Eaton County Court Records Search
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Eaton County is part of Michigan’s 56th Judicial Circuit and is home to several trial courts that generate and maintain a wide range of legal records. The county seat, Charlotte, houses the primary court facilities where filings, judgments, orders, and other case documents are processed and stored. Whether you need to verify the status of a pending lawsuit, review a probate filing, or obtain a certified copy of a criminal disposition, Eaton County’s courts and clerk offices offer both in-person and electronic avenues for accessing case information.
Michigan residents and members of the public can search for court records through official court resources, local clerk offices, public-access terminals located inside county courthouses, and online case-lookup tools. The statewide MiCourt portal, maintained by the Michigan judiciary, allows users to search publicly available case information for courts across the state. Additionally, MichiganCourts.us may help users orient themselves within the state court system before drilling down to county-level records.
Eaton County operates three principal courts, all headquartered at the county complex in Charlotte:
| Court | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56th Circuit Court | 1045 Independence Blvd., Suite 200, Charlotte, MI 48813 | (517) 543-4335 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:30 p.m. |
| 56A District Court | 1045 Independence Blvd., Charlotte, MI 48813 | (517) 543-7520 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:30 p.m. |
| Probate Court | 1045 Independence Blvd., Charlotte, MI 48813 | (517) 543-4185 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:30 p.m. |
The Juvenile Division operates from a separate facility at 822 Courthouse Drive, Charlotte, MI 48813, reachable at (517) 543-6003 with a fax line of (517) 543-3749.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Eaton County?
Eaton County provides multiple methods for locating court records, ranging from self-service online portals to in-person visits at the courthouse.
Online case search. The county maintains a dedicated Public Case Search page with direct links to the MiCourt system for each of its three courts:
- Navigate to the Public Case Search page on the Eaton County website.
- Select the appropriate court — Circuit Court, District Court, or Probate Court.
- Accept the terms of service.
- Enter either a party name or case number.
- Narrow results using filters for case type, case status, or filing date.
Note that financial balances displayed in the Probate Court case search may not be accurate; contact the court directly for current payment information.
In-person search. Visitors may use public-access computer terminals inside the courthouse during business hours. Requesters should bring a valid photo ID. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on Fridays for the County Clerk’s Division (vital records), though the Circuit Court Clerk maintains the same weekday schedule for court filings.
Written and email requests. The Circuit Court Clerk accepts electronic filings and fee payments by email at circuitcourtclerk@eatoncounty.org. New-case initiating documents and submissions exceeding 100 pages cannot be filed by email; those must be delivered in person, by mail, or by fax at (517) 543-4475. The District Court accepts filings by fax at (517) 543-1469, by mail, or in person — but not by email.
Copy fees at the Circuit Court Clerk:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copy | $2.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $10.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page |
To purchase copies online, use the Circuit Court Clerk’s electronic payment option on the Circuit Court Clerk page. Regular copies are emailed to the requester; certified copies must be mailed.
Are Court Records Public in Eaton County?
Most court records in Eaton County are open to the public under Michigan law. Two overlapping legal frameworks govern access: the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL 15.231 et seq., and Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.119, which specifically addresses court records maintained by the judiciary.
Under MCR 8.119, court records — including case files, registers of actions, calendars, indexes, and docket entries — are presumed public. Any person may inspect, copy, or request reproduction of a public court record during normal business hours by contacting the clerk of the appropriate court. The rule also governs access to electronic records available through the statewide e-filing system.
Records that are not public. Certain categories of court records are exempt from public access by statute or court rule:
- Juvenile proceedings. Delinquency, child protective, and adoption files are confidential under the Juvenile Code and MCR 3.903.
- Sealed records. Records sealed by court order, including cases where a conviction has been set aside under MCL 780.621 (Michigan’s expungement statute), are not accessible to the general public.
- Mental health proceedings. Petitions and orders filed under the Mental Health Code (MCL 330.1001 et seq.) are restricted.
- Personal protected information. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth of minors must be redacted from publicly viewable filings under MCR 1.109(D)(9).
- Domestic violence records. Addresses and other identifying information of victims in personal protection order (PPO) cases may be restricted.
Non-court government records held by county departments (such as the Sheriff’s Office or the Register of Deeds) fall under FOIA rather than the court rules. FOIA requests to county departments are subject to a variable fee schedule depending on the scope of the request, with response timelines set by statute.
Eaton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Eaton County are split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense.
