Clinton County Court Records Search
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Clinton County sits in central Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, with its county seat in the city of St. Johns. The 29th Judicial Circuit Court, the 65A District Court, and the Probate Court all operate from the Clinton County Courthouse at 100 East State Street. The County Clerk’s Office serves as the official keeper of court filings spanning criminal, civil, and family matters, while the Probate Court maintains its own case files for estates, guardianships, and juvenile proceedings. Whether you need to check the status of a pending lawsuit, obtain a certified copy of a divorce judgment, or verify a criminal disposition, Clinton County offers several paths to access these records.
Residents of Michigan can search for court case information through clerk offices, in-person public access terminals, and online databases maintained by the state judiciary. MichiganCourts.us may also help users locate publicly available court case data. The Michigan judiciary operates the MiCOURT Case Search portal, which covers civil, criminal, domestic, traffic, and probate filings across the state’s trial courts, including Clinton County’s Circuit and Probate divisions.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Clinton County?
There are three primary ways to find a Clinton County court case: searching online, visiting the clerk’s office in person, or submitting a written request by mail.
Online Search
The fastest method is the MiCOURT portal. To search Clinton County Circuit Court cases specifically, use the 29th Circuit Court case search page. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Docket information and register of actions are viewable at no charge; however, under MCR 8.119(H), courts are prohibited from providing public access to document images through the internet.
The Clinton County Probate Court record search provides an additional online tool for locating probate and juvenile filings.
In-Person Search
Records filed before July 1996 are available only at the County Clerk’s Office. Post-1996 records are also accessible at the clerk’s counter. Walk-in visitors should bring a party name or case number to help staff locate the file. The clerk’s office is located at:
Clinton County Clerk’s Office
Address: 100 East State Street, Suite 2600, St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 224-5140
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
Mail Requests
Written requests for record searches cost $10.00 per name for a ten-year search. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to “Clinton County Clerk”. The clerk’s office typically processes mail requests within 24 hours. Send requests to the Clerk’s Office at the address above.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copies (first 10 pages) | $2.00 per page |
| Regular copies (each additional page) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page plus $10.00 certification |
| Incoming faxes | $5.00 per page (25-page limit) |
| Documents sent by email | $5.00 per document (up to 10 documents) |
| Documents on USB | $15.00 plus postage |
To order copies online, you can use the GovPay payment portal. Contact the Clerk’s Office at (989) 224-5257 if you need to confirm the page count for a document before placing an order.
Are Court Records Public in Clinton County?
Court records in Clinton County are presumptively open to public inspection. MCR 8.119 of the Michigan Court Rules directs every court clerk to maintain case records and make them available to the public upon request. The rule covers the register of actions, orders, pleadings, docket entries, and other documents generated or filed in the course of litigation.
There are specific categories of records that Michigan law or court rule makes nonpublic. These include:
- Personally identifiable information (PII) — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar sensitive data must be redacted before filing. The Michigan judiciary publishes a PII FAQ guide explaining filer obligations.
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors are generally nonpublic under Michigan law.
- Adoption records — Sealed unless a court order allows disclosure.
- Mental health treatment records — Protected by statute.
- Personal protection orders — Certain information related to petitioners may be restricted.
- Sealed records — Any case or document placed under seal by court order.
- Confidential name changes — Available only through specific court authorization.
The responsibility for redacting protected information rests with the filing party, not the clerk. If you believe a court record has been improperly sealed or withheld, Michigan law permits you to file a motion requesting access, at which point the court will determine whether the material qualifies for an exception to the public access rule.
Clinton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Clinton County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense. The 29th Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions, criminal appeals from District Court, and extradition matters. The 65A District Court has jurisdiction over adult misdemeanors punishable by up to one year of incarceration and conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases.
