Macomb County Court Records Search

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    Macomb County, located in southeastern Michigan, is home to a multi-tiered court system that generates a substantial volume of public case records each year. Whether seeking criminal case files, civil judgments, divorce proceedings, or probate matters, residents and researchers can access records through the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds, individual courthouses, and several digital search platforms. This guide walks through the procedures, fees, office locations, and online tools available for locating court records across all Macomb County courts.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Macomb County?

    Court records in Michigan are maintained at both the county and state levels. MichiganCourts.us may be a helpful starting point for locating publicly available court case information statewide. Within Macomb County specifically, records can be searched through the Clerk’s Office, public access terminals at courthouses, and two primary online portals: CourtView and MiCourt.

    CourtView is the public case management system operated by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court and the Macomb County Probate Court. Through CourtView, users can search case information — including dockets, events, dispositions, and receipts — generated from civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and small claims proceedings. Searches can be conducted by entering a party name, company name, case number, case type code, case status, or date range.

    MiCourt, the Michigan Judicial Case Management Portal, covers district court records. To search Macomb County district court cases on MiCourt, select the appropriate county and court, then input a party name, business name, or case number.

    For those who prefer in-person access, the Macomb County Clerk’s Office on the first floor of the Circuit Court Building provides public computer terminals where visitors can review court indexes and case records at no charge. The office also accepts requests by mail, fax, and through an Online Records Request Form.

    Key details for in-person or mail requests:

    • Name search fee: $2 per name
    • Certified copies: $10 certification fee plus $2 per page
    • Order form:File Room Order Form (PDF)
    • Fax filing cover sheet and fax number: (586) 469-5353

    Macomb County Clerk’s Office – Court Records Section
    Address: 40 North Main Street, 1st Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
    Phone: (586) 469-5351
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (counter service closes at 4:15 p.m.)

    Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to the Macomb County Clerk’s Office.

    Are Court Records Public in Macomb County?

    Court records in Macomb County are generally open to public inspection. Michigan Court Rule 8.119(D) establishes that case records qualify as public records and must be accessible in accordance with MCR 8.119(H). This means any eligible member of the public can request and review records kept by the Macomb County Clerk or any court in the county.

    However, not all records are available. Under the same court rules, the following categories are shielded from public access:

    • Records sealed or expunged by court order or statute
    • Court administrative and fiscal records
    • Non-record documents and internal materials
    • Personal identifying information that courts are required to protect
    • Juvenile records (except as authorized by law)
    • Adoption records
    • Records in cases involving domestic violence where confidentiality protections apply
    • Any other case materials exempted by Michigan law

    Under MCR 1.109, courts are also prohibited from providing public access to document images through the internet. While case summaries, docket entries, and party information are viewable online through CourtView, full document images generally must be obtained by visiting the Clerk’s Office or submitting a formal request.

    The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 1976 PA 442, also governs public access to government records. FOIA allows inspection and copying of public records held by government bodies, though it contains specific exemptions for law enforcement records, investigative files, and records whose release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Incarcerated individuals are excluded from making FOIA requests.

    Macomb County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Macomb County are adjudicated by both the Circuit Court and the district courts. The 16th Judicial Circuit Court handles all felony cases and serious misdemeanors. The county’s district courts manage misdemeanors with sentences under one year, as well as preliminary examinations in felony cases.

    Searching criminal court records can be done through:

    1. In-person visit to the Clerk’s Office at 40 North Main Street, 1st Floor, or the clerk’s office of the district court where the case originated
    2. Public access terminals at the courthouses
    3. CourtView for Circuit Court criminal records
    4. MiCourt for district court criminal records
    5. Mail or fax requests using the File Room Order Form

    Statewide criminal history searches can be conducted through the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which provides name-based criminal record checks.

    Macomb County Sheriff’s Office – Records Division

    The Sheriff’s Records Office maintains police reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement documents. Record requests must be submitted in person with a handwritten request. The cost depends on labor, number of copies, and delivery method.

    Additional services available at the Records Division include:

    • Police clearance letters: $6 if the individual has a record; free if no record exists
    • Proof of incarceration: $4
    • Valid photo identification is required for clearance letters and incarceration verification

    Sheriff’s Records Office
    Address: Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, 43565 Elizabeth Road, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
    Phone: (586) 469-5151
    Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (closed daily 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.)

    Criminal records involving arrests that did not lead to convictions, expunged records, and sealed juvenile records are not available to the public without a court order.

    Macomb County Civil Court Records

    Civil jurisdiction in Macomb County is split between the Circuit Court and the district courts based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $25,000, along with cases seeking equitable relief. The district courts handle civil claims of $25,000 or less, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, civil infractions, and garnishments.

    To obtain civil court records, requesters may:

    • Visit the Circuit Court or district court Clerk’s Office during business hours
    • Use the public computer terminals at any courthouse
    • Order documents online through the Online Records Request Form
    • Send a completed File Room Order Form by mail or fax with payment enclosed
    • Search CourtView for Circuit Court civil records or MiCourt for district court civil cases

    Researchers should have the case number, party names, or other identifying case information available to facilitate the search. Fees for copies vary depending on the custodian court and type of document.

