Clare County Court Records

Clare County court records include Clare County arrest records and documents relating to criminal and civil case trials within the Circuit, District, and Probate Courts in Clare County, MI. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act grants public access to these documents, and interested individuals can access them through the Clare County Clerk's/Register of Deeds Office. Court records in Clare are an essential part of the judicial system. They promote transparency in trial proceedings and serve as reference materials for legal trials and background checks.

Are Court Records Public in Clare County?

Yes, Court records are public in Clare County. According to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, except if a requester is an inmate, Clare County court records are accessible to all interested persons. However, for privacy and security reasons, there are exemptions to public access to some Clare County court records. For instance, Clare County court records relating to juveniles, sealed and expunged cases, medical and mental health histories, and active law enforcement investigations are not open to public scrutiny.

Clare County Court Records Search

Clare County court records search refers to the various options for accessing Clare County trial documents. These include online and offline access. In Clare County, court records are accessible through the MiCOURT Case Search system. Record seekers can also request Clare County court records offline through the Clare County Clerk's/Register of Deeds Office.

Clare County Courts

The court structure in Clare County comprises the Clare County Circuit, District, and Probate Courts. The following list is the contacts of the various county-level courts in Clare County:

55th Circuit Court
Clare County Courthouse
225 W Main Street,
P.O. Box 438,
Harrison,
MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Fax: (989) 539-6616

Clare County 80th District Court
Clare County Courthouse
225 W Main Street,
Harrison,
MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7173
Fax: (989) 539-4036

Clare/Gladwin Probate Court - District 17
Clare County Courthouse
225 W Main Street,
P.O. Box 96,
Harrison,
MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7109
Fax: (989) 539-7229.

Clare County Criminal and Civil Records

Clare County criminal Court records encompass all documents relating to criminal case trials (this includes Clare County arrest records). In contrast, Clare County civil court records refer to case files on non-criminal trials. These include documents relating to civil lawsuits, probate proceedings, and family law cases.

Residents and non-residents of Clare County seeking access to Clare County criminal and civil court records should log into the Michigan Courts MiCOURT Case Access system and search for Clare County case records by name or case number. Alternatively, download and complete a File Copy Request Form, complete it, and mail or submit it in person to the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office at:

225 W. Main Street,
P.O. Box 438,
Harrison,
MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131

Clare County Marriage Records

According to Michigan laws, Clare County marriage records are public, and any interested individual can access them. Nonetheless, certified copies of Clare County marriage records are restricted to the individuals whose names are on the documents or their authorized representatives. In Clare County, the Clerk/Register of Deeds Office is the custodian of marriage records.
For copies of Clare County marriage records:

• Download and complete an Application for a Certified Copy of Clare County Marriage Records Form or an Application for Verification of Clare County Marriage Records Form
• Include a check or money order to cover the copy costs

• Submit the request by mail or in-person visit to the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office at:

  225 W. Main Street,
  P.O. Box 438,
  Harrison,
  MI 48625.

Clare County Divorce Records

Under the Michigan Public Records Act, Clare County divorce records are publicly accessible. However, the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office will redact sensitive details from Clare County public divorce records.

Individuals seeking access to Clare County divorce records should log into the Michigan Courts MiCOURT Case Access system and use the search tools to look for Clare County divorce records. Alternatively, mail or visit the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office for copies of Clare County divorce records at:

225 W. Main Street,
P.O. Box 438,
Harrison,
MI 48625.

Clare Birth Records

Clare County birth records are the official documentation of births within Clare County, MI. These documents are confidential and accessible to their owners (if they are 18 years or older), a parent whose name appears on the records, the subject's legal guardian, or an authorized representative. Notwithstanding the restrictions, Clare County birth records become public after 100 years.

Clare County birth records may entitle their owners to government benefits. For instance, Clare County birth records may serve as proof of eligibility for healthcare or Social Security benefits if their owners fulfill other qualifying criteria.

Individuals seeking access to Clare County birth records should:

• Download and complete Clare County Birth Records Application Forms.

• Include photocopies of valid government-issued photo identification and checks or money orders to cover applicable costs, and mail or submit their requests in person to the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office at:

  225 W. Main Street,
  P.O. Box 438,
  Harrison,
  MI 48625.

Requesters should note that copies of Clare County birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the document ordered simultaneously.

Clare Death Records

Death records are public in Clare County and other parts of Michigan. However, only the immediate family members of the deceased and authorized individuals can access certified copies of Clare County's death records.

Death records serve important personal and official purposes. For instance, Clare County death records offer closure to bereaved families and are vital for claiming life insurance, Social Security, and retirement benefits.

To request copies of Clare County death records:

• Download and complete a Clare County Death Records Application Form
• Include a check/money order to cover all applicable payments

• Mail or submit the request to the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office at:

  225 W. Main Street,
  P.O. Box 438,
  Harrison,
  MI 48625.

Clare County Probate Court Records

Clare County probate court records are documents relating to legal adjudications within the Probate Court in Clare County. These documents include case files on Will contests and disputes, guardianships, trust administration, conservatorships, adoptions, and intestate succession.
Individuals seeking access to Clare County probate court records should log into the Michigan Courts MiCOURT Case Access system and search for Clare County probate court records by names or case numbers.

As another option, mail or visit the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office at:

225 W. Main Street,
P.O. Box 438,
Harrison,
MI 48625.

Clare County Property Records

Clare County property records encompass property-related documents such as deeds, building permits, plat maps, property tax records, land use permits, zoning information, property sales history, and other documents relating to real estate ownership and transactions within Clare County, MI. To access Clare County property records, log into the Clare County Clerk/Register of Deeds Land Records Search portal. Additionally, requesters can access Clare County property and tax records by address, parcel number, or owner name through the BS&A Property Search Portal.

For delinquent property tax records or property assessment records, contact the Clare County Treasurer's Office or the Clare County Equalization Department at the following addresses:

Clare County Treasurer's Office (tax records)
225 West Main Street,
P.O. Box 564,
Harrison,
MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7801
Fax: (989) 539-0866

Clare County Equalization Department (property assessment records)
225 W. Main Street,
P.O. Box 438,
Harrison
MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7894

Clare County Court Records Online

Searchers can access Clare County court records through Michigancourtrecords.us and other third-party online platforms. These private repositories are alternatives to traditional government websites for accessing Clare County court records; they provide quick and convenient access to documents relating to legal prosecutions. Nevertheless, the sites operate independently of non-government agencies and may, therefore, contain incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated documents.