Oceana County Court Records Search

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    MichiganCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on MichiganCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Oceana County, Michigan sits on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in the western part of the Lower Peninsula, with Hart as the county seat. The county's court system runs across several distinct divisions — Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, and the Friend of the Court office — each handling a defined range of legal matters. Whether you need to verify a criminal history, research a civil judgment, trace an estate filing, or locate a divorce record, knowing which office holds the record and how to request it will save you considerable time.

    A good place to begin any court records search is MichiganCourts.us, which helps you navigate the state's judicial landscape. The MiCOURT Case Search portal maintained by the Michigan judiciary gives you direct online access to publicly available civil, criminal, domestic, traffic, and probate case information filed in Oceana County courts. Public access computers are also available at the courthouse for those who prefer to search in person. Depending on the record type, you can request records through the appropriate clerk's office in person, by mail, or in some cases online.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Oceana County?

    Start with the MiCOURT Case Search system — Michigan's official online case lookup tool. Depending on which court handled the matter, you may find civil, traffic, criminal, domestic relations, or probate case information. You can search by name, case number, or filing date.

    If a case isn't available online, or if you need certified copies, you'll need to contact the clerk's office that handled the case directly. The 51st Circuit Court is the primary records office for felony criminal cases, civil cases over $25,000, and all family law matters. The 78th District Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters. The Probate Court holds estate and guardianship records separately.

    Step-by-step process for in-person record searches at the Circuit Court:

    1. Visit the Oceana County Building at 100 S. State Street, Hart, MI 49420, during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
    2. Submit a written record search request to the Circuit Court Records Office.
    3. Pay the $5.00 per-name search fee (money orders required for mail requests; no personal checks accepted).
    4. Receive case file numbers; schedule a return visit if you need physical copies of files.
    5. Copy fees apply for any document reproductions.

    For mail requests, send a written request along with a money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

    Oceana County Circuit Court Records
    100 S. State Street
    Hart, MI 49420

    One important note for historical research: case files predating 1948 are stored off-site at the Oceana Historical Building, 114 S. Dryden Street, Hart, MI 49420, and are not accessible through the main courthouse.

    Are Court Records Public in Oceana County?

    Michigan law generally treats court records as public documents. Michigan Court Rule 8.119(E) establishes the public's right to inspect and copy records filed in county courts. The state's record management framework also requires courts and government custodians to retain records for defined minimum periods to satisfy administrative, historical, and public access needs.

    That said, access is not unlimited. Courts may restrict specific documents at a party's request, and Michigan statutes broadly exempt certain categories of records from public disclosure. The following types of records are generally not available to the general public:

    • Juvenile court records
    • Extreme risk protection orders
    • Treatment court records
    • Lien records
    • Juror personal history questionnaires
    • Records revealing personal information of sexual crime victims
    • Firearms licensing records
    • Alternative dispute resolution records

    For records accessible under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.), written FOIA requests can be submitted to the relevant government body. However, court records specifically operate under Michigan Court Rules rather than FOIA — so access requests for court case files go through the clerk's office rather than a formal FOIA process.

    Oceana County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal matters in Oceana County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the charge. The 51st Circuit Court handles all felony cases and certain serious misdemeanors. The 78th District Court handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings for felony charges before they move up to the circuit level.

    51st Circuit Court
    Address: 100 S. State Street, Suite M-10, Hart, MI 49420
    Phone: (231) 873-3977
    Fax: (231) 873-1943
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

    78th District Court
    Address: 100 S. State Street, P.O. Box 471, Hart, MI 49420
    Phone: (231) 873-4530
    Fax: (231) 873-1861
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

    For criminal history background checks that go beyond individual case records, the Michigan State Police operates the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which is the only public resource for name-based statewide criminal history searches. Each name-based ICHAT search costs $10.00 and returns publicly available conviction data. For a more comprehensive personal review — including non-public records — fingerprint-based searches are available through the MSP for $30.00.

    The Oceana County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county and maintains local criminal records. The Sheriff's Office uses its own database as well as the statewide ICHAT system to respond to public record requests. You can submit requests in person or in writing.

    Oceana County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 216 Lincoln Street, Hart, MI 49420
    Phone: (Main): (231) 873-2121
    Phone: (Jail): (231) 873-3967
    Non-Emergency Dispatch: (231) 869-5858
    Front Lobby Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

    Worth noting: following the passage of Michigan's Clean Slate Act, some older convictions are subject to automatic expungement. As a result, criminal name searches through the Circuit Court's online tool are limited to cases filed in 2018 and later. For records predating 2018, in-person requests or an ICHAT fingerprint search are the recommended approaches.

    Oceana County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Oceana County is split between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the dollar amount at issue. The 51st Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000. The 78th District Court handles civil disputes up to $25,000, including small claims matters.

