Washtenaw County Court Records Search
MichiganCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on MichiganCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Washtenaw County, situated in southeastern Michigan and home to the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, operates a unified trial court structure that processes a high volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases each year. The Washtenaw County Trial Court encompasses the 22nd Circuit Court, three district courts (14A, 14B, and 15th), and a Probate Court, all of which generate and maintain public court records. The Washtenaw County Trial Court, based at the Washtenaw County Courthouse at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, serves as the central hub for most court record searches and requests.
Court records in Michigan can be accessed through a combination of local clerk offices, in-person public terminals, and electronic search tools. MichiganCourts.us provides statewide resources including approved court forms, case search capabilities, and links to individual county court systems. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal also allows users to look up trial court case information for civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate matters. At the local level, Washtenaw County maintains its own online case search system and provides public access terminals inside the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Washtenaw County?
Washtenaw County offers online, in-person, phone, and mail options for locating and obtaining court records.
Online Case Search
The county maintains a public case records search that contains Washtenaw County Trial Court records searchable by party name or case number. While case information and docket details are viewable online, actual case documents are not accessible electronically — they must be obtained for a fee from the clerk’s office. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search provides an additional search option covering civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate cases, though criminal conviction information is limited to sentences imposed within the past seven years.
For cases heard in the 15th District Court, the City of Ann Arbor maintains a separate case search tool with public access to registers of action.
In-Person Requests
Self-service computer terminals at the Washtenaw County Courthouse allow the public to view 22nd Circuit Court records at no cost. To obtain copies, visit the Court Services office in Room 1106. Copies of 30 pages or fewer are processed while you wait. Requests exceeding 30 pages are fulfilled within ten business days.
Phone and Mail Requests
The Records Clerks office at (734) 222-3024 accepts record inquiries. Phone requests require credit card payment. Mail requests should be directed to:
Washtenaw County Trial Court
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Copy Fees
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Normal copy | $2.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $10.00 plus $1.00 per page |
| Exemplified copy | $10.00 plus $1.00 per page |
Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 22nd Circuit Court | 101 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48107 | (734) 222-3270 |
| 14A District Court | 415 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 | (734) 484-6690 |
| 14B District Court | 7200 S. Huron River Dr., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 | (734) 483-1333 |
| 15th District Court | 301 E. Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 | (734) 794-6759 |
| Probate Court | 101 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48107 | (734) 222-3072 |
Are Court Records Public in Washtenaw County?
Michigan law establishes a general right of public access to court records through two main authorities. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to records held by public bodies, while Michigan Court Rule 8.119 specifically addresses public access to court records. Under MCR 8.119, courts are mandated to allow inspection and copying of case records during regular business hours unless an exemption applies.
Several categories of records are restricted or entirely closed to public access:
- Adoption records — sealed and not available to the public
- Juvenile delinquency records — restricted to authorized parties
- Domestic violence-related records — certain details may be confidential
- Medical records — not subject to public disclosure
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, state-issued personal identification card numbers, passport numbers, and financial account numbers are protected
- Sealed or expunged records — require a court order for access
- Records of ongoing criminal investigations — not accessible until proceedings conclude
- Child abuse victim records — restricted
- Records involving victims of sexual offenses — whether underage or adult, these are not publicly disclosed
- Search warrants — may be restricted
Courts are also prohibited from providing public access to document images through the Internet under MCR 8.119(H), which means that while docket information may be available online, the underlying documents generally cannot be viewed or downloaded electronically.
Washtenaw County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Washtenaw County is divided between the 22nd Circuit Court and the three district courts. The Circuit Court handles all felony cases — offenses carrying potential penalties of more than one year — along with criminal appeals from the district courts. The district courts process misdemeanor cases, traffic infractions, and conduct preliminary examinations in felony matters.
Accessing Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records from the Circuit Court are maintained by the Civil/Criminal Division of the Washtenaw County Trial Court.
Civil/Criminal Division
Room: 1108
Phone: (734) 222-3001
Fax: (734) 222-3084
Records can be searched in person using public terminals at the courthouse, through the county’s online case search, or via MiCOURT Case Search. Criminal online payments for fines and fees are also available through the Trial Court website.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which provides name-based criminal record searches for the general public. Each ICHAT search costs $10.00 and requires account creation. Results include conviction records from across Michigan but are limited to the past seven years for sentencing data. Fingerprint-based criminal history checks are restricted to authorized criminal justice personnel.
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office Records Division processes criminal history checks and incident report requests. Criminal background checks through the Sheriff’s Office cost $5.00 and require an in-person appointment with valid photo identification. The records unit also handles FOIA requests for police reports.
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 222-3600
For incident reports, submit a request through the FOIA request form online or contact the Records Division. Traffic crash reports needed for insurance purposes are available online through the CLEMIS system.
The Sheriff also maintains a sub-station that handles records:
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office — Dexter Sub-Station
8140 Main St., Dexter, MI 48130
Phone: (734) 426-0228
Note that access to juvenile records, expunged records, and records related to ongoing investigations requires a court order. Records involving children cannot be released without proper legal authorization.
Washtenaw County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Washtenaw County are heard in either the 22nd Circuit Court or the district courts, depending on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles civil disputes where damages exceed $25,000, including personal injury, medical malpractice, contract disputes, and property matters. District courts handle claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant cases, small claims, and garnishments.
Filing Fees
Civil actions in the Circuit Court require a $150.00 filing fee plus a mandatory $25.00 electronic filing system fee pursuant to MCL 600.1986. The statewide circuit court fee schedule provides a comprehensive breakdown of all applicable fees. The 15th District Court in Ann Arbor has begun accepting e-filed civil cases (general civil, landlord-tenant, and small claims) through the MiFile system.
