Midland County Court Records
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Midland County sits in central Michigan, with its county seat in the city of Midland. Three courts serve the county — the 42nd Circuit Court, the 75th District Court, and the Probate Court — and all three operate out of the same building: the Midland County Courthouse at 301 West Main Street. Together, they handle felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil lawsuits, domestic relations matters, traffic violations, juvenile proceedings, and estate administration. Each court's clerk's office maintains the corresponding case files and processes public record requests.
Start your search using the statewide MiCOURT Case Search platform, which the Michigan Judiciary operates for free and covers docket information across all Michigan courts. MichiganCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available case data statewide. For Midland County specifically, the county government website lists court contact details, downloadable forms, and links to online services.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Midland County?
Whether you're looking for a criminal, civil, family, or probate case filed in Midland County, you have a few practical options: search online, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail.
Online case search:
The MiCOURT Case Search system is the main electronic tool for Midland County records. The platform is free, covers civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate case types, and lets you search by party name, business name, case number, or date of birth. Results show docket sheets, party information, scheduled hearings, and current case status.
As of October 31, 2024, the 75th District Court also participates in MiFILE, Michigan's statewide electronic filing system. Attorneys must use MiFILE for general civil and small claims matters in that court.
In-person searches:
You can visit any of the three courts at the Midland County Courthouse during regular business hours to review case files or ask for copies. All three courts share the same building:
Midland County Courthouse
301 West Main Street
Midland, MI 48640
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
| Court | Phone | Location in Building |
|---|---|---|
| 42nd Circuit Court | (989) 832-6735 | 4th Floor |
| 75th District Court | (989) 832-6700 | |
| Probate Court | (989) 832-6880 | Level B |
Bring a case number or the full names of the parties to speed up your search. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office on the 4th Floor also handles passport applications, available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Mail requests:
Mail written record requests to the clerk of the applicable court at 301 W. Main St., Midland, MI 48640. Include the case number or party names, identify the specific document you need, and enclose a check or money order for copy fees. Note that the County Clerk's Office — which handles vital records separately — is located at a different address (220 W. Ellsworth Street) and is not the same as the court clerk's offices.
Property and land records:
For recorded property documents, the Midland County Register of Deeds maintains an online search portal through Tapestry by Fidlar Technologies, which covers documents recorded from 1949 forward. The county also offers a FetchGIS mapping tool and a property and tax information portal for parcel lookups.
Are Court Records Public in Midland County?
Midland County court records are generally public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), enacted as Act 442 of 1976. The law establishes that records held by public bodies — including court clerks' offices — are open for inspection and copying by anyone, with certain defined exceptions.
Several categories of records may be withheld or redacted to protect privacy, safety, or the integrity of legal proceedings:
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in delinquency or child protective matters are confidential under Michigan law.
- Sealed and expunged records — Cases set aside or sealed by court order are removed from public access.
- Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy — This includes medical information, financial details, and personal data not relevant to public oversight.
- Law enforcement investigative records — Files related to ongoing criminal investigations may be withheld.
- Trade secrets and proprietary information — Business information filed under protection is exempt.
- Information related to pending litigation — Certain pre-trial materials may be shielded from disclosure.
- Records concerning government security operations — Details about security measures or protocols are exempt.
Michigan courts also follow their own administrative orders governing public access to electronic case records. The MiCOURT system only displays information designated as publicly viewable — sealed documents, confidential filings, and restricted personal identifiers are not included in online results.
To submit a formal FOIA request to Midland County, you can use the county's public records request portal. That said, court-specific record requests are typically handled directly by the clerk of the relevant court rather than through the formal FOIA process.
Midland County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases are divided between two courts based on the severity of the charge. The 42nd Circuit Court handles all felony matters and serious misdemeanors, while the 75th District Court processes misdemeanor charges, ordinance violations, and preliminary examinations for felonies. Traffic citations go through the District Court's Traffic Division.
Court contacts for criminal matters:
| Court | Criminal Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|
| 42nd Circuit Court | (989) 832-6735 | (989) 832-6680 |
| 75th District Court Criminal/Traffic | (989) 832-6700 | (989) 832-6601 |
Both courts are located at 301 West Main Street, Midland, MI 48640.
Searching criminal case records:
Criminal docket information — including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions — can be searched through MiCOURT Case Search using the defendant's name or case number. For certified copies of judgments, sentencing orders, or other filed documents, contact the clerk's office of the court that handled the case. The 42nd Circuit Court Clerk's Office provides criminal background checks at $10.00 per search. Payment must be by cash, check, or money order.
Sheriff's Office records:
The Midland County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest reports, incident reports, crash reports, and other law enforcement records. The Records Bureau is at:
Midland County Sheriff's Office
2727 Rodd Street
Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 839-4630
Email: sheriffrecords@co.midland.mi.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sheriff's Office record fees:
- Copies of vehicle crash reports: $10.00
- Records checks or file checks: $10.00
- Fingerprints (ink cards): $15.00
- Fingerprints (LiveScan digital): $61.50
- Notary public service: $10.00
- Salvage inspections: $100.00
Fingerprinting is offered on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center. Bring a photo ID.
Statewide criminal history:
The Michigan State Police maintains a Criminal History Records search platform for statewide background information. This is a separate system from county-level court records and may require a fee and fingerprint submission for comprehensive results.
