Gladwin County Court Records Search

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    Gladwin County is a rural community in north-central Michigan, with the city of Gladwin as the county seat. Three courts share the Gladwin County Courthouse: the 55th Circuit Court, the 80th District Court, and the Gladwin County Probate Court (District 17). Between them, these courts produce the criminal, civil, family, and estate records that residents, attorneys, and researchers most often need.

    Michigan Court Rule 8.119 defines court records broadly — they include pleadings, orders, judgments, warrants, audio and video recordings, log notes, and all data stored in a court's case management system. Each court's clerk maintains its own records, and public access is available except where statutes or court rules require confidentiality.

    A good place to start any search is the MiCOURT case search portal, Michigan's statewide tool for looking up civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate case information from trial courts across the state. You can also request records directly from individual clerk offices in Gladwin County by phone, email, mail, or in person. For broader Michigan court information, MichiganCourts.us can help you track down publicly available case data.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Gladwin County?

    The right approach depends on what kind of case you're looking for, how old it is, and whether you just need basic status information or certified copies of documents.

    1. Online via MiCOURT

    The MiCOURT case search system covers civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate records from Michigan's trial courts. Search by case number, party name, or filing date — there's no charge. Be aware that some courts only display criminal convictions from the past seven years. If you need anything older, you'll have to contact the court directly.

    These case types are completely excluded from MiCOURT:

    • Adoptions
    • Juvenile and child protective proceedings
    • Mental illness proceedings
    • Personal protection orders and violations
    • Name changes
    • Delayed registration of foreign birth
    • Juvenile guardianships
    • Surrendered newborn child matters

    2. Online via County Clerk Portal

    The Gladwin County Clerk runs a vital records search portal where you can look up marriage, death, and other vital records on file with the county. Birth records won't appear here — Michigan classifies them as confidential.

    3. In Person at the Courthouse

    Walk-in visitors can use public access terminals at the Gladwin County Courthouse to search and review court records during business hours. For Circuit Court records specifically, the County Clerk's office handles requests — call (989) 426-7351.

    4. By Mail or Email

    If you need certified copies of Circuit Court records, fill out the Circuit Court Record Request Form and email it to countyclerk@gladwincounty-mi.gov. Vital records forms can be submitted the same way, with one exception: birth certificate requests must go by mail or be made in person.

    Office Hours

    All county offices — the District Court, County Clerk, and Circuit Court — are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Are Court Records Public in Gladwin County?

    The majority of court records in Gladwin County are open to the public. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (Public Act 442 of 1976) establishes the right to inspect government records, and court clerks are legally required to respond to public requests.

    That said, certain types of records are protected from disclosure under Michigan law and court rules:

    • Domestic relations court records
    • Juvenile court records
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) records
    • Records sealed by court order
    • Wills filed for safekeeping (before probate begins)
    • Mental health court records
    • Drug court records
    • Treatment court records
    • Investigative subpoenas

    When a document mixes public and protected information, the clerk can redact the confidential portions and release the rest. If a record is protected in its entirety, only the parties involved, their attorneys, and authorized agencies may access it. The Michigan Court Rules spell out exactly what qualifies as a court record and how disclosure decisions should be handled.

    Gladwin County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Gladwin County are split between two courts. The 80th District Court handles misdemeanors, civil infractions, traffic violations, DNR matters, and animal control cases from start to finish. Felony cases start at the District Court level — arraignment and preliminary hearing — then move to the 55th Circuit Court for trial and sentencing.

    80th District Court
    Address: 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624
    Phone: (989) 426-9207
    Fax: (989) 246-0894
    Email: 80thdistrictcourt@gladwincounty-mi.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Phone Extension

    Topic

    Ext. 4

    Criminal matters

    Ext. 5

    Civil matters

    Ext. 6

    Juror questions, DNR, traffic, animal control

    Ext. 7

    Small claims, landlord-tenant, drunk driving

    55th Circuit Court
    Address: 401 West Cedar Avenue, Mail Unit 3, Gladwin, MI 48624
    Phone: (989) 426-7351
    Fax: (989) 426-6917
    Clerk: County Clerk's Office (constitutional clerk of the Circuit Court)

    Searching and Requesting Criminal Records

    You can look up criminal case docket information through the MiCOURT case search portal at no charge. If you need certified copies of Circuit Court criminal filings, fill out the Circuit Court Record Request Form and submit it to the County Clerk's office.

    Arrest records, incident reports, and criminal history information are a different matter — those are kept by law enforcement, not the courts. For local records, contact the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office:

    Gladwin County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 501 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624
    Phone: (989) 426-9284

    To request records from the Sheriff's Office:

    1. Fill out a records request form or write a letter identifying the subject and the specific records you're after.
    2. Bring or include a valid government-issued photo ID.
    3. Pay any applicable fees when you submit your request.

