Tuscola County Court Records
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Tuscola County sits in Michigan's Thumb region, with Caro as its county seat. The county's judicial system operates out of the Tuscola County Courthouse at 440 North State Street, where three separate courts share space: the 54th Circuit Court, the 71B District Court, and the Probate Court. Each court keeps its own case records. The County Clerk acts as the constitutional clerk of the Circuit Court and handles a large share of the county's legal filings. Whether you're trying to track down a criminal case disposition, a divorce judgment, a civil lawsuit, or probate estate documents, your first practical step is figuring out which office holds the records you need—and how to reach them.
Michigan offers several ways to search court records at both the state and county level. The MiCOURT Case Search platform, run by the Michigan judiciary, lets anyone look up civil, criminal, domestic, traffic, and probate cases filed throughout the state, including Tuscola County courts. You can also search records in person at the clerk windows inside the courthouse, call during business hours, or send a written request by mail. MichiganCourts.us can help you find statewide judicial resources and public case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Tuscola County?
How you look up a case depends on its type and which court handled it. Each court follows slightly different procedures, so it helps to know your options before you start.
Online searches are available through MiCOURT Case Search, the state's free public access system. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name, and filter by court. All three Tuscola County courts are accessible through this portal. Docket information for civil, criminal, traffic, domestic relations, and probate cases is available online, though you generally can't view the underlying documents remotely.
In-person searches can be done at the courthouse during regular hours:
- Courthouse hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- District Court / Magistrate's Office (Criminal & Traffic): Located in the basement; closed 12:00–1:00 p.m. for lunch
- District Court Civil Division: Located in the basement
- Probate Court: Open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Telephone inquiries should go to the office that manages the records you need:
| Court / Office | Phone | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| County Clerk (Circuit Court records) | (989) 672-3775 | Civil, criminal, and family division records |
| Circuit Court Assignment Clerk | (989) 673-3330 | Scheduling and general circuit matters |
| District Court Civil Division | (989) 672-3800 | Civil cases, landlord-tenant, small claims |
| District Court Magistrate (Criminal/Traffic) | (989) 672-3790 | Traffic tickets, misdemeanors, criminal matters |
| Probate Court | (989) 672-3850 | Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health |
Mail requests for Circuit Court record copies go to the Tuscola County Clerk at 440 North State Street, Caro, MI 48723. You'll need to complete a Search Request Form first to obtain a case number, then submit a Copy Request Form. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any mail request. The Clerk's office charges $1.00 per page for copies of Circuit Court documents. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Make checks or money orders payable to the Tuscola County Clerk.
Are Court Records Public in Tuscola County?
Michigan starts from a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified as MCL Act 442 of 1976, gives anyone the right to inspect and obtain copies of government records, including many types of court records. Both the 71B District Court and the Probate Court keep records that are generally open for inspection during business hours.
That said, certain categories of records are sealed or restricted by statute or court order. The following types of Tuscola County court records are typically not available to the general public:
- Juvenile records: Most juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect case files are confidential
- Adoption records: Sealed and available only to qualifying parties through a petition process
- Mental health records: Proceedings under the Mental Health Code are restricted
- Birth records: Under MCL Section 333.2882, birth certificates are confidential and available only to the person named, their parents, heirs, or legal representatives; records over 100 years old are open to the public
- Personally identifiable information: The 71B District Court requires that filings not contain dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, or financial account numbers
Records that have been expunged or sealed by judicial order are removed from public search results. Whether a will is on deposit with the Probate Court is treated as confidential—the court will only check for a will after receiving a death certificate or obituary for the named testator. If the court denies a records request, you can pursue the matter through the appeals process established under FOIA.
Tuscola County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Tuscola County are divided between the 54th Circuit Court, which handles felonies, and the 71B District Court, which covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil infractions. The Magistrate's Office in the courthouse basement handles traffic tickets, civil infractions, and arraignments. When a felony case survives the preliminary examination in District Court, it moves up to the Circuit Court, where the County Clerk's office takes over the records.
Searching criminal records can be done through the following methods:
- MiCOURT Case Search – search for criminal cases filed in either the 54th Circuit Court or the 71B District Court by party name or case number
- In person – visit the Magistrate's Office (criminal/traffic) at (989) 672-3790 or the County Clerk's office for Circuit Court criminal files at (989) 672-3775
- ICHAT – the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) provides public criminal history records from the state's central repository; the fee is $10 per search
Arrest and incarceration records are maintained by the Tuscola County Sheriff's Office:
Tuscola County Sheriff's Office
Address: 420 Court Street, Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 673-8161
Fax: (989) 673-8164
Lobby Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Sheriff's Office publishes a live jail inmate list on its website. The Michigan Department of Corrections maintains an offender tracking information system for individuals sentenced to state facilities.
Expungement: If you want to set aside a criminal conviction, you can file an Application to Set Aside Conviction (SCAO form mc227) through the Circuit Court. Specialty courts—including the Thumb Regional Sobriety Court and the Tuscola Mental Health Court—operate within the local system and maintain their own program records.
Tuscola County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Tuscola County is split between the 54th Circuit Court and the 71B District Court based on the amount at stake. The Circuit Court handles civil cases where the claim exceeds $25,000, while the District Court covers claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant proceedings, and small claims matters.