29th Circuit Court — Criminal Division
Address: 100 East State Street, Suite 2600, St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 224-5257
Fax: (989) 227-6421
Judges: Hon. Cori E. Barkman, Hon. Shannon LW Schlegel
65A District Court
Address: 100 East State Street, Suite 3400, St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 224-5150
Fax: (989) 224-5154
Email: districtct@clinton-county.org
Criminal case dispositions can be searched through the MiCOURT portal or in person at the County Clerk’s Office. District Court traffic and misdemeanor fines can be paid online at GovPayNow using Pay Location Code 1919.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a broader background search beyond individual case dockets, the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC) maintains two options:
- ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) — A name-based public search of criminal history records covering felonies and serious misdemeanors (punishable by more than 93 days) reported by all 83 Michigan counties. ICHAT does not include warrant information, traffic offenses, juvenile records, tribal records, federal records, or criminal history from other states.
- Fingerprint-based background checks — Required only when a specific state or federal statute mandates it, such as for employment licensing, immigration, or adoption. Applicants use the RI-030 request form and visit an approved live scan vendor. For immigration or adoption purposes, the Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Card (RI-008) is used instead. Processing costs $30.00, with $1.00 for each additional copy. Payment by money order or check should be mailed to Michigan State Police, CJIC, P.O. Box 30266, Lansing, MI 48909-7766.
Arrest record inquiries may also be directed to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office:
Clinton County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1347 East Townsend Road, St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 224-5200
Fax: (989) 224-1382
Criminal history records in Michigan are governed by MCL 28.241, which assigns the Department of State Police responsibility for criminal and juvenile identification records. Under Michigan’s Clean Slate law (Public Act 193 of 2020, effective April 11, 2021), certain convictions may be eligible for set-aside or automatic expungement, which would remove them from public ICHAT results.
Clinton County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Clinton County is split by dollar amount. The 29th Circuit Court’s Civil Division handles cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, as well as appeals, injunctions, license restorations, and condemnation proceedings. The 65A District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims up to $25,000, including garnishments, eviction proceedings, land contract forfeitures, mortgage foreclosures, and small claims.
Filing Fees — Circuit Court
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New case filing | $175.00 |
| Jury demand | $85.00 |
| Motion | $20.00 |
| Writ issuance | $15.00 |
| Subpoena issuance | $15.00 |
| Appeal from District Court | $150.00 |
| Appeal to Court of Appeals | $25.00 |
All civil cases are filed through the County Clerk’s Office at (989) 224-5140. Filing fees must be paid at the time of filing unless the court grants a fee waiver. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, and money order. Online copies can be ordered through GovPay.
Civil case records from before July 1996 are available at the Clerk’s Office at no charge for in-person review. Post-1996 records can be searched on the MiCOURT portal or requested by mail for $10.00 per name (ten-year search). Local forms for garnishments, writs of execution, and other civil procedures can be found through the Circuit Court Filings page on the county website.
Property and Land Records
Clinton County’s Register of Deeds maintains land records dating back to the county’s founding. Online searching is available through the Deeds Index Search portal, which contains index data and images from June 1964 to the present. Users must register for an account to view, purchase, and print document copies. In-person and mail requests are handled by the Register of Deeds office within the courthouse.
| Record Type | Copy Fee |
|---|---|
| Real estate record (per page) | $1.00 |
| UCC record (per page) | $2.00 |
| Plat copy | $2.00 |
| Certification (per document) | $5.00 |
| Real estate search (per name) | $0.50 per year ($5.00 minimum) |
| State tax lien search (per name) | $3.00 |
| Federal tax lien search (per name) | $3.00 |
Additional property assessment data is searchable through the BS&A Online portal for Clinton County.
Clinton County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 29th Circuit Court consolidates domestic matters under a “one family, one judge” model. Judges Barkman, Schlegel, and Probate Judge Lisa Sullivan preside over family cases. The division handles divorce, child custody, child support, parenting time, paternity, personal protection orders, adoptions, juvenile matters, emancipation, parental consent waivers, and name changes. Cases are filed at the County Clerk’s Office.
Divorce Filing
The Clerk’s Office sells self-help divorce packets for $50.00 (non-refundable). A reconciliation packet costs $15.00 and a reinstatement-of-divorce packet is also $15.00, each requiring a $20.00 motion fee at filing. The new-case filing fee of $175.00 applies, plus an $80.00 Friend of the Court fee when the case involves custody or parenting time, or a $40.00 FOC fee for support-only matters. Information and instructions are available on the Divorce/Family page of the county website.
