Osceola County Court Records Search
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Osceola County sits in the west-central Lower Peninsula of Michigan, with Reed City as its county seat. The county's judicial system runs through three distinct courts — the 49th Circuit Court, the 77th District Court, and the 18th Probate and Family Court — each covering its own category of legal matters. Case records from these courts are kept primarily by the County Clerk and the individual court registers, and most are open to the public under Michigan law, with defined exceptions.
If you're trying to locate court records in Michigan, MichiganCourts.us can help you understand how the state's court system is organized and find publicly available case information. The main online search tool for active and historical case records across Michigan's trial courts is the MiCOURT Case Search system, which covers Osceola County along with all other participating counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Osceola County?
You have three practical options for searching Osceola County court records: online through state and county portals, in person at the county courthouse, or by mail or phone through the County Clerk.
Online Search
The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the statewide system for finding case information in Michigan's circuit, district, and probate courts. Search by party name or case number to retrieve case IDs, filing dates, and dispositions. Non-public records — sealed files, juvenile records, and adoption cases — won't appear in this system.
For attorneys and parties with active filings, the MiFILE electronic filing platform provides access to court documents. As of December 5, 2023, attorneys submitting civil filings to the 77th District Court are required to e-file through MiFILE. Self-represented parties may participate voluntarily but are not required to do so.
In-Person Name Search — County Clerk
The County Clerk's Office runs criminal and civil name searches of 49th Circuit Court records for $5.00 per name searched. If records turn up and you want copies, additional per-page copy fees apply. Bring a valid photo ID and the name of the party you're researching.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Tracey Cochran |
| Address | 301 West Upton Avenue, Reed City, MI 49677 |
| Phone | (231) 832-3261 |
| Fax | (231) 832-6149 |
| clerk@osceolacountymi.gov | |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
By Mail
To request certified copies by mail, send a written request to the County Clerk at the address above. Include the full names of the parties involved, a case number if you have one, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID where required, and a check or money order payable to "Osceola County Clerk" for the applicable fees.
Are Court Records Public in Osceola County?
Michigan law generally treats court records as open to the public. Two complementary frameworks govern access: the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.) and Michigan Court Rule 8.119(H), which together require courts to make adjudicative records available on request. MCR 1.109(A) defines what counts as a court record — orders, pleadings, docket entries, warrants, and summonses all fall within that definition.
That said, public access is not unlimited. The following categories are exempt from disclosure under Michigan law and court rules:
- Juvenile delinquency and protective proceedings records
- Adoption records
- Sealed court records
- Confidential name change records
- Medical and mental health records filed with the court
- Financial records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy
- Records of ongoing investigations where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement
When a record contains both public and restricted information, the court or clerk will redact the exempt portions before releasing the rest. If you believe a record has been improperly withheld, you can pursue review under Michigan's FOIA procedures.
Osceola County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Osceola County are split between the 49th Circuit Court and the 77th District Court depending on the classification of the offense.
9th Circuit Court — Felony Cases
The 49th Circuit Court, which Osceola County shares with neighboring Mecosta County, has exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal matters — offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year. Judge Kimberly L. Booher and Judge Amy Clapp preside over the court. Felony cases begin with a preliminary examination in the District Court before being bound over to the Circuit Court for trial.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 W. Upton Ave., Reed City, MI 49677 |
| Phone | (231) 832-3261, Ext. 2 |
| Fax | (231) 832-6149 |
7th District Court — Misdemeanors and Preliminary Examinations
The 77th District Court, presided over by Judge Peter Jaklevic and Magistrate Thea Titus, handles all misdemeanor offenses punishable by up to one year, traffic violations, arraignments, bond setting, and felony preliminary examinations. The court is located at 301 W. Upton Avenue, Reed City, MI 49677 (address effective December 14, 2022), and can be reached at (231) 832-6155.
Searching Criminal Records
Criminal case information for both courts is searchable through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. For official criminal history background checks — commonly needed for employment or licensing — the Michigan State Police runs the ICHAT system, which covers public criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. An ICHAT search costs $10.00 per query, payable by credit card.
Sheriff's Office — Arrest Records
Arrest records come from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Mark Cool. The department handles road patrol, complaint and criminal reporting, and jail processing. Walk-in services — including pistol permits, sex offender registry updates, and non-court fingerprinting — are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 325 W. Upton, Reed City, MI 49677 |
| Phone | (231) 832-2288 |
| mcool@osceolacountymi.gov |
Arrest reports are public records and can be requested directly from the Sheriff's Office. Inmate status and commissary account access are available through expressaccount.com.
Osceola County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Osceola County are handled at two jurisdictional levels based on the dollar amount in dispute.