Circuit Court (56th Circuit). The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felonies and high-court misdemeanors. The two sitting judges — the Honorable Janice K. Cunningham and the Honorable Kelly E. Morton — preside over these cases. Criminal case records at the Circuit Court include arraignment documents, charging instruments, plea records, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation files.
District Court (56A). The 56A District Court handles all adult misdemeanors punishable by up to one year of incarceration, as well as civil infractions and traffic offenses. It also conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases before they are bound over to the Circuit Court. The District Court’s Criminal Division accepts filings by fax at (517) 543-1469, by mail, or in person. Criminal-division inquiries can be directed to (517) 543-4029.
Certain District Court charges — such as driving while license suspended (first offense), reckless driving, drag racing, minor in possession, and failure to provide information after an accident — require a personal appearance before the magistrate. Defendants should allow five calendar days after the incident before appearing or contacting the court to verify that paperwork has been received.
Online payments for criminal financial obligations. All fines, costs, and restitution are due in full at sentencing per MCR 1.110. Defendants who owe balances may pay online through AllPaid or by calling (888) 604-7888 using the appropriate pay-location code.
Criminal history background checks. The Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which allows the public to search statewide criminal history records for a fee of $10 per search. ICHAT results reflect conviction data maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center and are available instantly online.
For local criminal records, the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office Records Division processes over 20,000 reports annually and maintains a computerized database. The Records Section can be reached at (517) 543-5247 during business hours (fax: (517) 543-2922). Relevant fees include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Accident reports | $10 |
| CPL fingerprinting | $15 |
| General fingerprinting | $15 (additional $42 for school employees/volunteers; $25 surcharge for out-of-county residents) |
| Purchase permits | $2.50 notary fee (waived for current CPL holders) |
| FOIA requests | Variable |
Walk-in fingerprinting is available without an appointment at the Charlotte Sheriff’s Office, located at 1025 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, MI 48813 (main line: (517) 543-3512).
Eaton County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Eaton County are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court according to the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Circuit Court civil jurisdiction. The 56th Circuit Court hears all civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, along with actions involving equitable remedies, appeals from the District Court, and appeals from certain state administrative agencies. Civil records at the Circuit Court include complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials, hearing transcripts, and final judgments.
Circuit Court civil filing fees (from the current fee schedule):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil filing fee | $175 |
| Jury demand | $85 |
| Motion fee | $20 |
| Writ of garnishment / execution / judgment debtor discovery subpoena | $15 |
| Appeals to Circuit Court | $175 |
| Appeals from Circuit Court | $25 |
District Court civil jurisdiction. The 56A District Court handles general civil cases up to $25,000, landlord/tenant and land-contract disputes, and small claims matters up to $7,000. District Court civil filing fees include:
- Small claims: $30 (up to $600), $50 ($601–$1,750), $70 ($1,751–$7,000)
- General civil: $35 (up to $600), $55 ($601–$1,750), and higher for larger amounts
- Discovery, garnishment, subpoena, or request to seize property: $15 each
The District Court also performs weddings as part of its civil function. E-filing is encouraged for attorneys, and all payments for District Court criminal and traffic cases as well as civil filings can be made through the county’s Court Payments page using AllPaid.
Property records. Real-estate documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts are maintained by the Eaton County Register of Deeds, located on the first floor of the county complex at 1045 Independence Boulevard. The Register of Deeds offers an online index and images database through Record Fusion, which contains all recorded documents from 1836 to the most recent proof date. There is also a public search available at Eaton County Public Search. E-recording is available through providers such as Corporation Service Company, ERecording Partners, and Simplifile. The Register of Deeds can be reached at (517) 543-4203 (fax: (517) 543-4134) and is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. (closed Fridays to the public). A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for the return of all mailed documents.
Eaton County Family Court Records
Family-related proceedings in Eaton County are handled by the Family Division of the 56th Circuit Court, which was established in 1998 under the “One Judge–One Family” concept. Under this arrangement, Probate Judge Amanda Pollard is assigned to the Family Division alongside the two Circuit Court judges, ensuring that all matters affecting a single family — including divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, domestic violence, and juvenile cases — can be coordinated before a single judicial officer whenever possible.
