Delta County Court Records Search

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    Delta County occupies a stretch of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, with Escanaba serving as the county seat. The county’s court system is organized around three distinct courts — the 47th Circuit Court, the 94th District Court, and the Probate Court — each operating within defined subject-matter jurisdictions under the Michigan Court Rules. Per MCR 1.109(A), court records encompass all documents, pleadings, orders, judgments, audio and video recordings, data, and discovery materials created or filed in connection with a judicial proceeding.

    Residents can locate publicly available Delta County case information through official state and local court resources, including the MiCOURT Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court. That system covers civil, traffic, criminal, domestic, and probate cases across participating trial courts. Additional guidance on navigating Michigan’s court system is available through MichiganCourts.us, which can help point researchers toward the appropriate court, office, or online tool based on the type of record being sought.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Delta County?

    All three courts serving Delta County share a common courthouse location, which simplifies in-person searches considerably.

    Delta County Courthouse

    Address: 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829
    47th Circuit Court Phone: (906) 789-5103
    94th District Court Phone: (906) 789-5106
    Probate Court Phone: (906) 789-5114
    Friend of the Court Phone: (906) 789-5110
    County Clerk Phone: (906) 789-5100 | Fax: (906) 789-5196
    Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    There are several ways to search for court records in Delta County:

    Online via MiCOURT

    The Michigan judiciary’s MiCOURT Case Search tool allows public users to look up case information by party name, case number, or citation number. Depending on the court searched, results may include civil, traffic, criminal, domestic/family, and probate cases. This is the primary statewide online method for locating Delta County case records without visiting the courthouse.

    In Person at the Courthouse

    Members of the public may visit the appropriate court clerk’s office at 310 Ludington Street during regular business hours. Most courthouses provide self-service computer terminals for on-site case searches. Staff can assist with locating records but are prohibited by law from offering legal advice.

    Land Records Online

    Property deeds, mortgages, and other instruments recorded by the Register of Deeds are searchable through the Delta County Land Records portal. The database allows searches by party name, document type, or recording date.

    Electronic Filing via MiFILE

    The Delta County Probate Court is live on MiFILE, the Michigan judiciary’s electronic filing system. Attorneys and registered users can submit filings and access case documents through that platform.

    Mail Requests

    Written requests for certified copies of court records can be sent to the County Clerk at 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829. Include the case number or party names, the nature of the documents requested, and a check payable to the Delta County Clerk’s Office for applicable fees.

    Are Court Records Public in Delta County?

    Michigan law presumes court records to be open to public inspection. Access is governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act and by MCR 8.119(H), which sets out an extensive list of record categories that courts must treat as nonpublic. Any person may inspect, copy, or receive copies of public court records — subject to applicable fees and any applicable confidentiality restrictions.

    The following categories of records are considered nonpublic under MCR 8.119(H) and are not available for general inspection:

    • Adoption and mediation records
    • Juvenile and mental health proceedings
    • Domestic violence assault records
    • Secret marriage records
    • Guardianship records of legally incapacitated persons
    • Wills filed before the testator’s death
    • Search warrant affidavits and tabulations of items seized during a search
    • Friends of the Court records
    • Parental kidnapping records
    • Probation investigations and case histories
    • Child victim and witness testimony records
    • Name change and firearms records
    • Formal alternative dispute resolution records
    • Records pertaining to waivers of parental consent for abortion
    • Prosecutor-sought immunity documents
    • Substance abuse screening, assessment, and treatment records
    • Medical records related to infectious disease testing
    • Case evaluations and parties’ acceptances or rejections thereof
    • Records of newborn safe delivery hearings
    • Hearings on issuance of protective orders
    • Secretary of State driving records
    • All results from searches and queries using the Judicial Data Warehouse (JDW)

    Redaction of personally identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and minor children’s names — is required in public filings under court rules.

    Delta County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Delta County are divided between the two trial courts based on the severity of the offense.

    47th Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases, including arraignments, preliminary hearings that advance from the District Court, trials, and sentencing. It also handles first-degree criminal offense proceedings originating in Delta County. Reach the Circuit Court at (906) 789-5103.

