Gladwin County Court Records Search
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Court records in Gladwin County, Michigan document the full lifecycle of legal proceedings — from the initial filing of a complaint or warrant through to final judgments, orders, and sentencing. Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, court records are defined as any recorded material made by or submitted to a court, encompassing pleadings, orders, judgments, warrants, audio and video recordings, stenotapes, log notes, and all data held within a court's case management system. These materials are maintained by the clerks of each presiding court and may be requested by members of the public, attorneys, researchers, and government agencies, subject to applicable confidentiality rules.
Gladwin County's court system is organized into three main courts — the 55th Circuit Court, the 80th District Court, and the Gladwin County Probate Court — all operating from the county courthouse in the city of Gladwin. Knowing which court handled a particular matter is the first step toward locating and requesting the right records.
Michigan court case data is accessible through the statewide MiCOURT case search portal, which provides public access to civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate case records across Michigan's trial courts. This tool, along with the resources maintained by individual clerk offices, forms the foundation of any court records search in Gladwin County. Some case types are excluded from the online portal and must be requested directly from the court of record.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Gladwin County?
There are several ways to search for court records in Gladwin County, depending on the type of case and the level of detail you need.
. Online via MiCOURT
The MiCOURT case search system is Michigan's statewide public access tool for trial court records. It allows users to search by case number, party name, or filing date across civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate cases. Note that some courts apply a seven-year filter to criminal conviction records, displaying only cases where sentencing occurred within the past seven years — for older records, contact the court directly.
The following case types are excluded from MiCOURT and cannot be found online:
- Adoptions
- Juvenile and child protective proceedings
- Mental illness proceedings
- Personal protection orders and violations thereof
- Name changes
- Delayed registration of foreign birth
- Juvenile guardianships
- Surrendered newborn child matters
. Online via County Clerk Portal
The Gladwin County Clerk maintains a vital records search portal for locating marriage, death, and other vital records on file with the county. Birth records are not searchable through this public database as they are classified as confidential records.
. In Person at the Courthouse
Public access terminals at the Gladwin County Courthouse allow visitors to search and inspect court records. For Circuit Court records specifically, the County Clerk's office — which serves as the clerk of the Circuit Court by constitutional mandate — handles all record requests and can be contacted at (989) 426-7351.
. By Mail or Email
Written requests for certified copies of Circuit Court records can be submitted using the Circuit Court Record Request Form, which should be emailed to countyclerk@gladwincounty-mi.gov. For vital records, completed request forms may be submitted the same way. Birth certificate requests must be made by mail or in person only.
Court Hours: All county offices — including 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?
Gladwin County court records are generally available to the public. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (Public Act 442 of 1976) establishes the public's right to access government records, including court documents. Custodians of court records are obligated by law to respond to public requests; a failure to do so constitutes a violation of state law.
However, Michigan statutes carve out specific categories of court records that are shielded from public disclosure. These exemptions exist to protect sensitive information involving vulnerable individuals, active investigations, and confidential proceedings.
Records exempt from public disclosure in Gladwin County include:
- Domestic relations court records
- Juvenile court records
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) records
- Records made confidential by court order
- Wills filed for safekeeping (prior to probate)
- Mental health court records
- Drug court records
- Treatment court records
- Investigative subpoenas
When a document contains both disclosable and protected information, the court clerk may redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Where an entire record is protected, access is limited to the parties involved, their legal representatives, and authorized agencies. The Michigan Court Rules provide additional guidance on what constitutes a court record and the procedures governing disclosure.
Gladwin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Gladwin County are divided between the 80th District Court and the 55th Circuit Court based on offense severity.
0th District Court — Criminal Jurisdiction
The District Court is the entry point for all criminal cases in Gladwin County. It handles misdemeanors, civil infractions, traffic violations, DNR matters, and animal control cases. It also arraigns felony defendants and conducts preliminary hearings before transferring felony cases to the Circuit Court. Small claims matters — capped at $5,500 and heard by the magistrate, with no attorneys permitted for either party — are managed here as well.
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.
Quick-dial extensions for the 80th District Court:
| Extension | Matter Type |
|---|---|
| Ext. 4 | Criminal matters |
| Ext. 5 | Civil matters |
| Ext. 6 | Juror questions, DNR, traffic, animal control |
| Ext. 7 | Small claims, landlord-tenant, drunk driving |
5th Circuit Court — Felony Jurisdiction
After arraignment and a preliminary hearing in District Court, felony cases proceed to the 55th Circuit Court. The Circuit Court also handles civil matters exceeding the District Court's jurisdictional limit and all family law cases.
