Dickinson County Court Records Search
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Dickinson County, Michigan sits in the Upper Peninsula, with the county seat of Iron Mountain serving as the hub for all judicial activity. The county court system handles everything from felony criminal prosecutions and civil disputes to estate administration and family law proceedings, generating a substantial volume of public records that residents, attorneys, researchers, and members of the press regularly need to access. Whether you're verifying a judgment, tracking an open case, or requesting certified copies of vital documents, knowing which court holds the record — and exactly how to request it — will save you time and unnecessary trips.
Public court records for Dickinson County can be searched through several channels: the clerk's office at the courthouse, public access terminals on-site, or online through official court portals. MichiganCourts.us offers a useful statewide starting point for locating publicly available court case information, understanding Michigan's court structure, and identifying which tribunal has jurisdiction over a particular matter.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dickinson County?
All three Dickinson County courts — the 41st Circuit Court, the 95B District Court, and the Dickinson County Probate Court — are housed at the same physical location:
Dickinson County Courthouse
705 S. Stephenson Ave.
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801
| Court | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| 41st Circuit Court | (906) 774-2266 |
| 95B District Court | (906) 774-0506 |
| Dickinson County Probate Court | (906) 774-1555 |
The County Clerk's office — which has maintained Dickinson County records going back to the county's founding in 1891 — is also located at 705 S. Stephenson Ave. and can be reached at (906) 774-0988. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time.
Online Case Search: The most efficient remote option is the MiCOURT Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan courts system. This free tool lets anyone search Dickinson County Circuit Court records by party name or case number. Depending on the case type, results may show the case title, status, parties involved, hearing dates, filing date, disposition, and case events. The portal covers civil, traffic, criminal, and domestic (divorce/family) cases. Note that certain case types are excluded from public display entirely, including adoptions, juvenile proceedings, child protective matters, mental illness cases, name changes, personal protection orders, and wills.
In-Person Search: Visit the Clerk's office during business hours to inspect paper and digital court documents and request certified or uncertified copies. Staff can assist in locating cases by party name or case number.
Transcripts: Court transcripts are not obtained through the Clerk's office. They must be ordered directly from the Court Recorder or Reporter assigned to the judge who presided over the case.
Are Court Records Public in Dickinson County?
Michigan Court Rule MCR 8.119(H) establishes that trial court records are public records, and members of the public have a general right to inspect or obtain copies of both paper and digital court documents. This right is subject to specific limitations established by Michigan statutes, federal law, and other court rules.
When custodians fulfill record requests, sensitive personal identifiers are redacted from disclosed documents. Redacted information includes Social Security numbers, passport numbers, financial account details, and the names of protected witnesses or informants.
The following categories of records are not available to the general public:
- Records from sealed case proceedings
- Criminal records generated during active police investigations
- Juvenile arrest records and delinquency proceedings
- Child-related case records, including child support and adoption proceedings
- Mental illness commitment records
- Personal protection order filings and violations
- Parental waiver matters
- Surrendered newborn child records
Case parties, their legal representatives, criminal justice agencies, and entities with specific statutory authorization may access restricted records in appropriate circumstances. Individuals who believe they have been wrongly denied access to a public record may pursue remedies under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. The Dickinson County Clerk's office provides an updated FOIA request form for this purpose.
Dickinson County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case jurisdiction in Dickinson County is divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense. The 41st Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony matters — those carrying potential incarceration beyond one year — and also handles appeals from the district court. The 95B District Court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses punishable by up to one year in jail, as well as civil traffic infractions and municipal civil infractions.
Criminal case information from the Circuit Court — including bond amounts, sentencing details, charges, and defendant identifiers — is searchable through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. Be aware that some courts apply a seven-year filter, displaying sentencing information only for cases within that period; cases older than seven years may require a direct inquiry to the court.
For broader criminal history information beyond individual case records, the Michigan State Police operates the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), a name-based search of public criminal history records maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center. ICHAT covers all felonies and serious misdemeanors (those punishable by more than 93 days) reported by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts across all 83 Michigan counties. The fee for an ICHAT search is $10.00, payable by credit card, and results are returned immediately.
What ICHAT does not include:
- Suppressed records and active warrant information
- Federal and tribal court records
- Traffic offenses and local misdemeanors
- Juvenile records
- Criminal histories from other states
For currently incarcerated individuals or those recently released from Michigan Department of Corrections supervision, the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provides information on prisoners, parolees, and probationers under supervision or discharged within the past three years.
Michigan's Clean Slate law (Public Act 193 of 2020, effective April 11, 2021) expanded eligibility for setting aside convictions. Individuals seeking expungement of a Dickinson County conviction should review the conviction set-aside procedures through the Michigan State Police criminal history records page.
Dickinson County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Dickinson County follows a clear jurisdictional divide. The 41st Circuit Court handles all civil cases where the amount in dispute or sought in damages exceeds $25,000. The 95B District Court handles civil claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and land contract matters.
Within the District Court, small claims cases provide a simplified path for lower-value disputes. Michigan's current small claims limit is $7,000, raised by Public Act 60 of 2024 from the prior $6,500 cap. Filing fees in small claims court are tiered:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $600 | $30.00 |
| $600.01 – $1,750 | $50.00 |
| $1,750.01 – $7,000 | $70.00 |
Attorneys are not permitted to appear on behalf of parties in small claims proceedings. More information on navigating the small claims process is available through Michigan Legal Help.
