Antrim County Court Records Search
MichiganCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on MichiganCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Antrim County, Michigan maintains a structured court system through which residents, attorneys, and legal researchers can access official case records covering criminal, civil, family, and probate proceedings. The county courthouse in Bellaire serves as the administrative center for most record-keeping functions. The Antrim County Clerk's Office acts as the official custodian of Circuit Court criminal, civil, and family division records. Whether you need to examine a past judgment, retrieve a filed pleading, confirm a case outcome, or research an estate proceeding, knowing which court and which office manages a given record type will save you time before you submit a request.
If you're starting a search for Antrim County court records, MichiganCourts.us is a useful entry point for the Michigan court system. From there, you can access court forms, locate court contacts, and reach the statewide case search tool. The MiCourt Case Search platform allows the public to search civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate cases online across Michigan courts, including those in Antrim County, using a party name or case number. For records that can't be located online, direct contact with the appropriate Antrim County court office is the most reliable path to complete documentation.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Antrim County?
The most direct route to finding an Antrim County court case depends on the type of matter involved. The Antrim County Clerk's Office handles records for the criminal, civil, and family divisions of the 13th Circuit Court. The Probate Court and Family Division maintains its own records separately at a distinct location within the courthouse complex.
Step-by-Step: Online Case Search
- Go to the MiCourt Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan Court of Justice.
- Select the court type you wish to search — Circuit, District, or Probate.
- Enter the party's full name or a known case number.
- Review returned case data, which may include hearing dates, charges or claims, case status, and disposition information.
- For additional online resources specific to Antrim County, visit the county's Online Services page, which provides direct links to criminal and civil case record databases for both the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court.
Step-by-Step: In-Person or Mail Request
- Identify the correct custodian office based on the case type (see court listings below).
- Gather identifying information: full party name, approximate filing date, and case number if known.
- Submit a written request, either in person during business hours or by mail, to the appropriate clerk's office.
- Include any applicable fees with the request. The Antrim County Clerk's Office accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards. Circuit Court payments may also be submitted online through AllPaid, with the case number and defendant's full name included.
Antrim County Court Locations:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Circuit Court – Antrim (Clerk's Office) | 203 East Cayuga Street, P.O. Box 520, Bellaire, MI 49615 | (231) 533-6353 | (231) 533-6935 |
| 86th District Court – Antrim | 280 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 | (231) 922-4580 | — |
| Probate Court & Family Division | 205 East Cayuga Street, P.O. Box 130, Bellaire, MI 49615 | (231) 533-6681 | (231) 533-6600 |
The Antrim County Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Probate Court and Family Division observes hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closes daily from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Antrim County?
Michigan's primary public records law, the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Act 442 of 1976, governs public access to government-held records, including most court documents. Under this statute, public agencies — including courts and county offices — are required to make records available for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Most Antrim County court records, including criminal case files, civil judgments, and probate proceedings, are accessible to any member of the public without needing to state a reason for the request. However, several categories are withheld from public access:
- Records sealed by court order or expunged under judicial authority
- Community mental health records incorporated into court files
- Information about crime victims, particularly in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect case files
- Adoption records and proceedings
- Records subject to confidentiality under specific state statutes
When a court file contains both public and restricted content, clerks will typically produce a redacted version of the document rather than withholding the file entirely. Individuals who believe a FOIA request has been improperly denied may appeal through the requesting agency's appeals process or seek review through the courts.
Antrim County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Antrim County are divided between two trial courts based on the severity of the offense. Felony prosecutions and serious criminal appeals are handled by the 13th Circuit Court, while misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and local ordinance violations fall under the jurisdiction of the 86th District Court. The District Court's Criminal/Traffic Division schedules criminal matters, manages case dispositions, notifies the Michigan Department of State Police Records Division of outcomes, and handles all bond receipts and disbursements.
The Antrim County Clerk's Office maintains criminal case records for the Circuit Court. Researchers can access basic case information — including charges filed, hearing dates, and final dispositions — through the county's 13th Circuit Court Criminal Case Records portal or through the statewide MiCourt platform. For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 203 East Cayuga Street in Bellaire during regular business hours.
Criminal Background Checks
For a comprehensive criminal history, the Michigan State Police operates the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which is the only public resource for name-based Michigan criminal history background checks. ICHAT is available online and allows individuals and organizations to search the criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. A fee applies for each search conducted through ICHAT.
The Antrim County Sheriff's Office, located at 209 Portage Drive, Suite A, Bellaire, MI 49615, maintains arrest records and jail information for locally held individuals. The Sheriff's Administration Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Current inmate information is available through the Inmate Information section of the county website. For offenders under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections, the MDOC Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provides searchable access to current and historical custody records.
Antrim County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Antrim County are split between the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court based on the dollar amount in dispute. The Circuit Court handles civil lawsuits involving claims exceeding $25,000, while the District Court's Civil Division processes general civil cases, small claims, and landlord-tenant proceedings for disputes up to $25,000.
