Chippewa County Court Records Search

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    Chippewa County, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the international border with Canada, operates a three-tier trial court system serving the residents of Sault Sainte Marie and the surrounding communities. The courts within the county generate and preserve an extensive body of official documentation — from felony case files and divorce decrees to estate inventories and guardianship orders — that collectively form the public record of how justice is administered at the local level. Knowing which court handles which matters, and how to reach the right office, is the practical starting point for any records request.

    Court records in Michigan can be located through a combination of direct contact with clerk offices, public access terminals inside the courthouse, and online search systems. IllinoisCourts.us serves Illinois residents, while those researching Michigan records can use MichiganCourts.us, which connects users with publicly available case information maintained across the state’s trial courts. The state’s primary online search tool — MiCourt Case Search — covers civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate cases and is discussed in detail below.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Chippewa County?

    Chippewa County’s court system is divided among three trial courts, each with its own jurisdiction, physical location, and records clerk. Understanding which court heard a particular type of case is essential before attempting a records search.

    50th Circuit Court — Chippewa County
    Address: 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
    Phone: (906) 635-6338 | Fax: (906) 635-6385
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Chief Judge: Hon. James P. Lambros

    91st District Court — Chippewa County
    Address: 325 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
    Phone: (906) 635-6320
    Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    17th Probate Court — Chippewa County
    Address: 319 Court Street (Garden Level), Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
    Phone: (906) 635-6314

    There are three main ways to search Chippewa County court records:

    • Online via MiCourt Case Search. The MiCourt Case Search portal is the Michigan court system’s centralized online lookup tool. It covers civil, traffic, criminal, domestic (divorce and family), and probate cases across participating courts. Users can search by party name or case number. Court-specific search links for the 50th Circuit Court and the 17th Probate Court are available directly.
    • Public Access Computer at the Courthouse. The 91st District Court makes a public access computer available during normal business hours at no charge. Visitors can search local district court records themselves without involving staff. Searches covering records older than 25 years may require additional time due to limited computerized indexing for that period.
    • In-Person or Remote Records Request. For the 50th Circuit Court, requesters can visit the county clerk’s office in person or submit a completed Court Record Request Form by email or fax. For district court records, contact District Court Clerk Kim Forsythe at (906) 635-7613 or kforsythe@chippewacountymi.gov. Provide the party’s full name, date of birth if available, and the time period to be searched.

    Regardless of which method is used, having the case number, party name, or approximate filing year available will significantly speed up the process.

    Are Court Records Public in Chippewa County?

    Michigan operates under a broad presumption of public access to court records. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 grants members of the public the right to inspect most records maintained by Michigan’s courts without needing to state a reason or present identification. This rule applies to courts in Chippewa County just as it does statewide.

    That said, Michigan Court Rule 8.119 also identifies specific categories that are shielded from public disclosure. The following record types are withheld from general public access in Chippewa County:

    • Probation investigations and case histories
    • Juvenile delinquency and juvenile competency evaluation records
    • Substance abuse treatment records
    • Adoption records and other records sealed by court order
    • Confidential name change records
    • Wills filed for safekeeping (until the testator’s death)
    • Domestic violence assault records
    • Victim home, work addresses, and phone numbers

    A comprehensive reference for restricted categories is the Michigan courts’ Access Security Matrix and Non-Public and Limited-Access Court Records chart, which details which record types are fully public, restricted to certain parties, or entirely non-public.

    No requester is required to explain why they need a public court record or to provide identification simply to inspect a file. However, obtaining certified copies, or requesting that a clerk conduct a name-based search, will generally require payment of applicable fees.

    Chippewa County Criminal Court Records

    The 50th Circuit Court handles all felony criminal matters in Chippewa County, while the 91st District Court processes misdemeanor offenses, civil infractions, and traffic violations. Judicial records from both courts — including charging documents, arraignment records, plea entries, sentencing orders, and probation conditions — are distinct from arrest records held by law enforcement agencies.

    Obtaining Criminal Court Records

    For felony cases through the 50th Circuit Court, records are maintained by the County Clerk’s Office. Options include:

    • Visiting the clerk’s office in person at 319 Court Street during business hours
    • Submitting the Court Record Request Form by email or Fax: (call (906) 635-6300 for submission instructions)
    • Searching the 50th Circuit Court’s MiCourt Case Search portal online

    Copy fees at the Circuit Court are $1.00 per page for plain copies and $10.00 for the first page of a certified copy, plus $1.00 for each additional page.

    For misdemeanor and traffic records held by the 91st District Court, the public access computer inside the courthouse is available free of charge. Clerk-assisted searches require a party name and date of birth; contact Kim Forsythe at (906) 635-7613.

    Statewide Criminal History Searches

    For background checks that may span multiple Michigan counties, the Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which provides name-based access to public criminal history records statewide. A standard ICHAT search costs $10.00. Fee waivers are available for qualifying government agencies and nonprofit charitable organizations that screen employees or volunteers. Requesters who are exempt from the fee should review the MSP’s exemption criteria before submitting a query.

    Arrest Records

    Arrest records originate with law enforcement agencies, not the courts. Local arrest information may be obtained by contacting the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office or the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department directly.

    Chippewa County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Chippewa County is split by claim value. The 91st District Court handles civil claims up to $25,000, while the 50th Circuit Court takes jurisdiction over claims exceeding that threshold, as well as cases involving equitable relief, injunctions, and appeals from the district court or administrative agencies.

