Alpena County Court Records Search
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Alpena County, Michigan, maintains a layered court system that handles everything from misdemeanor traffic violations to felony prosecutions, complex civil disputes, and family law matters. Court records generated by these proceedings are documented by court clerks and represent an important source of public information — used by attorneys, employers, journalists, and private citizens alike. Whether you need to verify a case outcome, research property liens, or investigate a background matter, knowing which court holds the relevant records and how to access them will save considerable time.
Residents looking to locate case information in Michigan have several avenues to explore. Public access terminals are available at the Alpena County Courthouse lobby, and many records can also be searched remotely. MichiganCourts.us can help users orient themselves within the state’s court structure and identify publicly available case information. From there, searchers can narrow their inquiry to the appropriate court, clerk’s office, or online database for Alpena County-specific filings.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Alpena County?
Alpena County participates in Michigan’s statewide MiCourt Case Search system, which indexes criminal, civil, traffic, domestic (divorce/family), and probate cases across the state’s trial courts. The platform is free to use and allows searches by party name, case number, or other case identifiers. It is the most efficient starting point for researching an Alpena County court case from any location.
A few important limitations apply to the MiCourt platform:
- Excluded case types: Adoption, juvenile and child protective proceedings, mental illness proceedings, personal protection orders (PPOs), name changes, wills, and several other sensitive categories are not displayed through MiCourt.
- Seven-year filter: Some courts only display criminal conviction data for sentences imposed within the past seven years. Cases outside that window require a direct contact with the court.
- Bulk downloads: Automated scraping or bulk data retrieval is prohibited under the site’s terms of use.
For cases that fall outside MiCourt’s scope, or when you need certified copies of documents, you must contact the appropriate Alpena County court clerk directly.
Alpena County’s court locations are:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26th Judicial Circuit Court | 720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 1, Alpena, MI 49707 | (989) 354-9573 | (989) 354-9643 |
| 88th District Court | 719 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 3, Alpena, MI 49707 | (989) 354-9678 | (989) 354-9785 |
| Alpena County Probate Court | 719 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 4, Alpena, MI 49707 | (989) 354-9650 | (989) 354-9782 |
| Alpena County Clerk | 720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 2, Alpena, MI 49707 | (989) 354-9520 | (989) 354-9648 |
All original court filings must be directed to the Alpena County Clerk’s Office, which processes and maintains all Circuit Court files. Judge’s copies are sent to the 26th Circuit Court at Suite 1 of the same address.
Are Court Records Public in Alpena County?
Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq., forms the legal basis for public access to government records in Alpena County. The statute establishes a presumption of openness, meaning records are available to any person unless a specific exemption applies. The act’s intent is to keep citizens informed about government affairs so they can fully participate in the democratic process.
Under Michigan FOIA, the following categories of court records may be withheld:
- Records disclosing personal information about victims of sexual offenses
- Expunged or sealed court documents
- Community mental health records incorporated into court files
- Records whose disclosure would not serve the public interest or would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Certain law enforcement investigative records
To submit a FOIA request to Alpena County, use the county’s FOIA Request for Public Records form and deliver it by mail, fax, email, or in person. Requests can be sent to:
Alpena County FOIA Coordinator
720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 2
Alpena, MI 49707
Fax: (989) 354-9648
Email: FOIA@alpenacounty.org
Alpena County must respond within five business days of receiving a written request, though a ten-day extension is permitted when circumstances require it. Note that requests submitted by fax or email are not considered received until one business day after transmission. The county may charge fees to cover the cost of assembling, supervising inspection of, or copying records. A Public Summary of FOIA Procedures and Guidelines is available on the county website and outlines the full fee schedule and procedural requirements.
Alpena County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Alpena County originate in the 88th District Court regardless of the severity of the offense. All adult criminal proceedings — including arraignments, preliminary examinations, bail hearings, and the issuance of arrest and search warrants — begin at the District Court level. The 88th District Court has Hon. Alan M. Curtis as its presiding judge and handles:
- Adult misdemeanor offenses punishable by up to one year imprisonment
- Felony arraignments and preliminary examinations (which are then bound over to Circuit Court if probable cause is found)
- Civil infractions and traffic violations
- Drug and Alcohol Sobriety Court for high-risk individuals
Felony prosecutions, once bound over from District Court, are tried in the 26th Judicial Circuit Court, which serves both Alpena and Montmorency Counties. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all criminal offenses carrying a sentence of one year or more. Criminal Motion Days in Alpena County are generally scheduled twice monthly on Mondays; the court can be reached at (989) 354-9573 for scheduling specifics.
To obtain criminal case records, searchers can:
- Search online via the MiCourt Case Search portal using a party name or case number
- Submit a FOIA request using the county’s FOIA form delivered to the Circuit Court Clerk at 720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 2, Alpena, MI 49707
- Visit in person during regular business hours and provide case identifiers including the party’s full name, aliases, date of birth, and the approximate filing year range
The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office maintains the county jail and related corrections records. The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office — Sheriff Erik W. Smith — is located at 4900 M32 W, Alpena, MI 49707, and can be reached at (989) 354-9830. In-person appointments for fingerprints and firearms purchase permits are required and can be scheduled through the Fingerprints Information page. Current inmate information is searchable through the Corrections & Jail section of the Alpena County website.
