Access Lenawee County Court Records

Lenawee County court records are filed and stored at the courthouse at 425 N. Main St. in Adrian, where the 39th Circuit Court, the 2A District Court, and the Probate Court all operate. You can search records online through MiCOURT at no cost or request documents directly from the clerk's office in person or by mail. The courts handle felony and misdemeanor cases, civil suits, family law, probate filings, and more.

Lenawee County Courts and Clerk

All three courts in Lenawee County share the building at 425 N. Main St. in Adrian. The 39th Circuit Court is the top trial court and covers felony criminal cases, civil suits over $25,000, family law matters including divorce, child custody, and adoption, and juvenile cases. The 2A District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil disputes under $25,000, and small claims. The Probate Court manages wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings.

The County Clerk oversees records requests and can be reached at (517) 264-4605. The clerk's office at 425 N. Main St. processes requests for plain copies and certified documents, handles filings, and can search for cases across all three courts. Under MCL 15.232, Michigan public records are open to any person, and the clerk must respond within five business days. In-person requests at the counter are generally handled the same day.

Michigan Court Rule 8.119 governs how courts manage and maintain their case records across the state. Lenawee County courts follow these statewide standards. MCR 1.109 sets the technical requirements for how documents must be formatted and filed. The county website at lenawee.mi.us has links to court offices and other county departments.

Search Lenawee County Court Records Online

The best starting point for an online search is MiCOURT, the free case search tool run by the Michigan Supreme Court. MiCOURT covers both the 39th Circuit Court and the 2A District Court in Lenawee County. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range and see basic information including party names, case status, docket history, and upcoming hearing dates. No login or fee is needed to search.

MiCOURT shows case data but not always full document scans or older files. For complete document sets, certified copies, or cases from the 1990s or earlier, you need to go through the clerk's office directly. The clerk's office at 425 N. Main St. in Adrian accepts in-person visits and mail requests. Call ahead at (517) 264-4605 to confirm hours and what information you will need to provide.

The Michigan Courts website gives context on the court system and links to forms and other resources. The county website at lenawee.mi.us has contact details for each court. Use those pages to verify local hours or find specific forms before calling or visiting.

The Lenawee County website links to each court and the clerk's office with contact info and resources for in-person and online records requests.

What Lenawee County Court Records Contain

Circuit court files in Lenawee County hold the full paper trail for felony cases, including the warrant or complaint, arraignment records, pretrial motions, plea or trial records, and the sentencing order. Civil circuit files include the original complaint, service of process documents, all motions and responses, and the final judgment. Family law files contain divorce petitions, custody orders, parenting time agreements, and child support calculations. These are all part of the public record.

District court files cover misdemeanor charges, traffic citations, and small claims. A typical misdemeanor file includes the ticket or complaint, any pretrial hearings, and the disposition. Small claims files show the claim form, service, any response, and the judge's decision. These files are generally shorter than circuit court files but follow the same general structure.

Probate records include petitions to open estates, inventory filings, creditor notices, and the order of distribution. Guardianship and conservatorship files have the petition, any medical or professional evaluations, and the court's order. Most probate records are public. Exceptions include juvenile records, sealed mental health filings, and any documents the court has ordered sealed. MCR 1.109 sets the rules for document filing, and MCL 15.232 establishes your right to access them. Call the clerk at (517) 264-4605 before visiting if you are unsure whether a specific record is available.

Older records not in MiCOURT may be held in physical storage. The clerk can tell you how long a pull takes and whether any additional fees apply for archived files.

Court Record Fees in Lenawee County

Plain copies of court records from the Lenawee County clerk's office cost $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies, needed for legal purposes, typically run $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same document. Fees apply whether you pick up documents at the counter or make a mail request. The clerk collects payment when documents are ready.

If you qualify based on income, the court can waive fees. MCL 600.880b gives the court authority to waive filing fees and copy costs for indigent parties. Get the waiver form at the clerk's office at 425 N. Main St., fill it out, and submit it for a judge's review. If approved, the waiver covers copy fees and may cover filing costs as well.

The Michigan Courts fee schedule lists standard copy and filing fee amounts that apply at the Lenawee County courthouse in Adrian.

Legal Help in Lenawee County

Michigan Legal Help is a free online service with guides for court records, family law, small claims, and other common legal matters. It links to official Michigan court forms and explains procedures without legal jargon. Lenawee County is served by legal aid organizations covering southeast Michigan. Qualifying residents may be able to get free help with civil matters.

The State Bar of Michigan offers a lawyer referral service if you need to consult with an attorney. Free court forms are posted at courts.michigan.gov/forms for most case types. The clerk's office at 425 N. Main St. can point you toward the right form, but they cannot give legal advice. Adrian is home to Siena Heights University and has some connection to regional legal clinics, so local resources are worth checking if you need face-to-face help.

Cities in Lenawee County

Lenawee County has no cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for dedicated pages on this site. Adrian is the county seat and the largest city in the county, serving as the center of local government and courts. Other communities include Tecumseh, Blissfield, Morenci, and Hudson. All Lenawee County residents file court cases and access records at the courthouse at 425 N. Main St. in Adrian.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lenawee County. Verify the location of the events or parties involved to confirm which court has jurisdiction over your case.