Dickinson County Court Records

Dickinson County court records are papers, materials, dockets, electronic documents, and notations produced during civil and criminal proceedings. These records contain the names of case parties, evidence, pleadings, judgments, orders, bond amounts, sentencing information, court dates, case number, and other case details maintained by court clerks.

Individuals usually go through court case information to track case progress, research public policies, run background searches, and learn about people's incarceration, among other reasons. Additionally, court records can be used by lawyers and courts for case administration, judicial decisions, and precedent research.

Finding case information involves searching Michigan Court records, which include information generated in Dickinson courts, through online and offline resources.

Are Court Records Public in Dickinson County?

Yes. MCR 8.119(H) provides that trial court records are considered a part of Dickinson County public records. The rule states that members of the public have the right to inspect or order copies of digital and paper court records, except when explicitly prohibited by state statutes, federal law, or other court rules. Sensitive personal data, such as social security numbers, passport information, names of protected witnesses and informants, and bank account details will be redacted when custodians provide documents in response to requests. However, requests for certain records, such as the following, will be rejected:

• Documents from sealed case proceedings
• Dickinson criminal records collected during active police investigations
• Paperwork generated from child-related matters (like child support and adoption)
• Dickinson arrest records related to juveniles

Be that as it may, case parties and their lawyers, criminal justice agencies, and entities with statutory permission, can view restricted records in some situations.

Dickinson County Court Records Search

Finding court records involve the following methods:

• Visiting the local courthouse: Requesters can visit the clerk's office at the court premises to inspect court documents and order copies. People can also apply to certify and exemplify reproduced court records.
• View court records online: The MiCourts Case Search database allows members of the public to find Dickinson County circuit court records by name and case number. When a user finds a case, they can review the case title, case status, case parties, hearing dates and types, filing date, disposition, case events, and other civil and criminal details.
• Order transcripts from court recorders: Transcripts are available through the court recorders under the judges that heard specific cases.

Dickinson County Courts

The following are addresses and contact details of Dickinson County courts:

Circuit Court
705 South Stephenson Street
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Phone: (906) 774-2266

District Court
705 South Stephenson Street
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Phone: (906) 774-0506

Probate Court
705 South Stephenson Street
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
Phone: (906) 774-1555

Dickinson County Criminal and Civil Records

The local circuit, district, and probate courts handle a wide range of cases that produce the county's criminal and civil records.

A criminal matter involves the determination of one's guilt when they are accused of breaking the law. This type of case may carry a penalty of incarceration, fine, community service, probation, or drug program. The Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over felony cases (crimes punishable by incarceration) while the District Court presides over misdemeanors (crimes punishable by up to one year in prison). One can find these records by visiting the local court where cases are heard. Individuals can also view Dickinson County criminal records from the circuit court, such as bond details, sentencing information, charges, and defendant details through the MiCourts portal.

However, local law enforcement agencies and the county jail are primary custodians of Dickinson County arrest records, which are part of criminal records. Some arrest details do not make it into court records if arrested persons do not appear before judges or prosecutors change original offenses before filing charges.

Civil cases, on the other hand, involve disagreements between two or more parties. Plaintiffs usually petition courts to force defendants to take specific actions, withdraw certain activities, or pay financial damages. Civil cases can also be initiated to ask courts to interpret the law.

The Circuit Court exclusively handles cases where the financial damages or disputed amount is above $25,000. The court also oversees family matters, name changes, testing and treatment of infectious diseases, delinquency and juvenile offense, and appeals from lower courts. The district court presides over matters worth up to $25,000 and landlord-tenant disputes.

Individuals can also use the methods outlined earlier to find civil cases records. However, they must note which court has jurisdiction over specific cases to identify the right records custodian.

Dickinson County Marriage Records

Dickinson County marriage records are official paperwork used to document the legal union between two individuals in the county. These records are crucial for name changes, spousal benefits applications, genealogical research, joint tax filing, and other financial and legal purposes.

A certified copy of a marriage license can be used as a Dickinson County marriage certificate. One can obtain this document through the office of the county clerk. The office offers in-person, fax, and mail-in request methods. A requester must provide the names of the groom and bride when the marriage license was filed, year of marriage, requestor's signature, and fee.

People who do not know the year of the marriage must pay a $5 (per decade) records search. A marriage certificate costs $10 for the first certified copy and $5 per additional copy during the same order.

Interested parties can also order certified copies of marriage documents issued on or after 1867 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The department offers mail-in, online, drop-box, and phone requests. One can also request marriage records in person but must first book an appointment. The department accepts the following fees:

• First certified copy plus one year search: $34
• Additional certified copies in the same order: $16 per copy
• Additional searches: $12 per year

Other requirements and information can be viewed in the marriage records application form.

Dickinson County Divorce Records

A divorce record is created when a couple ends their marriage through a dissolution of marriage proceeding in the Circuit Court. People can obtain a judgment of divorce from the county clerk's office or approach the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for divorce records (not the actual judgments).

Dickinson County Birth Records

Dickinson County birth records are created to certify people's births in the county. They can be used for obtaining identification documents, enrolling in school, verifying age and citizenship, and accessing certain benefits like inheritance and life insurance payouts. One can contact the clerk's office or Michigan DHHS for copies of these records.

A Dickinson County birth certificate copy obtained through the clerk's office costs $20 for the first copy and $15 per additional copy. Copies of birth certificates from the DHHS cost the same as marriage records.

Only the following individuals (with accepted means of identification) can obtain Dickinson County birth records:

• The registrant (child) and parents named on the document
• Registrant’s legal guardian
• Entities with court orders
• Registrant's heir (if the registrant is deceased)

Members of the public can request a record if it is older than 100 years.

Dickinson County Death Records

Death documents are the death certificates produced when people pass in the county. These can be used during funerals, probate proceedings, insurance claims processes, and verifications for retirement payments. The County Clerk also issues death certificates. This document is one of the Dickinson County vital records that is open to every member of the public.

The first copy from the county clerk costs $20 and additional copies during the same request cost $15 per copy. Individuals must provide the name of the deceased person, year and city of death, requestor's mailing address, and requestor's name. One is required to pay a search fee of $5 per 10-year search if the year of death is unknown.

Additionally, members of the public can apply for death certificates online, in-person, by mail, and by phone through the DHHS. However, costs are different. One can refer to the department’s death certificate application form to review the required application information and fees.

Dickinson County Probate Court Records

Probate court records contain details of proceedings initiated to administer the estates of deceased persons. The probate court also produces documents with information about conservatorships, guardianships, contested wills, and mental illness commitments. Individuals can visit the local probate court to view records or request copies of these documents.

Dickinson County Property Records

Property records include tax bills and filings, documents used to finalize real estate transactions, assessment information, property ownership details, transfer histories, mortgage data, and real estate dimensions, among others.

Custodians that members of the public can contact include the Register of Deeds (for all real estate and land documents), County Treasurer (for tax records), and city assessors (for property assment details).

Dickinson County Court Records Online

Anyone can use third-party websites like Michigancourtrecords.us to view or order copies of court and other public records. These sites usually allow people to search publicly available information from central databases. This search method helps users avoid the extra process of visiting multiple websites. However, individuals are advised to verify records with official custodians after their research from third-party sites.