Calhoun County Court Records

Per MCR 1.109(A), Michigan court records are all kinds of information created by or filed with the court under the State Court Rules. They include discovery materials, data, documents (pleadings, orders, and judgments), recordings, and attachments to documents filed with the court clerk. As a key element in establishing legal precedents, court records contribute significantly to case law. Lawyers and judges use these documented decisions to guide their approach to both current and future cases. Court records provide the legal grounds for enforcing judgments and orders, facilitating actions such as garnishments, property liens, and other enforcement mechanisms.

The Clerk is the custodian of all records maintained in the Circuit Court. Calhoun County residents can retrieve court records online or in person at the court where the case was filed. The following information contained in a court record is accessible to the public upon request:

• Case details (case ID, entitlement, and status, court location, judge of record, PIN, and filing date)
• Parties (party type/number, party name, and age, attorney’s name, answer and service date, disposition, and disposition date)
• Events (event date, description, party/count, clerk, and amount)
• Charges (count, current and original charges, offense, officer/agency or petitioner, charge level, arraignment, disposition, and sentence dates)
• Sentencing information (probation term, incarceration type, plea hearing date)
• Community service/jail/prison (location, minimum term, fines suspended, optional term, credit time served, minimum term, incarceration weekend service)

Are Court Records Public in Calhoun County?

Yes. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act and MCR 8.119(H) provide for public access to court records. Therefore, Calhoun County court grants requests for access to public court records during normal business hours. However, they deny public requests for confidential court records. Examples of court records unavailable to the public in Calhoun County are:

• Mediation records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile records
• Grand jury records
• Divorce complaints
• Mental health records
• Fee waiver information
• Investigative subpoenas
• Secret marriage documents
• Confidential case inventories
• Seated juror names and addresses
• conservatorship and guardianship records
• Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) records
• Juror qualification and personal history questionnaires
• All information retrieved from the judicial data warehouse (JDW)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation Requests
• Wills filed for safekeeping are sealed until the testator’s death
• Drug and alcohol screening and assessment, counseling, and treatment for substance abuse records
• Personal identifying information includes date of birth, financial account numbers, social security number or national identification number, passport number, and driver’s license or state-issued personal identification card number.

Calhoun County Court Records Search

Below are the major ways of conducting court records searches in Calhoun County:

• Online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal
• Online through third-party platforms
• In-person at the court where the case was heard

Calhoun County Court Records Search by Name

The Calhoun County courts provide two main avenues for searching court records by name: either through their online system or by visiting the courthouse in person. Portal users must enter a last or business name in the appropriate search fields. It is optional to conduct a search by first and middle name. An online name-based record search displays records on file with the searched name. Users can click the Case ID of any record to find specific information about it. In-person requests must be made during business hours. The inquirer must provide the record staff with a case party or business name to facilitate the search. Copies of court records attract a small fee.

Calhoun County Courts

The Calhoun County court system comprises trial courts such as Circuit, District, and Probate. Below is the address of all the courts in Calhoun Court:

Calhoun County Justice Center
161 E Michigan Ave.
Battle Creek, MI 49014-4066
Phone: (269) 969-6350

Calhoun County Superior Court Case Search

Calhoun County has a Circuit Court, known as the Superior Court in other counties. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felonies, adoptions, name changes, emancipations, domestic relations and juvenile matters, child protective proceedings, personal protection orders, and civil cases claims of $25,000 or more.

Record seekers can retrieve Circuit Court case records online or in person at the courthouse. Online requests can be made through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. Users should perform a search by name or case number. They can also filter the search by case status, case category, filing date, or offense date. In-person requests can be made by appointment from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. customers must call the clerk’s office at (269) 969-6518 to schedule an appointment. Access to Circuit Court records online is a fee, but in-person requests attract a small fee. Copies of Circuit Court records cost $1 per page, and certified copies cost $1 per page plus the copy fee. The court charges a search fee of $5. The fee can be paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Card payment attracts an additional proceeding fee of 2.99% with a minimum $2.95 fee.

Calhoun County District Court Records

The Calhoun County District Court handles criminal and civil cases, such as traffic violations and tickets, criminal misdemeanors, small claims, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000, and landlord-tenant matters. The Court disseminates records online and in person to customers. District Court records can be viewed online on the Case Search Portal. The search criteria are by name or case number. In-person requests can be made at the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The requester must provide basic information about the records to initiate the search. The District Court charges search and copy fees.

Calhoun County Criminal Records

Criminal records are available at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). To obtain copies of such records, requesters must visit the Sheriff’s Office Records Division in person during office hours (Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Copies of criminal records will only be released when the customer presents a valid photo ID and pays the necessary fees. The search fee for criminal records costs $2, payable by cash, check, or Money Order.

Record seekers can also request Calhoun County arrest records from the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Police to Citizen Site provides information on inmate arrests to the public at no cost. A search can be conducted by arrest date, last name, booking agency, or charge.

Calhoun County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Calhoun Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, while the District Court handles traffic violations and all misdemeanor criminal cases. Both courts provide access to criminal court records online and in person. Online requests can be made using the MiCOURT Case Search portal. The search criteria are by name or case number. Filter the search by selecting “Criminal/Traffic/Civil Infractions” in the Case Category area. In-person requests should be made at the court where the case was filed. Customers should visit during business hours. The Circuit Court attends to criminal court records based on appointments, but the District Court accepts walk-ins. Both courts charge a small fee for copies of criminal court records.

