Grand Traverse County Court Records
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Grand Traverse County sits within Michigan's 13th Judicial Circuit and is served by three courts: the 13th Circuit Court, the 86th District Court, and the Probate Court. All three operate out of the Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice in Traverse City. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil actions over $25,000, appeals from the District Court, and domestic relations matters. The District Court covers misdemeanors, traffic infractions, general civil disputes up to $25,000, small claims up to $7,000, and landlord-tenant cases. The Probate Court oversees decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, wills, involuntary mental-health treatment, and delayed registration of foreign births.
If you're searching for court records in Michigan, the statewide MiCourt case search portal lets the public look up case information by party name, case number, or court location. Grand Traverse County also runs its own searchable databases for civil records and criminal records. Beyond online tools, records can be obtained through the Clerk's Office in person, by mail, or by email. MichiganCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available court case information across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Grand Traverse County?
How you search depends on whether you need a simple index lookup or a certified document. Here's what's available.
Online Databases
The Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office runs two free, publicly accessible databases that update nightly:
- Civil Records Database — Contains index-only data from 1967 through 1985, plus detailed case information with a register of actions from 1986 to the present. Access it through the civil records search page.
- Criminal Records Database — Searchable through the criminal records search page. Some records may not appear due to Michigan's Clean Slate legislation (Public Act 193 of 2020). If a record doesn't show up, contact the office directly.
The statewide MiCourt portal covers cases across all Michigan courts and is another reliable place to start.
In-Person Research
A free public research terminal is available at the Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice. Copies printed from the terminal cost $0.50 per page. The office also holds physical records going back to April 26, 1859. No identification is required for in-person index research, though eligibility verification may be needed for certain confidential records.
Requesting Copies by Mail or Email
Submit copy requests to courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov or mail them to the Clerk's Office. Each request should include the party name, case number, and the title and date of the documents you need. If paying by credit card, wait until the office confirms the total before submitting payment. An online records request form is also available.
Fees for Court Record Copies
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard photocopy | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy | $10.00 + $1.00 per page |
| Register of Actions (recent) | $3.00 |
| Register of Actions (1994 or earlier) | $10.00 |
Payments are accepted in cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. An enhanced access convenience fee applies to card transactions. Make checks and money orders payable to Grand Traverse County Clerk.
Clerk's Office Contact
Grand Traverse County Clerk — Circuit & Family Court Records
Address: 280 Washington Street, Suite 206, Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4710
Fax: (231) 922-4647
Email: courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (research limited from Noon–2:00 p.m.)
Are Court Records Public in Grand Traverse County?
Most court records in Grand Traverse County are open to the public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL 15.231 et seq. Government offices that hold court-related records must make them available on request, subject to certain statutory exemptions.
Under MCL 15.243, records may be withheld or redacted when disclosure would violate someone's privacy or safety, interfere with active law-enforcement proceedings, reveal the identity of a confidential source, or conflict with other state or federal statutory protections. Specific categories of restricted records include sealed and expunged cases, juvenile proceedings, adoption files, and mental-health commitment records.
Grand Traverse County has published its own FOIA procedures and guidelines under Public Act 563 of 2014, which standardized how public bodies calculate and charge fees for records requests. Key points include:
- Requesters may submit FOIA requests in writing to any county department that maintains records.
- The county must respond within five business days, with a possible 10-business-day extension.
- Fees are itemized and may include labor, copying, and mailing costs; a detailed cost itemization form is used for each request.
- Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure primarily benefits the general public.
Michigan's Clean Slate legislation (Public Act 193 of 2020) also affects the public visibility of certain criminal records. Convictions that qualify for automatic set-aside under the law will no longer appear in the county's online criminal database or through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. More information is available on the Michigan Clean Slate page.
Birth records in Michigan are confidential under MCL 333.2882 and are released only to the individual named on the certificate, a parent, legal guardian, or heir. Death records more than 75 years old are open for genealogical research under MCL 333.2885.
Grand Traverse County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Grand Traverse County go through the 13th Circuit Court. Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and preliminary felony examinations are handled by the 86th District Court. The Clerk's Office maintains records for both courts at the Hall of Justice.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The county's criminal records database is free and publicly accessible online, though certain convictions set aside under Michigan's Clean Slate law may not appear. For a more complete search, call the Clerk's Office at (231) 922-4710. The statewide MiCourt portal is another option for locating case docket information.
Michigan State Police Criminal History Checks
Statewide criminal history information is maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC). Two methods are available:
- Name-based search (ICHAT) — Conducted through the ICHAT online platform. The fee is $10 per search. Nonprofits may qualify for free access.
-
Fingerprint-based search — Requires fingerprinting on a Michigan RI-008 card (or FBI FD-258 card for out-of-state applicants), a cover letter stating the purpose, and a $30 fee by money order or check payable to the State of Michigan. Mail all materials to:
Michigan State Police CJIC
P.O. Box 30266
Lansing, MI 48909-7766
Arrest Records
Arrest records are maintained by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office. Submit requests through the county's online FOIA request form or in person at:
Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office
Address: 851 Woodmere Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231) 995-5000
The Sheriff's Records Division processes FOIA requests following the county's FOIA procedures and guidelines. Fees for copies and labor are itemized per the county's published schedule.
