Find Court Records in Macomb County

Macomb County court records are maintained by the 16th Circuit Court, three District Courts, and the Probate Court, all based in or near Mt. Clemens. As one of Michigan's most populated counties, Macomb handles a high volume of civil, criminal, family, and probate cases each year. You can search these records online through MiCOURT or the county's own CourtView portal, or visit the courthouse in person to request copies of filings and case documents.

Macomb County Courts

Macomb County has one of the more complex court setups in Michigan. The 16th Circuit Court at 40 N. Main St. in Mt. Clemens handles felony criminal cases, large civil disputes, family law, and appeals from the district courts. This court also houses the Probate Court, which handles estates, wills, trusts, and guardianship matters. The County Clerk at the same address is the keeper of all circuit and probate case files.

Three separate District Courts serve different parts of the county. The 37th District Court in Warren covers cases from that city. The 41A District Court in Sterling Heights handles that city's cases. The 41B District Court in Clinton Township serves the township and surrounding areas. Each district court keeps its own records for misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, small claims, and traffic violations. If you need a record from a specific part of the county, knowing which district court has it matters.

The courts page on the Macomb County government site at macombgov.org provides links and contact info for all courts operating in the county.

Online Search for Macomb County Court Records

Two online tools are available for searching Macomb County court records. The first is MiCOURT, Michigan's statewide public case search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. It covers all Michigan courts, including the 16th Circuit, the three district courts, and the Macomb County Probate Court. Search by name or case number. No login is needed for basic searches.

The second tool is CourtView, which the Macomb County Circuit Court runs at circuitcourt.macombgov.org. This portal is specific to the 16th Circuit Court and can give you more detail on circuit-level cases. You can check case status, view docket entries, and find scheduled hearings. It is worth checking both tools if you are not getting results in one of them.

The CourtView portal run by Macomb County's 16th Circuit Court lets users look up case status and docket entries for Macomb County court records without visiting the courthouse.

For e-filing, Michigan courts use MiFILE. Attorneys and parties who file cases electronically can track their cases there. Under MCR 8.119, courts are required to maintain records and make them available to the public. Note: Certain case types such as juvenile, mental health, and some family records have restricted public access.

What Records Are in the System

Macomb County court records cover a broad range of legal matters. Circuit court records include felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, and all family law filings such as divorce, custody, child support, and personal protection orders. The probate court keeps records for estates, wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. District court records handle lower-level civil and criminal cases.

Each case file holds the original complaint or petition, every motion and response filed by the parties, court orders, transcripts if the hearing was on record, and the final judgment or order. Most records are public under the Michigan Constitution, Article 1, Section 23, and the Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.232. Some documents in juvenile cases, mental health cases, and certain family matters may be sealed or have limited access.

For certified copies needed for legal purposes, the clerk's office can provide documents with an official court seal. These are often needed to enforce judgments, prove a name change, or deal with out-of-state matters. Plain copies are fine for personal reference and cost less.

Macomb County Court Record Fees

Macomb County charges higher copy fees than most Michigan counties. Plain copies cost $2.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $2.00 per page. This applies to both the circuit court and probate court records. The district courts may have slightly different rates, so it is best to call ahead if you are getting records from one of the three district court locations.

Fee waivers are available for people with low income. MCL 600.880b allows the court to waive fees in civil cases when a party cannot pay. You file a request form with the court explaining your financial situation. The judge decides whether to approve it. The full Michigan court fee schedule is posted at courts.michigan.gov. This page also covers fines and costs for criminal matters, which are set separately from copy fees.

Legal Help in Macomb County

Several resources are available for people who need help with Macomb County court records or court matters. The Michigan Legal Help site at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides on family law, housing, small claims, and more. The guides are written in plain language and walk you through each step. Many people use the site to file on their own without a lawyer.

For those who need direct legal help, legal aid programs in the metro Detroit area serve Macomb County residents. These programs handle civil cases for people who meet income guidelines. You can find a list of programs by county on the courts.michigan.gov website. Free court forms are available at courts.michigan.gov/forms. These are the official state forms accepted by all Michigan courts, including those in Macomb County. MCR 1.109 lays out the formatting and filing rules every document must follow. Court staff can tell you which forms you need but cannot fill them out for you.

Cities in Macomb County

Macomb County includes several large cities, each served by its own district court for lower-level cases. Major civil and criminal cases go to the 16th Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens regardless of which city you live in.

Nearby Counties

Macomb County shares borders with Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties. Each handles its own court records and has separate clerk offices.