    Small Claims

    Small claims cases are handled exclusively by the 91st District Court. Claims may not exceed $7,000, and attorneys are not permitted to represent parties in small claims proceedings. Filing fees in Michigan’s small claims courts are tiered:

    Claim AmountFiling Fee
    Up to $600$30.00
    $600.01 – $1,750$50.00
    $1,750.01 – $7,000$70.00

    If a plaintiff fails to appear at the scheduled hearing, the case is dismissed. A motion to reopen costs $20.00.

    Accessing Civil Records

    Civil case files at the Circuit Court level are held by the County Clerk’s Office at 319 Court Street. Requesters should have the party names and approximate filing year ready. Copy fees are the same as for criminal records: $1.00 per page for plain copies, $10.00 for the first certified page, plus $1.00 per additional certified page.

    For civil records at the district court level, the free public access computer in the courthouse covers local dockets. For older records or clerk-assisted searches, contact District Court Clerk Kim Forsythe.

    Property Records

    Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are recorded by the Chippewa County Register of Deeds, located at 319 Court Street. The office can be reached at (906) 635-6312 or ccrod@chippewacountymi.gov. Recording all documents costs a flat $30.00. The Register of Deeds also offers an Online Land Records Search System, where searches can be conducted by name, document number, document type, or legal description. Document images are viewable online; copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 transaction fee. Certifying a recorded document costs $5.00.

    Chippewa County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Chippewa County fall under the jurisdiction of the 50th Circuit Court, which handles divorce, paternity, child custody, parenting time disputes, child and family support, and personal protection orders. The County Clerk’s Office, which also serves as the clerk of the Circuit Court, is the custodian of all family case filings.

    Divorce Records

    Dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Chippewa County Clerk’s Office. To locate a specific divorce case, requesters may use the MiCourt Case Search portal or visit the office in person. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page thereafter. Requesters should provide the names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed.

    Marriage Records

    The Chippewa County Clerk maintains marriage records dating back to 1827. Unlike some vital records, marriage records are open to the public in Michigan — any individual may request a certified copy without demonstrating a personal connection to the parties. To obtain a certificate, complete the Vital Record Request Form and email it to vitalrecords@chippewacountymi.gov. No government-issued ID is required for marriage record requests. Fees are $10.00 for the first certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth records maintained by the Chippewa County Clerk date back to 1869 and death records to 1870. Unlike marriage records, birth certificates are restricted in Michigan. Certified copies are available only to the registrant (if of legal age), the registrant’s parents, legal guardians (with guardianship papers), heirs (with relationship documentation), and authorized legal representatives. Valid state-issued photo ID is required. Requests are submitted using the Birth Record Application, either online or by mail. The fee is $10.00 for the first certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Online payment is accepted through the county’s payment vendor; those paying online must send their ID by email or fax to (906) 635-6851.

    Death records are also available through the County Clerk using the same Vital Record Request Form, with no identification required from the requester. Fees mirror those for other vital records: $10.00 for a certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy.

    The Clerk’s Office observes designated genealogy research hours — Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — for those conducting historical or family history research.

    Personal Protection Orders

    Emergency and plenary personal protection orders are filed through the Circuit Court. Certain identifying details within these files — including victim addresses and phone numbers — are specifically protected from public disclosure under MCR 8.119.

    Chippewa County Probate Court Records

    The 17th Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction in Chippewa County over matters involving the administration of deceased persons’ estates, the admission and probate of wills, guardianships and conservatorships for both minors and adults, trusts, and involuntary mental health commitments. The court is located in the basement level of the Chippewa County Courthouse at 319 Court Street, Sault Ste. Marie.

    Searching Probate Records

    The 17th Probate Court’s case records are searchable through the MiCourt Probate Case Search portal. Users can query by case party name or case number to retrieve open and closed probate dockets. In-person access to physical case files is also available at the courthouse; copy fees apply for duplicates of any document.

    Estate Administration

    The probate court provides structured pathways for administering a decedent’s estate depending on its size and complexity:

    • Small Estate (up to $21,000): A Petition and Order for Assignment is used, representing the most streamlined process.
    • Unsupervised Administration: Appropriate for estates where heirs are in agreement and the process can proceed without continuous court oversight.
    • Supervised Administration: Required when greater court involvement is necessary to protect the interests of creditors or beneficiaries.

    Court forms for estate and trust proceedings — including inventory forms, petitions, and orders — are available through the Michigan Courts forms library maintained by the State Court Administrative Office. Probate court staff can assist with procedural questions but are prohibited from giving legal advice; those navigating complex estate matters are encouraged to consult an attorney.

    Guardianship and Conservatorship

    The 17th Probate Court handles both guardianship and conservatorship petitions for children and adults. A guardianship grants an appointed individual authority over the personal decisions of a ward, while a conservatorship covers the management of a protected person’s financial assets. Both proceedings require court petitions, notice to interested parties, and judicial approval before an appointment is finalized.

    Wills Filed for Safekeeping

    Wills deposited with the Probate Court for safekeeping are not public records during the testator’s lifetime. Upon the testator’s death, the will becomes subject to the court’s standard public access rules. Detailed information on the court’s wills and trusts procedures is available through the Wills/Trusts section of the Probate Court’s official website.