Cheboygan County Court Records

Cheboygan County court records capture and preserve the details of criminal prosecutions and civil disputes heard in the county’s trial courts. The content of these records include filings, court orders, motions, hearing transcripts, evidence, case party names, and case events, among others. Certain details are exclusive to specific court cases. For example, criminal charges, bail and bond information, and sentencing are part of criminal case records, while civil case records contain financial damages and civil complaints.

Court case information and paperwork generated in Cheboygan County are part of the broader Michigan court records and can be viewed using resources provided by the state’s judiciary. However, members of the public can also approach local court clerks and use third-party websites to access the county’s court records.

Are Court Records Public in Cheboygan County?

Yes. Records created during criminal, civil, probate, and domestic proceedings are accessible to members of the public according to MCR 8.119(H). However, certain records, such as documents produced during sealed court proceedings, personal identification numbers, medical records, Cheboygan County criminal records created and collected during active investigations, and information protected by state and federal statutes, are closed to the public. Nonetheless, individuals and organizations with statutory permission, such as case parties and their representatives, can view some restricted case records.

Cheboygan County Court Records Search

To search for Cheboygan Court records, one must identify the originating case and the court with jurisdiction over said case. Obtaining this information helps researchers to ascertain the record custodian to approach. The following are Cheboygan County courts, their jurisdiction, and methods of accessing case files:

Circuit Court

The circuit court presides over the following proceedings:

• Criminal felonies and juvenile delinquency
• Civil cases where the disputed amount is $25,000 or more
• Equity cases
• Family law matters (paternity, child support, custody, visitation, divorce, and personal protection orders)
• Appeals from lower courts

Members of the public can approach the County Clerk for records generated in the Circuit Court. One can also use the MiCourts Case Search Portal to find case details, such as case ID, filed date, party name and type (plaintiffs and defendants), next hearing date, case status (whether open or close), case events, etc.

District Court

The District Court has jurisdiction over the following cases:

• Pretrial proceedings for criminal felonies
• Misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations
• Civil cases worth up to $25,000
• Landlord-tenant disagreements
• Small claims

The District Court Administrator's office is open to members of the public for inquiries about accessing court records.

Probate Court

This court handles the following matters:

• Wills and estates
• Trusts
• Contested wills
• Conservatorships
• Guardianships
• Adoptions
• Treatment for developmentally disabled and mentally ill individuals

The MiCOURT Case Search database for the Cheboygan County Probate Court provides the names of decedents, estate representatives, wards, and other case parties. It also shows the case title, filed date, case events, case status, and next hearing dates (if applicable).

Additionally, interested parties can approach the court administrator for inquiries about viewing and copying physical court papers.

Cheboygan County Courts

The Cheboygan County court system comprises Michigan’s 53rd Circuit Court, 89th District Court, and a local probate court. The following are address and contact details for each court:

Circuit Court
870 South Main Street
Cheboygan, MI 49721
Phone: (231) 627-8818

District Court
870 South Main Street
P.O. Box 70
Cheboygan, MI 49721
Phone: (231) 627-8809
Fax: (231) 627-8444

Probate Court
870 South Main Street
Room 212
Cheboygan, MI 49721
Phone: (231) 627-8823
Fax: (231) 627-8868

Cheboygan County Criminal and Civil Records

Cheboygan criminal records comprise details of arrests and court proceedings initiated when a person is accused of breaking state or federal law. However, certain information can also be held by law enforcement agencies. For example, elements of Cheboygan County arrest records that are not part of court records can be obtained through the Sheriff’s Office or Cheboygan Police Department.

On the other hand, civil case records are produced when people or organizations initiate proceedings against other entities to seek financial damages or other relief.

One can obtain these records through clerks, court administrators, and online databases as explained earlier.

Cheboygan County Marriage Records

Cheboygan County marriage records include licenses issued by the County Clerk to legally approve wedding ceremonies within the county. A copy of a couple’s marriage license can be presented as a Cheboygan County marriage certificate for name changes, spousal benefits, joint tax filings, and other processes where proof of marriage is required. One can contact the office of the county clerk for inquiries on how to obtain a copy of a marriage license.

Additionally, a person can use the online, mail-in, in-person, telephone, or drop box option provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to order copies of marriage licenses. To order by mail, the requester must fill out the application form and send it to the following address:

Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing MI 48909

The process usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. However, one can send a rush mail to the following address to expedite the processing time to 2 to 3 weeks:

Vital Records RUSH
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing MI 4890

MDHHS fees include the following:

• First certified copy, including one year search: $34
• Additionally certified copies: $16 per copy within the same request
• Additional searches: $12 per year
• Express (rush) processing: Additional $12 per request

Online and telephone orders are processed by the department’s third-party vendor. A $14 processing fee is usually applied on top of the original copy fees outlined above.

In-person requesters must schedule appointments 31 days in advance through the MDHHS Schedule Appointment page. However, slots may be unavailable if the department is fully booked.

Anyone can also place their completed request forms and fees (must be in sealed envelopes) in the department's dropbox in the main lobby of 333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933.

Cheboygan County Divorce Records

Divorce records are created to provide historical verifications for dissolution of marriages within Cheboygan County. Since these records are created in the local circuit court, people can approach the County Clerk to obtain certified copies of divorce judgements.

However, the methods explained earlier for obtaining marriage records from the MDHHS also apply to certified copies of divorce records (from 1897 to present). Be that as it may, it is worth noting that divorce records obtained from the department are not certified divorced judgments.

Cheboygan County Birth Records

Cheboygan County birth records are certificates issued to legally document people’s births in the county. These legal papers are classified as Cheboygan County vital records and can be used during sports participation, school enrollment, marriage license applications, and inheritance claims process for age verification, proof of citizenship, and proof of parenthood.

One can follow the processes outlined under marriage records to obtain a Cheboygan County birth certificate. However, requesters intending to submit orders by mail or dropbox must complete the birth certificate application form and provide identification documents and other required paperwork to prove they are any of the following eligible applicants:

• The child and parents whose names appear on the document
• Adoptive parents
• Legal representatives of registrants (subjects of birth records) and parents
• Heir of deceased registrant
• Individuals with court orders

It should be noted that IDs are not required for birth records older than 100 years, as they are open to the public.

Additionally, one can fill out the county’s birth certificate request form and submit it to the clerk’s office. This method costs $10 for the first certified copy and $3 per additional copy in the same request.

Cheboygan County Death Records

A death record is another vital record document that can be obtained through the MDHHS processes outlined above. These documents are used to create official entries of people’s deaths. Mail-in and dropbox requesters must fill out the death record request form.

Cheboygan County Probate Court Records

The Cheboygan Probate Court oversees administration of estates for deceased people, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and some family matters. As mentioned earlier, records created during these proceedings can be accessed through the MiCOURT case system and probate court administrator’s office.

Cheboygan County Property Records

Property records are used to identify and verify pertinent details about properties within the county during real estate transactions, property appraisals, tax filings, and assessment disputes. Examples include ownership details, real estate transactions, title transfers, property tax filings, assessment information, and land documents (like deeds and conveyances). One can contact the county clerk for most land records (including documents), the Cheboygan City assessor for property values, and county treasurer for tax records.

Cheboygan County Court Records Online

Some third-party websites like Michigancourtrecords.us provide Cheboygan County public records to members of the public. These independent sites allow users to search for various court and county administration documents and information from one place, making the search process more convenient. In many cases, searches attract a fee. However, Cheboygan arrest records are often provided without cost.

Be that as it may, it should be noted that these independent vendors do not represent county officials and courts. Thus, they cannot verify the authenticity of data deployed from their sites.