a higher volume of records requests. Calling ahead at (989) 224-5150 and describing the case you need can help speed up the process.

The Clinton County website provides contact information for the clerk's office and links to court-related services for residents across the county.

What Clinton County Court Records Contain

Court records in Clinton County span all three courts at the St. Johns courthouse. Circuit court files include felony criminal cases, civil suits over $25,000, divorce and child custody matters, and juvenile proceedings. District court files cover misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases under the jurisdictional limit. Probate court files hold estate documents, will filings, guardianship orders, and mental health petitions. Every file has the documents generated from when the case was opened through its final resolution.

A standard Clinton County court file includes the original complaint or petition, motions filed by both sides, the court's orders and rulings, and the final judgment. Criminal files typically contain the arrest warrant, charging documents, bail orders, plea agreements, and sentencing records. Civil files show the complaint, service of process records, and any settlement or judgment entered by the court. Under the Michigan Constitution, Article 1, Section 23, most court records are open to the public unless a judge has sealed them or the law requires them to be private.

Some records in Clinton County are restricted by law or court order. Juvenile case files are generally sealed. Certain mental health filings may be withheld from public view. Cases with minor victims can have portions restricted. MCL 15.232 sets out the framework for public access, and MCR 8.119 governs how courts must manage and store records statewide. When you are not sure whether a specific record is public, call the clerk at (989) 224-5150 before coming in.

Clinton County sits just north of Ingham County and has grown steadily as a suburban and rural mix. The court sees a full range of case types, from local district matters to complex civil and family law cases handled by the shared 29th Circuit.

Clinton County Court Record Fees

Copy fees for Clinton County court records follow state law. Plain copies cost $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies, which carry the court seal and are required for most legal uses, cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same document. These fees apply when you request copies at the clerk's office at 100 E. State Street in St. Johns. Viewing a file at the courthouse costs nothing.

For people who cannot afford fees, MCL 600.880b allows courts to waive fees for indigent parties. You fill out a fee waiver form and submit it with your request. A judge reviews the form and decides whether you qualify. The clerk's office in St. Johns has the form available when you visit or can mail it to you on request. The waiver can cover both copy fees and filing fees for new cases.

The Michigan Courts fee schedule page lists standard copy and filing fees that apply statewide, including at the Clinton County courts in St. Johns.

Legal Help in Clinton County

Clinton County residents can access several free and low-cost legal resources. Michigan Legal Help offers plain-language guides on court records, family law, small claims, and self-help filing at no cost. It also links to official court forms. This is a practical starting point for people dealing with a legal matter and not sure where to begin.

Legal aid organizations serving mid-Michigan may cover Clinton County residents who meet income guidelines. The State Bar of Michigan operates a lawyer referral service for those who need a licensed attorney. Court forms for most case types are available free at courts.michigan.gov/forms. The clerk's office in St. Johns can direct you to the correct form for your situation, though staff cannot provide legal advice. Because the 29th Circuit covers Clinton and Gratiot counties, confirming which courthouse handles your specific circuit matter is worth a quick call before you visit.

Cities in Clinton County

Clinton County has no cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. The county seat is St. Johns, which serves as the center of county government and houses all three courts. Other communities in Clinton County include DeWitt, Ovid, Bath, and Fowler. All residents of Clinton County file court cases at the courthouse at 100 E. State Street in St. Johns.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or sit near Clinton County. Check where the events in your case occurred to determine which county court has jurisdiction. Each county maintains its own court system and clerk's office.