    Michigan district courts hear small claims cases with a maximum claim of $7,000. Filing fees range from $30 for claims up to $600, $50 for claims between $601 and $1,750, and $70 for claims between $1,751 and $7,000.

    To search for a civil case online, the MiCOURT Case Search portal covers both circuit and district civil cases for Oceana County. Public access terminals are also available at the courthouse during regular business hours for in-person research.

    Certified copies of civil case documents can be obtained by submitting a written request to the Circuit Court Records Office along with a $5.00 per-name search fee. Once file numbers are identified, copies of specific documents can be ordered. Reviewing the physical file requires an in-person visit. Mail requests should include a money order (no personal checks) and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Those who prefer not to mail a money order can pay adult fines and circuit court fees through the court's secure online payment portal.

    For property-related civil records — deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats — the Oceana County Register of Deeds maintains those documents separately from the courts. The Register of Deeds office is located in the Oceana County Building and offers an official public records search portal for remote access to land record indexes and document images.

    Oceana County Family Court Records

    Family matters in Oceana County fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Family Division of the 51st Circuit Court, as established by MCL 600.1021. This division handles all proceedings involving divorce, legal separation, child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, name changes, juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect cases, emancipation of minors, personal protection orders, and proceedings involving individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities.

    51st Circuit Court — Family Division
    Address: 100 S. State Street, Suite M-10, Hart, MI 49420
    Phone: (231) 873-3977
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
    Family Court Judge: Hon. Eric R. Fox
    Attorney Referee: Anna R. Rapa

    Divorce records dating back to 1867 are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk. Most divorce records — including verification letters and certificates — are public. However, divorce decrees themselves are confidential and accessible only to the parties named in the case. Certified copies of public divorce records are available for $1.00 per page, or $10.00 for the first page with $1.00 for each additional page.

    The Oceana County Friend of the Court (FOC) plays a central supporting role in family cases involving custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal support. The FOC helps the court enforce and modify these orders and keeps its own records related to each active case.

    Oceana County Friend of the Court
    Address: 100 S. State Street, Suite M-10, Hart, MI 49420
    Fax: (231) 873-1943
    Phone for Hearing Dates: (231) 873-4605

    Child support payment histories and related enforcement information can be accessed through MiChildSupport, the state's official child support portal. The 24-hour Interactive Voice Response (IVR) line is also available at (877) 543-2660 — Oceana County's three-digit county code is 623. FOC payments can be made online through the GovPayNow portal.

    Vital records tied to family matters — marriage licenses and certificates — are maintained by the Oceana County Clerk's office. Marriage records are public, and anyone may request them. The first certified copy of a marriage certificate costs $15.00, and each additional copy costs $5.00. You can request marriage records in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.

    Oceana County Clerk's Office
    Address: 100 S. State Street, Suite M-1, Hart, MI 49420
    Phone: (231) 873-4328
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

    Birth records held by the Clerk date from 1867. Access to birth certificates is restricted under Michigan law — only the subject of the record and immediate family members may obtain a certified copy. The fee is $15.00 per certified copy. Requests require a completed universal records request form, a valid photo ID, and information including the full name on the record, birthdate, birthplace, and both parents' full names.

    Death records are also maintained by the Clerk's office and are available to any interested person. Those who prefer to request vital records remotely can use the online vital records search portal or pay online through the Oceana Clerk payment gateway. For statewide vital records outside the scope of the county clerk's holdings, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office maintains additional records.

    Oceana County Probate Court Records

    The Oceana County Probate Court has jurisdiction over estates and trusts, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental commitment proceedings, and name changes. It operates as a separate division within the county courthouse with its own judge and register.

    Oceana County Probate Court
    Address: 100 S. State Street, Hart, MI 49420
    Phone: (231) 873-3666
    Probate Judge: Hon. Eric R. Fox
    Probate Register: Lucy Lund
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

    Probate court records are generally treated as private documents. Access is typically limited to parties to the proceeding, their legal representatives, or individuals who can demonstrate a direct legal interest. Members of the general public are not automatically entitled to inspect probate case files the way they might access civil or criminal dockets.

    To request a probate record, visit the Probate Court office in person and complete the appropriate forms. The Michigan State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) provides a full index of probate court forms covering estate administration, guardianship petitions, conservatorship filings, and related proceedings. The applicable Michigan Probate Court Fee Schedule is available for download directly from the Michigan courts website and outlines filing fees based on the type and complexity of the proceeding. Probate court fees can also be paid online through the court's secure probate payment portal.

    If your research involves real property tied to an estate, the Oceana County Register of Deeds is the right office for deeds, mortgages, and recorded instruments connected to land. The Register of Deeds maintains permanent land records in archival form, and the public records search portal gives you remote access to indexes and document images. Those with ADA accessibility needs when visiting the Probate Court are encouraged to contact Lucy Lund at (231) 873-3666 or Court Administrator Tonya Selig at (231) 873-3977 before their visit so that appropriate arrangements can be made.