Charlevoix County Court Records

Court records in Charlevoix County, Michigan, are official records of court cases that have been heard in the county's courts. According to Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.119, these records consist of transcripts, orders, judgments, motions, and case files.

They include civil, criminal, family, and probate cases and are available in both physical and digital formats. Party names, charges or claims, hearing dates, court decisions, and sentencing details are usually included in court records. In keeping with Michigan's commitment to open government and judicial accountability, these records are essential for maintaining public access to judicial proceedings, confirming legal status, enabling legal appeals, and guaranteeing transparency.

Are Court Records Public in Charlevoix County?

According to Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.119(H), which states that, unless otherwise limited by legal provision, court rule, or specific court order, any individual may inspect and request duplicates of case records, court records in Charlevoix County, Michigan, are mostly public and accessible.

Specific restrictions are in place to protect sensitive data, such as the requirement that personal identifying information (PII), such as dates of birth and Social Security numbers, be excluded from public documents, as required by MCR 1.109(D)(9).

Furthermore, records about minors, sexual assault victims, or convictions that have been set aside may be sealed or rendered nonpublic. According to MCR 8.119(I), sealing records necessitates a written motion, a finding of good cause, and a narrowly specified objective.

Charlevoix County Court Records Search

The following methods are available to the general public for searching Charlevoix County court records:

• The Clerk's Office in Charlevoix County.
• The courtroom where the case was filed.
• A case search engine for the Michigan Courts (MiCOURT).
• Third-party websites for public records.

By visiting the courthouse or sending a written request, inquirers can look up records. Public access terminals are accessible in the courthouse for on-site searches. MiCOURT provides remote access to a limited amount of case data. Copies and certified papers may incur fees. Search accuracy is increased by including precise case information (names, dates, and case numbers).

Charlevoix County Courts

The Michigan trial court system includes Circuit Courts, District Courts, Probate Courts, Municipal Courts, Concurrent Jurisdiction and Unified Trial Courts, as well as the Court of Claims. Below is a list of court locations in Charlevoix County:

33rd Circuit Court - Charlevoix
Charlevoix County Building
203 Antrim St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7200
Fax: (231) 547-7217

90th District Court - Charlevoix
Charlevoix County Building
301 State St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7227
Fax: (231) 547-7253

Charlevoix Probate Court - District 7
Charlevoix County Building
301 State St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7214
Fax: (231) 547-7256

Charlevoix County Criminal and Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Charlevoix County capture the paperwork from non-criminal legal disputes- think divorce, small claims, landlord-tenant disagreements, probate issues, and contract conflicts. These files are curated by both the Charlevoix County Clerk’s Office and the 33rd Circuit Court.

According to Michigan Court Rule 8.119, the public can generally review these records unless a judge has sealed them. Access is available by visiting the courthouse, searching the MiCOURT Case Search portal for select case details, or submitting a written request (case number required). Copying fees apply. This system ensures transparency while safeguarding sensitive information when necessary.

Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(H), basic criminal case details-including charges, court dates, and sentencing, are publicly available through courthouse records or the MiCOURT portal. However, full criminal histories fall under Michigan’s Criminal Access Records Law (MCL 28.241 et seq.), restricting access to authorized parties like the individual in question or law enforcement.

The Michigan State Police’s ICHAT system houses these comprehensive Criminal History Records, requiring requesters to submit a name, date of birth, and a $10 fee per search. For official or certified reports, fingerprint verification may also be mandated, ensuring precise identification.

Charlevoix County Marriage Records

In Charlevoix County, Michigan, marriage records—which include marriage licenses and certificates, as defined under Michigan Compiled Laws, Sections MCL 551.101–MCL 551.104—belong to legal unions authorized or performed in the county.

The designated custodian of these records is the Charlevoix County Clerk, and certified versions are available online, by mail, or in person through the county's Vital Records Division at:

Charlevoix County Clerk,
Attn: Vital Records,
203 Antrim Street,
Charlevoix, MI 49720.

Those who wish to obtain a certified copy must fill out a Marriage Record Request Form, submit their full names and the date of their marriage, and pay a $10 fee for the first licensed copy ($5 for each additional copy). Although records are public, only certified copies are legally valid for official use.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division of Vital Records also provides interested persons with marriage records such as certificates and verifications dating from 1869 to the present day. Those interested can request online, by mail, in person, or using the Drop Box. All the needed information and process requirements is available on their official website.