Civil case records from both courts can be searched through the MiCOURT Case Search portal by party name or case number. For cases not appearing in the online system, contact the court clerk directly at (906) 774-2266 for Circuit Court matters or (906) 774-0506 for District Court matters.
Property Records related to civil disputes and real estate transactions are maintained by the Dickinson County Register of Deeds, also located at 705 S. Stephenson Ave., reachable at (906) 774-0955. The Register holds deeds, land contracts, mortgages, liens, surveys, lease agreements, plats, and corner records. An online land records search is available for documents recorded after 1994. Research fees are $5.00 per computer search (post-1994 records) or $6.25 per 15 minutes for the tract index (pre-1994 records). Copies cost $1.00 per page, and recording a new document is a flat fee of $30.00 regardless of page count, inclusive of remonumentation and automation fees.
Dickinson County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Dickinson County fall under the jurisdiction of the 41st Circuit Court's Family Division, which handles divorce, custody, paternity, child support, name changes, personal protection orders, and cases involving testing and treatment of infectious diseases. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency and offense matters.
A critical support institution for family cases is the Friend of the Court (FOC), established under Michigan law to protect the interests of minor children in cases involving custody, parenting time, and child support. The Dickinson County FOC office investigates and makes recommendations on custody and support arrangements, helps parents resolve disputes, and enforces court orders.
Friend of the Court Office
300 East D Street (Lower Level)
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Phone: (906) 774-2833
Mailing: P.O. Box 725, Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Email: foc@dickinsoncountymi.gov
Department Head: Frances Rudd
Divorce records in Dickinson County are generated through Circuit Court proceedings. The judgment of divorce is obtained from the County Clerk's office. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also maintains divorce records for statistical purposes, though requesters should understand that MDHHS divorce records are not the same as the actual judgment of divorce issued by the court.
Marriage Records are maintained by the County Clerk from 1891 to the present. Certified copies of marriage licenses can be requested in person, by mail, or by fax. Provide the names of both parties, the year of marriage, a signature, and applicable fees. If the marriage year is unknown, a $5.00 per-decade search fee applies.
Marriage certificate copy fees (County Clerk):
- First certified copy: $10.00
- Each additional copy in the same order: $5.00
Marriage records are also available through Michigan DHHS Vital Records, which accepts mail, online, drop-box, and phone requests. An appointment is required for in-person requests. MDHHS fees are higher: $34.00 for the first certified copy plus a one-year search, $16.00 for each additional copy in the same order, and $12.00 for each additional year searched.
Birth Records held by the County Clerk are restricted. Only the registrant, a named parent, a legal guardian (with documentation), an heir of a deceased registrant, or a court with an order may obtain a copy. Records over 100 years old are open to the general public. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by fax to (906) 774-4660, or online through the county's payment portal. A birth record request form is available on the county's website. Fees are $20.00 for the first certified copy and $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requesters age 65 and older seeking their own record pay a reduced rate of $14.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy.
Death Records are public records in Dickinson County. The County Clerk issues certified death certificates for $20.00 for the first copy and $15.00 per additional copy in the same order. Provide the decedent's name, year and city of death, and your own name and mailing address. If the year of death is unknown, a $5.00 per-decade search fee applies. The MDHHS offers an alternative request channel with its own fee schedule, detailed in the MDHHS death certificate application form.
All County Clerk requests for vital records are accepted at 705 S. Stephenson Ave. in person or mailed to P.O. Box 609, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Accepted payment methods include cash, local Dickinson County checks, money orders payable to "Dickinson County Clerk", and MasterCard/Visa (credit card information must be provided in full with the request). Out-of-county personal checks are not accepted.
Dickinson County Probate Court Records
The Dickinson County Probate Court, presided over by Honorable Thomas D. Slagle, handles the full range of matters authorized under Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code and Mental Health Code. These proceedings include the administration of decedents' estates — both testate (with a will) and intestate (without one) — as well as will contests, the appointment of guardians and conservators for incapacitated adults and minors, and involuntary mental health commitments and treatment orders.
The Probate Court is reachable at (906) 774-1555, and records may be inspected or requested in person at the courthouse, 705 S. Stephenson Ave., Iron Mountain, during regular Clerk's office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM).
Key matters handled by Dickinson County Probate Court:
- Estate administration and distribution of decedent assets
- Probate of wills and resolution of will contests
- Deposit and safekeeping of wills prior to death
- Appointment of guardians for incapacitated adults and minors
- Appointment of conservators for those unable to manage their own finances
- Commitment and treatment proceedings under the Michigan Mental Health Code
- Guardianship proceedings for developmentally disabled persons
Probate case information is partially accessible through the MiCOURT Case Search portal, though wills and certain protected-individual matters are excluded from public online display. For records not appearing online, contact the Probate Court clerk directly at (906) 774-1555. The Michigan Courts case search operated by the Michigan Supreme Court also allows searches of Dickinson Probate Court records for applicable case types.
Parties seeking general guidance on Michigan probate procedures, guardianship timelines, or conservatorship requirements can consult Michigan Legal Help's Dickinson County Probate Court page, which provides plain-language explanations of process and eligibility without charge.