Branch County Court Records Search
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Branch County, Michigan sits in the south-central part of the Lower Peninsula, with Coldwater serving as the county seat and home to all three of its primary courts. Court records generated in Branch County document criminal cases, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate matters, and vital events, and they are maintained by the respective court clerks in accordance with Michigan law. Whether someone needs a copy of a divorce decree, wants to look up a felony conviction, or needs to verify a property-related judgment, the path begins by identifying which court handled the matter and which office serves as its record custodian.
Residents searching for Michigan court case information can use MichiganCourts.us as a starting point for navigating the state’s judicial landscape. Beyond that, the state-administered MiCOURT Case Search provides online access to public civil, criminal, domestic, traffic, and probate case information across Michigan trial courts. For Branch County specifically, courthouse terminals are available during business hours at 31 Division Street in Coldwater, where anyone can review public electronic case information without an appointment.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Branch County?
Branch County’s three courts — the 15th Circuit Court, the 3-A District Court, and the Probate Court — are all housed at the Branch County Courthouse. The County Clerk’s office serves as the record custodian for Circuit Court files, while each court maintains its own operational records. Determining which court handled a case is the first step before making any records request.
Online Search Options
- MiCOURT Case Search — The Michigan Courts’ official statewide portal allows searches by name or case number across civil, criminal, domestic, traffic, and probate case types. Branch County Circuit Court cases are accessible through this platform.
- 15th Circuit Court Public Docket — The Circuit Court also provides a public docket accessible directly through the Branch County courts page, allowing users to view scheduled hearings and case activity.
In-Person Access
Visit the Branch County Courthouse at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036. The Clerk’s office is the filing and records hub for circuit court matters. Public access terminals are available on-site during regular business hours.
Mail and Written Requests
Submit a written request to the appropriate court clerk. Include the full names of parties, approximate case dates, and case number if known. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for any applicable copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Branch County?
Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL § 15.231–15.246, establishes the right of public access to government records, including most court documents. Under FOIA and MCL § 600.880, the public has the right to inspect and copy court records maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
However, several categories of records are shielded from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records — Protected under MCL § 712A.28 to preserve the privacy of minors involved in delinquency or child protective proceedings.
- Adoption records — Sealed pursuant to MCL § 710.67, restricting access to protect the identities of all parties.
- Medical and psychological evaluations — Held confidential under MCL § 15.243(1)(a) unless a court order directs otherwise.
- Active criminal investigation records — Withheld under MCL § 15.243(1)(b) to avoid jeopardizing ongoing law enforcement activities.
- Birth records — Confidential for records less than 100 years old; access is limited to persons listed on the record or their documented heirs.
Records that are generally accessible to the public include civil case files, completed criminal case records, marriage certificates, death certificates, probate filings, and property records, subject to the standard court rules and any applicable redaction requirements.
Branch County Criminal Court Records
All criminal matters in Branch County begin at the 3-A District Court, regardless of severity. The District Court explains charges, advises defendants of their rights, sets bail, and conducts preliminary examinations in felony matters. Misdemeanor cases punishable by up to one year in jail are tried and sentenced entirely in District Court. Felony matters — those carrying more than one year of potential confinement — are transferred to the 15th Circuit Court after a preliminary examination establishes probable cause.
3-A District Court
Address: 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: (517) 279-4328
Fax: (517) 279-4333
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (courthouse doors close at 4:50 p.m.)
15th Circuit Court
Address: 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: (517) 279-4304
Fax: (517) 279-5110
Email: circuitcourt@branchcounty.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Judge: Hon. Zachary Stempien
Criminal motion hearings at the Circuit Court are scheduled Monday mornings beginning at 8:30 a.m. Jury trials begin on Tuesdays. All persons entering the courtroom must wear appropriate attire; shorts and tank tops are prohibited, and cell phones are not permitted on the second floor of the courthouse.
Criminal History Background Checks
Individuals needing a criminal history record check independent of a specific court case can use the Michigan State Police’s ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool). ICHAT provides public access to criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. Searches cost $10 per inquiry and cover Michigan misdemeanor and felony convictions. ICHAT does not include records from other states or federal courts.
Arrest Records and Jail Information
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office maintains local arrest and jail records. The jail operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Branch County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 379 Keith Wilhelm Dr., Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: (517) 278-2325
Email: Sheriffbc@countyofbranch.com
Fax: (517) 278.5698
Administration Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Branch County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Branch County are divided by the amount in dispute. The 3-A District Court hears civil cases where monetary damages do not exceed $25,000, including small claims disputes and landlord-tenant matters. Cases seeking more than $25,000 in damages, disputes involving land title, or matters in equity fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the 15th Circuit Court.
District Court Civil Filings
Small claims cases at the 3-A District Court carry filing fees scaled to the amount claimed:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $600 | $30.00 |
| $600.01–$1,750 | $50.00 |
| $1,750.01–$7,000 | $70.00 |
For landlord-tenant cases, the base cost of filing a lawsuit is $55.00. Additional fees apply if monetary damages are also claimed alongside the eviction action.
