Chippewa County Court Records

In Chippewa County, court records (or court case records) constitute the official documentation of legal actions filed or initiated in the county. The courts maintain these records through their clerk's offices for crucial reasons, including enabling transparency in the judicial process, facilitating the efficient tracking and organization of case proceedings, and establishing judicial precedents.

Chippewa County court records encompass a variety of documents, information, recordings (tapes, discs), and other items created during court proceedings. They include written opinions, orders, pleadings, registers of actions (the case histories of each case), judgments, probation files, exhibit logs, and calendars.

Are Court Records Public in Chippewa County?

Yes. The Michigan Court Rules, rule 8.119, provides general access to most records maintained by courts in Chippewa County. As a result, a Chippewa court records request can be made to any court within the county without the inquirer needing to provide valid identification or indicate intended use.

Notwithstanding, the state court rules preclude specific categories of court records and information from being disclosed to the public. They include:

• Probation investigations and case histories
• Juvenile records, including those pertaining to juvenile delinquency and juvenile competency evaluations
• Substance abuse treatment records
• Adoption and other sealed court records
• Confidential name change records
• Wills filed for safekeeping (until the testator's death)
• Domestic violence assault records
• Victim information (home/work addresses and phone numbers)

Other confidential court records are tabulated in the Michigan Access Security Matrix and Non-public and Limited-Access Court Records manual.

Chippewa County Court Records Search

Members of the public seeking a Chippewa County court records search can utilize the following channels:

• Make a formal request to the court that heard a case.
• Access the remote case search system provided by the Minnesota Courts (MiCourt Case Search).
• Conduct a public records search through private vendors.

Chippewa County Courts

The Chippewa County court system comprises Circuit, District, and Probate courts. The Circuit Court has the broadest jurisdiction, handling civil claims over $25,000, felony criminal matters, personal protection orders, domestic relations cases, and more. The District Court (often referred to as the "people's court") handles civil claims up to $25,000, most traffic tickets, all misdemeanor criminal cases, and small claims. Meanwhile, the Probate Court is restricted to cases involving wills, appointment of guardians and conservators, administration of estates and trusts, and mental commitments.

Below are the physical addresses and contact information of the Chippewa County courts:

50th Circuit Court - Chippewa County
Chippewa County Courthouse
319 Court Street
Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 635-6338
Fax: (906) 635-6385

91st District Court - Chippewa County
City-County Building
325 Court Street
Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 635-6320

17th Probate Court - Chippewa County
Chippewa County Courthouse
319 Court Street
Garden Level (Basement)
Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 635-6314

Chippewa County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal records maintained within the Chippewa judicial system are generated from proceedings initiated by the state to prosecute a person for a crime. Meanwhile, the civil court records stem from noncriminal actions often involving monetary compensation.

In Chippewa, criminal and civil court records are obtainable from the specific court that heard the matter of interest. Suppose that the presiding court is the 50th Circuit Court. In that case, the interested individual can visit the local courthouse during regular working hours to submit an inspection or duplication request at the county clerk's office. Plain/regular copies of court records cost $1 per page, while certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 after that.

Other ways to obtain court case records from Chippewa's 50th Circuit Court include:

• Submitting a completed Court Record Request Form to the clerk's office by email or fax. An additional service fee applies. Parties can also call the clerk at (906) 635-6300 for further inquiries about the request process.
• Accessing the 50th Circuit Court Case Search portal.

On the other hand, those who wish to see criminal or civil records from the 91st District Court can stop by the courthouse during business hours to utilize a public access computer. After paying a small fee, the requester can also collect copies from the court clerk's office. More information about obtaining district court records is available on the local District Court's website or by calling the clerk at (906) 635-7613.

Regardless of the method used to conduct a Chippewa court records search or the specific court that was queried, a requester must possess key information about their sought-after case record, such as a case/defendant's name or case number.

Note: Individuals seeking statewide criminal records, which may include Chippewa County arrest records, can access the Michigan State Police's (MSP) Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). ICHAT disseminates public Chippewa criminal records and other offender information that the MSP receives from criminal justice agencies (including courts). A search costs $10, except if the requester is exempt from paying the search fee.