    94th District Court has jurisdiction over all misdemeanor criminal offenses where punishment does not exceed one year in jail. It also conducts first appearances and preliminary examinations in felony cases before those matters are bound over to the Circuit Court. The District Court additionally sets and accepts bail in both misdemeanor and felony matters. Contact the 94th District Court at (906) 789-5106.

    Criminal court records — including charging documents, plea records, court orders, and sentencing information — can be searched through MiCOURT Case Search for cases in both courts. In-person requests at the courthouse are also accepted during business hours.

    Criminal History Background Checks

    Court case records are distinct from comprehensive criminal history reports. For a name-based Michigan criminal history background check, the Michigan State Police operates the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). ICHAT searches the Michigan State Police criminal history database and returns results for misdemeanor and felony convictions statewide. The search fee is $10 per inquiry, payable online by credit card.

    Delta County Sheriff’s Office

    Arrest records, incident reports, and law enforcement records are maintained separately by the Delta County Sheriff’s Office. For non-emergency inquiries:

    Delta County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 2800 College Avenue, Escanaba, MI 49829
    Phone: (906) 786-3633
    Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    An inmate search is available through the Delta County website under the records search section. For emergencies, call 911; for non-emergency dispatch, call (906) 786-5911.

    Delta County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Delta County is divided by the dollar amount in controversy.

    • 47th Circuit Court handles all civil cases seeking damages exceeding $25,000, as well as personal protection order matters and other equity actions.
    • 94th District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims up to $25,000, including small claims, eviction proceedings (summary proceedings), landlord-tenant matters, land contract disputes, traffic civil infractions, and non-traffic civil infractions.

    Filing Fees — County Clerk (Circuit Court)

    The Delta County Clerk’s Court Section maintains the following fee schedule for Circuit Court filings:

    ServiceFee
    Civil Filing Fee$175.00
    Motion Fees$20.00
    Certified Copy (first page)$10.00
    Certified Copy (each additional page)$1.00

    Small Claims in the 94th District Court

    Small claims are filed in the District Court for monetary disputes up to $7,000. Statewide filing fees for small claims actions are:

    • Claims up to $600: $25.00
    • Claims from $601 to $1,750: $50.00
    • Claims from $1,751 to $7,000: $70.00

    Attorneys are permitted in District Court civil cases, though many small claims litigants appear without counsel. Court staff can answer procedural questions but cannot advise on legal strategy. SCAO-approved forms for civil and small claims filings are available through the Michigan Courts forms page.

    Property Records

    Land records in Delta County — including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats — are recorded and maintained by the Register of Deeds office at 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829 (Phone: (906) 789-5100; fax: (906) 789-5179). Key recording fees include:

    • Recording an original deed, mortgage, lis pendens, certified copy, or other instrument: $30.00 per document (flat fee regardless of page count)
    • Each additional instrument assigned or discharged in the same document: $3.00
    • Recording a subdivision or condominium plat: $30.00 flat fee
    • UCC realty-related filings: $30.00 (plus $7.00 for non-standard form)

    Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page; certified copies are $5.00 per document. A property record search carries a minimum fee of $5.00 plus $0.50 per year searched. Computer index printouts have a minimum charge of $15.00. Historical land records can be searched online through the Delta County Land Records database.

    The Delta County Equalization office also issues property assessment records in person during regular business hours. Simple maps copied from the book are $2.00 each; database printouts are $1.00 per page.

    Delta County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Delta County fall under the family division of the 47th Circuit Court. This includes divorce, child custody, parenting time, paternity, spousal support, and personal protection orders. The Delta County Friend of the Court (FOC), located at the courthouse, supports the family division by helping administer cases involving custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal support.

    Friend of the Court — 47th Judicial Circuit
    Address: 310 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829
    Phone: (906) 789-5110
    Note: Call the FOC office before visiting in person to confirm service availability.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. Requests may be made in person at the courthouse, or in writing by mail to the County Clerk at 310 Ludington Street. Provide the parties’ names, approximate case date, or case number to facilitate the search. Because divorce records can contain sensitive financial and custody information, some portions may be subject to redaction.

