Grand Traverse County Court Records

In Grand Traverse County, court records generally contain information concerning court-related events. Such records are available in different formats and types. For instance, citizens may find court documents in formats like audio or video recordings, handwritten documents, pictures, maps, and digital documents. Despite these differences, most Grand Traverse court records typically contain document identifiers like case number, filing date, and case party’s names.

Note: As part of Michigan court records, the county’s court documents are important in legal issues. Public members may use the records as proof that a court event occurred.

Are Court Records Public in Grand Traverse County?

Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, most court records are open to the public. This means the general public has the right to request court documents from designated government entities. In turn, record custodians must provide such records upon requests from eligible persons. Record custodians may ask for the requester’s ID card before disclosing certain court documents.

The state law also empowers custodians to completely withhold or redact certain information. Exempt court records typically contain information that violates a person’s right to privacy or safety. Per MCL - Section 15.243, exempt court records in Grand Traverse County include the following:

• Court documents that contain information that is exempt under state or federal statutes.
• Court documents that, if disclosed, will interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
• Records that may disclose the identity of confidential sources.

Grand Traverse County Court Records Search

Grand Traverse County’s court records are mostly accessible through direct requests to designated record custodians. The custodians may maintain one or more options through which inquirers may access records. Such options may include online search databases, mail-in, or in-person requests. For example, Michigan courts offer access to court records through the MiCourt search portal. In contrast, Grand Traverse County courts may allow in-person access to court documents.

Grand Traverse County Courts

The Grand Traverse court system consists of circuit, probate, and district courts. The courts’ contact information is provided below:

Grand Traverse County Circuit Court
13th Circuit Court - Grand Traverse
Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice
280 Washington Street
#206
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4710
Fax: (231) 922-4647

Grand Traverse County District Court
86th District Court - Grand Traverse
Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice
280 Washington Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4580

Grand Traverse County Probate Court
Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice
280 Washington Street
#223
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-6862
Fax: (231) 922-4458

Grand Traverse County Criminal Records

In Grand Traverse County, criminal records are official documentation about an individual's criminal history. Record seekers may search for such records through the Michigan State Police.

As the designated record custodian, the agency allowed name- or fingerprint-based requests for criminal records. Interested parties may conduct name-based searches for criminal records by using the agency's iChat search platform. For fingerprint-based searches, applicants must use this guide:

1. Visit a local law enforcement agency and ask to be fingerprinted on a RI-008 card. Out-of-state requesters must use the FD-258 card.
2. Create a cover letter stating the reasons behind the criminal record request.
3. Enclose a $30 processing fee in the form of a money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan.
4. Mail the documents and fee to:

Michigan State Police
CJIC
P.O. Box 30266
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7766

Grand Traverse County arrest records also contain crime-related data. To obtain arrest records, inquirers must fill out the county sheriff's online request form. The agency will process the request and mail it to the requester's address. In contrast, record seekers may inquire in person for Grand Traverse arrest records by visiting the county sheriff at:

851 Woodmere Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231) 995-5000

Get Grand Traverse County Civil Court Records

In Grand Traverse County, civil court records provide information on court cases that involve disputes or lawsuits. Note that the district and civil court oversee civil court cases and provide access to the records.

To obtain civil court records from the district court, record seekers must make a request in person at the district court located at:

86th District Court
280 Washington Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4580

For records of civil cases handled at the circuit court, interested parties may use the court's civil record searchable database or request in person at this address:

280 Washington Street
Suite. 206
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4710
Fax: (231) 922-4647

Grand Traverse County Marriage Records

In Grand Traverse County, the county clerk’s office holds records of marriage events. The county clerk maintains multiple options through which users may obtain marriage records. For example, users may search marriage records via the county clerk’s marriage index database.