Searching and Requesting Civil Records
Civil court records can be located through:
- The county’s online name search for Trial Court records
- MiCOURT Case Search for statewide case information
- The 15th District Court case search for Ann Arbor district court cases
- In-person visits to the Civil/Criminal Division in Room 1108 at the courthouse
- Written requests mailed to the Trial Court at P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Copy fees apply as noted earlier: $2.00 per page for standard copies, $10.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Court Forms
The Washtenaw County Trial Court publishes local civil and criminal forms on its website. Statewide SCAO-approved forms are also available for most filing needs. The general forms page includes additional documents commonly needed for civil filings.
Property Records
Civil cases often intersect with property records. The Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, easements, satisfaction of mortgage documents, powers of attorney, subdivision maps, and other land instruments. These records are publicly accessible and date back to the county’s earliest years. The office also collects and distributes Realty Transfer Tax to local municipalities.
Washtenaw County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the 22nd Circuit Court handles all domestic relations and juvenile matters in Washtenaw County, including divorce, child custody, parenting time, paternity, child support, personal protection orders (PPOs), emancipation of minors, name changes, child protective proceedings, juvenile delinquency, and adoptions.
Domestic/PPO Clerks
Room: 1105
Phone: (734) 222-3791
This office assists with questions about PPOs, divorce and custody filings, motion fees, and other family division matters.
Friend of the Court (FOC)
Room: 1102
Phone: (734) 222-3050
Automated Account Information: (877) 543-2660
The FOC handles child support enforcement, show cause hearings, custody evaluations, and parenting time disputes. The county provides downloadable Friend of the Court forms and family division forms on its website.
Juvenile Court
Room: 1104
Phone: (734) 222-6900
Adoptions: (734) 222-6938
Juvenile court and adoption records are confidential. Juvenile court forms are available through the Trial Court website.
Public Access to Family Records
While family court records are part of the public record system, many categories remain non-public. Records involving child protective proceedings, adoption, juvenile guardianship, and name changes are not displayed on public databases or available online. Only case parties, their attorneys, designated representatives, or close family members may access these restricted records at the clerk’s office with valid identification and, for third parties, appropriate authorization.
Public docket information for family cases can be viewed through the county’s case search system or the self-service terminals at the courthouse.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are court records accessible to the public unless sealed. Certified divorce records cost $10.00 per copy and can be requested from the Legal Records Division in person, by mail, or through the county’s online services.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are maintained by the Washtenaw County Clerk’s Vital Records Division. The first certified copy costs $15.00, with additional copies at $5.00. Records can be ordered online through the county’s certified copies ordering page, in person, or by mail. For online requests, the marriage date and both parties’ full names are required. Records filed before 1942 are not available online. Payment for in-person requests can be made by cash, check, money order, debit, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Mail requests require check or money order only.
Birth and Death Records
The Vital Records Division of the Washtenaw County Clerk maintains birth records from 1867 forward. Birth records are confidential under MCL 333.2882 and may only be requested by the individual named on the record, a parent listed on the record, or a legal guardian or representative. Proof of identity and eligibility is required.
| Vital Record | First Copy | Additional Same-Day Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 each |
| Birth certificate (senior, own record, age 65+) | $5.00 | — |
| Death certificate | $15.00 | $5.00 each |
Requests can be submitted online, in person, or by mail using the Request for Certified Copies of Vital Records form. Mail requests require a photocopy of valid identification and should be sent to:
Washtenaw County Clerk – Vital Records Division
200 N. Main, Suite 100
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
Washtenaw County Probate Court Records
The Washtenaw County Probate Court operates as part of the Family Division of the Trial Court and has jurisdiction over a wide range of matters: decedent estates, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, wills for safekeeping, mental health commitments, emancipation of minors, and registration of foreign births.
Probate Court Contact
Room: 1104, Washtenaw County Courthouse
101 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: (734) 222-3072
Fax: (734) 222-3019
Probate Register: Jim Bauer — (734) 222-6925
Estate Administration
Washtenaw County handles three types of estate proceedings:
- Informal estates — No court hearing required. A personal representative is appointed by the court and administers the estate with minimal court involvement.
- Formal estates — Similar to informal proceedings but includes a court order deciding issues within the estate, providing additional legal certainty.
- Small estates — Available when the estate balance after funeral and burial expenses falls below a threshold set annually by the state. The process is quick, inexpensive, and requires no court hearing.
Fees
The statewide probate court fee schedule governs filing fees. A $150.00 filing fee applies to most civil actions within probate, plus the $25.00 electronic filing system fee required by MCL 600.1986. Copy fees for probate records are $1.50 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page.
Probate Forms
The Michigan SCAO probate court forms index provides all approved forms for estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and related filings. The Washtenaw County Trial Court forms page links to local and state forms organized by division.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online through the county’s case search system by name or case number, or via MiCOURT Case Search. The online portal generally shows cases from the past seven years. For older records, contact the Probate Clerk’s office directly at (734) 222-3072.
Records Not Available Online
Several probate-related record types are excluded from online databases. These include records involving mental illness proceedings, parental waivers, juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianship, adoption, name changes, and personal protection orders. Parties with a legitimate interest in these restricted records should contact the clerk’s office for guidance on access procedures, as valid identification and court authorization may be required.
Free legal guidance on basic probate matters is available monthly through the Washtenaw County Bar Association at (734) 996-3229.