Circuit Court civil filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil case (initial filing) | $175.00 |
| Petition for driver's license restoration | $175.00 |
| Appeal from Circuit Court | $25.00 |
| Jury demand fee | $85.00 |
| Motion fee (open case) | $20.00 |
District Court civil filing fees:
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $600 | $35.00 |
| $600.01–$1,750 | $55.00 |
| $1,750.01–$10,000 | $75.00 |
| $10,000.01–$25,000 | $160.00 |
| Motion fee | $20.00 |
Small claims disputes involving $7,000 or less are heard by the Magistrate. Filing fees range from $30.00 for claims up to $600 to $70.00 for claims up to $7,000. Parties represent themselves in small claims—no attorneys. You'll need the Affidavit and Claim form (SCAO form dc84) to start a case; pick it up at the courthouse or download it from the court's printable forms page.
Summary proceedings (landlord-tenant eviction cases) cost $55.00 for possession only, with higher fees when money damages are also sought. Forms for landlord-tenant actions are available through the State Court Administrative Office website.
Circuit Court civil records are available from the County Clerk's office. District Court civil records are handled by the Civil Division clerk in the courthouse basement. The courthouse accepts cash, personal check, money order, or credit/debit card. You can also pay online through the court's AllPaid payment portal.
Tuscola County Family Court Records
The Family Division operates under the 54th Circuit Court and handles divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders. The Friend of the Court (FOC) office, located at 440 South State Street in Caro, handles enforcement, mediation, and investigation services in family cases.
Divorce filing fees:
- Divorce involving minor children: $255.00
- Divorce not involving minor children: $175.00
- Post-judgment motions (closed cases): Order to show cause $20.00; spousal support $20.00; child support $60.00; parenting time or custody $100.00
Call the FOC at (989) 673-4848 with questions about child support enforcement, custody, parenting time modifications, or payment information. You can check child support payment status online at Michigan.gov/michildsupport. Forms for modifying court orders, filing grievances, requesting dispute resolution, or requesting a support review are on the court's forms page.
Personal protection orders (PPOs) are filed through the County Clerk's office. The Victim Services unit at the Sheriff's Office—reachable at (989) 673-8161 ext. 2241—can help you complete PPO paperwork.
Adoption and name change petitions go through the Family Division. The filing fee for both adoptions and name changes is $175.00, the same as any other civil action. If you need a certified copy of an Order of Adoption after the adoption is complete, file SCAO form PCA 327; the fee is $20.00 plus $10.00 per certified copy.
Marriage records are maintained by the Tuscola County Clerk. To get a marriage license, you'll need to apply in person after completing the form online. The fee is $20.00 for Michigan residents and $30.00 for out-of-state residents. Certified copies of existing marriage certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can request copies in person or by mail using the Vital Record Request Form. Death certificates follow the same fee schedule and are generally open to the public. Birth certificates are restricted under MCL 333.2882 to eligible individuals and cost $15.00 for the first certified copy. Mail requests for birth records must include a check payable to Tuscola County Clerk, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a notarized signature, and a copy of your photo ID. Allow 7 to 10 business days for mail processing. The Clerk's Office is open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Michigan Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics also keeps copies of Tuscola County vital records and can be reached at (517) 335-8666.
Tuscola County Probate Court Records
The Tuscola County Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, mental health commitments, and related proceedings. Hon. Nancy L. Thane presides over the court, with Probate Register Janie Hemerline and Deputy Probate Register Kristi Phipps managing filings and records. The court is on the main floor of the courthouse at 440 North State Street, Caro. You can reach the court by phone at (989) 672-3850 or by email at tuscolaprobate@tuscolacounty.org.
Probate case searches are available online through the MiCOURT Probate Court search for Tuscola County, or in person at the Probate Court clerk's window during business hours (8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Filing fees for common probate matters:
| Proceeding Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New petition (most types) | $175.00 |
| Small estate (Petition and Order for Assignment) | $25.00 |
| Petition in already open case | $20.00 |
| Developmentally disabled guardianship | No fee |
| Electronic filing system fee | $25.00 |
| Letters of Authority (certified copy) | $12.00 |
| Safekeeping of will | $25.00 |
| Petition to open safe deposit box | $10.00 |
| Delayed registration of foreign birth | $150.00 |
| Drain Commission Board of Review appeal | $150.00 |
| Photocopies | $1.00 per page |
The court accepts cash, money orders, and personal checks (a driver's license and phone number are required for check payments).
Estate proceedings in Tuscola County follow one of three tracks: a Formal Estate (filed by petition with a court hearing), an Informal Estate (filed by application with the Probate Register), or a Small Estate (for assets under $22,000, opened and closed the same day). Detailed filing instructions and the full list of required forms for each track are on the Estates page of the Probate Court website. Key forms—including the Petition for Probate, Testimony to Identify Heirs, Notice of Hearing, Inventory, Sworn Statement to Close, and Certificate of Completion—are available through the court's forms page and the Michigan Courts SCAO forms website.
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions for incapacitated adults, minors, and individuals with developmental disabilities are processed through the Probate Court. Letters of Guardianship and Letters of Conservatorship now carry annual expiration dates to ensure that fiduciaries file required annual reports. Administratively closed files due to a fiduciary's failure to submit paperwork are subject to a $100.00 court cost.
Trust registrations can be filed for $25.00 (plus the $25.00 e-filing fee), while petitions to amend a trust require the standard $150.00 filing fee. Mental health petition forms and instructions are available on the Probate Court's website, including the Petition for Mental Health Treatment (SCAO form pcm201) and the Order for Examination/Transport (pcm209a). Tuscola Behavioral Health Systems, reachable at (989) 673-6191 or (800) 462-6814, can help families prepare these petitions.