Houghton County Court Records

According to Michigan Court Rules, Houghton County court records are any written or recorded information produced or managed by the county court clerk. Court documents contain case information, pleadings, orders, and judgments. Court records include Log notes, stenotapes, audio and video recordings, and other relevant documents.

The county court clerk indexes and files Houghton County court records in physical libraries and electronic databases.

Are Court Records Public in Houghton County?

Yes. Court records are public in Houghton County, Michigan. Per MCR 8.119(I) of the Michigan court rules, anyone may view and examine any case record or information contained in those records for free, regardless of the format or method of access. This law holds unless access to court records is restricted by statute, court rule, or a court order. Some categories of Houghton County court records that are exempt from public disclosure include:

• Adoption records
• Juvenile case records
• Extreme risk protection orders
• Fee waivers
• Divorce complaints
• Waivers of parental consent for abortion
• Immunity and plea records
• Sealed
• Lawyer-client communications

Specific categories of court records are also classified as limited access. These records are only accessible to specific government entities and individuals. Some of them include:

• Mediation statements and communications.
• Mental health treatment records.
• Phycological reports.
• Divorce records.
• Change of name records.

Houghton County Court Records Search

Individuals can obtain a Houghton County court record at the following places:

• At the Houghton County court that created the record.
• Using the Michigan statewide court case search portal.
• Using the self-service portals at the Houghton County courts.
• Using third party-webpages.

Houghton County Courts

The Houghton County court system comprises three main courts: the Houghton County 12th Circuit Court, the Houghton County Family and Probate Court, and the Houghton County 97th District Court. The following are the locations of the courts in Houghton County:

12th Circuit Court
401 E. Houghton Avenue
Houghton, MI 49931
Phone: (906) 482-5420
Fax: (906) 482-7492

97th District Court
Houghton County Courthouse
3rd floor,401 E. Houghton Ave.
Houghton, Michigan 49931
Phone: (906) 482-4980
Fax: (906) 482-5270

Probate & Family Court
Houghton County Courthouse
2nd Floor,401 E. Houghton Avenue
Houghton, Michigan 49931
Phone: (906) 482-3120
Fax: (906) 487-5964

Houghton County Criminal and Civil Records

Houghton County criminal and civil court records are generally regarded as public records per Michigan state statutes and the Houghton County court's local administrative order. These records can be obtained primarily from the Houghton County 97th District Court or the 12th Circuit Court.

The district court is a lower court of limited jurisdiction. It handles civil cases of disputes less than $25000, small claims, and criminal cases of minor misdemeanors punishable by up to one year's imprisonment. The circuit court handles felonies and other serious criminal cases. It also deals with civil cases with more than $25,000 in dispute. These courts maintain court records that are associated with the cases that are tried under their jurisdiction.

Members of the public can visit the county court where a civil case was filed to search for the records. Most civil case records are public and will be given to interested persons needing them. At the court, the county court clerk will provide requestors with a request form, which they will complete and submit to the office. Alternatively, persons can use the self-service kiosks at the courthouse to search for court records. Civil case records are found using name-based searches. The names of any of the disputing parties can be used to search for these records.

Houston County Criminal Court Records' accessibility depends on the type of case in question. Some of these records are only available to persons involved in the criminal case. People requesting these records are advised to call ahead to check for their availability.

Per MCL 600.2543, the Houston County Court will supply up to five copies of case file papers for $1.00 per page within an hour of the request. Certified copies of these records will cost $10.

The Michigan Micase portal can also be used remotely to search for Houghton County criminal and civil court records statewide. The portal allows users to access any Houghton County court's civil, traffic, criminal, domestic (divorce/family), and probate cases.

Houghton County Marriage Records

Houghton County Marriage records can be obtained online and in person from the Houghton County court clerk's office. The clerk's office mainly maintains and sometimes creates marriage records, including marriage licenses, certificates, and verification letters. The Houghton County Clarks office maintains marriage records from 1885 to the present. In Michigan, marriage records are not restricted documents. Anyone who completes and submits the application with the necessary payment can request a search.

Requests can be made in person, online, or by mail. Individuals will visit the county clerk's office to request these records and complete the records request form. In the form, requestors need to provide the following information to the county clerk's office:

• The names of both parties in the marriage
• The date of the marriage
• The place where the marriage took place (city and town)
• The number of copies needed

For mail requests, the form has a section where the requestor will provide the address to which the records can be sent.

Houghton County Divorce Records

Houghton County divorce can be obtained from the Houghton County Probate and Family Court. The Houghton County Court allows public access to divorce records that have not been kept confidential by court order. Individuals can visit the family court in Houghton County to request these records. Staff at the records department of the family court will search records using the names of any of the parties in the divorce records. Individuals can also call the Family Court department at (906) 482-3120 to check for the availability of a particular divorce record.

Houghton County Birth Records

Houghton County birth records can be obtained from the office of the Houghton County clerk. The county clerk maintains records of births in Houghton County Court at the Houghton County Courthouse. Interested persons can find birth records dating from 1867 to the present at the clerk's office. The records are restricted and not public, and only the individual on the record or the individual's parents may request them in person or by mail.

If an heir or next of kin to the person on a birth record can provide a death certificate and a legitimate photo ID, they can also request a copy of a birth record less than 100 years old. Houghton County Birth records over a century old are not restricted and can be obtained by everyone.

To request a Houghton County birth record, individuals must complete the birth records request form and submit it in person or by mail to the county court clerk's office. Completed forms can also be sent by email to countyclerk@houghtoncounty.net and Fax: (906) 483-0364. The requestor will need to provide the following information on the request form.

• The name of the person on the record
• Mothers full name
• Fathers full name
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (hospital and town)

Each birth record costs $15 for the first copy. The same record can be purchased in additional copies for $5.00.For their birth records, senior citizens (65+) are $10.00. Extra copies cost $3.00.

Houghton County Death Records

Houghton County death records are also classified as vital records; these records can be obtained from the Houghton clerk's office. Death records are public and can be requested by anyone; however, requestors need to provide a valid ID to obtain records. Requests can be made in person at the Houghton clerk's office or through the mail. The request is made by completing the death records request form and submitting it at the clerk's office.

Houghton County Probate Court Records

Houton County Probate Court is a department within the county family court. The Houghton County probate court is in charge of administrating conservatorships, guardianships, and trusts; the probate of estates; and the commitment of people with mental illnesses. People can access Houghton County Court's probate department to access Houghton County probate court records. Probate court documents are confidential and are only available to persons involved in the probate agreement. Individuals can visit the probate court to make a request in person or contact the probate court register by phone at (906) 482-3120 or through the email:tbeauchamp@houghtoncounty.net to request a probate records search.

Houghton County Property Records

Houghton County property records can be requested from the Houghton County Register of Deeds office. The Register of Deeds office keeps up to date and indexes every recorded document relating to property in the county. Property records available at the office include Deeds, Mortgages, Miscellaneous, Land Corners, Plats, and Surveys.

Houghton County property records can be obtained online, by mail, fax, or in person through the county register of deeds. Copies of each property record cost $1, and each search cost $3.

Houghton County Court Records Online

Third-party online websites like michigancourtrecords.us offer an easy way to access Houghton County court records. They provide a user-friendly platform where interested individuals can search for court records by entering relevant details such as case numbers, party names, or dates. These platforms are often patronized because of the quick access they provide and the amount of information they produce. However, these platforms run independently of any government organization, so sometimes they might give outdated or erroneous material.