Delta County Court Records

According to MCR 1.109(A), Delta County court records are official documents created by or filed with the Circuit or District Court in compliance with the Michigan Court Rules. These records include attachments, documents (pleadings, orders, and judgments), audio and video recordings, data, and discovery documents filed or created in connection with a judicial proceeding. In Delta County, Michigan, individuals and agencies find court records helpful in performing their official duties. For example, journalists and watchdog groups use court records to investigate government actions, while researchers may use them to trace family histories.

Are Court Records Public in Delta County?

Yes. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act and MCR 8.119(H) regulate and set requirements for the disclosure of court records by all courts in the state. Inquirers may inspect, copy, or receive a copy of a record from a Delta County Circuit or District Court. However, the right to access is not absolute, and selected records may be exempt from public disclosure. The MCR 8.119(H) considers the following records confidential:

• Secret marriage records
• Search warrant affidavits
• Friends of the court records
• Wills until the testator dies
• Parental kidnapping records
• Domestic violence assault records
• Formal alternative dispute records
• Adoption and mediation records
• Name change and firearms records
• Juvenile and mental health proceedings
• Prosecutor-sought immunity documents
• Secretary of State (SOS) Driving Records
• Probation investigations and case histories
• Child victim and witness testimony records
• Medical records about infectious disease testing
• Record of hearing on issuance of a protective order
• Guardianship records of legally incapacitated persons
• Substance abuse records (screening, assessment, and treatment)
• Case evaluations and the acceptances or rejections of the parties
• Records pertaining to the waiver of parental consent for abortion
• The hearings and records of proceedings of a newborn's safe delivery
• Record of hearing on excision of portions of material under discovery
• Tabulation of items the officer seizes during a search under a warrant
• Confidential settlement information and controlled substance crime records
• All information obtained from searches and queries conducted using the Judicial Data Warehouse (JDW)

Delta County Court Records Search

A Delta County court records search may be conducted by making in-person requests to the courthouse where the case was heard. Most courthouses have self-service computers with which inquirers can perform a court record search. Alternatively, court record searches may be performed using third-party sites.

Delta County Courts

The Delta County court system comprises the 47th Circuit Court, 94th District Court, and Probate Court. They are all located at the same address at:

Delta County Courthouse
310 Ludington Street
Escanaba, MI 49829
Phone: (906) 789-5103 (47th Circuit Court)
(906) 789-5106 (94th District Court)
(906) 789-5114 (Probate Court)
(906) 789-5110 (Friend of the Court)

Delta County Criminal and Civil Records

Delta County has two trial courts that handle criminal and civil cases. The Circuit Court handles all civil cases over $25,000 and felony criminal cases. At the same time, the District Court hears all civil cases up to $25,000 and all misdemeanor criminal cases. Members of the public may visit these courts to obtain copies of Delta County criminal and civil records. However, inquirers will be required to provide sufficient information to help locate the desired record. A small copy fee may be required to cover the cost of copies (if applicable).

Delta County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Delta County Clerk provides marriage records online, by mail, and in-person to record seekers. Online applications can be made through the Marriage Records Search portal for free. A search can be conducted by name, age, place of birth, father's name, mother's name, marriage date, or marriage location. Individuals also mail a Marriage Certificate Application Form with a fee of $10 per certified copy and $4 for each additional copy to the office. In-person customers can come to the office from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Delta County Friend of the Court is part of the Circuit Court Family Division that handles divorce records. Record seekers may visit the office during business hours to request copies of divorce records. A name, case number, or divorce date will be required to process the request.

Delta County Birth and Death Records

The Clerk's Office maintains most Delta County vital records, including birth and death records. Birth records are not part of Delta County public records and become public after 100 years. However, death records are available to anyone. Confidential Delta County birth records are only accessible to the subjects of records or their parents. Copies of birth and death records cost $10 per copy, and each additional copy cost $4. Individuals can retrieve copies of birth or death records through the following means:

• Online: The Clerk partners with an independent company to process birth and death requests online. This service cost attracts an extra fee payable by credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa).
• Mail: Send a completed Birth or Death Certificate Application Form, a copy of a driver's license, and a check in the appropriate fees to the Clerk's Office.
• In-person: Individuals can visit the office to obtain copies of birth and death records. They must submit a driver's license or three pieces of ID, including at least one picture ID. The office is located at:

Delta County Clerk
310 Ludington Street
Escanaba, MI 49829

Customers can view private birth and death records online using the Birth Records Search portal or Death Database (Deaths from 1865 to 1941 or 1932 to 2015). The search criteria are the subject of the record's name, birth or death date, place of birth or death, father's name, or mother's name.

Delta County Property Records

Inquirers may obtain Delta County property records through the Delta County Register of Deeds office. Copies of these records cost $1 per page, and certified copies cost $5 per document. Property records' search fees are $5 minimum and $0.50 annually. Computer index printouts of property records cost a minimum of $15.

The Delta County Equalization also issues property records in person during business hours. Requesters must provide search criteria to help process the request. Simple maps copied from the book cost $2 each, and database copies of property records cost $1 per page.

Delta County Court Records Online

Individuals can conduct court records searches using third-party platforms with proven reliability and a solid reputation, such as Michigancourtrecords.us. Users can search using a name or case number and download detailed court reports for a small fee. To ensure accuracy, it is advisable to cross-reference court information retrieved from third-party platforms with official court websites or records.