Houghton County, Michigan Court Records
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Houghton County sits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and operates a three-tier court system that handles everything from minor traffic violations to felony prosecutions, estate administration, and family law matters. All three courts — the 12th Circuit Court, the 97th District Court, and the Probate and Family Court — are located in the Houghton County Courthouse in the city of Houghton. Knowing which court handled a case and where its records are kept is the key to finding what you need.
Michigan court records can be accessed through in-person visits to clerk offices, self-service kiosks at the courthouse, and statewide online tools. MichiganCourts.us can help you find publicly available court case information in the state and point you toward the right official resources for your specific county or case type.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Houghton County?
Three main methods exist for searching Houghton County court records, each suited to different needs and levels of access.
. Online MiCOURT Case Search
The MiCOURT Case Search portal is Michigan's free, statewide case lookup system operated by the Michigan courts. It gives you remote access to civil, traffic, criminal, domestic (divorce/family), and probate cases depending on the court being searched. You can search directly for 12th Circuit Court cases or 97th District Court cases by entering a party's name or case number.
. In Person Courthouse Clerk Offices
All three Houghton County courts share the same courthouse address. In-person visitors can search records, request copies, or use self-service kiosks available at the courthouse.
| Court | Floor | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12th Circuit Court | (906) 482-5420 | (906) 482-7492 | |
| 97th District Court | 3rd Floor | (906) 482-4980 | (906) 482-5270 |
| Probate & Family Court | 2nd Floor | (906) 482-3120 | (906) 487-5964 |
Houghton County Courthouse
Address: 401 East Houghton Avenue, Houghton, Michigan 49931
Hours (all courts): Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
. By Mail or Email
Most record request forms can be completed and submitted by mail. For vital records specifically, the County Clerk also accepts emailed or faxed requests. Contact the appropriate court division or the County Clerk's Office to confirm the acceptable submission method for a particular record type.
Are Court Records Public in Houghton County?
Michigan law broadly presumes that court records are open to the public. Under MCR 8.119(I) of the Michigan Court Rules, anyone may inspect and examine case records or information in those records at no charge — regardless of format or medium — unless access is restricted by statute, court rule, or a specific court order. That presumption of openness applies to both paper files and electronic records.
Despite this broad access, certain categories of records are entirely exempt from public disclosure in Houghton County and throughout Michigan:
- Adoption records
- Juvenile case records (delinquency and neglect/abuse)
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Fee waivers
- Divorce complaints (classified as limited access)
- Waivers of parental consent for abortion
- Immunity and plea records
- Sealed records
- Attorney-client communications
A separate category of limited access records exists — materials available only to specific individuals or government entities. These include mediation statements and communications, mental health treatment records, psychological reports, divorce records (beyond the complaint itself), and confidential name change records. Anyone seeking access to these materials must demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for the request.
Per MCL 600.2543, the Houghton County courts will supply up to five copies of case file papers at $1.00 per page within one hour of the request. Certified copies are $10.00 plus $1.00 per subsequent page.
Houghton County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Houghton County is divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense.
2th Circuit Court Felonies and High Court Misdemeanors
The 12th Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions and serious high court misdemeanors. It also hears criminal appeals from the District Court and administrative agencies. Felony case records — charging documents, arraignment records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and judgments — are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk.
7th District Court Misdemeanors and Traffic
The 97th District Court processes misdemeanor criminal cases (those punishable by up to one year), arraignments, preliminary examinations, traffic infractions, and civil infractions. The District Court also handles probation supervision and treatment court matters.
97th District Court
Phone: (Magistrate): (906) 482-1285
Phone: (Probation): (906) 482-0066
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal docket sheets for both courts are searchable through MiCOURT Case Search at no charge. The portal shows case status, charges, party information, and scheduled hearing dates. For certified copies of specific documents, direct your request to the relevant court clerk.
- Copy charges: $1.00 per page
- Certified copy charges: $10.00 plus $1.00 per page
- Transcript requests: Submit in writing to the Court Reporter, including the case name, hearing date, and file number
Keep in mind that criminal court case records maintained by the Circuit Clerk are different from statewide criminal history records. For an official criminal background check, submit your request to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, which is a separate database from the courts' docket files. Arrest records and other criminal history information held by law enforcement agencies are not directly accessible through the court system.
Houghton County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Houghton County are split between the two trial courts based on the dollar amount at issue.
Jurisdictional Breakdown:
- 97th District Court: Handles general civil disputes involving amounts up to $25,000, small claims cases (up to $7,000), landlord-tenant disputes, garnishments, and evictions
- 12th Circuit Court: Handles civil matters exceeding $25,000, as well as cases seeking equitable relief and personal protection orders not involving family court matters
Filing Fees 12th Circuit Court:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Civil case filing fee | $175.00 |
| Jury demand | $85.00 |
| Appeal to higher court | $25.00 |
| Motion fee | $20.00 |
| Garnishment fee | $15.00 |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $10.00 + $1.00/page |
For small claims and associate civil matters at the 97th District Court, call the court directly at (906) 482-4980 for current fee schedules, as these are set by state statute and may be updated.
