Huron County Court Records Search

Huron County, Michigan, operates a three-court system — Circuit, District, and Probate — all housed within the Huron County Building in Bad Axe. Each court produces its own records and maintains a separate clerk function, which means the office you contact for a particular record depends entirely on what type of case generated it. Felony convictions, divorce decrees, estate administrations, and misdemeanor traffic violations are all different types of proceedings handled by different courts with different custodians. Knowing which office to approach, and what to bring with you, avoids unnecessary delays.

Court records in Michigan can be located through several channels. MichiganCourts.us provides a useful reference for understanding how Michigan’s court system is organized and what types of records each court level handles. For individual case lookups, the Michigan Judiciary’s MiCOURT Case Search allows users to search civil, traffic, criminal, domestic, and probate cases from participating courts across the state. Records can also be requested in person at clerk offices, by mail, or through the state’s e-filing platform, MiFile.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Huron County?

The starting point for most Huron County case searches is determining which court handled the matter:

• 52nd Circuit Court — felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, divorce, family, and juvenile matters
• 73B District Court — misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $25,000, traffic violations, landlord/tenant matters, small claims
• Probate Court — estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health proceedings

Once you’ve identified the correct court, records can be accessed three ways:

1. Online: Use MiCOURT Case Search for publicly available case information across all three courts. The platform supports searches by party name, case number, and case type.
2. In person: Visit the respective clerk’s office at the Huron County Building, 250 East Huron Avenue, Bad Axe, MI 48413. All courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (including lunch hour), except legal holidays.
3. By mail: Written requests can be submitted to the relevant clerk’s office. Include the full names of parties, approximate date of the case or filing, and case number if available. Attach a check or money order for the applicable fees.

Are Court Records Public in Huron County?

Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) establishes the general right of public access to government records. However, the judicial branch in Michigan operates under its own access rules through the Michigan Court Rules rather than purely under FOIA. MCR 1.109 and MCR 1.119 govern the handling and confidentiality of court case files and define what information must be redacted from otherwise public records.

Categories of records routinely restricted from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile court records, including delinquency and child protective proceedings
• Adoption case files
• Mental health commitment records
• Records sealed by court order
• Certain domestic violence and personal protection order contents
• Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers (subject to mandatory redaction under MCR 1.109)
• Court case files designated confidential under specific Michigan statutes
• Judicial emails and internal court communications

Persons who are incarcerated are specifically exempt from the right to access public records under Michigan law. When a document is partially restricted, the clerk is required to redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Certified copies of court records carry a $10.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page.

Huron County Criminal Court Records

Criminal proceedings in Huron County are handled at two levels depending on the severity of the offense. The 52nd Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over all felony cases — those carrying a potential sentence exceeding one year in prison. The 73B District Court handles all misdemeanor offenses with a maximum penalty of one year or less in jail and also conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases before binding them over to Circuit Court.

52nd Circuit Court

Detail	Information
Address	250 East Huron Avenue, Room 207, Bad Axe, MI 48413
Phone	(989) 269-7112
Fax	(989) 269-0005
Email	circuitcourt@co.huron.mi.us
Judge	Hon. Gerald M. Prill
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

73B District Court — Criminal Division

Detail	Information
Address	250 East Huron Avenue, Room 105, Bad Axe, MI 48413
Phone	(989) 269-9987
Fax	(989) 269-6167
Judge	Hon. David B. Herrington
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Criminal record checks for the District Court can be requested in person or by mail. To request a background check by mail, complete the Internal Record Check Form and mail it with a $5.00 check or money order per requested name payable to “73B District Court” to: Attn: Record Checks, 73B District Court, 250 E. Huron Ave., Room 105, Bad Axe, MI 48413. Allow up to 7 days for processing.

For statewide criminal history records, the Michigan State Police Criminal History Records division handles both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. The Huron County Sheriff’s Office Records Office provides Livescan fingerprinting services for employment and CCW permit purposes by appointment, Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 120 South Heisterman Street, Bad Axe, MI 48413 — call (989) 269-6500 to schedule. FOIA requests for police reports are processed through the Sheriff’s Office using the FOIA Request for Public Records form.

For current jail information and inmate status, the Huron County Sheriff’s Office maintains a publicly viewable jail roster updated regularly. Michigan’s Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) is available through the Michigan Department of Corrections for individuals under state supervision.