Chippewa County Marriage Records

The Chippewa County Clerk maintains records of marriages, which form components of the Chippewa County vital records. As marriage records are open to the public in Michigan, an individual can submit a formal request to this office to obtain certified copies. Chippewa County marriage records from 1827 to the present day are available.

A Chippewa County marriage certificate application can be made by completing the Vital Record Request Form and emailing it to vitalrecords@chippewacountymi.gov. No ID is required from the applicant, but they must pay the assessed fee. It costs $10 for a certified copy and $5 for each extra copy requested in the same order.

Chippewa County Divorce Records

The Chippewa County Circuit Court hears all matters of divorce (marriage dissolution) brought to the local judicial system. As such, those seeking records of these cases can query the circuit court clerk's office (otherwise known as the county clerk's office). Like other Chippewa court records requests, the inquirer will need to pay to obtain regular or certified copies of a divorce record. It costs $10 for the first page of a certified document and $1 for each additional page.

A request for a Chippewa County divorce record can be made in person at the clerk's office (situated within the local courthouse) or by email/fax using the clerk's Court Record Request Form. Parties can also search the 50th Circuit Court Case Search portal for divorce case information.

Chippewa County Birth Records

Birth records in Chippewa County are official government documents that reveal critical information about a person's birth. The Chippewa County Clerk's Office maintains these records, which are often used as evidence of a person's identity, age, and citizenship.

In Michigan, birth records are restricted documents. Only those listed on a record (the registrant and their parents) and certain parties who can prove their relationship to the registrant (heirs, legal guardians, or legal representatives) can obtain certified copies of a Chippewa County birth certificate.

In addition to providing a valid state ID or driver's license and signing and dating the application form (mandatory for certified copy requests), heirs and legal guardians must provide further proof of relationship. For an heir, this means a place and date of death and how they are related to the registrant, and for a legal guardian, this means a copy of their guardianship papers.

Applicants should complete the Birth Record Application and submit the form online or by mail to the Chippewa County Clerk's Office. One certified copy costs $10, plus an extra $5 for additional copies in the same order. The fee is payable by check or money order to the Chippewa County Clerk, but applicants can opt for an online payment via a private vendor. However, those who pay online must send their valid ID by email or fax to (906) 635-6851. The county clerk's Chippewa County birth records date back to 1869.

Chippewa County Death Records

In Chippewa County, death records serve various functions. They can be used to collect pension beneficiary benefits, claim life insurance, and close bank accounts. These records are part of the Chippewa County public records and can be ordered from the county clerk's office by filling out the clerk's Vital Record Request Form (no ID required).

Each certified copy costs $10, but applicants can order more copies for $5 each, provided it is for the same record and order. Applications made with the Vital Record Request Form are submitted to the clerk's email address, and payment is made online through the clerk's vendor.

Chippewa County Probate Court Records

Probate court records result from proceedings held in the Chippewa County Probate Court. To view these case records, an individual can access the 17th Probate Court Case Search portal and search with a case party's name or case number. They can also visit the Chippewa County Courthouse to obtain records. A fee may apply if the requester requires a record's duplication.

Chippewa County Property Records

Individuals researching property records in Chippewa—which reveal a property's ownership, assessments, and more—can approach the Chippewa County Register of Deeds during regular business hours. This office is responsible for recording property documents into the Chippewa County public records, and staff can furnish inquiries with copies of documents for a fee. The Register can be contacted at (906) 635-6312 or ccrod@chippewacountymi.gov for more information.

Another way to obtain property records from the Chippewa Register of Deeds is to access the office's Online Land Records Search System. A search can be conducted with a name, document number, document type, or description. Users can also view available document images and obtain copies for a fee ($1 per page plus a $5 fee for each transaction).

Residents can also contact their local assessor's offices for property records that they maintain.

Chippewa County Court Records Online

Court-operated databases are not the only resources that members of the public have to retrieve Chippewa court records online. Certain third-party websites, like Michigancourtrecords.us, offer public records to interested members of the public. These websites are easily navigable using a record holder’s first and last name. However, users may experience certain access limitations, including the inability to obtain confidential records, fee/subscription requirements for detailed information, and inconsistencies with the official court records because data accuracy is not implied or guaranteed.