Forms and Resources
Official Michigan civil court forms are available through the Michigan Courts forms page. Transcript requests for proceedings in the 12th Circuit Court must be submitted in writing using the Transcript Request Form. Transcripts from the Probate and Family Court are billed at $2.05 per page.
Property Records
Real property records are maintained separately from court records by the Houghton County Register of Deeds, Jennifer Kelly, also located in the courthouse.
Houghton County Register of Deeds
Address: 401 E. Houghton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Houghton, MI 49931
Phone: (906) 482-1311
Fax: (906) 483-0364
Email: registerofdeeds@houghtoncounty.net
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (recording cutoff: 3:30 p.m.)
Records on file include deeds, mortgages, miscellaneous instruments, land corners, plats, and surveys. All recording costs a flat fee of $30.00 regardless of the number of pages (effective October 1, 2016), inclusive of Michigan Remonumentation and Register of Deeds Automation fees. Copies of real estate records cost $1.00 per page; plat copies are $2.00 per page. Name-based searches (state and federal tax liens) cost $3.00 per name.
For remote online property record searching, the Register of Deeds offers access through Tapestry via LandRecords.net at $8.75 per search and $1.00 per page for printed documents. Professionals can use the Laredo subscription service for 24/7 access to the same records available in the county office. The county's Direct Search portal also allows basic property record searching online.
Houghton County Family Court Records
Family matters in Houghton County are handled by the Family Division of the Circuit Court, which operates jointly with the Probate Court on the 2nd Floor of the courthouse. The Family Division has jurisdiction over domestic relations proceedings involving families with minor children — including divorces with children, paternity, child custody, parenting time, child support, juvenile delinquency, child neglect and abuse, adoption, emancipation, and name changes. Personal protection orders involving adults are not processed through the Family Division; those go through the 12th Circuit Court.
Divorce Proceedings
Divorce cases without minor children are filed through the 12th Circuit Court. Divorces involving minor children go through the Family Division. Either way, you can file without an attorney (pro per), and forms and instructions are available through Michigan Legal Help and courts.michigan.gov.
Mandatory waiting periods apply statewide: 60 days minimum for divorces without minor children, and 180 days minimum for those with minor children, measured from the date the complaint is filed.
Family Court Filing Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $175.00 |
| Friend of the Court investigation fee | $80.00 (due at Final Judgment) |
| Motion fee | $20.00 |
| Document copies | $1.00 per page |
The Friend of the Court's office is involved in all domestic proceedings. Any pleadings filed with the Family Court must be copied to the Friend of the Court simultaneously.
Adoption Fees:
- Filing fee: $175.00
- Petition fees: $20.00
- Copies: $1.00 per page
- Step-parent/relative adoptions: all of the above fees plus an additional $250.00 court supervision fee
- Confidential intermediary request fee: $20.00
- Adoption search fee: $20.00 per search
Step-parent and relative adoptions can be coordinated through the Court's adoption worker, Susan L. O'Connell, at (906) 482-0252.
Vital Records Marriage, Birth, and Death
Marriage, birth, and death records are maintained by the Houghton County Clerk's Office on the 2nd Floor of the courthouse. The Clerk's Office functions as the Vital Records Registrar for the county.
Houghton County Clerk
Address: 401 E. Houghton Avenue, 2nd Floor, Houghton, MI 49931
Phone: (906) 482-1150
Fax: (906) 483-0364
Email: countyclerk@houghtoncounty.net
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (money transactions not processed after 4:00 p.m.)
Marriage records are on file from 1855 to present (all indexed). Death records are available from 1867 to present (index from 1911). Birth records span 1867 to present (index from 1893).
Fees for Certified Vital Records Copies:
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| Birth certificate (seniors 65+) | $10.00 | $3.00 |
| Death certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| Marriage license/certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 |
Certified copies can be requested online, by mail using the Birth Certificate Form, Death Certificate Form, or Marriage Certificate Form, or by telephone at (906) 482-1150 (credit/debit cards accepted with a 3% processing fee). Mail-in requesters should submit completed forms with a photocopy of a valid photo ID. Photo ID is required for all birth record requests regardless of submission method. Birth records under 100 years old are restricted to the individual on the record, their parents, or an heir who provides both a death certificate and valid photo ID. Birth records over 100 years old are not restricted and may be requested by anyone.
Houghton County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court in Houghton County operates as a department within the Probate and Family Court on the 2nd Floor of the Houghton County Courthouse. The court's probate register can be reached by phone at (906) 482-3120 or by email at tbeauchamp@houghtoncounty.net.
The Probate Court holds jurisdiction over the following matter types:
- Decedent estate administration and will probate
- Trusts
- Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Mental illness commitment proceedings
- Developmentally disabled person proceedings
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case information is searchable through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. However, probate court documents are generally classified as confidential and are available only to parties directly involved in the probate proceeding. If you are a party to a case, you can visit the Probate Court in person during regular business hours or contact the probate register by phone or email to request a record search.
For certified copies, the standard copy fee of $1.00 per page applies, consistent with the rates established under MCL 600.2543. If you are not a party to the case and want to know what information, if any, may be publicly accessible, contact the court directly at (906) 482-3120 to find out what is available under applicable Michigan court rules and statutes.