Small Claims in the 86th District Court
The Small Claims Division of the 86th District Court handles money disputes up to $7,000, following a 2024 increase under Michigan Public Act 60. Filing fees are tiered based on the amount of the claim:
- Claims up to $600: $30 filing fee
- Claims from $600.01 to $1,750: $50 filing fee
- Claims from $1,750.01 to $7,000: $70 filing fee
For landlord-tenant matters and other summary proceedings, the District Court's Civil Division schedules hearings, issues civil writs and garnishments, and collects filing fees. The 86th District Court Cases portal on the Antrim County website provides online access to district-level case information.
Accessing Circuit Court Civil Records
The Antrim County Clerk's Office maintains civil filings for the 13th Circuit Court, including pleadings, orders, and judgments. Records can be searched online through the 13th Circuit Court Civil Case Records portal or through MiCourt. In-person review is available at the clerk's office at 203 East Cayuga Street during business hours.
The Antrim County Register of Deeds, located at 203 East Cayuga Street, Room 140, Bellaire, MI 49615 — reachable at (231) 533-6683 — maintains property-related records including deeds, plats, mortgages, and liens. These records can be searched in person at the Register of Deeds office or through the county's public search options portal.
Antrim County Family Court Records
Family court matters in Antrim County are handled by the Probate Court and Family Division, presided over by Judge Stacey L. Truesdell. This division functions as the exclusive forum for domestic relations proceedings within the county.
Matters handled by the Family Division include:
- Divorce and legal separation proceedings
- Child custody and parenting time disputes
- Child support establishment and modification
- Domestic violence and personal protection orders
- Juvenile delinquency, neglect, and abuse matters
- Adoption proceedings and emancipation petitions
- Guardianship of minors
Divorce decrees and related family court filings are maintained by the Antrim County Clerk's Office. Requests for certified copies of divorce records may be submitted in person or by mail to the clerk's office at P.O. Box 520, Bellaire, MI 49615, or by email to clerk@antrimcountymi.gov. Divorce records are also searchable through the MiCourt platform. Keep in mind that many family court records — particularly those involving children, domestic violence, or juvenile proceedings — carry restricted access and may not appear in public online searches.
Vital Records Maintained by the Clerk
The County Clerk's Office is responsible for vital records affecting family documentation, including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses issued in Antrim County. These records are available through the Clerk's Vital Records Office.
To request a vital record, applicants must:
- Complete a vital records request form.
- Provide a copy of a valid driver's license or state ID.
- Include a callback phone number.
- Submit payment (cash, check, or credit card) along with the request by mail or in person. Email requests can be paid via the online payment portal, subject to a 2.99% processing fee (minimum $3.99).
Vital Record Fees (Antrim County Clerk):
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies (Same Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (birth, death, marriage) | $10.00 | $3.00 each |
| Photocopy of original record | $1.00 per page | — |
| Copy from old/historical record | $2.00 | — |
| Search fee (clerk-performed search) | $5.00 | — |
| Seniors age 60+: search + copy or 1 certified copy | $5.00 | — |
Michigan state-level vital records are also available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office, where certified birth and death certificates issued statewide can be ordered at a current fee of $34.00 per certified copy. Marriage licenses and divorce certificates dated since state registration began are also available through MDHHS.
Antrim County Probate Court Records
The Antrim County Probate Court and Family Division serves as the repository for all probate-related filings in the county. Presided over by Judge Stacey L. Truesdell, the court supervises the administration of decedents' estates, interpretation of wills, conservatorships, guardianships, trusts, and mental commitment proceedings. The court is located at 205 East Cayuga Street, P.O. Box 130, Bellaire, MI 49615, with contact available by phone at (231) 533-6681 or by email at probatecourt@antrimcountymi.gov.
Probate matters handled by the court include:
- Formal and informal estate administration
- Wills and testamentary proceedings
- Trusts and trustee appointments
- Conservatorship and guardianship for adults and minors
- Name change petitions
- Mental health commitment hearings
- Juvenile probationary matters
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate records can be searched in person at the Probate Court office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed noon to 12:30 p.m.) or through the statewide MiCourt portal. The court maintains a documents and forms section on its official website where procedural forms can be downloaded. The Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office also maintains a comprehensive index of probate court forms applicable across all Michigan probate courts.
Filing Fees
Filing fees for probate matters vary by proceeding type. For small estates with a value of less than $50,000, the filing fee is $25.00. For other probate matters, contact the court directly to confirm the applicable fee before submitting payment. Credit card payments for probate filings can be made through the court's designated online payment portal, though a convenience fee applies. Payments by mail should be made by check payable to Antrim County Probate Court and sent to P.O. Box 130, Bellaire, MI 49615. A secure drop box is also available outside the county building's southeast entrance off M-88 for after-hours submissions.
Death certificates are frequently required in probate proceedings to open an estate and establish the legal basis for administration. These records are obtained through the County Clerk's Vital Records Office using the process described above, or through the state's MDHHS vital records office for certificates issued across Michigan.