    Civil cases can also be initiated electronically. The Macomb County Clerk’s Office accepts e-filings for all civil cases and certain domestic relations and personal protection order case types. E-filings are accepted around the clock and are date-stamped for the date submitted.

    The following table summarizes the Macomb County courts handling civil matters and their contact information:

    CourtAddressPhone
    16th Judicial Circuit Court40 N. Main St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043(586) 469-7171
    37th District Court (Warren)8300 Common Rd., Warren, MI 48093(586) 574-4900
    38th District Court (Eastpointe)16101 Nine Mile, Eastpointe, MI 48021(586) 445-5020
    39th District Court (Roseville)29733 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, MI 48066(586) 773-2010
    40th District Court (St. Clair Shores)27701 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48081(586) 445-5280
    41A District Court (Sterling Heights)40111 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48313(586) 446-2500
    41B District Court (Clinton Twp.)22380 Starks Dr., Clinton Township, MI 48036(586) 469-9300
    42-1 District Court (Romeo)14713 33 Mile Rd., Romeo, MI 48065(586) 752-9679
    42-2 District Court (New Baltimore)35071 23 Mile Rd., New Baltimore, MI 48047(586) 725-9500

    Macomb County Family Court Records

    Domestic relations and family law matters in Macomb County fall under the Family Division of the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. This division handles divorce, legal separation, custody and parenting time disputes, spousal support, domestic violence protection orders, and related proceedings. The Juvenile Division — also part of the Family Division — manages juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, adoptions, emancipations, and juvenile guardianships from its offices at 10 North Main Street in Mount Clemens.

    Searching family court records follows the same general procedures as other Circuit Court records. The County Clerk’s Office maintains all family case files, and searches can be conducted in person, by mail, or online through CourtView. Note that juvenile records and adoption records carry strict confidentiality protections and are generally not available to the public.

    Friend of the Court (FOC)

    The Friend of the Court assists the Family Division by enforcing court orders related to child support, spousal support, health care, parenting time, and custody. The FOC also investigates contested matters and submits recommendations to the court.

    Friend of the Court
    Address: 10 North Main Street, 6th Floor (Main Office), Mount Clemens, MI 48043
    Phone: (586) 469-5160
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    Phone service: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
    24-hour interactive voice response: (877) 543-2660

    Juvenile Division
    Address: 10 North Main Street, 8th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
    Phone: (586) 469-5240
    Hours: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday

    Marriage and Divorce Records

    Marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the Macomb County Clerk’s Vital Records Department. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. They can be ordered online, by mail using the Vital Records Request Form, or in person by appointment.

    Vital Records Department
    Address: 120 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
    Phone: (586) 469-5205

    Divorce records are part of the court record system and can be retrieved through the County Clerk’s Office or by searching CourtView. Certified divorce certificates cost $12 per copy.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth certificates are restricted records available only to the individual named on the record, their parents or legal guardians, or an heir with a court order. Requests require valid photo identification. Death certificates, by contrast, may be obtained by any interested person who can provide the decedent’s name, place, and date of death. Both can be ordered online, in person, or by mail. Fees are $15 for the first certified copy and $5 for additional copies. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

    Macomb County Probate Court Records

    The Macomb County Probate Court exercises exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving decedent estates, wills and trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, protective proceedings, and mental health commitment proceedings. The court is currently served by Judges Sandra A. Harrison, Sara A. Schimke, and Aaron J. Hall.

    Searching probate records can be accomplished through several methods:

    1. CourtView — The Probate Court shares the CourtView eAccess portal with the Circuit Court. Users can look up probate cases by party name to find case numbers, assigned judges, and case summaries for estate, trust, guardianship, and other probate matters.
    2. In-person requests — Visit the Probate Court on the 5th Floor of the Circuit Court Building during business hours. Staff can assist with locating files and providing copies.
    3. Phone inquiries — For questions about wills and estates, call (586) 469-5290. For the mental health division, call (586) 469-5320.

    Macomb County Probate Court
    Address: 40 North Main Street, 5th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
    Phone: (586) 469-5290 (Wills & Estates) | (586) 469-5320 (Mental Health Division)
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. (filings not accepted after 4:00 p.m.; filings not accepted via email or fax; emergency filings must be filed in person by 3:00 p.m.)

    Probate records in Macomb County are generally public, though certain records involving mental health commitments or proceedings concerning minors may carry access restrictions. Guardianship and conservatorship files are typically available for review, but requesters should confirm specific access policies with the Probate Register’s office, as individual cases may have protective orders limiting disclosure.

    The Macomb County Probate Court website also provides information about the probate process, court staff, and applicable procedures. The court’s disclaimer notes that information on its website is provided as a public service and should not be treated as legal advice.