Alpena County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Alpena County is divided between two trial courts based on the dollar amount in controversy. The 88th District Court handles civil suits involving $25,000 or less, including small claims matters (disputes of $6,500 or less), landlord-tenant eviction proceedings, and land contract forfeitures. The 26th Circuit Court takes jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $25,000, cases involving land, equity proceedings, and appeals from the District Court and local administrative agencies.
Civil case types by court:
| Dollar Threshold | Court | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $6,500 | 88th District Court (Small Claims) | Small debt, property damage |
| $6,501 – $25,000 | 88th District Court | Contract disputes, evictions, land contracts |
| Over $25,000 | 26th Circuit Court | Unlimited civil, complex commercial, equity |
Civil Domestic/Civil Motion Days in Alpena County Circuit Court are generally held twice monthly on Tuesdays. The Circuit Court’s email is circuitcourt@alpenacounty.org.
To request civil records:
- Submit a written request to the Alpena County Clerk at 720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 2, including the full names of all parties, date range for the search, and any available case numbers
- Search the MiCourt Case Search system for civil case summaries, party information, and the register of actions
- Use the county’s Court Information & Forms page to access applicable forms and court docket schedules
Circuit Court records for cases involving commercial disputes, real property, and general civil matters are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk (Court Administrator: Lucas Patton) at Suite 1 of the courthouse, with original filings processed through the Clerk’s Office at Suite 2.
Alpena County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 26th Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all family-related matters in Alpena and Montmorency Counties. Michigan law mandated the creation of a unified Family Division within Circuit Courts to ensure that families involved in multiple proceedings — for instance, a concurrent divorce and child neglect case — are handled by a single judge. The Family Division covers:
- Divorce (dissolution of marriage)
- Child custody and parenting time disputes
- Child support and paternity actions
- Non-support enforcement
- Adoptions
- Juvenile delinquency matters
- Neglect and abuse petitions
- Personal Protection Orders (PPOs)
- Emancipation of minors
- Guardianships and conservatorships with ancillary family connections
- Proceedings involving mentally ill or developmentally disabled individuals
Alpena County’s Family Division has an Attorney Referee serving in-court. Juvenile Motion Days in Alpena County are held six times monthly, on Wednesday afternoons and Thursdays. There may be adjustments around holidays or vacations; contact the Circuit Court at (989) 354-9573 to confirm scheduling.
Family court records carry significant confidentiality protections. Personal protection orders, juvenile proceedings, and adoption case files are not accessible through the MiCourt online search system and will not appear in public results. For non-confidential family matters such as divorce decrees, written record requests must be submitted to the Alpena County Clerk’s Office.
Marriage records — including licenses and certificates — are maintained by the Alpena County Clerk’s Office. To request a certified copy of a marriage record:
- Complete the Records Request Form
- Attach a legible copy of a valid government-issued photo ID
- Enclose a check or money order payable to the Alpena County Clerk — $16 for a certified copy, $6 for each additional copy
- Mail to: Alpena County Clerk, 720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 2, Alpena, MI 49707
Birth and death records are similarly managed through the County Clerk’s Office using the same Records Request Form and the same $16 certified copy fee ($6 per additional copy). Birth records in Michigan are restricted by law and available only to the record subject (if age 18 or older), parents, legal representatives, heirs, or a court of competent jurisdiction. Death records are similarly restricted to next of kin and authorized parties. Both types of records may also be requested in person at the Clerk’s Office.
Alpena County Probate Court Records
The Alpena County Probate Court is located in the Alpena County Annex Building at 719 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 4, Alpena, MI 49707. The court operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at (989) 354-9650.
The Probate Court has jurisdiction over a broad set of matters, including:
- Admission and administration of wills and estates
- Appointment of personal representatives for decedent estates
- Intestate succession proceedings
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Trusts
- Commitment proceedings for mental illness
- Safekeeping of deposited wills (wills may be deposited with the court prior to death)
Michigan’s probate court system also moved juvenile jurisdiction into the Family Division of the Circuit Court, but the Probate Judge continues to serve in the Family Division, ensuring coordinated handling of overlapping family and probate matters.
Probate court records — including estate inventories, guardianship orders, and will admissions — are accessible to the public with the exception of certain sensitive matters (such as mental illness proceedings). Requestors can search probate case information through the statewide MiCourt Case Search platform, though wills specifically are excluded from online display and must be requested directly from the court.
To obtain hard copies of probate records, submit a FOIA Request Form to the Probate Court at its physical address. Your request should include the estate or case party’s name, any aliases, the document type, and the approximate filing date range. The court will respond within five business days in most circumstances and will notify you of any applicable fees before producing copies.
Helpful informational guides published by the Alpena County Probate Court cover common proceedings including guardianships, wills, trusts, estates, and mental health matters — all accessible from the Probate Court section of the Alpena County website. These materials explain the basic procedural requirements for each type of proceeding, though the court cautions that staff cannot provide legal advice or complete forms on behalf of petitioners.