Is Michigan court case lookup free?

Searching MiCOURT and most county court websites is free. Courts charge per page for copies and extra for certified copies.

Why can't I find my case on MiCOURT?

The court may not participate in MiCOURT yet, the case may be a non-public type (juvenile, adoption, sealed), or the name may be spelled differently. Call the court clerk with the case number or party names.

Can I see documents online?

Usually you can see the register of actions (the list of filings and hearings) but not the documents themselves. Copies are requested from the clerk, often by email or in person.

How do I look up a case in another county?

Use MiCOURT if that county's court participates, otherwise search that county's circuit, district, or probate court website, or call its clerk.

Does Clear Path search court records for me?

We can help you understand what you found and prepare the documents you need to respond or file. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice about your case.

Michigan Court Guide

Michigan Court Case Lookup

Where to search, which court holds the record, and how to read what you find — in plain English.

Reviewed and updated September 23, 2026 by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.

Quick Answer

How do I look up a court case in Michigan?

Start with MiCOURT Case Search (micourt.courts.michigan.gov), the state's free public search for participating trial courts. Search by name or case number. If the court you need is not on MiCOURT, use that county's own court website or call the clerk of the court that handled the case — circuit court for divorce, custody and felonies; district court for small claims, evictions, traffic and misdemeanors; probate court for estates and guardianships. Court of Appeals and Supreme Court cases have their own free search at courts.michigan.gov.

Statewide search

MiCOURT (participating courts)

Cost to search

Free online

Copies of documents

Per-page fee set by each court

Appeals cases

courts.michigan.gov case search

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. ClearPath Document Services is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.Read full disclaimer

Which Michigan court has my case?

Michigan trial courts split cases by type. Knowing the right court saves you from searching the wrong system.

Circuit court: divorce, custody, support, PPOs, felonies, civil claims over $25,000
District court: small claims (up to $7,000), evictions, landlord-tenant, traffic, misdemeanors, civil claims up to $25,000
Probate court: estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health petitions
Court of Appeals and Supreme Court: appeals from the trial courts

How to use MiCOURT Case Search

MiCOURT lets you search cases in participating Michigan courts without an account. Not every court is on it yet, so an empty result does not always mean no case exists.

Pick the court (or search across participating courts)
Search by last name and first name, business name, or case number
Open the case to see parties, filing dates, hearings, and the register of actions
Some case types (juvenile, adoption, sealed or set-aside records) are never shown publicly

Reading a Michigan case number

A typical number looks like 26-012345-DM. The first part is the year filed, then a sequence number, then a two-letter case-type code.

DM / DO: divorce with or without children
DC / DS: custody and support
PP / PH: personal protection orders
GC / LT / SC: district court general civil, landlord-tenant, small claims
DE / GA / GM: probate estates and guardianships

Criminal records and people in custody

Court case search is different from a criminal background check.

ICHAT (Michigan State Police) provides public Michigan criminal history for a fee
OTIS (Michigan Department of Corrections) shows people in state prison or on parole
Set-aside (expunged) convictions do not appear in public ICHAT results

County-by-county case search

When a court is not on MiCOURT, search that county's own court website or call its clerk. Our county filing guides list the circuit, district and probate courts for each county with addresses and phone numbers.

Wayne County: 3rd Circuit Court (Detroit) plus district courts in each city
Oakland County: 6th Circuit Court (Pontiac) and district courts by city
Macomb County: 16th Circuit Court (Mount Clemens) and district courts by city
St. Clair County: 31st Circuit Court (Port Huron) and 72nd District Court
Genesee County: 7th Circuit Court (Flint) and 67th District Court
Kent County: 17th Circuit Court (Grand Rapids) and district courts by city

What to do once you find the case

The register of actions tells you what has been filed and what is scheduled. If you were served, check the answer deadline right away — in most civil cases it is 21 days after personal service and 28 days after mail service.

Missed a deadline? A motion to set aside a default may still be possible
Need to respond, modify an order, or file a motion? We prepare the paperwork from your information
Need certified copies? Ask the clerk of that specific court

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Michigan guides

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