An alternative option is to fill out an online request form to get the records via email. Inquirers must fill in the required details and pay $15 for a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

The county clerk also accepts mail-in requests for marriage records. The request must contain the couple's names, marriage dates, a mailing address, and a $15 search fee in the form of a money order or check. Inquirers must send the required documents to the county clerk's office at:

400 Boardman Avenue
Suite 101
Traverse City, MI 49684

Grand Traverse County Divorce Records

In Grand Traverse County, the 13th Circuit Court's family records division maintains access to divorce records. To get divorce records, interested parties must make an in-person request by visiting the agency at:

280 Washington Street
Suite 206
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4710
Fax: (231) 922-4647

Conversely, interested parties may order Grand Traverse divorce records from the state's Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The agency allows mail or in-person requests for divorce records. To access records via mail, record seekers must use the following steps:

1. Complete an application for divorce records
2. Attach a photocopy of a valid ID.
3. Enclose a $34 fee in the form of a money order or check made payable to the “State of Michigan”.
4. Send the documents in person or via mail to:

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

Rush mail
Vital Records RUSH
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing MI 48909

For in-person access to divorce records, requesters must visit the agency on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Grand Traverse Birth and Death Records

Grand Traverse birth and death records are under the purview of state and county-level agencies. The county clerk's office provides access to both records. However, the MDHHS maintains a state-level access to Grand Traverse vital records.

How Do I Obtain Birth Records In Grand Traverse County?

Interested persons must follow these steps to obtain birth records:

1. Check the eligibility criteria. The county clerk's office only issues the record to the record subject, family relations, and court-approved guardians.
2. Choose a preferred request option to access the record. Both record custodians offer mail and in-person request options.
3. Gather the required documents to use the request option. For mail-based requests to the county clerk, requesters must provide a completed application for birth records and a valid ID. In contrast, the MDHHS requires a birth record request form, a valid ID, and a $34 search fee.
4. Attach the application or search fees to the request. The county clerk charges $15 for a Grand Traverse County birth certificate and $5 per additional copy. However, it costs $34 for a one-year search for birth records at the state agency. For mail-based requests to the MDHHS, the fees must be in the form of a money order or check made payable to the “State of Michigan”.
5. Send the required documents and fees via mail or in-person to the record custodians at:

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

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

Rush mail
Vital Records RUSH
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing MI 48909

Grand Traverse County Clerk
400 Boardman Avenue
Suite 101
Traverse City, MI 49684

How Do I Obtain Death Records In Grand Traverse County?

To obtain Grand Traverse County death records, requesters must send a mail request to the county clerk at:

400 Boardman Avenue
Suite 101
Traverse City, MI 49684

The mail request must include the following information:

• Deceased person's full name
• Date of death
• A $15 money order or check.

In contrast, the MDHHS allows mail or in-person requests for death records. The request must include a completed request form, a valid ID, and a $34 fee in the form of a money order or check.

Grand Traverse County Probate Court Records

Grand Traverse County's probate court generates records of probate cases handled at the courthouse. Such records may include information on probate cases like decedent estate, conservatorship, trusts, and wills. To get the records, interested parties must inquire for the records in person at the address below:

280 Washington Street
Suite 223
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-6862
Fax: (231) 922-4458

Grand Traverse County Property Records

In Grand Traverse County, the Register of Deeds oversees all property records generated within the county. Property records typically provide information on real estate and land records.

To access such records, inquirers may conduct searches via the agency's online search platform. In contrast, inquirers may obtain the records by sending a mail request to the agency at:

Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds
400 Boardman Avenue
Suite 100
Traverse City, MI 49684

The mail request must include a record request form and the required fee. Property records cost $1 per page sent via mail or picked up in person.

Grand Traverse County Court Records Online

Michigan courts often offer access to court records through the MiCourt search portal. Interested parties may also obtain Grand Traverse court records online via third-party search sites like Michigancourtrecords.us. Such sites typically have a user-friendly interface and are accessible to both state and non-state residents. Despite the perks of using these sites, users should note that they are unregulated and may not feature complete court information. Accuracy on such sites cannot be guaranteed.