Circuit Court Civil Filings
Civil actions filed in the 15th Circuit Court are subject to Michigan’s standard circuit court civil filing fee structure. The standard civil filing fee is $150.00, distributed between the local funding unit and the state. An electronic filing system fee of $25.00 applies to cases commenced using the court’s electronic filing system. Motions in civil cases are heard on Friday mornings, with domestic relations motions beginning at 8:30 a.m. and general civil motions at 10:30 a.m. Motions expected to exceed ten minutes or require witness testimony must be separately scheduled with the Court Administrator.
Case records can be searched through MiCOURT Case Search or by visiting the Circuit Court clerk’s window on the second floor of the Branch County Courthouse.
Branch County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Branch County are handled within the 15th Circuit Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, paternity, family support, and related domestic relations proceedings. The Branch County Friend of the Court (FOC) operates as an arm of the Circuit Court and carries primary responsibility for enforcement of custody, parenting time, and child support orders. The FOC conducts hearings, investigations, and makes recommendations to the Circuit Court judge. It also offers mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method for custody and parenting time disagreements.
Divorce Records
Divorce proceedings are filed with the Branch County Clerk, who serves as the Circuit Court’s record custodian. Divorce records include decrees, property settlements, and custody arrangements under MCL § 552.7. To obtain copies of divorce records:
- Submit a written request to the Branch County Clerk at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if available.
- Include valid photo identification.
- Pay applicable copy fees (see fee schedule below).
Marriage Records
Michigan marriage records are filed in the county where the license was issued. Branch County marriage records are maintained by the Branch County Clerk and are open to the public. Certified and non-certified copies can be requested in person or by mail using the Marriage License Request Form available on the county website.
Vital Records Fee Schedule (Branch County Clerk)
| Record Type | First Certified Copy | Additional Copies (same order) | Non-Certified Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $20.00 | $5.00 each | $5.00 |
| Death Certificate | $20.00 | $5.00 each | $5.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $20.00 | $5.00 each | $5.00 |
| Microfilm Copy (flat rate) | $10.00 | — | — |
| Microfilm Certification | +$10.00 | — | — |
| Non-refundable Search Fee (10-year search) | $20.00 | — | — |
Payment Method: Cash or money order only, payable to Branch County Clerk. Personal checks are not accepted and will be returned. Mail requests must include a self-addressed, stamped legal-size (#10) envelope, with a mailing address matching the ID provided.
Mail requests go to:
Branch County Clerk
31 Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: (517) 279-4306
Birth Records — Confidentiality Note
Birth records less than 100 years old are confidential under Michigan law and will only be released to the person named on the record (the child or parents) with proper identification. If all persons listed are deceased and the requestor is a documented heir or descendant, the Clerk’s office should be contacted directly for guidance on eligibility. A copy of a driver’s license or state-issued ID must accompany all requests; if the address appears on the back of the license, a front-and-back copy is required. Alternatively, three separate pieces of identification may be substituted.
Death Records
Death records in Branch County are public records filed in the county where the death occurred. Certified copies can be requested by mail using the Death Certificate Request Form available through the Clerk’s office. A searchable Death Record Index covering certificates on file with the Branch County Clerk is also available through the county website.
For statewide vital records requests, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) processes orders for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from its vital records office.
Branch County Probate Court Records
The Branch County Probate Court derives its authority from statutes enacted by the Michigan State Legislature, primarily the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL § 700.1302, and the Michigan Mental Health Code. Following 1998 legislative changes that transferred juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, adoptions, name changes, and emancipation of minors to the Circuit Court’s family division, the Probate Court’s current jurisdiction focuses on:
- Estate administration and trust proceedings
- Guardianships and conservatorships for adults and minors
- Mental health commitments and hospitalization proceedings
- Certain adoption proceedings
Branch County Probate Court
Address: 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: (517) 279-4318
Fax: (517) 279-6444
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Probate Filing Fees
Michigan Probate Court fees are set by state statute and the Michigan Supreme Court. Statewide, a standard probate motion fee is $20.00 per filing. A demand for jury trial in probate carries a $30.00 fee. The full statewide Probate Court Fee Table is published by the Michigan Supreme Court State Court Administrative Office and lists the statutory basis for each fee along with the allocation between the local funding unit and the state court fund. Fees may be waived upon demonstrated financial hardship by order of the probate judge.
Probate records are accessible by submitting a written request to the Probate Court clerk. Requestors should provide the decedent’s or ward’s full name, date of death or case filing, and the case number when available. Certified copies of probate documents carry the same fee structure used by the Clerk’s office for certified records generally. The Probate Court’s mission, as formally stated, is to exercise its jurisdiction under the Michigan Constitution, the Probate and Mental Health Codes, and applicable court rules in service of the public, with particular attention to protecting individuals who are vulnerable and cannot act on their own behalf.
Statewide probate forms required for estate and guardianship proceedings are published by the Michigan Courts administrative office and are available in standardized format for use across all Michigan counties, including Branch County.