Huron County Civil Court Records

Civil case jurisdiction in Huron County is divided by claim amount. The 73B District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000, including landlord/tenant eviction proceedings, land contract forfeitures, garnishments, and executions. The 52nd Circuit Court handles all civil cases involving claims exceeding $25,000.

The District Court’s small claims (magistrate) division handles informal hearings for smaller disputes, with the magistrate overseeing small claims hearings, approvals or denials of search and arrest warrants, and civil infraction proceedings.

To request civil case records from the 73B District Court, contact the District Court clerk at Room 105. For Circuit Court civil records, contact the Huron County Clerk’s office, which serves as the Circuit Court’s records division:

Huron County Clerk’s Office (Circuit Court Records)

Detail	Information
Address	250 East Huron Avenue, Room 201, Bad Axe, MI 48413
Phone	(989) 269-9942
Fax	(989) 269-6160
Clerk	Lori Neal
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Certified copies of civil court documents cost $10.00 for certification plus $1.00 per additional page. In-person requesters must present a valid photo ID. Cases can also be searched through MiCOURT Case Search and documents may be filed electronically through MiFile.

For property-related civil research, the Huron County Register of Deeds at Room 203 maintains deeds, mortgages, land contracts, liens, plats, and easements. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including the noon hour. Copies of real estate documents cost $1.00 to $2.00 per page, and certification costs $1.00 per document. Recording fees for new instruments are $30.00 regardless of page count, inclusive of Michigan Remonumentation fees.

Huron County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Huron County fall under the family division of the 52nd Circuit Court. The Circuit Court’s family division has jurisdiction over:

• Divorce and legal separation proceedings
• Child custody, parenting time, and support orders
• Paternity determinations
• Adoptions
• Personal protection orders (domestic violence)
• Emancipation of minors
• Safe delivery of newborns
• Name changes
• Juvenile delinquency and child abuse/neglect proceedings
• Juvenile guardianships

The Friend of the Court office, which is part of the family division, handles all domestic relations matters involving minor children, including enforcement of custody and support orders. All family division records are filed with and maintained by the County Clerk acting as Circuit Court clerk.

Divorce records are accessible through the Clerk’s office. Requesters must provide the names of both parties and the date of the divorce. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For mail requests, include identifying information and attach a check or money order for the applicable copy fees.

Divorce certificates can also be ordered by mail through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Vital Records. The fee for a certified copy ordered by mail is $34.00, which includes a one-year search. Additional years of search cost $12.00 per year, and additional certified copies cost $16.00 each.

Marriage records, including marriage licenses and marriage certificates, are maintained by the County Clerk’s office. Certified copies cost $20.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy. Requests can be made in person with a valid photo ID or by mail using the marriage record application form, with a check or money order payable to the county clerk enclosed.

Birth and death certificates are restricted in Michigan. Birth records are available only to the person named, their parents, and legal guardians. Death certificates can be requested by anyone, but the cause of death is redacted unless a qualifying family relationship or legal standing is demonstrated. Fees at the County Clerk’s office are $20.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for each additional copy. Downloadable request forms are available for both birth certificates and death certificates. MDHHS mail requests for death certificates use the Application for Certified Copy form, mailed to: Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909.

Huron County Probate Court Records

The Huron County Probate Court, presided over by Judge Julienne M. Ferris, handles all matters related to the administration of decedents’ estates, including the probate of wills, letters of authority, and asset inventories. The court also supervises trusts, appoints guardians and conservators for minors and incapacitated adults, and handles civil involuntary mental health commitments and treatment orders for mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons.

Huron County Probate Court

Detail	Information
Address	250 East Huron Avenue, Room 206, Bad Axe, MI 48413
Phone	(989) 269-9944
Fax	(989) 269-0004
Judge	Hon. Julienne M. Ferris
Court Administrator	Megan Shedd
Hours	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Probate records are generally open to the public, with the exception of adoption case files and involuntary mental health commitment records, which are sealed under Michigan law. Records available for public inspection include wills submitted for probate, estate inventories, petitions for administration, letters of authority, guardianship orders, and conservatorship filings.

To request probate records, visit the Probate Court clerk’s office during regular business hours or submit a written mail request. Requesters should include the decedent’s or subject’s full legal name and, where possible, the date of death or case filing. Certified copies of probate documents carry a $10.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per page. Probate case information is also searchable through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal.