Lenawee County Court Records Search
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Lenawee County sits in southeastern Michigan with its county seat in Adrian. The county’s court system operates through three tribunals—the 39th Circuit Court, the 2A District Court, and the Probate Court—all housed within the Rex B. Martin Judicial Building at 425 North Main Street in Adrian. The County Clerk serves as the custodian of circuit court records and vital records from two office locations: the Judicial Building for court filings and the Annex Building on West Front Street for vital records and elections.
Court records in Michigan can be searched through several channels, including clerk offices, in-person public access terminals, and online tools maintained by the state judiciary. MichiganCourts.us may help users identify publicly available court case information across the state. The Michigan judiciary also operates MiCourt, a statewide case search platform that covers civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate filings for participating courts, including all three Lenawee County courts. For records outside the court system—such as land documents, vital records, and law enforcement files—separate county offices maintain their own search tools and request procedures detailed in the sections below.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lenawee County?
Locating a court case requires knowing which court handled the matter and then selecting the appropriate search method. In general, the 39th Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil claims exceeding $25,000, divorce and family matters, injunctions, and writs. The 2A District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic and ordinance violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil claims up to $25,000. The Probate Court oversees estates, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, mental health commitments, name changes, and wills.
Online search. The MiCourt case search portal allows free searches by party name, case number, or attorney name. Users can narrow results by selecting the specific court:
- 39th Circuit Court – Lenawee for felonies, high-value civil cases, and domestic matters
- 2A District Court – Lenawee for misdemeanors, traffic cases, and lower-value civil claims
- Lenawee County Probate Court for estate, guardianship, and juvenile matters
In-person search. Public access is available at the Judicial Building during office hours. The County Clerk’s office can perform record searches at a fee of $10 per name. This fee covers the search only; copy costs are separate at $1 per page for general court documents. Certified copies of circuit court records are available upon request.
Mail requests. Written requests must include payment in advance and should be directed to the appropriate office. A copy of a valid driver’s license or state ID is required when paying by personal check.
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 39th Circuit Court | 425 N. Main St., 3rd Floor, Adrian, MI 49221 | (517) 264-4597 |
| 2A District Court | 425 N. Main St., 1st Floor, Adrian, MI 49221 | (517) 264-4675 |
| Probate Court | 425 N. Main St., 2nd Floor, Adrian, MI 49221 | (517) 264-4614 (Estates) / (517) 264-4622 (Family/Juvenile) |
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (closed for lunch, noon to 1:00 PM). Offices are closed on weekends and county holidays.
Important procedural notes for the 39th Circuit Court:
- The court does not accept electronic filing at this time. All pleadings must be mailed or dropped off in person.
- Pleadings are not accepted by fax or email.
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope must accompany filings if you need documents returned.
- New cases take approximately three to five business days to process.
Are Court Records Public in Lenawee County?
Most court records in Lenawee County are available for public inspection. Michigan Court Rule MCR 8.119 establishes the framework governing access to court records statewide, providing that records filed with a court are generally open to the public. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.) further supports broad access to government records, although it applies primarily to executive-branch agencies rather than the judiciary directly. Court records access is primarily controlled through the Michigan Court Rules.
Certain categories of records are restricted or entirely closed to public inspection:
- Juvenile proceedings: Delinquency, abuse, neglect, and child protective cases filed in the Probate Court’s Family Division are confidential and excluded from public case search portals.
- Adoption records: All adoption case files are sealed by statute and require a court order for access.
- Mental health proceedings: Petitions for involuntary hospitalization and related orders are confidential under Michigan law.
- Sealed and expunged records: Cases sealed or set aside by court order are removed from public view.
- Attorney-client privileged materials: Documents protected by attorney-client privilege are not subject to public disclosure.
- Victim information: Records containing identifying information about victims of sexual offenses or certain other crimes are restricted to protect privacy.
Records that are not restricted can be viewed at the Judicial Building during regular hours. The MiCourt portal provides online access to public case information, though certain case types—particularly those involving juveniles, adoptions, and child protective proceedings—do not appear in the online system. Individuals seeking access to restricted records must demonstrate legal eligibility or obtain a court order.
Lenawee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal case jurisdiction in Lenawee County is divided between the 39th Circuit Court and the 2A District Court. The Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions, while the District Court adjudicates misdemeanors, traffic violations, ordinance violations, and conservation offenses. Both courts maintain their own docket records, which can be searched through the MiCourt portal by defendant name or case number.
