Van Buren County Court Records Search

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    Van Buren County sits in southwestern Michigan with its county seat in the village of Paw Paw. The county’s court system consists of three judicial bodies — the 36th Circuit Court, the 7th District Court, and the Probate Court — each responsible for different categories of legal proceedings. The County Clerk, an elected official serving a four-year term, also serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court and is tasked with managing court filings, maintaining records, and certifying documents under the Circuit Court Seal. Whether a resident needs to verify a criminal case status, pull civil litigation records, or obtain probate filings, the county’s courts and clerk offices provide both in-person and electronic access to the majority of these documents.

    Court records throughout Michigan can be researched through official clerk offices, public access terminals located inside courthouses, and electronic search tools maintained at the state and county levels. MichiganCourts.us provides a centralized starting point for locating publicly available case information across trial courts statewide, including those operating in Van Buren County.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Van Buren County?

    There are several methods available for searching court records in Van Buren County, ranging from free online searches to formal written requests submitted by mail or in person at the courthouse.

    Online Case Search

    The most efficient starting point for an electronic lookup is the MiCourt Case Search portal, which is maintained by the Michigan courts. This tool allows public users to search civil, criminal, traffic, domestic relations, and probate case records. Searches can be filtered by court — including the 36th Circuit Court, the 7th District Court, and the Probate Court — and narrowed by case category, party name, or case number. The Van Buren County courts also maintain a local case search page with direct links to each court’s case lookup tool.

    In-Person Requests

    Individuals may visit the Van Buren County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours to review court records. Public access terminals and case file inspection may be available at the courthouse. The Clerk’s office is located at:

    Van Buren County Clerk’s Office
    212 East Paw Paw Street
    Paw Paw, MI 49079
    Phone: (269) 657-8218, option 6
    Fax: (269) 657-8298
    Email: clerk@vanburencountymi.gov
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

    Mail Requests

    Written requests for court records may be directed to the Clerk’s Office at the address above. The request should include as much identifying information as possible, such as the case number, the names of the parties involved, and the approximate date of the proceeding. Applicable fees for copies or certification should be included with the request. The office accepts cash, checks, credit or debit cards, and money orders.

    FOIA Requests

    Certain records held by county offices, including the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, can be requested through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Michigan’s FOIA statute, MCL 15.231 et seq, requires public bodies to make records available for inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies.

    Are Court Records Public in Van Buren County?

    Court records in Van Buren County are presumptively open to the public. Michigan Court Rule 8.119 governs access to court records statewide and establishes that case records maintained by court clerks are available for public inspection unless a statute, court rule, or court order restricts access. Under this rule, court clerks must maintain case files and make them accessible during normal business hours.

    However, the right of public access is not absolute. Michigan law and court rules identify specific categories of records that are shielded from disclosure. The following types of information are generally nonpublic or subject to restricted access:

    • Personal identifying information (PII) — Social security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth may be redacted from publicly available filings under MCR 1.109.
    • Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors in delinquency and child protective matters are generally confidential under MCL 712A.28.
    • Sealed and expunged records — Cases that have been sealed or set aside by court order are not available for public inspection.
    • Certain family law records — Adoption files, mental health evaluations, and medical records submitted in family proceedings are typically restricted.
    • Victim and witness information — Identifying details of victims and witnesses may be withheld to protect their safety.
    • Investigation techniques — Law enforcement methodologies and confidential investigative records are exempt from disclosure.

    Accessing restricted records ordinarily requires a court order. Individuals who believe they have a legal right to inspect a sealed or otherwise nonpublic record must petition the appropriate court for permission.

    Van Buren County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Van Buren County are handled at two levels. The 7th District Court processes all criminal arraignments, conducts preliminary examinations in felony cases, and has trial jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses. Felony cases that proceed past the preliminary examination stage are transferred to the 36th Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over all felony trials and serious misdemeanors.

    The 7th District Court operates from two locations:

    CourtAddressPhoneFaxEmail
    7th District Court – Paw Paw212 East Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079(269) 657-8222(269) 657-82237dc@vanburencountymi.gov
    7th District Court – South Haven1007 East Wells Street, South Haven, MI 49090(269) 637-5258(269) 639-45177dc@vanburencountymi.gov

    The 36th Circuit Court is located at:

    36th Circuit Court
    212 East Paw Paw Street, 2nd Floor
    Paw Paw, MI 49079
    Phone: (269) 657-8200
    Email: 36circuitcourt@vanburencountymi.gov

    Searching Criminal Records Online

    Two primary online tools exist for criminal record searches in Van Buren County:

    1. MiCourt Case Search — The MiCourt portal provides public access to criminal case records filed in the 36th Circuit Court and the 7th District Court. Users should select “Criminal” under the case category filter and search by the defendant’s name or case number.
    2. ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) — The Michigan State Police maintains the ICHAT system, which allows registered users to conduct statewide name-based criminal history searches. ICHAT returns conviction records maintained by the Criminal Justice Information Center. A search requires the individual’s first name, last name, date of birth, race, and gender. There is a fee per search.

    Additional Criminal Justice Resources

    The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office maintains an Inmate Lookup tool for checking current jail bookings. The Michigan Department of Corrections offers the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) for looking up individuals under state supervision or incarcerated in state facilities.