Midland County Civil Court Records
Where your civil case gets filed depends on how much money is at stake. The 42nd Circuit Court handles all civil actions involving claims exceeding $25,000. The 75th District Court's Civil Division manages general civil cases up to $25,000, small claims disputes, and landlord-tenant eviction proceedings.
75th District Court Civil Division breakdown:
- General Civil — Monetary disputes up to $25,000, handled with standard civil procedure rules.
- Small Claims — Disputes involving $7,000 or less (previously $6,500). Attorneys are not permitted; parties present their cases directly to a judge or magistrate. A small claims information guide is available from the court.
- Landlord/Tenant — Eviction actions for possession of real property and unpaid rent.
The presiding judge of the 75th District Court is Honorable Michael D. Carpenter.
E-filing for civil cases:
Since October 31, 2024, the 75th District Court accepts electronic filings through MiFILE for general civil and small claims cases. Attorneys are required to file electronically; mailed filings from attorneys are no longer accepted for these case types. Self-represented litigants may still file in person.
How to obtain civil court records:
Civil case docket sheets and filing information are searchable through MiCOURT Case Search. Copies of filed documents can be requested from the appropriate clerk's office in person, by mail, or by phone. Michigan courts generally charge $1.00 per page for photocopies and $10.00 for certification of a document, plus $1.00 for each additional page of a certified copy. Confirm current fees with the clerk's office before submitting your request.
Property records:
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are maintained by the Midland County Register of Deeds at 220 W. Ellsworth Street, Midland, MI 48640. Phone: (989) 832-6820 Recorded documents from 1949 to the present can be searched online through the county's land records search portal. Documents older than 1958 are indexed using an in-office search format.
Midland County Family Court Records
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders all fall under the jurisdiction of the 42nd Circuit Court. The Circuit Court's Family Division — which shares Level B of the courthouse with the Probate Court — also handles child abuse, neglect, and delinquency cases.
Divorce filings:
The Circuit Court Clerk's Office on the 4th Floor sells divorce packets for self-represented (pro per) filers. Key details:
- Divorce packet: $75.00 (includes all standard forms)
- Individual forms: $5.00 each
- Filing fee (without minor children): $195.00, with a 60-day minimum waiting period
- Filing fee (with minor children): $275.00, with a 180-day minimum waiting period
These waiting periods are required by Michigan law. Final hearing dates depend on court calendar availability. Court staff and judges cannot provide legal advice about divorce filings. For more information, visit the 42nd Circuit Court divorce information page.
Marriage records:
Marriage licenses are issued and filed by the Midland County Clerk's Office, not by the courts. Marriage records go back to 1867, though the license must have been applied for in Midland County for the Clerk's Office to process a copy request.
- Certified copy: $14.00 (first copy); $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time
- Request methods: In person, by phone with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover), or by mail with a check or money order
A downloadable marriage record application form is available, along with the marriage license procedure guide.
Midland County Clerk's Office
220 W. Ellsworth Street
Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 832-6739
Fax: (989) 832-6680
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Birth and death records:
The County Clerk's Office also handles vital records. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Midland County are available from 1867 onward. Birth certificates are confidential and available only to the person named, their parents, legal guardians, or heirs with proper documentation. Death records can be requested by qualified applicants.
| Record Type | First Certified Copy | Additional Copies (same time) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $14.00 | $6.00 each |
| Death Certificate | $14.00 | $6.00 each |
A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all vital record requests. Application forms can be downloaded for birth records and death records. Requests can also be submitted by fax with a credit card number or by mail with a check or money order. Mailed requests typically take four to five weeks to process.
You can also obtain certified copies of Michigan vital records from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) at a basic search fee of $34.00 per record.
Juvenile and child protective records:
Juvenile delinquency and child abuse or neglect cases are handled through the Family Division of the Circuit Court at Level B of the courthouse. These records are confidential. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Department of Health and Human Services Centralized Intake at (855) 444-3911.
Midland County Probate Court Records
The Midland County Probate Court focuses on protecting incapacitated or mentally ill individuals and overseeing the orderly transfer of assets after death. It operates from Level B of the Midland County Courthouse.
Midland County Probate Court
301 West Main Street, Level B
Midland, MI 48640
Probate Phone: (989) 832-6880
Juvenile Phone: (989) 832-6866
Fax: (989) 832-6607
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Matters handled by the Probate Court:
The court has jurisdiction over a broad range of proceedings, including:
- Probating of decedent estates and administration of wills
- Appointment and supervision of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults
- Appointment and supervision of conservators
- Trust administration and disputes
- Guardianship of developmentally disabled individuals
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Name changes
- Correction of vital records
Searching probate records:
Probate case docket information is searchable through MiCOURT Case Search — select the probate case type and enter the name of the decedent, ward, or petitioner. For copies of wills, estate inventories, guardianship orders, or other probate filings, call the Probate Court clerk directly at (989) 832-6880.
Probate forms:
The Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office (SCAO) publishes an index of probate court forms covering all standard filings — petitions for informal probate, applications for appointment of personal representative, guardianship petitions, conservatorship petitions, and estate accounting forms. These forms are free to download and are required for use in all Michigan probate courts.
Public access considerations:
Most probate records — including estate filings, guardianship petitions, and conservatorship orders — are public and can be reviewed at the clerk's office or searched online. Records involving juvenile proceedings, mental health commitments, and adoptions are confidential and not available to the general public. Certain filings may also contain personally identifiable information that is redacted before public inspection. If you need access to sealed or confidential probate records, that requires a court order.