St. Joseph County Court Records Search

St. Joseph County sits in the southwest corner of Michigan, with its county seat in the village of Centreville. The county’s judicial system comprises three courts—the 45th Circuit Court, the 3B District Court, and the Probate Court—each responsible for distinct categories of legal matters and the records those cases generate. The County Clerk serves as the official record keeper for the 45th Circuit Court, preserving civil, criminal, and family case files that date back to the 1830s. Whether a person needs to verify the outcome of a felony prosecution, obtain a copy of a divorce judgment, trace an old property dispute, or locate probate filings for a deceased relative’s estate, knowing which office holds the record and how to request it is essential. This guide covers each major record type, the offices that maintain them, available search tools, applicable fees, and the rules that govern public access.

Court records in Michigan can be searched through multiple channels, including clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and web-based lookup tools maintained at the county and state levels. The MiCOURT Case Search portal operated by the state judiciary allows users to query civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate cases across participating trial courts. St. Joseph County also hosts its own case portals for the Circuit Court and District Court. Additional statewide court information, including court directories and rule references, may be found through MichiganCourts.us.

How to Look Up a Court Case in St. Joseph County?

St. Joseph County provides online, in-person, and mail-based options for locating court case information. The best approach depends on the court that handled the matter and whether certified copies are needed.

Online Searches

The county maintains two dedicated case-lookup portals:

45th Circuit Court case portal — covers felony criminal cases, civil actions over $25,000, divorce and family matters, and appeals from lower courts
3B District Court case portal — covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims up to $7,000, and landlord-tenant disputes

Both portals accept searches by last name, first name, birth year, case number, case status, and attorney name. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search also includes St. Joseph County records for civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate matters, though certain case types—adoption, juvenile, mental health, personal protection orders, and name changes—are excluded from public display.

Important notice regarding criminal records online: Due to Michigan’s Clean Slate legislation (effective April 11, 2023), the 45th Circuit Court’s online criminal case viewing reflects only cases from 2017 to the present. Accuracy for older cases must be verified manually at the clerk’s office. The public viewing terminal for criminal cases is currently unavailable.

In-Person Visits

Court files may be inspected at no charge during business hours in accordance with Michigan Court Rules. The relevant offices are:

Office	Location	Phone
County Clerk – 45th Circuit Court Division	Courts’ Building, Second Floor, 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032	(269) 467-5626
3B District Court	Courts’ Building, Main Floor, 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032	(269) 467-5627
Probate Court	920 W. Michigan Ave., Three Rivers, MI 49093	(269) 467-5538

County offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Probate Court occasionally closes from 12:00 to 1:00 PM; visitors during that window should call ahead to confirm availability.

Mail Requests

Written requests for copies of court records should include the case number or full party names, the type of document needed, a return address, and a check or money order for applicable copy fees. Mail should be directed to the appropriate clerk at P.O. Box 189, Centreville, MI 49032 (Circuit Court) or P.O. Box 67, Centreville, MI 49032 (District Court).

Are Court Records Public in St. Joseph County?

Michigan law presumes that court records are open to public inspection. Rule 8.119 of the Michigan Court Rules defines what constitutes a case record and establishes the framework for access. Under this rule, a court clerk may not charge a fee merely to inspect a public court file; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Certain categories of records are excluded from public access under Rule 8.119 and related statutes:

Juvenile and child protective proceedings — closed by statute
Adoption files — confidential; the Probate Court provides a Release of Information pamphlet that outlines procedures for obtaining non-identifying or identifying information
Mental health records — hearings and case files under the Mental Health Code remain confidential
Personal protection order case files — not displayed in public case searches
Sealed records — any record sealed by court order
Financial account information — redacted before public release
Wills on deposit for safekeeping — information about a deposited will is confidential until the testator is deceased

Additionally, Michigan’s Clean Slate legislation (MCL 780.621 et seq.) provides for automatic and petition-based expungement of qualifying criminal convictions. Once a conviction is set aside, the associated record is no longer available through public searches. In St. Joseph County, this means online criminal case data from before 2017 may be incomplete and requires manual verification at the clerk’s office.

The County Clerk’s staff and Probate Court personnel cannot provide legal advice. Michigan law expressly prohibits clerks and deputies from advising litigants on legal issues or procedures.