Charlevoix County Divorce Records

Divorce decrees and certificates, which record the lawful dissolution of marriage under Michigan Compiled Laws, Section MCL 552 and other statutes, are part of the divorce records in Charlevoix County, Michigan.

The 33rd Circuit Court's Charlevoix County Clerk is responsible for maintaining these records, and certified copies can be requested in person, by mail. This is done by filling out a request form, paying the necessary fees, and submitting it to the clerk's office.

The names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce must be provided by the requester. Usually, the first certified copy costs $10 to $15, and each additional copy costs $5. Certificates provide a summary of the incident and are frequently used for personal or legal verification, whereas divorce decrees contain specific terms.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), through its Division of Vital Records, offers access to divorce-related documents-including certificates and verifications-spanning from 1897 to the present. Individuals may submit requests via online platform, postal mail, in-person visits, or through the designated drop-off location. Detailed guidelines and procedural instructions are accessible on the agency’s official website.

Charlevoix County Birth Records

In Charlevoix County, Michigan, birth records are kept by the Charlevoix County Clerk's Office and record births that take place within the county. According to Michigan law, these documents are private and can only be accessed by the person listed on them, their attorney, or someone with a court order.

Applicants must fill out the Birth Certificate Application form and mail it, together with the required payment, to the Clerk's Office to receive a certified copy. The first certified copy of the same record costs $15, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5.

Valid identification is required, and payment must be made by check or money order made payable to the Charlevoix County Clerk. Processing times may vary; for up-to-date information, call the Clerk's Office at (231) 547-7200.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Vital Records provides access to birth records, such as certificates and verifications, from 1867 to the present. Requests can be made online, by mail, in person, or at the drop-off location. The agency’s official website provides comprehensive guidelines and sequential prescriptions for obtaining these records.

Charlevoix County Death Records

In Charlevoix County, Michigan, death records are kept by the Charlevoix County Clerk's Office and record deaths that take place in the county; they are open to the public and are accessible to anybody under Michigan law.

Applicants must fill out the Death Certificate Application form and mail it, together with the required payment, to the Clerk's Office to receive a certified copy.

The initial certified copy costs $10, and each subsequent copy of the same record purchased at the same time costs $5. Requests must be accompanied by a legitimate ID and payment made to the Charlevoix County Clerk via check or money order. Call the Clerk's Office at (231) 547-7200 for the most up-to-date information.

A person can request death records, including certificates and verifications, from 1867 to the present through the Division of Vital Records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) online, by mail, in person, or at the drop-off location. The official website of the agency offers detailed instructions and sequential prescriptions for obtaining these records.

Charlevoix County Probate Records

Under the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), MCL 700.1101 et seq., probate records in Charlevoix County, Michigan, record court cases about guardianships, conservatorships, wills, and estates.

The Charlevoix County Probate Court is in charge of keeping these records. Wills, letters of authority, estate inventories, and guardianship orders are among the several types. The majority of probate records are open to the public and can be obtained by making a written request or by physically visiting the Probate Court. Request forms could also be downloaded from the judiciary website, filled out, and mailed to the clerk’s office to request these records.

There may be legal restrictions on certain documents. Typical fees are between $11 to $12 for certification and $1 per page for copies. To help find records, requestors should include names, case numbers, and filing dates.

Charlevoix County Property Records

Documents pertaining to real estate transactions, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, plats, and surveys, are included in Charlevoix County, Michigan, property records. The Charlevoix County Register of Deeds is in charge of keeping these documents.

These records are available to the public in person at the office at 13513 Division Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720, or online via the county's Register of Deeds Online Services portal. To acquire copies, requestors might have to fill out a form and pay the necessary fees, which are $1 per page for ordinary copies and $5 per document for certified copies.

The Charlevoix County Equalization Department makes parcel data, including ownership, assessed values, and sales history, available online for property assessment and tax purposes. The county's Parcel Search & Mapping program provides access to this data.

Charlevoix County Court Records Online

Charlevoix County court records are easily accessible through third-party websites such as Michigancourtrecords.us, which enable users to conduct remote searches without physically visiting a courthouse. These platforms can offer more comprehensive search capabilities along with quicker results. In contrast to official county databases, they might not necessarily contain the most current or comprehensive information. Furthermore, sensitive or sealed records are usually not accessible through such services, and access may be subject to service costs.