Hillsdale County Court Records Search
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Hillsdale County, Michigan sits in the south-central part of the state along the Indiana border and operates a court system that generates a substantial volume of legal records each year. These records — created through criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law proceedings, and probate matters — collectively document the legal history of cases filed and decided in the county. Court records typically include case filings, pleadings, motions, exhibits, hearing transcripts, sentencing details, docket entries, and final judgments. Arrest records tied to criminal proceedings also form part of this broader body of documentation.
Hillsdale County residents and outside researchers have several avenues for locating court case information in Michigan. Official court resources maintained by the clerk’s offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools can all be useful depending on what type of record is needed and how recent the case is. MichiganCourts.us can be a useful starting point for identifying court contacts, understanding court structure across the state, and finding links to publicly available case data through the state’s unified judicial information systems.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hillsdale County?
The primary online tool for researching Hillsdale County court cases is the MiCOURT Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court. This statewide system provides access to civil, traffic, criminal, domestic relations (divorce/family), and probate cases depending on which court is searched. Users can search by party name or case number.
Steps to search for a Hillsdale County court record online:
- Navigate to the MiCOURT Case Search portal.
- Select the appropriate Hillsdale County court (Circuit Court, District Court, or Probate Court).
- Enter a party name or case number in the search fields.
- Review results and click through for case-level detail where available.
Not all cases appear in the online system. Juvenile records, sealed matters, and some older cases may be excluded from the online portal as a matter of law or court policy. For those situations, contacting the relevant court clerk directly is necessary.
In-person and mail requests can be submitted at each court’s clerk office. When requesting copies by mail or in person, it helps to have the case number, the full name of a party, and the approximate filing date ready. Copying fees apply to any documents produced for a requester.
Hillsdale County’s Circuit Court also maintains its own online case lookup, and the District Court provides a parallel online case lookup through the county’s official website. Both tools note that some cases will not appear due to legal restrictions on disclosure.
Hillsdale County Courts — Quick Reference:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Judicial Circuit Court | 29 N. Howell St., Room 6, Hillsdale, MI 49242 | (517) 437-4321 | — |
| 2B District Court | 49 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242 | (517) 437-7329 | (517) 437-2908 |
| Probate/Family Court | 29 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242 | (517) 437-4643 | (517) 437-4148 |
The Circuit Court and Probate Court are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Parties requiring ADA or language accommodations should contact the relevant court in advance.
Are Court Records Public in Hillsdale County?
Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Act 442 of 1976, establishes the general right of any person to inspect and copy public records held by public bodies, including the county’s courts and clerk offices. Under this law, most court records generated in Hillsdale County are accessible to the public.
However, the FOIA also sets out categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. Records withheld from public access in Hillsdale County may include:
- Records whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, such as documents containing Social Security numbers
- Records specifically exempted from disclosure by other Michigan statutes or federal law
- Medical records and mental health treatment records
- Personal financial records such as tax returns
- Privileged communications protected under attorney-client or other legal privileges
- Juvenile court records, which are generally confidential under Michigan law
- Adoption records, sealed by operation of statute
- Criminal records that have been set aside (expunged) under Michigan’s Clean Slate law, MCL 780.621
When a record is withheld in whole or in part, the custodian must provide written notice identifying the legal basis for the denial. Requesters may appeal a denial through the FOIA appeal process outlined in the county’s published procedures.
Hillsdale County accepts FOIA requests through its JustFOIA Public Portal, by fax, or by mail. This portal allows requesters to submit, track, and receive responses to public records requests electronically.
Hillsdale County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Hillsdale County are prosecuted in the 1st Judicial Circuit Court, presided over by the Honorable Sara Lisznyai. This court serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction for the county and handles all adult felony matters from arraignment through sentencing and beyond. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office is located at Room 6 of the Hillsdale County Courthouse.
1st Judicial Circuit Court
Address: 29 N. Howell St., Room 6, Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 437-4321
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations are handled by the 2B District Court, presided over by the Honorable Megan R. Stiverson. This court also handles arraignments, including arraignments for cases that will later proceed to Circuit Court.
2B District Court
Address: 49 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 437-7329
Fax: (517) 437-2908
Criminal case records — including charging documents, docket entries, plea records, sentencing information, and judgment entries — can be searched through MiCOURT Case Search for cases that are not otherwise restricted. The District Court also offers a separate online docket through its Online Case Lookup page, though not all cases are visible due to legal confidentiality requirements.
For arrest and booking information related to current inmates at the Hillsdale County Jail, the Sheriff’s Office provides access to the JailTracker system, an online tool that displays booking details and court appearance information for individuals currently held in the facility. The Hillsdale County Jail can house up to 67 inmates in general population, with additional pre-arraignment holding capacity. For general inquiries, the Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (517) 437-7317.
