Monroe County Court Records Search
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Monroe County, Michigan, sits along the western shore of Lake Erie and encompasses the 38th Circuit Court, the 1st District Court, and a dedicated Probate Court. Together these courts generate thousands of records each year covering civil disputes, criminal prosecutions, family matters, and estate proceedings. Under MCR 1.109(A), court records are defined as any recorded information filed or created by a court, including pleadings, orders, judgments, attachments, discovery materials, audio and video recordings, and case data. These documents reflect the progress of judicial proceedings from initial filing through final disposition, and accessing them supports both individual legal needs and broader public accountability.
Court records in Michigan can be searched through clerk offices, public access terminals inside courthouses, and official online tools. MichiganCourts.us provides a starting point for locating publicly available case information and identifying the appropriate court for a given matter. In-person access at the Monroe County Courthouse remains an option for those who need certified copies, paper filings, or records that are not yet indexed digitally.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Monroe County?
The most accessible starting point for a Monroe County court records search is the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal, which allows anyone to search civil, traffic, criminal, domestic, and probate cases using a party name or case number. Searches can be filtered by case status, filing date, and case category, making it useful for both recent and older matters. No registration is required for general public searches.
For records not available online, the Monroe County Clerk serves as the primary in-person custodian of Circuit Court filings, vital records, and judgment documents. The County Clerk’s office is located at:
Monroe County Clerk
Address: 106 E First Street, Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7020
Fax: (734) 240-7045
Hours:
- Court Filing Window: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Vital Records Window: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Court documents may also be submitted by mail or through drop boxes at the Courthouse, the Bedford Sheriff’s Substation, and the Maybee Sheriff’s Substation. The Clerk does not accept court filings by email or fax, and personal checks are not accepted as payment.
For records at the 1st District Court, the Civil Division is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Probate Court records are accessible through a dedicated public portal or in person at the Probate Court. The three primary court locations in Monroe County are:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 38th Circuit Court / County Clerk | 106 E First Street, Monroe, MI 48161 | (734) 240-7020 |
| 1st District Court | 106 E First Street, Monroe, MI 48161 | (734) 240-7076 |
| Monroe County Probate Court | 125 East Second Street, Monroe, MI 48161 | (734) 240-7346 |
Individuals who need to file a FOIA request for records maintained by the county may use the FOIA Request for Public Records form and submit it to Monroe County at 125 E. Second Street, Monroe, MI 48161, pursuant to MCL 15.231.
Are Court Records Public in Monroe County?
Michigan broadly supports public access to court records. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act and MCR 8.119(H) establish the right to inspect and copy court records in any medium authorized by the Records Reproduction Act. Courts are required to charge a reproduction fee for copies, but the underlying right to access public records is well established under state law.
That said, a substantial number of record categories are restricted from general public view due to their sensitive nature. Only case parties, their attorneys, and other specifically authorized individuals may access these confidential categories:
- Name change proceedings
- Adoption records
- Juvenile court proceedings
- Mental health proceedings
- Mediation and formal alternative dispute resolution records
- Friends of the Court records
- Domestic violence assault records
- Parental kidnapping records
- Search warrant affidavits
- Firearms records
- Secret marriage records
- Wills (while the testator is living)
- Guardianship records for legally incapacitated persons
- Waiver of parental consent for abortion
- Probation investigations and case histories
- Medical records concerning infectious disease testing
- Records of hearings on protective orders
- Controlled substance crime records
- Confidential settlement information
- Prosecutor-sought immunity documents
- Records about child victim and witness testimony
- All Judicial Data Warehouse (JDW) query results
When accessing records through the MiCOURT Case Search portal or in person, requesters should be aware that restricted records will not appear in public results and cannot be released without a court order authorizing disclosure.
Monroe County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Monroe County are handled at both the 38th Circuit Court (felonies) and the 1st District Court (misdemeanors and ordinance violations). Court case information for both courts is searchable online through MiCOURT Case Search.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office — Records Division:
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Records Division is the county’s primary repository for criminal records. The Division handles dissemination of criminal records in person and is open Monday through Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A fee of $15 applies to obtain copies of criminal records. It is advisable to call ahead to confirm availability and timing.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office — Records Division
Address: 100 E. Second Street, Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 240-7415
Fax: (734) 240-7482
Arrest Records and Jail Roster:
The Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division maintains an online portal where members of the public can look up individuals currently held in the Monroe County Jail. The portal allows searches by name, sex, arrest date, release date, custody date, or holding agency. In-person requests for arrest records are also accepted at the Records Division during business hours, and a fee typically applies. For general Sheriff’s Office inquiries, the main law enforcement line is (734) 240-7400; inmate information can be obtained at (734) 240-7430.