Circuit Court criminal filings are maintained by the County Clerk at the Judicial Building. Under Michigan law (MCL 600.2529), the civil filing fee for a new circuit court case is $150, plus a $25 electronic filing system fee where applicable. Criminal assessments—including fines, court costs, minimum state costs, restitution, and crime victim rights assessments—are imposed upon conviction rather than at filing. Specific criminal assessment amounts (effective February 2025) include a minimum state cost of $50 per misdemeanor count and $68 per felony count, a crime victim rights assessment of $75 per misdemeanor case and $130 per felony case, and a DNA assessment of $60 where applicable.
District Court criminal records are accessible in person at the 1st Floor of the Judicial Building or through MiCourt online. Court costs and traffic fines can be paid by mail, in person, or online through the District Court. Phone payments are not accepted.
Statewide criminal history checks. The Michigan State Police operates the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which allows name-based searches of Michigan criminal history records for $10 per search. ICHAT results include misdemeanor and felony conviction records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, but do not include records from other states or the FBI.
For fingerprint-based background checks, requesters must:
- Obtain fingerprints on an RI-008 card (Michigan residents) or FD-258 card (out-of-state requesters).
- Prepare a cover letter stating the reason for the request and providing a return mailing address.
- Include a $30 processing fee by check or money order payable to the State of Michigan.
- Mail the documents to Michigan State Police CJIC, P.O. Box 30266, Lansing, MI 48909-7766.
Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office records. The Sheriff’s Records Division at 405 North Winter Street, Adrian, MI 49221, maintains arrest reports, incident reports, accident reports, and firearm records. Records can be requested through any of the following methods:
- Online FOIA request through the county FOIA portal
- Phone: (517) 263-0524, ext. 2031 (Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM)
- Fax: (517) 265-2284
- Mail: 405 N. Winter St., Adrian, MI 49221
- Email: sheriffrecords@lenawee.mi.us
Fingerprinting services at the Sheriff’s Office are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Lenawee County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Lenawee County is split between the 39th Circuit Court and the 2A District Court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court hears civil claims exceeding $25,000, while the District Court handles claims up to $25,000, including small claims, landlord-tenant evictions, and land contract forfeitures.
Circuit Court civil filing fees (per Michigan fee schedule, effective February 2025):
- New civil action: $150
- Electronic filing system fee: $25
- Jury demand: $25
- Motion fee: $20
- Writ of garnishment, attachment, or execution: $15
- Appeal to Circuit Court: $150
2A District Court civil filing fees (from the District Court civil department):
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims up to $600 | $30 |
| Small claims $601–$1,750 | $50 |
| Small claims $1,751–$7,000 | $70 |
| General civil up to $600 | $35 |
| General civil $601–$1,750 | $55 |
| General civil $1,751–$10,000 | $75 |
| General civil $10,001–$25,000 | $160 |
| Landlord-tenant (possession only) | $55 |
| Landlord-tenant with money claim up to $600 | $90 |
| Landlord-tenant with money claim $601–$1,750 | $110 |
| Landlord-tenant with money claim $1,751–$10,000 | $130 |
| Landlord-tenant with money claim $10,001–$25,000 | $215 |
| Certified copy | $10 + $1/page |
| Motion fee | $20 |
The District Court charges $1.00 per page for copies and $1.00 per form distributed. All court costs and fines can be paid in person, by mail, or online.
Searching civil records. Both courts’ civil dockets are searchable through MiCourt. In-person searches can be conducted at the Judicial Building during office hours. Written search requests submitted to the County Clerk cost $10 per name, and copy fees apply separately.
Property and land records. The Lenawee County Register of Deeds at 301 N. Main St., Adrian, MI 49221, Phone: (517) 264-4538, maintains all recorded land documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and surveys. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the research vault accessible until 4:15 PM. Land records can be searched online by name, recorded date, or liber/page reference, and a separate public search portal provides access to indexed document images.
Lenawee County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Lenawee County are divided between the 39th Circuit Court and the Probate Court. Divorce, custody, parenting time, and spousal support cases fall under Circuit Court jurisdiction. The Probate Court’s Family Division handles juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, guardianship of minors, and adoptions.
