Shiawassee County Court Records Search

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    Shiawassee County is located in central Michigan, with Corunna serving as its county seat. The county’s judicial system operates through the 35th Circuit Court, the 66th District Court, and a Probate Court—all of which generate records that members of the public may need to access for legal, personal, or research purposes. From criminal case dispositions and civil judgments to divorce decrees and estate filings, court records in Shiawassee County are maintained by the respective court clerks and the County Clerk’s office. Knowing which office holds the records you need, what procedures to follow, and what fees to expect will help you navigate the process efficiently.

    Michigan’s court system is administered under the oversight of the Michigan Courts one-court-of-justice framework, and MichiganCourts.us can serve as a starting point for identifying courts, clerks, and publicly accessible case data across the state. In Shiawassee County, the County Clerk serves as the clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains records for that tribunal, while the District Court and Probate Court each have their own clerk staff. Several online tools are available to search case information remotely, including the statewide Michigan Courts case search and local court resources. For records that cannot be located online, the clerk offices in Corunna accept in-person visits, written requests, and phone inquiries during posted business hours.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Shiawassee County?

    The approach to finding a case depends on the type of matter and which court handled it. The following steps provide a practical framework.

    Step 1 — Determine the correct court.

    Case TypeCourtRecords Held By
    Felonies, civil cases over $25,000, family law35th Circuit CourtCounty Clerk (Circuit Court division)
    Misdemeanors, civil infractions, small claims, landlord-tenant66th District CourtDistrict Court Clerk
    Estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental healthProbate CourtProbate Court Register
    Traffic and ordinance violations66th District CourtDistrict Court Clerk

    Step 2 — Gather identifying details. Before contacting any office, compile as much information as you can: the full names of the parties involved, the approximate year the case was filed, the case number (if known), and the type of proceeding.

    Step 3 — Search online or contact the court.

    1. Michigan Courts Case Search — The statewide case search tool maintained by the Michigan Judicial Branch allows users to look up publicly available case information by party name, case number, or attorney. Not all historic records have been digitized, but recent filings are generally accessible.

    2. Shiawassee County Clerk — The County Clerk’s office maintains Circuit Court records and can assist with in-person or phone inquiries. The office is located at:

      Shiawassee County Clerk
      Address: 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817
      Phone: (989) 743-2242
      Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    3. 66th District Court — For misdemeanor, small claims, and civil infraction records, contact the District Court directly:

      66th District Court
      Address: 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817
      Phone: (989) 743-2347
      Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    4. Probate Court — Estate, guardianship, and related records are maintained by the Probate Court:

      Shiawassee County Probate Court
      Address: 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817
      Phone: (989) 743-2373
      Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Step 4 — Request copies. Once you identify the correct case, ask the clerk for certified or plain copies. Provide the case number if possible, specify the documents you need, and be prepared to pay copy and certification fees. For mail requests, include a written letter with the case details, the documents sought, your return address, a phone number, and a check or money order for the estimated fees payable to the appropriate court.

    Are Court Records Public in Shiawassee County?

    Michigan law establishes a strong presumption of public access to court records. Two primary legal authorities govern this right.

    Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.). The FOIA requires public bodies to disclose records upon request unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Court administrative records—such as personnel files, internal memos, and operational documents—fall under FOIA. Judicial case records, however, are primarily governed by court rules rather than FOIA.

    Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 8 (MCR 8.119). The Michigan Court Rules address public access to case records held by the courts. Under MCR 8.119, court records are presumed open to public inspection. The rule permits any person to examine and obtain copies of court files during regular business hours, subject to certain limitations. Records or portions of records may be sealed or redacted by court order when specific criteria are met.

    Categories of restricted records in Shiawassee County include:

    • Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings (generally confidential under MCL 712A.28 and court rules)
    • Adoption records
    • Mental health commitment proceedings
    • Records sealed by judicial order
    • Cases subject to expungement (set-aside) orders under MCL 780.621 et seq.
    • Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth of minors, which must be redacted from publicly filed documents
    • Friend of the Court records containing financial and custody investigation details

    When a record has been sealed, access generally requires a motion and a court order. Members of the public who believe they have been improperly denied access to a court file may seek relief from the presiding judge or file a complaint with the State Court Administrative Office.