Michigan State Police — Statewide Criminal History:
For statewide background check purposes, the Michigan State Police maintains the Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN). Criminal history records at the state level are governed by separate Michigan statutes and are primarily available to law enforcement agencies, employers conducting authorized background checks, and individuals requesting their own records.
Monroe County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Monroe County is divided between two courts based on the dollar amount in dispute. The 38th Circuit Court handles all civil cases exceeding $25,000, while the 1st District Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil claims up to $25,000, including small claims matters.
Searching Civil Records:
The MiCOURT Case Search portal provides free access to civil case information for both courts. Searches require a party name or case number, and results can be filtered by filing date, case status, and case category. For documents not accessible online, individuals can visit the respective courthouse during business hours to request paper copies.
1st District Court Civil Filing Fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee | e-Filing Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claim up to $600 | $25.00 | $10.00 | $35.00 |
| Claim $601–$1,750 | $45.00 | $10.00 | $55.00 |
| Claim $1,751–$10,000 | $65.00 | $10.00 | $75.00 |
| Claim over $10,000 | $115.00 | $10.00 | $160.00 |
| Claim & Delivery (property only) | $65.00 | $10.00 | $75.00 |
| Jury Demand | $50.00 | N/A | $50.00 |
| Subpoenas / Order of Eviction / Garnishments | $15.00 | N/A | $15.00 |
| Notice of Judgment Lien | $10.00 | N/A | $10.00 |
| Motion Fee (all civil cases) | $20.00 | N/A | $20.00 |
The 1st District Court Civil Division is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Payments can be made online through the 1st District Court Payment System.
For civil records held by the Circuit Court, requests should be directed to the Monroe County Clerk at 106 E First Street during the court filing window hours noted above. The Monroe County Register of Deeds separately maintains recorded property documents including deeds, mortgages, and land contracts, which can be searched through the county’s Deeds Search portal. Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page, and document certification costs $5.00.
Monroe County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 38th Circuit Court handles divorce and legal separation proceedings, child custody and parenting time disputes, child support matters, paternity actions, adoptions, and domestic violence protective orders. The Family Division also oversees juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings, though those records are confidential under Michigan law.
Divorce Records:
Certified copies of divorce judgments are available through the Monroe County Clerk beginning approximately one week after the documents are filed and signed by the presiding judge. Divorce records are public and available to anyone who presents a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID. The fee is $20 per certified copy. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or online:
- In person: Monroe County Clerk, 106 E First Street, Monroe, MI 48161. Requests are typically fulfilled the same day.
- By mail: Complete the Certified Records Mail Order Form and send it with the $20 fee (cash or money order), a photocopy of a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Clerk’s office. Processing takes approximately 7–10 business days.
- Online: Certified copies can be ordered through Official Records Online, with an additional $11 shipping and handling fee. Orders are typically mailed the next business day.
Basic divorce case information is also searchable at no cost through MiCOURT Case Search.
Marriage Records:
The Monroe County Clerk maintains marriage records dating back to 1818. Marriage certificates are public records, available to any person presenting a valid ID. The first certified copy costs $12, and each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously costs $5. Payment must be made by cash, money order, or credit card (credit card payments carry a small processing fee); personal checks are not accepted. Marriage license applications can be started through the county’s online Apex portal before an in-person visit to complete the transaction, though a minimum three-day waiting period applies after submitting the online application.
Birth and Death Records:
The Monroe County Clerk holds birth records dating from 1874 and death records from 1867. Birth certificates are confidential and restricted to the subject of the record, their parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives. Death records are public and available to anyone with valid identification. Certified copies of both record types cost $12 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. The same request methods — in person, mail, and online through Official Records Online — apply.
Monroe County Probate Court Records
The Monroe County Probate Court has jurisdiction over wills and estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental health commitment proceedings. The court has maintained computerized records since 1988, giving the public access to decades of probate case history.
Online Access:
The Probate Court operates a dedicated Public Access portal where anyone can search probate cases at no charge. The search interface supports multiple criteria, including first name, middle name, last name, company name, party type, case type, file number, case status, and assigned judge, allowing users to quickly narrow results for a specific estate or guardianship matter.
In-Person Requests:
Certified copies of probate records are available at the Probate Court during normal business hours. Fees are structured as follows:
- First page of a probate record: $10.00
- Each additional page: $1.00
The Probate Court is located at 125 East Second Street, Monroe, MI 48161, and can be reached by phone at (734) 240-7346.
What Probate Records Are Restricted:
Guardianship records for legally incapacitated persons are confidential under Michigan court rules and are not accessible through the public portal. Wills are also confidential while the testator remains alive. Mental health proceeding records are restricted to authorized parties. For all restricted probate matters, access requires either party status in the case or a court order authorizing release. Attorneys or parties seeking restricted records should contact the Probate Court directly to understand the applicable procedure for their specific situation.