Divorce and domestic filings. The Circuit Court Clerk’s office sells divorce kits for $50, which include the necessary forms regardless of whether minor children are involved. Staff cannot provide legal advice or assist with completing the forms. All pleadings involving minor children or spousal support must include a Friend of the Court copy, per MCR 3.203(G). The Circuit Court filing fee for a new civil action (including divorce) is $150, plus the $25 electronic filing system fee. When custody or parenting time is at issue, a $80 custody and parenting time fee applies; when child support is involved, a $40 support fee is required (MCL 600.2529).
Child support. The Friend of the Court office handles enforcement and modification of support orders. Inquiries can be directed to the Circuit Court at (517) 264-4597 or by email at CircuitCourtClerk@lenawee.mi.us.
Adoption and juvenile records. The Probate Court’s Family Division, Phone: (517) 264-4622, handles adoption services, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and child protective cases. These records are confidential and do not appear on public search portals. Access requires a court order or verification of legal standing.
Marriage records. The Lenawee County Clerk’s Office at the Annex Building, 113 W. Front Street, Adrian, MI 49221, issues marriage licenses and provides certified copies of marriage certificates. Marriage records dating from 1853 to the present are on file. Applications for marriage licenses, notary commissions, and DBAs can be completed online through the county portal. To request a certified copy, submit a marriage record request form with a fee of $12 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy. Payment should be by money order or check made payable to the Lenawee County Clerk. Contact: (517) 264-4606 or VitalClerk@lenawee.mi.us.
Divorce records. Certified copies of divorce decrees are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at the Judicial Building, (517) 264-4597. At the state level, divorce records can be obtained through the Michigan Vital Records Department by submitting a completed application and a $34 processing fee to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909.
Birth and death records. The County Clerk’s Vital Records office maintains birth records from 1867 to the present and death records from 1867 to the present. Birth records are restricted under MCL 333.2882 to the registrant, parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or heirs of a deceased registrant (heirs must provide the date and place of death).
- Certified copy: $16 for the first copy; $6 per additional copy ordered at the same time
- Application forms: birth record request (PDF) and death record request (PDF)
- Photo ID is required for birth record requests
- Certified copies can also be obtained online through VitalChek or in person at the Annex Building
State-level requests through the Michigan Vital Records Department cost $34 per one-year search, with additional years at $12 each.
Lenawee County Probate Court Records
The Lenawee County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over estates of deceased persons, guardianships of minors and incapacitated individuals, conservatorships, mental health commitments, name changes, registration of foreign births, and the safekeeping of wills. The court is located on the 2nd Floor of the Rex B. Martin Judicial Building.
Probate Court contact information:
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Estate Division | (517) 264-4614 |
| Family Division / Juvenile Unit | (517) 264-4622 |
| Circuit Court Probation | (517) 264-4580 |
| District Court Probation | (517) 264-4681 |
Types of probate records on file include:
- Petitions for probate of wills and appointment of personal representatives
- Inventories, accountings, and claims against decedents’ estates
- Guardianship petitions, reports, and orders
- Conservatorship filings and accountings
- Mental health commitment petitions
- Name change petitions and orders
- Will deposits for safekeeping
Filing fees. Per the Lenawee County Probate Court fee schedule and the Michigan Probate Fee and Distribution Schedule, starting an estate, conservatorship, or guardianship costs $175. Accounts, motions, and petitions are $20 each. Certified Letters of Authority cost $12 each. The Probate Court accepts payment by cash, check, or money order only—no credit cards.
Searching probate records. Probate case information is available through the MiCourt portal for cases within the system. In-person requests can be made at the Probate Court during regular hours. The court does not notify individuals when documents are received; however, if you include one extra copy of a filed document along with a postage-paid return envelope, staff will date-stamp the copy and return it to you.
Procedural requirements. All petitions and motions must include an “interested person statement” listing the complete names and addresses of all interested persons (or the phrase “interested persons remain the same”) and a “penalties of perjury” attestation. Proper captioning—clearly identifying the type of matter, such as “Jane Doe, Deceased” or “John Smith, a Protected Individual”—is required on all filings. While Michigan law does not require an attorney for probate proceedings, the court strongly recommends retaining one due to the complexity of probate matters. Court clerks are prohibited from providing legal advice. The State Bar of Michigan’s lawyer referral service can assist individuals who need to locate an attorney.