    Shiawassee County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Shiawassee County are handled by the 35th Circuit Court (felonies) and the 66th District Court (misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and preliminary felony examinations). Understanding which court processed a case determines where to look for records.

    35th Circuit Court (felony cases). All felony prosecutions in Shiawassee County are tried in the 35th Circuit Court, which covers Shiawassee County exclusively. Circuit Court criminal files include arraignment records, preliminary examination bind-over orders, informations and indictments, plea transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation records (to the extent they are public). The County Clerk’s office serves as the clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains these files:

    County Clerk — Circuit Court Division
    Address: 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817
    Phone: (989) 743-2242
    Fax: (989) 743-2146

    66th District Court (misdemeanors and infractions). Misdemeanor prosecutions, drunk driving cases charged as misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and local ordinance violations are processed through the 66th District Court. This court also conducts preliminary examinations for felony cases before they are bound over to Circuit Court. Records from District Court proceedings are maintained by the District Court clerk staff at the courthouse.

    Arrest and booking records. Criminal history and arrest information are maintained by the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office:

    Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 201 E. McArthur St., Corunna, MI 48817
    Phone: (989) 743-2369
    Fax: (989) 743-2147

    The Sheriff’s Office processes requests for local criminal history checks. Michigan State Police also maintain the state’s criminal records repository—the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)—which provides name-based criminal history searches for a fee of $10.00 per search. ICHAT results include convictions from courts across Michigan but do not include pending charges, juvenile records, or records from other states.

    Local law enforcement. The Corunna Police Department and other municipal agencies within Shiawassee County also generate incident and arrest reports that can be requested directly from the originating department. The Michigan State Police maintains additional investigative records and background check services.

    Relevant restrictions on criminal records:

    • Expunged (set-aside) convictions under MCL 780.621 are not available through public searches once the order is entered.
    • Juvenile adjudications are confidential.
    • Ongoing investigative files held by law enforcement may be exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

    Shiawassee County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Shiawassee County is divided between Circuit Court and District Court based on jurisdictional thresholds and the nature of the claim.

    35th Circuit Court. The Circuit Court has general civil jurisdiction over cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, as well as exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters such as real property disputes, equitable actions, and appeals from District Court and administrative agencies. Civil case files—including complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials (to the extent filed), and judgments—are maintained by the County Clerk’s Circuit Court division.

    66th District Court. The District Court handles civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes (summary proceedings), and small claims actions (up to $6,500). The 66th District Court clerk processes filings and maintains records for these cases.

    Requesting civil court records:

    1. Visit the County Clerk’s office or District Court clerk in person at 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, during business hours.
    2. Provide the case number or names of the parties and the approximate filing date.
    3. Request plain or certified copies and pay the applicable fees.

    Common fees for civil records (Circuit Court):

    ServiceFee
    Copy fee (per page)$1.00
    Certified copy (per document)$10.00 plus $1.00 per page
    Exemplification$10.00 plus copy charges
    Case search (per name)$10.00

    Fees may vary slightly depending on the court and the type of document. Contact the relevant clerk to confirm current rates before submitting payment.

    Property and lien records. Real property records—including deeds, mortgages, liens, and land contracts—are filed with the Shiawassee County Register of Deeds, located in the same courthouse complex at 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817, Phone: (989) 743-2387 These records are relevant in civil litigation involving real property disputes, foreclosures, and judgment liens. The Register of Deeds offers an online search portal for recorded documents.

    Judgments and liens. Civil judgments entered by the Circuit or District Court may be recorded as liens against real property. To search for such liens, check with both the County Clerk (for judgment records) and the Register of Deeds (for recorded judgment liens).

    Shiawassee County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Shiawassee County are handled by the Family Division of the 35th Circuit Court. This division has jurisdiction over divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, personal protection orders, and juvenile proceedings. The Friend of the Court office plays a central role in domestic relations cases involving minor children.

    Divorce records. Divorce judgments, property settlement agreements, and related orders are filed with the County Clerk as part of the Circuit Court case file. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, contact the County Clerk with the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. Certified copies are available for the standard copy and certification fee.