    Criminal Court Filing Fees and Assessments

    Under Michigan’s Circuit Court fee schedule, key criminal assessment amounts include:

    • Minimum state cost: $50 per misdemeanor count; $68 per felony count
    • Crime victim rights assessment: $75 per misdemeanor case; $130 per felony case
    • DNA assessment: $60
    • Appeal filing fee: $150

    Van Buren County Civil Court Records

    Civil litigation in Van Buren County is divided between two courts based on the amount in controversy. The 36th Circuit Court handles civil lawsuits where the claim exceeds $25,000, while the 7th District Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving lesser amounts, including small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and land contract disagreements.

    Searching Civil Records

    The MiCourt Case Search portal is the primary online tool for locating civil case records. When searching, users should select the appropriate court (36th Circuit or 7th District) and choose “Civil” under the case category. Searches can be conducted by party name, business name, or case number.

    For records not available online, or to request certified copies, individuals should contact the Van Buren County Clerk’s Office at (269) 657-8218, option 6, or visit in person at 212 East Paw Paw Street in Paw Paw during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM).

    Civil Filing Fees

    Under Michigan’s statewide circuit court fee schedule (MCL 600.2529), the following fees apply to civil actions filed in the 36th Circuit Court:

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

    Fees may be waived or suspended for parties who qualify as indigent under MCR 2.002. The Clerk Fee Schedule page on the county website provides additional information about fees charged at the county level.

    Property-Related Civil Records

    Real property records, including deeds, liens, and property transfers, are maintained by the Van Buren County Register of Deeds. These records can be searched online using the Register’s Document Search Tool or the county’s Parcel Viewer. All documents cost $30.00 to record regardless of page count, and copies are $1.00 per page.

    Van Buren County Register of Deeds
    219 East Paw Paw Street, Suite 102
    Paw Paw, MI 49079
    Phone: (269) 657-8242
    Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

    Van Buren County Family Court Records

    The Family Division of the 36th Circuit Court manages all domestic relations matters in Van Buren County. This division handles divorce proceedings, child custody disputes, child support enforcement, paternity actions, parenting time issues, personal protection orders, and juvenile matters. The court can be reached at (269) 657-8200 or by email at 36circuitcourt@vanburencountymi.gov.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records are maintained by the Van Buren County Clerk’s Office, which is the local custodian for all vital records. The Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also maintains statewide records.

    To request an uncertified divorce verification, individuals may submit a Verification of Michigan Divorce Form to MDHHS. For a certified copy, the Application for a Certified Divorce Record form is required. Both spouses’ names and the year of the divorce must be provided.

    Marriage Records

    The Clerk’s Office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Requests can be submitted:

    The fee for a certified marriage record is $15, with additional copies at $5 each. Eligibility to receive marriage records is limited to the spouses named on the record, their immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals authorized by court order. Marriage indexes from 1974 to present are searchable online through the Van Buren County Clerk’s website.

    Family Court Fees

    Michigan statute establishes specific fees for family division filings in circuit court:

    • Custody and parenting time fee: $80
    • Support fee (if custody/parenting time fee is not paid): $40
    • Friend of the Court service fee (non-IV-D services): $3.50 per month
    • Driver license clearance fee (FOC suspensions): $45

    Self-represented litigants filing domestic relations cases should review the forms available through the Friend of the Court and the resources page maintained by the Van Buren County Courts administration.

    Birth and Death Records

    While not strictly family court records, birth and death certificates are frequently relevant in family law proceedings. The Van Buren County Clerk’s Office serves as the Register of County Vital Statistics, recording and indexing all births, deaths, and marriages that occur in the county. Birth records date back to 1867 and death records to the same year. Death records from 1987 onward and marriage records from 1974 onward are searchable online.

    Certified copies of birth or death records cost $15, with additional copies at $5 each. Birth record requests are restricted to the individual named on the certificate, their parents, heirs, legal guardians, or legal representatives. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person using the same vital records request methods described above.

    Van Buren County Probate Court Records

    The Van Buren County Probate Court has jurisdiction over estate administration, the probate of wills, the appointment of guardians and conservators, trust matters, mental health commitments, and certain other proceedings including secret marriages. The court is presided over by the Hon. Susan Metzger.

    Probate Court Contact Information

    Van Buren County Probate Court
    212 East Paw Paw Street, Suite 220
    Paw Paw, MI 49079
    Phone: (269) 657-8225
    Fax: (269) 657-7573
    Email: probate@vanburencountymi.gov

    Accessing Probate Records

    Probate case records can be searched online through the MiCourt Case Search portal by selecting the Van Buren County Probate Court and filtering results by party name or case number. The tool includes records for estate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, and related filings.

    For records not available electronically, or when certified copies are needed, requests should be directed to the Clerk of the Probate Court by phone, mail, or in person. Requesters should provide as much case-identifying information as possible, including the decedent’s or ward’s name and the case number if known.

    Payment Methods at Probate Court

    Payments at the Probate Court window can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Online payments are also accepted using a credit or debit card through the court’s pay portal (Pay Location Code: A000SV). Phone payments can be made by calling (888) 604-7888.

    Probate Filing Fees

    Probate filings in Michigan circuit and probate courts follow the statewide fee schedule established under MCL 600.2529. The general filing fee for probate matters is $150. A petition to open an estate, appoint a personal representative, or commence a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding is subject to this filing fee. Fee waivers are available for individuals who demonstrate financial inability to pay under MCR 2.002.