    Gladwin County Civil Court Records

    Which court handles a civil case in Gladwin County depends on how much money is at stake.

    Court

    Civil Jurisdiction

    80th District Court

    Suits of $25,000 or less; landlord-tenant; land contract forfeitures

    80th District Court (Small Claims)

    Suits up to $5,500; no attorneys permitted

    55th Circuit Court

    Civil matters exceeding District Court limits

    District Court civil records are searchable through the MiCOURT online portal or on public access terminals at the courthouse. When requesting copies from the District Court clerk, have the case number, filing date, and the name of at least one party, attorney, or business connected to the case ready.

    For Circuit Court civil records, send a completed Circuit Court Record Request Form to countyclerk@gladwincounty-mi.gov, or bring it to the County Clerk's office in person.

    Property and Land Records

    The Gladwin County Register of Deeds keeps deeds, mortgages, land contracts, ownership histories, plats, and maps. You can search these online through iDocMarket, which also provides a free property fraud alert service. Here's what to expect fee-wise:

    • Copies of recorded documents: $1.00 per page
    • Certification fee: $5.00 per document
    • Recording fee: $30.00 flat (includes Michigan Remonumentation and Register of Deeds Automation fees)
    • Search fee: $0.50 per year searched ($5.00 minimum)

    Property tax records and assessed values are maintained separately by the Gladwin County Treasurer's Office.

    Gladwin County Family Court Records

    All family law cases in Gladwin County go through the 55th Circuit Court, with the County Clerk keeping the records. The types of cases heard include:

    • Divorce proceedings and dissolution of marriage
    • Child custody and parenting time orders
    • Child support establishment and modifications
    • Domestic violence matters
    • Adoptions
    • Guardianships of minors
    • Termination of parental rights

    An important caveat: domestic relations and juvenile case records are specifically exempt from public disclosure under Michigan law. Access is generally restricted to the parties themselves, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.

    Marriage Records

    The County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses. At least one applicant must be a Gladwin County resident and must appear in person. Here are the key details:

    • License fee: $35.00
    • The license becomes available three days after application and remains valid for 33 days
    • Fixing an error on a filed license costs $175.00 — so review everything carefully before leaving the office
    • You can start an online application through the county's Web Portal

    Certified copies of marriage records are available to the married couple, their parents, children, or immediate family members. Fill out the Marriage Record Request Form and email it to countyclerk@gladwincounty-mi.gov or send it by mail. Include both parties' full names and the date of marriage.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records come from the Circuit Court and can be requested through the family court division or the County Clerk. The MiCOURT case search portal may show some domestic case results, but many domestic records are restricted and won't appear in public online searches.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth records are held by the County Clerk and stay confidential for 100 years from the date of issuance. Only the person named on the record, their parents, grandparents, siblings, or a legal representative can request them.

    • First certified copy: $15.00
    • Additional copies: $18.00 each
    • You must request in person or by mail using the Birth Certificate Request Form
    • A valid government-issued photo ID is required

    Death records are also on file with the County Clerk and remain confidential for 75 years. Submit the Death Certificate Request Form by email, fax, or mail. You'll need to provide the deceased's full name, the date and county of death, and a copy of your photo ID.

    If you need vital records quickly, Official Records Online offers expedited processing for an additional fee.

    Gladwin County Probate Court Records

    The Gladwin County Probate Court — formally known as District 17 — is located in the county courthouse at 401 West Cedar Avenue. It handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental health treatment orders.

    Gladwin County Probate Court (District 17)
    Address: 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624
    Phone: (989) 426-7451

    The court's jurisdiction covers:

    • Probating wills and opening decedent estates
    • Administration of intestate (no-will) estates
    • Appointment of personal representatives
    • Trust administration oversight
    • Appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
    • Appointment of conservators for individuals unable to manage their finances
    • Mandated treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness

    Be aware that many probate records are not open to the public. Access tends to be limited to the parties directly involved, their attorneys, and authorized agencies — especially for mental health proceedings and guardianships involving minors. This reflects Michigan's broader rule that treatment court and mental health records are exempt from disclosure.

    To request probate records, call the Probate Court at (989) 426-7451. You can make requests in person, by mail, or by fax. Have the name of the decedent or subject of the proceeding ready, along with any case number or approximate filing date you know. Certified copies come with fees — ask the court about the current schedule.

    Publicly available probate cases may also turn up in the MiCOURT case search portal under the probate category. Sensitive matters involving mental illness or minor guardianships, however, won't show up online — those require a direct request to the court.