9th Circuit Court — Claims Over ,000
The Circuit Court handles all civil actions seeking damages above $25,000 — personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, property matters, and appeals. The County Clerk's Office accepts new civil case filings and motion fees on the Circuit Court's behalf. A Fee Waiver Form is available for parties who cannot afford filing costs.
7th District Court — Claims Up to ,000
The 77th District Court handles civil matters valued at or below $25,000, including landlord-tenant disputes, land contract forfeitures, garnishments, and mortgage foreclosures. Civil division hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A Small Claims Division covers disputes not exceeding $7,000. In small claims proceedings, both parties give up the right to a jury, formal rules of evidence, attorney representation, and the right to appeal from the District Judge's decision. If either party objects to small claims treatment, the matter moves to the general civil division.
Useful civil filing resources from the District Court include:
- Civil Filing Fees schedule
- Small Claims Brochure
- MiFILE e-filing portal (required for attorneys as of December 2023)
State-approved court forms for civil matters are available through the Michigan Courts forms search.
Register of Deeds — Property Records
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and related instruments — are maintained by the Osceola County Register of Deeds, which is a separate office from the courts. Fees for in-person or mail searches include $5.00 per name and $0.50 per year searched, with a $50.00 per hour tract index fee. These records can be accessed through the Register of Deeds office at the county's main address in Reed City.
Osceola County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Osceola County are handled by the 18th Probate District Court, which includes a Family Court division. Judge Tyler Thompson presides over both probate and family court matters for Mecosta and Osceola Counties.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 W. Upton Ave., Reed City, MI 49677 (effective Dec. 14, 2022) |
| Phone | (231) 832-6124 |
| Fax | (231) 832-6181 |
| Juvenile Register | Stephanie Vickers — svickers@18thprobatecourt.org, (231) 832-6127 |
The Family Court division has jurisdiction over divorce proceedings, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence protective orders, adoptions, juvenile delinquency and neglect/abuse matters, and emancipation petitions. Divorce filings are also managed through the 49th Circuit Court clerk function; new divorce case filings are accepted by the County Clerk's Office at 301 W. Upton Avenue.
Divorce Records
You can search divorce records online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. Certified copies of Osceola County divorce records can be ordered directly from the County Clerk's Office or online through VitalChek. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also maintains divorce records statewide. To request a certified copy by mail from the state, complete the Application for a Certified Copy — Michigan Divorce Record and submit it with a valid ID and the $34.00 fee to the address on the form.
Marriage Records
Certified copies of marriage licenses are issued by the Osceola County Clerk's Office. The fee is $12.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or by fax. Mail and fax submissions should include a completed Marriage Request Form and a money order payable to "Osceola County Clerk". Photo ID is not required for marriage or death record requests submitted by mail. Card payments by phone are accepted with a $2.50 processing fee.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records are restricted to the individual named on the record, parents, heirs, or legal guardians. A state-issued driver's license or ID — or three alternate forms of identification — must be presented. Death records may be obtained by eligible requesters, including immediate family members, legal representatives, insurance companies, and genealogical researchers.
Fees for both birth and death certificates from the County Clerk are $12.00 for the first certified copy and $6.00 for each additional copy. Use the Birth Request Form or Death Request Form for mail submissions. MDHHS also handles vital records requests statewide through its vital records portal; the state fee is $34.00 per certified copy (standard service), processed through VitalChek with an additional service fee.
Osceola County Probate Court Records
The 18th Probate Court, shared between Mecosta and Osceola Counties, handles a broad range of estate and personal status matters under Judge Tyler Thompson. Probate Register Katrina Small can be reached at ksmall@18thprobatecourt.org or (231) 832-6124.
Matters handled by the Osceola County Probate Court include:
- Estate administration (both supervised and unsupervised)
- Will validation and will filing for safekeeping
- Intestate succession proceedings
- Guardianships for incapacitated adults
- Conservatorships for protected persons
- Mental health commitments and protective proceedings
- Name changes and emancipation petitions
- Trust registration
- Safe deposit box openings
- Correction of birth and death records
Filing Fees
Most probate case files cost $175.00 to open, though certain case types carry lower fees. Letters of Authority cost $12.00 (covering two pages). Filing a will for safekeeping — kept sealed and strictly confidential until death — costs $25.00. The complete fee schedule is published in the Probate Court Fee and Distribution Schedule issued by the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case information is searchable online through the MiCOURT Case Search system. Physical case files and copies of probate documents can be requested in person or by mail from the Probate Register at 301 W. Upton Avenue, Reed City, MI 49677. Court forms for guardianship, conservatorship, and other probate matters are available at the court window or through the Michigan Courts forms search tool. The court cannot provide legal advice; parties with questions about specific probate procedures are encouraged to consult Michigan Legal Help or an attorney.