Search St. Clair County Court Records

St. Clair County court records are maintained by the 31st Circuit Court, the 72nd District Court, and the Probate Court in Port Huron. The county runs a dedicated courts portal at stclaircountycourts.org, and cases are also searchable through MiCOURT. This page covers how to find, access, and get copies of St. Clair County court records. Call the county clerk at (810) 985-2200 for help with a specific case or document request.

St. Clair County Court System

The 31st Circuit Court is the primary court for St. Clair County, handling all felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, and family law matters. It sits at 201 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron. This court produces the most detailed public records in the county, covering a wide range of case types including multi-party civil suits, divorce proceedings, and serious criminal matters. Court records from the 31st Circuit are open to the public under MCR 8.119 and Michigan Constitution Article 1, Section 23.

St. Clair County has two 72nd District Court locations. The main location at 201 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron handles most of the county. A second division sits at 200 Allen St. in Marine City and serves the southern part of the county. District Court records cover misdemeanors, small claims, civil cases under $25,000, and most traffic matters. The Probate Court at 201 McMorran Blvd. handles wills, estates, and guardianship cases. For all three courts, the county clerk at (810) 985-2200 is the point of contact for records requests.

The St. Clair County website has contact information and links for all county departments. Under MCL 15.232, Michigan residents have the right to inspect public records and get copies. The clerk must respond to a written request within five business days.

The county also operates a dedicated courts portal at stclaircountycourts.org where you can find court-specific information and online services.

The St. Clair County homepage provides links to court offices, the clerk's department, and contact information for all county services related to court records.

The St. Clair County courts portal at stclaircountycourts.org offers direct access to court services, online document requests, and case search tools for the county's court system.

Online Access to St. Clair County Records

St. Clair County has two online tools for searching court records. Start with the county courts portal at stclaircountycourts.org. This site is built specifically for St. Clair County courts and offers information on how to request documents, what the courts handle, and how to navigate each division. For case lookups by name or case number, use MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/.

MiCOURT is free and does not require registration. It shows case type, filing date, parties, and docket events for most cases in the county. For Circuit Court records in St. Clair County, you can also request documents online through the courts portal at a cost of $15.00 per document. This applies to Circuit Court filings only. District Court and Probate Court copies require an in-person or written request to the clerk.

The 31st Circuit Court page on the St. Clair County courts portal details how to access, search, and request copies of circuit court records in the county.

The 72nd District Court section of the county courts portal covers case search options, district court procedures, and how to request copies of district court records in St. Clair County.

Under MCR 1.109, courts keep records in a form that allows access by the public. If a record is not showing up in an online search, contact the clerk at (810) 985-2200 for a manual lookup. Older paper files may not be in any online system but are still available for inspection at the courthouse.

What St. Clair County Court Records Include

Court records in St. Clair County contain a range of documents depending on case type. Circuit Court felony files include the charging documents, arraignment records, bail orders, plea or trial transcripts, sentencing documents, and any appeal filings. Civil files include the complaint, defendant's answer, discovery orders filed with the court, and the judgment. Family law files add custody schedules, support orders, and parenting time agreements. All of these are part of the public record unless sealed by the court.

District Court records are often shorter but no less important. A small claims file shows the dollar amount in dispute, both parties, and the judgment. Misdemeanor files include the citation or complaint, any pre-trial proceedings, and the final disposition. These records are open to any member of the public. Probate records cover estate filings, will admissions, letters of authority for estate administrators, and final distribution orders. People researching family history or verifying asset ownership often need these.

The types of records most often requested in St. Clair County include divorce judgments, felony sentencing orders, small claims outcomes, and probate inventories. You do not need to be a party to the case to get most of these records. Some sealed cases and juvenile matters are restricted, but the clerk will let you know before you request copies.

Fees for St. Clair County Court Records

St. Clair County charges $15.00 per document for online Circuit Court record requests. In-person copies cost $1.00 per page for plain copies and $10.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies. These are the standard Michigan court rates that apply at the county level. If you need multiple documents from the same case, each counts as a separate document for the online fee.

If cost is a barrier, you can apply for a fee waiver under MCL 600.880b. The court reviews your financial situation and decides whether to waive fees. The clerk at (810) 985-2200 has the required forms. Waivers cover filing fees as well as copy fees for qualifying individuals.

Note: Court fees are set by the state and may change without advance public notice. Check with the clerk before submitting payment to confirm current rates.

Legal Resources for St. Clair County

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free legal information and step-by-step guides for common court matters. The site covers family law, consumer debt, housing, and many other topics that come up in St. Clair County courts. If you are handling your own case without an attorney, this is one of the most useful free resources available in Michigan.

For legal representation, the State Bar of Michigan has a referral program that can match you with a local attorney. Legal aid organizations in the Port Huron area may also take cases for low-income residents. Official court forms for all case types are available at no cost at courts.michigan.gov/forms/. The e-filing portal at mifile.courts.michigan.gov may be used for certain case types in St. Clair County courts. The county courts portal at stclaircountycourts.org also has local resources and guidance specific to this county.

Nearby Counties

St. Clair County borders three other Michigan counties. Each operates its own court system. The right court depends on where the case originated or where the parties lived at the time of filing.