    Child Support

    Child support orders are administered through the FOC. The State of Michigan provides MiCase, an online portal where parties can view their child support payment and enforcement information. FOC forms and the Friend of the Court Handbook are available through the Delta County Forms & Links page, though parties should note that SCAO forms on that page are not to be used for custody, parenting time, or child support motions.

    Marriage Records and Licenses

    Marriage records are maintained by the Delta County Clerk. A free online Marriage Records Search portal allows searches by name, age, place of birth, parent’s names, marriage date, or location. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record, payable by check to the Delta County Clerk’s Office. Certified copies can also be ordered online through VitalDirector by Permitium, the county’s sole authorized online vendor for vital records orders; an additional processing fee applies for online orders.

    To apply for a new marriage license, the requirements are:

    • Preferably both applicants appear in person; applicants aged 16 must appear with a parent or guardian and present a birth certificate along with the parent/guardian’s photo ID
    • Michigan residents must apply in the county where they reside; non-residents apply in the county where the ceremony will take place
    • A completed Marriage License Application (available to download and pre-fill) with at least one signature notarized or signed before the clerk
    • A three-day waiting period applies after submitting the application before the license may be issued
    • The license is valid for 30 days from issuance; the ceremony must occur within that window

    License fees are $20.00 for county residents and $30.00 for non-residents, payable by check to the Delta County Clerk’s Office.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth certificates are not public records under Michigan law. Access is restricted to the subject of the record or the subject’s parents. Requests may be made in person (with a driver’s license or three forms of ID, at least one with a photo), by mail using the Birth Certificate Application Form with a copy of the requester’s driver’s license, or online through VitalDirector. The fee is $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record. The Clerk also maintains an online Birth Records Search portal for viewing (not downloading) records.

    Death records, by contrast, are available to any member of the public. The same fee schedule applies — $10.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy — and requests can be made in person, by mail using the Death Certificate Application Form, or online through VitalDirector. Two separate death record databases are searchable online: one covering deaths from 1865 to 1941 and another for deaths from 1932 to 2015. Searches can be run using the decedent’s name, date of death, place of death, or parents’ names.

    Delta County Probate Court Records

    The Delta County Probate Court operates within the same courthouse at 310 Ludington Street, reachable at (906) 789-5114. Probate Court jurisdiction in Michigan encompasses the administration of decedent estates and trusts, appointment of guardians and conservators, proceedings related to legally incapacitated persons, and orders for treatment of mentally ill and developmentally disabled individuals.

    Electronic Filing — MiFILE

    Delta County Probate Court is live on MiFILE, the Michigan judiciary’s mandatory e-filing system. All attorneys submitting filings to the Probate Court are required to e-file through that platform. Self-represented parties may also create a MiFILE account and submit documents electronically by visiting the MiFILE login page and selecting “Sign Up”.

    Probate Case Records

    Probate case filings — including petitions for estate administration, inventory filings, accountings, guardianship petitions, and conservatorship proceedings — are maintained by the Probate Court clerk and are generally accessible to interested persons. However, guardianship records for legally incapacitated persons are designated as nonpublic under MCR 8.119(H) and are not available for public inspection. Similarly, wills deposited with the court prior to the testator’s death remain sealed until that person passes away.

    Estate and Probate Searches

    Probate case information for Delta County can be searched through MiCOURT Case Search by selecting the Probate case type. In-person searches at the courthouse are available during regular business hours. For historical estate records with genealogical value, researchers may also consult the Michigan State Archives or local historical society resources, as older probate filings may not be digitized.

    Probate Forms

    Michigan’s State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) publishes standardized probate forms applicable to estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships across all Michigan counties. These are available through the Michigan Courts forms library and should be used for all Probate Court filings in Delta County. The Probate Court clerk can confirm which forms are required for a specific proceeding but cannot provide legal advice on how to complete them.