Individuals seeking to have criminal convictions set aside should be aware that Michigan’s Clean Slate law provides for both automatic and application-based expungements under MCL 780.621. Once a conviction is set aside, the record is no longer accessible through standard public searches. Applications for expungement in Hillsdale County are filed with the Circuit Court or District Court depending on where the original conviction was entered.
Hillsdale County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Hillsdale County is divided between two courts depending on the amount in dispute and the nature of the claim. The 1st Judicial Circuit Court handles civil cases that exceed the District Court’s monetary jurisdiction (currently $25,000), including major tort claims, contract disputes, real property actions, and appeals from lower tribunals. The 2B District Court handles smaller civil matters, including small claims cases.
Small claims can be filed directly with the District Court without an attorney and provide a streamlined process for resolving lower-value disputes. The District Court’s Small Claims Information page on the county website provides guidance on the filing process and procedural requirements.
The District Court has implemented electronic filing through TrueFiling (Mi-File), Michigan’s statewide e-filing platform. This system allows attorneys and parties to file and serve documents electronically in District Court matters. The court notes, however, that this e-filing system does not provide public access to records — case records must still be requested through the clerk.
Civil case records available through the Clerk’s offices include complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgment entries. These documents can be searched through the MiCOURT Case Search portal and through the Circuit Court’s own online case lookup. Certified copies of civil documents are available from the clerk’s office for a per-page fee; contact the relevant court clerk for current copy and certification costs.
Michigan’s uniform court fee schedule, published by the Michigan Supreme Court, governs the filing deposits required in civil proceedings statewide. The Circuit Court Fee and Assessments Table published by the Michigan Courts administration provides a comprehensive breakdown of applicable fees for civil and criminal filings.
Hillsdale County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Hillsdale County are handled by the 1st Judicial Circuit Court as Michigan’s circuit courts carry jurisdiction over divorce, custody, parenting time, and related domestic matters. The Hillsdale County Probate/Family Court under Judge Michelle A. Bianchi handles adoptions and related matters. The Friend of the Court (FOC) is an essential office for any case involving minor children.
Friend of the Court
Address: Hillsdale County, Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 437-4111
The Friend of the Court office assists the Circuit Court in cases involving child custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal support. The FOC investigates, makes recommendations to the court, and enforces orders in domestic cases involving children.
SMILE Program Requirement:
Both parents in a divorce or custody case involving minor children are required by the Circuit Court to complete the SMILE program (a co-parenting education course). Sessions are held regularly at the County Office Building, 33 McCollum St., Hillsdale, MI 49242, on both morning and evening schedules throughout the year.
Divorce records — including final decrees and dissolution agreements — are filed with and maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. These records can be searched using MiCOURT Case Search by party name or case number. Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Clerk’s office.
Standardized domestic relations forms approved by the Michigan Supreme Court are available through the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Standardized Forms portal on the Michigan Courts website.
Marriage, birth, and death records are maintained separately from court records by the Hillsdale County Clerk’s office. Vital records — including marriage licenses, birth certificates, and death certificates — can be ordered online through the county’s Vital Records page, or through Michigan’s Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records portal operated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Hillsdale County Clerk Vital Records Fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy (birth, death, or marriage) — first copy | $20.00 |
| Each additional copy issued at the same time | $5.00 |
The County Clerk’s office is reachable at (517) 437-3391. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail to the Clerk at the Hillsdale County Courthouse, 29 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242.
Hillsdale County Probate Court Records
The Hillsdale County Probate/Family Court, presided over by the Honorable Michelle A. Bianchi, handles a wide range of proceedings beyond traditional estate matters. The court’s jurisdiction includes:
- Estate administration (testate and intestate)
- Will contests and probate of wills
- Guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships
- Adoptions
- Name changes
- Civil commitments
- Trust administration
- Vital records corrections
Probate/Family Court
Address: Hillsdale County Courthouse, 29 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 437-4643
Fax: (517) 437-4148
Chief Deputy Register: Brennon Balcom
Probate records are generally public documents subject to the same FOIA framework that governs other county court records. Adoption records are a notable exception and are sealed under Michigan law. Guardianship and conservatorship records may contain sensitive personal information that courts can restrict on a case-by-case basis.
How to access Hillsdale County probate records:
- Online: Use the MiCOURT Case Search portal and select the Probate Court. The court also maintains a Probate Court Online Docket through its official county page.
- In person: Visit the Probate Court clerk’s office at the Hillsdale County Courthouse during business hours.
- By mail: Submit a written records request to the Probate Court clerk, including the decedent’s name, approximate death date, and case number if known.
Standardized probate forms approved by the Michigan Supreme Court — covering estate inventories, guardian applications, consent to sale of real estate, and other common filings — are available through the Michigan Courts Probate Court Forms index. Transcript requests for probate court hearings can be initiated through the Transcript Request Form available on the Probate Court’s official page.