Washtenaw County Court Records
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Washtenaw County sits in southeastern Michigan and is home to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Its trial court structure processes a high volume of criminal, civil, family, and probate cases each year. The Washtenaw County Trial Court brings together the 22nd Circuit Court, three district courts (14A, 14B, and 15th), and a Probate Court — all of which create and maintain public court records. The courthouse at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor is the central point for most record searches and requests.
Court records in Michigan can be accessed through local clerk offices, in-person public terminals at the courthouse, and electronic search tools. MichiganCourts.us offers statewide resources including approved court forms, case search tools, and links to individual county court systems. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal lets you look up trial court case information for civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate matters. At the local level, Washtenaw County also maintains its own online case search system and public access terminals inside the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Washtenaw County?
Washtenaw County gives you several ways to find and obtain court records — online, in person, by phone, or by mail.
Online Case Search
The county's public case records search covers Washtenaw County Trial Court records and lets you search by party name or case number. You can view case information and docket details online, but the actual documents are not available electronically — you'll need to order copies from the clerk's office for a fee. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search is a second option, covering civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate cases, though criminal conviction information is limited to sentences handed down within the past seven years.
Cases heard in the 15th District Court have a separate case search tool maintained by the City of Ann Arbor, which gives public access to registers of action for that court.
In-Person Requests
Self-service computer terminals at the Washtenaw County Courthouse let you view 22nd Circuit Court records at no cost. If you need copies, head to the Court Services office in Room 1106. Requests of 30 pages or fewer are usually processed while you wait; larger requests are fulfilled within ten business days.
Phone and Mail Requests
The Records Clerk's office at (734) 222-3024 takes record inquiries by phone, with payment required by credit card. For mail requests, write 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 creates a general right of public access to court records through two main authorities. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) covers records held by public bodies broadly, while Michigan Court Rule 8.119 specifically addresses court record access. Under MCR 8.119, courts must allow inspection and copying of case records during regular business hours unless an exemption applies.
That said, several categories of records are restricted or entirely closed to the public:
- 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 all 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
MCR 8.119(H) also bars courts from making document images available through the internet. This means that while docket information may appear online, the underlying documents generally cannot be viewed or downloaded electronically — you'll need to visit the courthouse or submit a formal request to get copies.
Washtenaw County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Washtenaw County is split between the 22nd Circuit Court and the three district courts. The Circuit Court handles all felony cases — offenses that carry potential penalties of more than one year — along with criminal appeals from the district courts. The district courts process misdemeanor cases, traffic infractions, and 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
You can search records in person using the 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 available through the Trial Court website.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which offers name-based criminal record searches to the general public. Each ICHAT search costs $10.00 and requires account creation. Results include conviction records from across Michigan, though sentencing data is limited to the past seven years. Fingerprint-based criminal history checks are restricted to authorized criminal justice personnel.
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office Records Division handles criminal history checks and incident report requests. Criminal background checks cost $5.00 and require an in-person appointment with valid photo identification. The records unit also processes 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 directly. 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 juvenile records, expunged records, and records tied to ongoing investigations require a court order before they can be accessed. Records involving children cannot be released without proper legal authorization.
Washtenaw County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Washtenaw County go to either the 22nd Circuit Court or the district courts, depending on the dollar amount in dispute. The Circuit Court takes civil claims where damages exceed $25,000, including personal injury, medical malpractice, contract disputes, and property matters. District courts handle claims up to $25,000, along with 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 under MCL 600.1986. The statewide circuit court fee schedule breaks down all applicable fees. The 15th District Court in Ann Arbor now accepts e-filed civil cases — including general civil, landlord-tenant, and small claims — through the MiFile system.
Searching and Requesting Civil Records
Civil court records can be located through several channels:
- 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: $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 available for most filing needs, and the general forms page includes additional documents commonly needed for civil filings.
Property Records
Civil cases often involve 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 generally public 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. This includes 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 can answer 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 are not publicly available. Records involving child protective proceedings, adoption, juvenile guardianship, and name changes do not appear on public databases and cannot be accessed online. Only case parties, their attorneys, designated representatives, or close family members may access these restricted records at the clerk's office — and third parties will need valid identification and appropriate authorization.
Public docket information for family cases can be viewed through the county's case search system or on the self-service terminals at the courthouse.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are generally public unless sealed. Certified copies cost $10.00 each 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; additional copies of the same record run $5.00 each. You can order copies through the county's certified copies ordering page, in person, or by mail. For online requests, you'll need the marriage date and both parties' full names. Records filed before 1942 are not available online. In-person payments are accepted 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 can only be requested by the person 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 must include 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 covers 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 that resolves specific 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 sets filing fees. Most civil actions within probate carry a $150.00 filing fee plus the $25.00 electronic filing system fee required by MCL 600.1986. Copies of probate records cost $1.50 per page. Certified copies are $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 through MiCOURT Case Search. The online portal generally displays 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 entirely. These include records involving mental illness proceedings, parental waivers, juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianship, adoption, name changes, and personal protection orders. If you have a legitimate interest in any of these restricted records, contact the clerk's office for guidance — valid identification and court authorization will likely be required.
Free legal guidance on basic probate matters is available monthly through the Washtenaw County Bar Association at (734) 996-3229.