    Friend of the Court. The Shiawassee County Friend of the Court provides enforcement and investigation services for custody, parenting time, and child support matters. Contact information:

    Friend of the Court
    Address: 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817
    Phone: (989) 743-2279
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Friend of the Court records include support payment histories, custody investigation reports, and recommendation memos. These records contain sensitive personal and financial information and are not generally available to the public. Parties to a case may access their own Friend of the Court file upon request. Third-party access is restricted under MCL 552.519 and related statutes.

    Personal protection orders (PPOs). PPO files are maintained by the County Clerk’s office. Active PPOs are entered into the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), but the underlying case files are accessible through the Circuit Court.

    Marriage licenses. Marriage licenses in Michigan are issued by the county clerk where either applicant resides (or where the ceremony will take place). The Shiawassee County Clerk issues marriage licenses at the courthouse:

    • Application fee: $20.00
    • Waiting period: Three days after application (may be waived by court order)
    • License validity: 33 days from date of issuance
    • Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification

    Vital records. Birth and death records in Michigan are maintained by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Division, and can also be requested through local city and township clerks. The County Clerk’s office can direct requesters to the appropriate local registrar. Fees for certified vital record copies through the state are $34.00 for the first copy and $12.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.

    Adoption and juvenile records. Adoption files are permanently sealed under Michigan law and may be accessed only through a court order or the Michigan Central Adoption Registry for identifying and non-identifying information. Juvenile court records—including delinquency and child protective proceedings—are confidential and access is limited to the parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.

    Shiawassee County Probate Court Records

    The Shiawassee County Probate Court has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents’ estates, trust proceedings, guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults, and involuntary mental health commitments. The court also handles name change petitions and certain other special proceedings assigned by statute.

    Probate Court
    Address: 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817
    Phone: (989) 743-2373
    Fax: (989) 743-2281
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    How to locate probate records:

    1. Online — Check the Michigan Courts statewide case search for docket-level information. Enter the decedent’s or ward’s name or the case number. Not all historical probate records are digitized, but recent filings are increasingly available.
    2. In person — Visit the Probate Court at the courthouse with the decedent’s full legal name and approximate date of death (or the ward’s name for guardianship matters). The probate register can help you locate the file and provide copies.
    3. By mail — Send a written request to the Shiawassee County Probate Court at the address above. Include the full name of the decedent or ward, the case number if available, a description of the documents you need, your return address, a daytime phone number, and a check or money order for estimated copy fees payable to “Shiawassee County Probate Court”.

    Common documents available in probate files:

    • Last will and testament (once admitted to probate)
    • Petition for probate or administration
    • Letters of authority (testamentary or administration)
    • Inventory of estate assets
    • Claims against the estate
    • Accountings (annual and final)
    • Orders of distribution and estate closing
    • Guardianship and conservatorship petitions, reports, and accountings

    Probate filing and copy fees:

    ServiceFee
    Filing — petition for probate or administrationVaries; confirm with court
    Certified copies (per document)$10.00 plus $1.00 per page
    Plain copies (per page)$1.00
    Exemplification$10.00 plus copy costs

    Exact filing fees may change annually and depend on the type of proceeding. Contact the Probate Court directly or visit the Michigan One Court of Justice fee schedule page for the most current figures.

    Restricted probate records. Most probate files are open for public inspection. However, several categories carry confidentiality restrictions:

    • Mental health commitment records — Proceedings under the Michigan Mental Health Code (MCL 330.1001 et seq.) are confidential and may not be disclosed without a court order or statutory authorization.
    • Guardianship investigation reports — Reports prepared by court investigators or guardian ad litem may contain sensitive medical, financial, or personal information and can be restricted from general public access.
    • Minor guardianship and conservatorship files — While not automatically sealed, portions of these files containing a minor’s personal information may be redacted or restricted.

    If you need access to a restricted probate record, you may file a motion with the Probate Court explaining the basis for your request. The court will evaluate the request against the applicable statutory and rule-based standards before granting or denying access.

    For estate-related real property transfers, the Shiawassee County Register of Deeds maintains recorded deeds, affidavits of heirship, and other instruments that transfer property interests upon a decedent’s death. Cross-referencing probate court records with the Register of Deeds can provide a complete picture of how estate assets were distributed.

      Shiawassee County Court Records Search - MichiganCourts.us