St. Joseph County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in St. Joseph County are initiated in the 3B District Court and, for felony cases, proceed to the 45th Circuit Court. The District Court handles misdemeanor trials, major traffic offenses, conservation and animal violations, and felony arraignments and preliminary examinations. The Circuit Court tries felony cases that are bound over after preliminary examination.

Where Criminal Records Are Maintained

Felony case records — County Clerk, 45th Circuit Court Division, Second Floor, 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032. Phone: (269) 467-5626
Misdemeanor and traffic records — 3B District Court, Main Floor, 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032. Phone: (269) 467-5627

How to Search

Use the 45th Circuit Court case portal for felony cases (2017–present online due to Clean Slate restrictions).
Use the 3B District Court case portal for misdemeanors, traffic matters, and felony preliminary proceedings.
Visit the clerk’s office in person to inspect case files. Viewing is free; copies incur a per-page fee.
Search MiCOURT Case Search for cross-court queries. Note that certain case types involving minors, mental health, and protection orders will not appear.

Statewide Criminal Background Checks

The Michigan State Police administers criminal history records for the entire state. Two primary methods are available:

iChat (Internet Criminal History Access Tool): A name-based search of public criminal history records costs $10 per query and is available through the Michigan State Police iChat portal. Results do not include suppressed records, warrants, federal or tribal data, traffic offenses, juvenile matters, local misdemeanors, or out-of-state history. iChat tutorials are available online.
Fingerprint-based background checks: Required for employment, licensing, visa, immigration, adoption, or personal record purposes. For employment and licensing, the applicant obtains an RI-030 Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check form from the requesting agency, completes the relevant sections, and visits an approved Live Scan vendor. Processing takes up to seven days, with results sent to the requesting agency. For visa, immigration, adoption, or personal checks, Michigan residents have their fingerprints placed on a Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Card (RI-008) at a local law enforcement agency. Non-residents use an FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card (FBI-258). The completed card, a cover letter stating the purpose, and a $30 money order or check payable to the State of Michigan are mailed to: Michigan State Police, CJIC, P.O. Box 30266, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7766. Processing takes three to five weeks.

Sheriff’s Office

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest reports and jail records. Sheriff Chad L. Spence oversees the department.

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 650 E. Main St., P.O. Box 339, Centreville, MI 49032
Phone: (269) 467-9045 (available 24/7)

St. Joseph County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in St. Joseph County is split between two courts based on the amount in controversy:

45th Circuit Court — civil cases with damage claims of $25,000 or more, equity actions, and appeals from the District and Probate Courts
3B District Court — civil suits up to $25,000, small claims up to $7,000, landlord-tenant disputes, land contract cases, and eviction proceedings

Filing Fees (Circuit Court, per February 2025 state fee schedule)

Fee Type	Amount
Civil filing fee	$150
Electronic filing system fee	$25
Motion fee	$20
Jury demand fee	$25
Writ of garnishment, attachment, execution, or judgment debtor discovery subpoena	$15

Filing fees may be waived or suspended for indigent parties under MCL 600.2529(5) or MCR 2.002. If the civil filing fee is waived, the electronic filing system fee is also waived.

How to Obtain Civil Records

Online: Search the 45th Circuit Court case portal or the 3B District Court case portal by party name, case number, or attorney.
In person: Inspect files at the appropriate clerk’s office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM). Under Rule 8.119, no fee is charged for in-person inspection. Copy fees apply when duplicates are requested.
By mail: Send a written request identifying the case to the clerk at the appropriate mailing address with payment for copies.

The 3B District Court is a weapons-free facility. No weapons are permitted, including for concealed carry permit holders. All persons and packages are subject to search. Individuals requiring ADA accommodations should notify the court in advance.

St. Joseph County Family Court Records

Family law cases in St. Joseph County are heard in the Family Division of the 45th Circuit Court. Judge Kevin Kane, who also presides over the Probate Court, handles cases in this division. The County Clerk maintains the official record for all family case filings.