Get Calhoun County Civil Court Records

The Calhoun County Circuit Court hears all civil cases with claims that exceed $25,000, while the District Court has jurisdiction over civil cases with claims that do not exceed $25,000. The easiest way to find civil records maintained by these courts is online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. A search can be conducted by name or case number. Users can filter their search by selecting “Civil (includes Domestic and Family Matters)” in the Case Category area. Individuals who cannot find their desired record online can visit the court where the case was handled. The Circuit Court accepts civil court record requests by appointment from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (269) 969-6518. Conversely, the District Court accepts walk-in requests from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both courts charge a small fee for copies of civil court records.

Calhoun County Family Court Records

The Calhoun County Circuit Court’s Family Divison handles all family cases, including divorce, adoptions, personal protection actions, paternity, treatment and testing of infectious diseases, emancipation of minors, safe delivery of newborns, and name changes. Individuals can view family court records on the MiCOURT Case Search portal for free. The search criteria are by name or case number. Users can streamline their search by checking the “Civil (includes Domestic and Family Matters)” box in the Case Category area. Inquirers can obtain copies of most family court records in person at the courthouse. Requests can be made from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, requests are not handled from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Copies of family court records cost $1 per page, and certified copies cost $1 per page plus the copy fee. The court charges a search fee of $5. The fee can be paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Card payment attracts an additional proceeding fee of 2.99% with a minimum $2.95 fee.

Calhoun Dissolution of Marriage Records

Inquirers can use the MiCOURT Case Search portal to find dissolution of marriage records for free. A search can be conducted by name or case number. To narrow the search, check the “Civil (includes Domestic and Family Matters)” box in the Case Category area. Alternatively, record seekers can visit the Circut Court during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to obtain copies of dissolution of marriage records. Copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies cost $1 per page plus the copy fee. The record staff charges $5 to search records.

Calhoun County Marriage and Divorce Records

Typical examples of Calhoun County public records are marriage and divorce records. The Clerk and Register of Deeds Department is the custodian of all marriage certificates. Orders can be online, by mail, email, fax, or in person. The Department has a Vital Records Request Form that can be completed online to place an order for Calhoun County marriage records. Individuals can also complete a Certified Copy of Marriage Record Form and send it to the Department by mail, email, fax, or bring it to the Clerk’s Office in person. The form must be completed with appropriate fees payable by check, credit card, or money order. A certified marriage record costs $20 for the first copy, and each additional certified copy of the same record costs $10. Calhoun County marriage certificates of seniors (60 years old and older) cost $10 for the first copy. Individuals can also use the Official Search Portal to access marriage records. The search criteria are Applicant 1 name, Applicant 2 name, recorded date range, instrument date range, or document types.

The Circuit Court’s Family Divison is the custodian of divorce records. Individuals can find divorce records online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal for free. A search can be conducted by name or case number. To streamline the search, users must check the “Civil (includes Domestic and Family Matters)” box in the Case Category area. Requesters who cannot find divorce records online can visit the courthouse during business hours. Copies of divorce records cost $1 per page, and certified copies cost $1 per page plus the copy fee. The court charges a search fee of $5. Fees can be paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Card payment attracts an additional proceeding fee.

Calhoun Birth and Death Records

Record seekers can obtain copies of Calhoun County Vital Records from the Clerk and Register of Deeds Department. Requests can be made online by submitting a Vital Records Request Form. Alternatively, applicants can submit a Certified Copy of a Birth or Death Record by mail, email, fax, or in person with appropriate documentation and fees payable by check, money order, or complete credit card information. Request for a certified birth or death Certificate costs $20 for the first copy, and each additional certified copy of the same record costs $10. Birth or death records of seniors (60 years old and older) cost $10 for the first copy. Mail-in requests for Calhoun County birth records must be accompanied by a photocopy of the customer's driver's license or state-issued ID. The office is located at:

Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds
315 W. Green St.
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-0718
Fax: (269) 781-0721
Email: clerk-ROD@calhouncountymi.gov

Individuals can view death records for free on the Official Search portal. Enter the deceased name in the Quick Search field or use the Advanced Search field. The portal will return information on all death records carrying the search name. Click on any record for more information.

Calhoun County Probate Court Records

The Calhoun County Probate Court handles cases involving wills and estates, conservatorships, guardianships, and commitment proceedings. Individuals can view probate court records for free by clicking the Look Up a Case link on the website. The search parameters are by name or case number. The Probate Court also accepts record requests in person at the courthouse during business hours. The record staff will give the customer a form to complete. This will help retrieve basic information on the case to facilitate the search. Certified copies of probate court records cost $10, and copies cost $1 for each page.

Calhoun County Property Records

The Clerk and Register of Deeds office provides public access to property records online and in person. Current property records can be viewed via the Official Records Search portal, while previous records can be searched via the Record Search Platform. The search criteria for the Record Search Platform include name, instrument number, liber page, parcel ID, platted description, or unplatted description. To conduct a search on the Official Records Search portal, enter a name, recorded date range, instrument date range, property address, and liber page in the appropriate search field. In-person requests can be made during business hours. Copies of property records cost $1, and certified copies cost $5.

The Calhoun County Treasurer’s Office allows individuals to search delinquent property taxes for free online. Users must provide a property address in the search field to view the appropriate record. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Treasurer’s Office during business hours (Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.). Contact the office by phone at (269) 781-0807 or by fax at (269) 781-0800 for more information on property tax records.

Calhoun County Court Records Online

A common way for Calhoun County residents to find court records is through third-party sites like michigancourtrecords.us. The sites are usually easy to navigate and provide court information across multiple jurisdictions. The search criteria are name or case number. Access to basic case information is free, but extensive searches or full reports of records attract a small fee payable by credit card.