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)
Accessing Criminal Records
Criminal records — including arrest records, incident reports, and criminal histories — are maintained at the records departments of Gladwin County law enforcement agencies, including the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be made in person, by mail, or by phone. To initiate a request:
- Complete a records request form or submit a written request identifying the subject and the records sought.
- Provide a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Pay any applicable records request fee at the time of submission.
Processing times vary depending on the volume of documents requested. For Circuit Court criminal records, use the Circuit Court Record Request Form and submit it to the County Clerk's office.
Gladwin County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Gladwin County is split between the District Court for lower-value claims and the Circuit Court for larger disputes.
Jurisdictional Breakdown:
| 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 |
Civil case records from the 80th District Court can be searched through the MiCOURT online portal or inspected at the public access terminals inside the courthouse. To request copies, contact the District Court clerk's office directly and provide:
- The civil case number
- The date the record was filed
- The name of any party, attorney, or business associated with the case
For Circuit Court civil records, submit a completed Circuit Court Record Request Form by email to countyclerk@gladwincounty-mi.gov or by visiting the County Clerk's office at the courthouse.
Property and Land Records
Property-related records — including deeds, mortgages, land contracts, ownership histories, plats, and maps — are maintained by the Gladwin County Register of Deeds. Online land records can be searched through iDocMarket, which also offers a free property fraud alert service. Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee. Recording a new document costs a flat $30.00, inclusive of Michigan Remonumentation and Register of Deeds Automation fees. Search fees are $0.50 per year searched, with a $5.00 minimum.
Property tax records and assessment information are maintained by the Gladwin County Treasurer's Office.
Gladwin County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Gladwin County are adjudicated by the 55th Circuit Court, which exercises jurisdiction over domestic relations proceedings. The County Clerk, as the constitutional clerk of the Circuit Court, is the custodian of these records.
Family court matters handled in Gladwin County 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
Note that domestic relations court records and juvenile case records are among the categories explicitly exempt from public disclosure under Michigan law. Access to these records is typically restricted to the parties involved, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk's office. At least one applicant must be a Gladwin County resident and appear in person. The license fee is $35.00, and the license becomes available three days after the application is submitted. It remains valid for 33 days from the application date. Correcting an error on a filed marriage license costs $175.00, so verify all information before leaving the office. Online applications are also available through the county's Web Portal.
Certified copies of marriage records are available to the married couple, their parents, children, or immediate family members. To request a copy, complete the Marriage Record Request Form and submit it by email to countyclerk@gladwincounty-mi.gov or by mail to the County Clerk's office. Provide the full names of both parties and the date of the marriage.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are generated through the Circuit Court and can be obtained from the family court division or the County Clerk's office. Public-facing records include divorce decrees and divorce certificates. The MiCOURT case search portal may return domestic case results depending on the level of confidentiality attached to the matter, though many domestic records are not displayed publicly online.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records are maintained locally at the County Clerk's office and are confidential for 100 years from issuance. Only the person named on the record, their parents, grandparents, siblings, or a legal representative may request them. Certified birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy, with additional copies priced at $18.00 each. Requests must be made in person or by mail using the Birth Certificate Request Form. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.
Death records are also maintained by the County Clerk and remain confidential for 75 years. Submit requests using the Death Certificate Request Form, which can be submitted by email, fax, or mail. Provide the full name of the deceased, the time of death, the county of death, and a copy of a valid photo ID.
For urgent vital records needs, expedited service is available through Official Records Online for an additional fee.
Gladwin County Probate Court Records
The Gladwin County Probate Court — formally designated as District 17 — operates alongside the Circuit Court and handles the legal administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health treatment orders. The Probate Court shares the county courthouse at 401 West Cedar Avenue.
Gladwin County Probate Court — District 17
Address: 401 West Cedar Avenue, Gladwin, MI 48624
Phone: (989) 426-7451
Matters handled by the Probate Court include:
- 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 own finances
- Mandated treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness
Most probate records are not publicly accessible. Access is typically limited to the parties directly involved in the estate or guardianship proceeding and their attorneys. This classification aligns with the broader Michigan rule that mental health and treatment court records are exempt from public disclosure.
To request probate records, contact the Probate Court directly at (989) 426-7451. Requests may be made in person, by mail, or by fax. When submitting a request, provide the name of the decedent or the subject of the probate matter, along with any known case number or date of filing. Fees apply for certified copies of probate documents; contact the court directly for the current fee schedule.
Probate case records that are publicly available may also be searchable through the MiCOURT case search portal, which includes a probate category — though sensitive probate matters involving mental illness or guardianship proceedings for minors will not appear online and require a direct request to the court of record.