Domestic relations filings. Divorce, custody, paternity, and support actions are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk at 1045 Independence Boulevard, Suite 200. Key filing fees include:
- Divorce with children: $255
- Divorce without children: $175
- Paternity: $175
- Support or custody (initial petition): $255
- Change in parenting/custody and support (includes motion fee): $100
- Change of support only (includes motion fee): $60
Personal protection orders (PPOs) for both domestic and non-domestic situations can be obtained through packets available on the Circuit Court Clerk website. Individuals who need assistance with PPOs can contact a Court Advocate at (517) 873-1100.
Friend of the Court. The Eaton County Friend of the Court (FOC) is a statutory office that assists the Family Division in establishing, enforcing, and modifying orders related to child custody, child support, parenting time, domicile, child-care expenses, and uninsured medical costs. The FOC investigates disputes and issues reports and recommendations to the court, conducts Facilitative Investigation Gathering (FIG) conferences at the outset of new domestic-relations cases, provides mediation services, and holds referee hearings on show-cause motions for enforcement. The FOC’s authority derives from the Friend of the Court Act (MCL 552.501) and the Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (MCL 552.601). Child support payments can be made online through the county’s Court Payments portal.
Juvenile Division. The Juvenile Court at 822 Courthouse Drive handles delinquency cases, child-protective proceedings, and adoptions. Juvenile records are confidential under Michigan law and are not available through public case-search portals. The Juvenile Court Probation Department monitors juveniles placed on supervision and can be reached at (517) 543-7500. Juvenile financial obligations may be paid through AllPaid at (888) 604-7888.
Marriage records. The Eaton County Clerk’s office maintains marriage records, which include the names of the parties, date and place of marriage, officiant’s name, and license number. Access to marriage records is restricted to the bride, groom, their children, a current or former spouse of either party, or legal representatives. Certified copies cost $20 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record. The County Clerk’s Office may waive these fees for residents experiencing documented financial hardship under a policy effective October 18, 2023.
Vital records (birth and death). Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Eaton County are available through the Vital Records division of the County Clerk’s office. Fees are $20 for the first certified copy and $10 for each additional copy. Birth records are restricted to the person named on the record or their next of kin. Requests can be submitted online, by mail using the mail-in request form, or in person. Mailed requests should include payment by check or money order made payable to the Eaton County Clerk, sent to 1045 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, MI 48813. In-person requests are typically fulfilled the same day. For questions, call (517) 543-2426; the office cannot release record details over the phone without a written request.
Eaton County Probate Court Records
The Eaton County Probate Court presides over matters involving wills, deceased estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental-health proceedings. Judge Amanda Pollard serves as the Probate Judge, and the court shares facilities at 1045 Independence Boulevard with the other trial courts.
Types of probate records. The Probate Register maintains files for decedent estates (including wills filed for safekeeping, petitions for probate, inventories, accounts, and orders of distribution), guardianships of minors and legally incapacitated individuals, conservatorships, trust proceedings, and petitions under the Mental Health Code.
Searching probate records. Probate cases can be searched online through MiCourt’s Probate Court search. Requesters should note that balance information shown online may not be current. In-person requests can be made at the Probate Court window during business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Phone inquiries can be directed to (517) 543-4185 (fax: (517) 543-8439).
Probate filing fees. Eaton County Probate Court fees align with the statewide Probate Court Fee Tables published by the Michigan courts. Key Eaton County amounts, as listed on the court’s online payment page, include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deceased estate (new petition) | $175 |
| Deceased estate — reopen (if $25 e-filing fee previously paid) | $150 |
| Petition and order for assignment | $25 + inventory fee + $12 certified copy fee |
| Guardianship of a legally incapacitated individual | $175 |
| Conservatorship of a legally incapacitated individual | $175 |
| Full guardianship of a minor | $175 |
| Conservatorship of a minor | $175 |
| Annual accountings | $20 |
| Objections or petitions to terminate/modify | $20 |
| Certified copies | $10 + $1 per page |
When multiple petitions, motions, or objections are filed simultaneously, only one $20 filing fee is required (this exception does not apply to annual accountings). Inventory fees are determined by MCL 600.871 based on the value of the estate and cannot be waived. Fees for mental-health-code proceedings are set at $20 for motions and subsequent orders, and no filing fee is charged for the initial petition under MCL 600.880(3).
Requesting copies. Certified copies of probate documents bear a raised embossed seal and are printed on security paper. The certification fee is $10, plus $1 per page. Uncertified copies are $2 per page if obtained through the Circuit Court Clerk. Probate records can also be obtained by contacting the Probate Register directly or visiting the court in person with valid identification.