Types of Family Records

The 45th Circuit Court Clerk’s office manages records for:

Divorce and annulment
Paternity actions
Child custody and parenting time
Child support
Personal protection orders (PPOs)

Filing Fees for Family Cases

Fee Type	Amount
Divorce/family case filing fee	$150
Electronic filing system fee	$25
Custody and parenting time fee	$80
Support fee (if no custody fee paid)	$40
Motion fee	$20

Divorce Certificates from the State

Divorce certificates (not decrees) can be obtained from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Options include:

By mail: Complete the Divorce Record Application and send it with a copy of photo ID and $34 (check or money order payable to the State of Michigan) to: Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, Michigan 48909. Regular processing takes four to six weeks. For faster service, address the envelope to “Vital Records RUSH” and add a $12 expedite fee.
Online: Order through the MDHHS-authorized vendor. A $12 RUSH fee and a $12.50 credit card handling charge apply in addition to the $34 base fee.
Drop box: Submit a completed application, photo ID copy, and payment at the MDHHS main lobby drop box, 333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48933 (Monday–Friday).

Marriage Records

The County Clerk’s Office maintains marriage records from 1832 to the present. Marriage records are open to the public. Certified copies cost $20 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Personal checks are not accepted.

To request a marriage certificate:

Online: Submit a request through the County Clerk’s official portal. Orders received by 2:00 PM are typically processed the same day.
By mail or in person: Download and complete the Marriage Certificate Request Form and submit it with payment. For in-person visits, call (269) 467-5602 to schedule an appointment.

County Clerk’s Office
Address: Historic Courthouse, Second Floor, 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 189, Centreville, MI 49032

A historical Marriage Record Index for 1889–1925 is available for genealogical research.

Birth and Death Records

The County Clerk holds birth records (1867–present) and death records (1867–present). Birth records less than 100 years old are closed to the public; only the named individual, a parent, a descendant or heir of the deceased, or a verified legal representative may obtain a certified copy. Death records are available under similar restrictions for recent records.

Fees: $20 for the first copy, $10 for each additional copy. Personal checks are not accepted.
Request forms:Birth Certificate Order Form or Death Certificate Request Form
Appointment: Call (269) 467-5602

Certified copies may also be obtained from the MDHHS at a base fee of $34 per record, with additional charges for rush or online processing.

St. Joseph County Probate Court Records

The St. Joseph County Probate Court, located in the Three Rivers Courts Building, handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, mental health proceedings, and related matters. Judge Kevin Kane presides.

Probate Court
Address: 920 W. Michigan Ave., Three Rivers, MI 49093
Phone: (269) 467-5538
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (may close 12:00–1:00 PM; call ahead)

Case Types and Jurisdiction

The Probate Court has jurisdiction over:

Decedent’s estates (administration, will contests, creditor claims)
Guardianships of minors and adults (including developmentally disabled individuals)
Conservatorships
Adoptions (including step-parent adoptions)
Mental health commitments
Trust litigation
Applications to open safe deposit boxes
Delayed registration of foreign birth
Safe delivery of newborn proceedings
Will deposits for safekeeping

Public vs. Confidential Probate Records

Public files: Decedent’s estates, guardianships, and conservatorships
Confidential files: Adoptions, mental health proceedings, certain documents in guardianship files involving developmentally disabled individuals, and wills held for safekeeping (information remains confidential until the testator has died)

Fees at the Probate Court

Service	Fee
Photocopies	$0.50 per page
Microfilm copies	$1.00 per page
Certified copies	$10.00 certification fee + $1.00 per page
Will deposit for safekeeping	$25.00
Petition to open safe deposit box (filing + certified copy)	$21.00
Petition and Order for Assignment (small estates ≤ $20,000)	Contact court for current fee

Payment is accepted by cash, money order, or personal check payable to St. Joseph County Probate Court.

How to Request Probate Records

Determine whether the file is public. Estate, guardianship, and conservatorship files are open for inspection during business hours. Adoption and mental health files require a court order or specific statutory authorization.
Visit in person or call. Walk in during office hours or call (269) 467-5538 to confirm the availability of specific files. Genealogy research at the Probate Court is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Request copies. Provide the decedent’s name, approximate date of death, and case number if known. Pay the applicable copy fee.
Inquire about a will on file. The court can confirm whether a will is on deposit only after receiving verification of the testator’s death (death certificate or obituary).

Forms required for Probate Court proceedings, including guardianship packets, Petition to Open Safe Deposit Box, and Petition and Order for Assignment, can be obtained directly from the court office or downloaded from the SCAO forms website. The court recommends retaining an attorney for estate administration, guardianship of children, conservatorships, protective orders, and adoptions.