Certified copies of divorce decrees and judgments follow the standard copy fee schedule ($1.00 per page plus $10.00 certification). Statewide divorce verification records can also be obtained from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for $34.00 by completing the state’s divorce record application and mailing it with a photocopy of a valid ID.
Friend of the Court
The Friend of the Court office assists in domestic cases involving child support, custody, and parenting time. Fillable forms for various FOC motions are available on the FOC online forms page.
Friend of the Court Office
Address: 100 East State Street, Suite 4100, St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 224-5136
Fax: (989) 224-5113
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Marriage license applications can be started online through the Clinton County marriage license portal. At least one applicant must be a Clinton County resident (with a matching driver’s license address). Both applicants’ birth certificates and Social Security numbers are required. After applying online, the license must be picked up in person at the Clerk’s Office. A three-day waiting period applies, though a waiver may be obtained for an additional $20.00 upon showing good cause. Licenses are valid for 30 days.
- License fee: $20.00 (Michigan residents) or $30.00 (out-of-state residents)
- Payment: cash, check, or money order
- Application hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–11:30 AM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM
Marriage records from January 1, 1927 onward are searchable through the Marriage Records Search Database. Certified copies cost $15.00, with each additional copy ordered simultaneously at $5.00. Requests by mail should include the Request for Marriage Record Form and appropriate payment.
Birth and Death Records
The County Clerk’s Office serves as the local registrar for vital records in Clinton County. Birth records are available from 1867 to the present. Under MCL 333.2882, certified birth certificates may only be issued to the person named on the record, a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian, a licensed legal representative, an heir of a deceased registrant, or by court order. Birth records become public after 100 years. Certified copies cost $15.00 ($7.00 for applicants age 65 and over), with additional copies at $5.00 each. Requests can be made in person, online through the county’s self-service portal, or by mail using the Request for Birth Record Form.
Death records for deaths that occurred in Clinton County are available from 1867 to the present; online indexes cover 1934 forward via the Death Records Search Database. Certified copies cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Mail requests require the Request for Death Record Form. Search fees are non-refundable even if no record is found.
Clinton County Probate Court Records
The Clinton County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over estates of deceased persons, trust proceedings, guardianships and conservatorships, involuntary psychiatric treatment, adoptions, juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect cases, paternity acknowledgments, emancipation of minors, name changes, recall petitions, and the filing of wills for safekeeping. Judge Lisa Sullivan serves as Chief Judge of the Probate Court and is also assigned to the Family Division of the Circuit Court.
Clinton County Probate Court
Address: 100 East State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns, MI 48879
Phone: (989) 224-5190
Fax: (989) 227-6565
Certain Probate Court hearings — including uncontested guardianships, uncontested estates, and scheduling conferences — are presumed to be conducted via Zoom unless a participant requests an in-person appearance or the court determines videoconferencing is inappropriate.
Probate Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deceased estate | $175.00 plus inventory fee |
| Guardianship petition | $187.00 (includes $12.00 letters fee) |
| Conservatorship petition | $187.00 (includes $12.00 letters fee) |
| Protective order | $175.00 |
| Supervision of trust | $175.00 |
| Small estate ($24,000 or less) | $25.00 plus inventory fee and $12.00 certification |
| Will filed for safekeeping | $25.00 |
| Trust registration | $25.00 |
| Subsequent petitions, motions, objections | $20.00 |
| Accounts | $20.00 |
| Claims | $20.00 |
| Civil actions | $175.00 |
| Letters of authority | $12.00 |
| Certified documents | $10.00 certification plus $1.00 per page |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
Inventory fees are calculated based on the gross value of the estate. An inventory fee calculator is available online. Fees can be paid by cash, check, or through the Probate Court online payment portal. Checks should be made payable to “Clinton County Probate Court”.
Probate case records are searchable online through the MiCOURT Case Search or the Probate Court’s own record search tool. In-person requests can be made during business hours at Suite 4300 of the courthouse. The Juvenile Court office, which handles delinquency and child protective proceedings under the Probate Court’s umbrella, is located in Suite 4200 of the same building and can be reached at (989) 224-5195.