Search Washtenaw County Court Records

Washtenaw County court records are maintained by the 22nd Circuit Court and several district courts in Ann Arbor. You can search records online through MiCOURT or the county's own public access portal, or visit the clerk's office at the Washtenaw County Courthouse in downtown Ann Arbor. Civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases filed in this county are all part of the public record, and most can be found with a name or case number.

Washtenaw County Courts

Washtenaw County has several courts spread across the county, but the main hub is at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, where the 22nd Circuit Court and Probate Court are located. The 22nd Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $25,000, divorce and custody matters, and juvenile cases. The Probate Court at the same address manages wills, estate administration, and guardianships. The County Clerk's office is also in this building and processes most public records requests.

District courts in Washtenaw County are split across multiple locations. The 15th District Court, at 301 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, covers the city of Ann Arbor and handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, traffic matters, and small claims. The 14A District Court serves several communities in the county from multiple locations, while the 14B District Court is at 7200 S. Huron River Dr. in Ypsilanti and serves that area. Each district court keeps its own records, though you can search all of them through the statewide MiCOURT system.

Under MCL 15.232, public records in Michigan are open to any person who asks for them. The county clerk must respond to a written request within five business days. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 sets the standards for how courts in Washtenaw County maintain and provide access to their records, keeping the process consistent with every other county in the state.

Search Washtenaw County Court Records Online

Washtenaw County offers more online search options than most Michigan counties. The best starting point is MiCOURT, the state's free case search tool. It covers the 22nd Circuit and district courts and lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or date. You can see case status, hearing dates, and basic docket entries at no cost and without creating an account.

The county also has its own Name Search portal on the Washtenaw County website. This tool is specific to the county clerk's records and can be useful for finding cases not yet indexed in MiCOURT or for checking records from older filings. A third option is the Washtenaw Trial Court Public Access portal, which gives direct access to case records from the trial courts in this county. All three tools are free to use for basic searches.

For documents that are not available through the online portals, you can contact the clerk at (734) 222-6720 or go in person to 101 E. Huron Street. The county website also has pages for each individual court with their hours, forms, and local procedures. If you are searching for very old cases, records from before the early 1990s may not be in any online system and must be requested directly from the clerk's office.

The Washtenaw County Name Search portal lets you look up cases by party name directly through the county clerk's system.

The Washtenaw Trial Court Public Access portal provides direct access to case records from the county's circuit and district courts.

What Washtenaw County Court Records Contain

Court records in Washtenaw County cover the full range of case types handled by each of its courts. Circuit court files include felony charges, civil suits, divorce proceedings, custody orders, and juvenile matters. District court files cover misdemeanors, traffic citations, small claims, and civil disputes under $25,000. Probate court files contain wills, estate inventories, appointment of personal representatives, and guardianship or conservatorship orders.

Within each case file, the typical documents include the original complaint or petition, summons and proof of service, motions and responses, court orders, and any final judgment or disposition. Criminal case files may also contain arrest warrants, charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing records. Family law files often include parenting plans, support orders, and property settlement agreements. These are all public records under Michigan law unless a court has sealed them.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile case files are not open to the public in most situations. Cases involving minor victims, certain mental health matters, and sealed files are also off limits without a court order. MCR 1.109 sets the technical rules for how documents are filed in Michigan courts and what standards they must meet. If you need a record that may be sealed, you will need to file a motion asking the court to open it, and a judge will decide whether to grant access.

MCL 600.880b gives courts the authority to waive fees for people who cannot afford them. This applies to both filing fees and copy costs. If cost is a concern, ask the clerk about waiver forms before you request copies.

The Washtenaw County Trial Court page has local information about court divisions, hours, and how to access records from each court in the county.

Washtenaw County Court Record Fees

Copy fees in Washtenaw County vary slightly by court division. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page at most courts, though some divisions charge $1.50. Certified copies carry a base fee of $10 plus $1 per page. If you need an extensive records search that takes significant staff time, the clerk's office charges $32.11 per hour for that work. These fees are set by state statute and the county's local fee schedule.

Under MCL 600.880b, the court can waive fees for people who qualify as indigent. You fill out a fee waiver form and submit it along with your request. A judge reviews it and decides. The clerk's office can provide the form when you come in. This option covers both copy fees and filing fees, so it is worth asking about if cost is an issue for you.

Online searches through MiCOURT, the county name search portal, and the public access portal are all free. You only pay when you need physical copies of documents or certified records for legal use. Basic case information, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries are available at no cost through the online tools.

Legal Help in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County has good access to legal resources compared to many Michigan counties. Michigan Legal Help is a free online tool with plain-language guides on court records, family law, small claims, and many other topics. It links to official court forms and can help you figure out what steps to take without a lawyer.

Legal aid in this county is served by Legal Services of South Central Michigan, which offers free civil legal help to people who meet income guidelines. Ann Arbor is also home to the University of Michigan Law School, which has clinics that handle certain types of cases for eligible clients. The State Bar of Michigan runs a lawyer referral service if you need private counsel. Court forms for most case types are free at courts.michigan.gov/forms, and the clerk's office can tell you which form applies to your situation, though staff cannot give legal advice.

The Washtenaw County homepage has links to each court division and resources for residents who need help navigating the county's court system.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County includes several cities and townships. Ann Arbor is the county seat and largest city, home to the University of Michigan. Court cases for Ann Arbor residents are filed at the 22nd Circuit Court or the 15th District Court in the city. Ypsilanti is the second largest city in the county and is served by the 14B District Court. Other communities include Chelsea, Saline, Dexter, and Manchester, all of which file county-level cases at the Ann Arbor courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or sit near Washtenaw County. If you are not sure which county court has your case, check where the events took place or where you live at the time of filing.