Grand Traverse County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Grand Traverse County are split between two courts based on the amount in controversy. The 13th Circuit Court hears civil claims over $25,000, property title disputes, and appeals from administrative agencies. The 86th District Court has jurisdiction over general civil cases up to $25,000, small claims up to $7,000, and landlord-tenant disputes.
Circuit Court Civil Records
The Clerk's Office holds civil case records from 1859 to the present. The online civil records database is free to search, with full register-of-actions data available for cases from 1986 onward. Certified copies cost $10 plus $1 per page; standard copies are $0.50 per page. Submit requests by mail, email, or in person at 280 Washington Street, Suite 206, Traverse City.
Circuit Court Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil case | $175.00 |
| New case with minors | $255.00 (includes $80 FOC fee) |
| Jury demand | $85.00 |
| Motion | $20.00 |
| Appeal from District Court | $150.00 |
| Appeal from agency | $175.00 |
| Writ of garnishment / execution | $15.00 |
A complete fee schedule is on the Circuit Court filing fees page.
District Court Civil Filings
The 86th District Court's Civil Division handles general civil, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters. Filing fees scale with the claim amount:
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $600 | $35.00 |
| $600–$1,750 | $55.00 |
| $1,750–$10,000 | $75.00 |
| $10,000–$25,000 | $160.00 |
The full schedule is on the general civil fees page. The District Court no longer maintains paper files — all records are digitized, though e-filing is not yet accepted.
Small Claims
Small claims actions are capped at $7,000. To file, submit a DC84 Affidavit and Claim form along with the appropriate filing fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Use a separate check for each case. Additional resources are on the District Court small claims page. Note that in small-claims actions, parties give up the right to a jury trial, attorney representation, and appeal.
86th District Court
Address: 280 Washington Street, Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4580
Grand Traverse County Family Court Records
The Family Court Records Division of the 13th Circuit Court handles all domestic-relations matters in Grand Traverse County. This includes divorces involving minor children, paternity and family-support actions, personal protection orders, legal name changes, adoptions, emancipation of minors, parental consent waivers, juvenile offenses, and abuse and neglect proceedings. Divorces without minor children are filed with the Circuit Court Records Division, not the Family Court Division.
Divorce Records
Divorce case files can be requested from the Clerk's Office at 280 Washington Street, Suite 206, Traverse City — by mail, email, or in person. Certified copies cost $10 plus $1 per page.
Alternatively, a divorce verification is available from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Complete an application for divorce records, attach a photocopy of a valid ID, and enclose a $34 fee (check or money order payable to the State of Michigan). Mail requests to:
Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
In-person requests at MDHHS are accepted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Filing Fees for Domestic Cases
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New domestic case (no minors) | $175.00 |
| New domestic case (with minors) | $255.00 |
| Post-judgment motion to modify custody/parenting time | $20.00 + $80.00 |
| Post-judgment motion to modify child support | $20.00 + $40.00 |
| Name change order | $12.00 |
Marriage Records
The Grand Traverse County Clerk's Vital Records Office issues marriage licenses and maintains an online marriage index database. Certified copies of a marriage certificate cost $15, with $5 for each additional copy. You can request copies through the online request portal, by mail (include names, dates, return address, and a check or money order for $15), or in person at:
Grand Traverse County Clerk — Vital Records
Address: 400 Boardman Avenue, Suite 101, Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4760
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records in Michigan are confidential under MCL 333.2882. Only the person named on the certificate, a parent, legal guardian, or qualifying heir may obtain a certified copy. Requests require a completed birth certificate request form and a valid photo ID. The county fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Records can also be ordered through the county's online request portal. Birth records have been filed locally since 1856.
Death records from 1867 to the present are open to the public for purchase, and no identification is required. A certified copy costs $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional. Submit requests by mail, online, or in person. An online death record index is available for preliminary searching. Genealogical research on death records 75 years old or older is permitted during research hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–Noon and 2:00–4:30 p.m.
For either vital record, MDHHS also accepts requests at a fee of $34 per search. Mail to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909.
Grand Traverse County Probate Court Records
The Grand Traverse County Probate Court has jurisdiction over decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, wills, involuntary treatment of the mentally ill, and delayed registration of foreign births. The court is located at the Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice.
Searching Probate Records
Start with the statewide MiCourt portal for probate case information. For records not available online, the Probate Court accepts in-person requests and written inquiries.
Filing and Requesting Records
Documents that require a filing fee must be brought in person or mailed to the Probate Court with payment enclosed. Make checks and money orders payable to Probate Court — cash is not accepted by mail. Documents that don't require a filing fee can be emailed to probate@gtcountymi.gov or faxed to (231) 922-4458.
Probate Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $10.00 + $1.00 per page |
| Photocopy (first page) | $1.00 |
| Photocopy (each additional page) | $0.50 |
A two-sided document counts as two pages. Credit and debit cards are not accepted for Probate Court payments. The full Probate Court Fee and Distribution Schedule published by the State Court Administrator's Office provides additional detail.
Selected Filing Fees
- Guardianship petition (adult): $175.00
- Conservatorship petition: $175.00
- Deposit of a Last Will and Testament: $25.00
Probate Court Contact
Grand Traverse County Probate Court
Address: 280 Washington Street, Suite 223, Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-6862
Fax: (231) 922-4458
Email: probate@gtcountymi.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
For ADA accommodations, contact Coordinator Amanda Flowers at (231) 922-6862 or complete the ADA Request for Accommodations form. Court staff cannot provide legal advice under Michigan law; individuals with legal questions should consult an attorney.