Ingham County Court Records

Ingham County court records are government files regarding court activities, such as case proceedings and administrative court decisions. Such records may exist in a variety of formats and document types. Court records may be available as handwritten or typed documents, audio or video recordings, photographs, maps, or microfilms.

Court records serve vital functions in legal processes. Attorneys may use the records as references or precedents in future court cases. The records also ensure transparency in the court’s conduct. Michigan court records generally provide information on defendants or plaintiffs and may include case identifiers, like case and docket numbers.

Are Court Records Public in Ingham County?

In Ingham County, most court records are accessible to the public. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act governs the release of court documents and determines the eligibility criteria for accessing such records.

For instance, Section 15.243 redacts certain court information from public view. Excluded court documents typically contain information that violates an individual's or entity's right to privacy or security.

Examples of records under this category may include:

• Court documents that contain information on victims of sexual misconduct or crimes.
• Information that is subject to client-attorney privilege
• Court documents containing medical information that may violate the subject’s privacy
• Court information that is exempt due to a court order or state or federal statute.

Ingham County Court Records Search

Court records searches are inquiries for finding information generated in the county court. To conduct court record searches, persons or entities must determine the agencies holding the records. Next, record seekers must select the request options provided by record custodians. For instance, the MiCourt website allows online-based inquiries for court documents. In contrast, record seekers may obtain records by visiting the courthouse that created the record.

Ingham County Court Records Search by Name

Persons or entities may conduct name-based searches for court records using resources provided by state and local record custodians. For instance, the MiCourt search website features a “search by case party's name” option. Users only need to input the case party's name to view related court documents.

Conversely, record seekers may view most court records online via the county's case search portal. The portal provides access to court records generated in the circuit and probate courts. Users must choose the case party’s full name or business name to view court records. The county courts also allow in-person viewing of court records at their physical locations.

Ingham County Courts

Ingham County’s court system comprises a circuit, municipal, district, and probate courts. The county courts have sole and shared jurisdiction over court cases. Record seekers will find the county courts at these locations:

Ingham County Circuit Courts
30th Circuit Court - Ingham
Ingham County Courthouse
315 South Jefferson Street
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 483-6500

30th Circuit Court - Ingham
Veterans Memorial Courthouse
313 West Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6500
Ingham County District Courts

54A District Court - Lansing
City Hall
124 West Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-4433
Fax: (517) 483-4108

54B District Court - East Lansing
101 Linden Street
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 351-7000
Fax: (517) 351-3371

55th District Court - Ingham County
700 Buhl Street
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-8400

Ingham County Probate Court
Veterans Memorial Courthouse
313 West Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6300
Fax: (517) 483-6150

Ingham County District Court Records

In Ingham County, the district courts have limited jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. The county courts hear less severe cases, such as small claims, misdemeanors, and traffic infractions.

To obtain district court records, interested parties must submit a completed request letter in person to the district court. Note that this option only applies if you know the case number or party’s names. On the other hand, record seekers may use public terminals to assist them in identifying and selecting cases for inspection.

The MiCourt search website is an alternative for finding Ingham County district court records. When using the search portal, users may provide the case number or party’s name.

Ingham County Criminal Records

Ingham County’s criminal records are official documents that contain an individual’s criminal history. Criminal records typically contain arrest details and court data, such as indictments and dispositions.

Michigan’s State Police is the official custodian of criminal records created in Ingham County. The agency allows name- or fingerprint-based checks for records in their custody. Applicants must use the agency’s iCHAT search platform to find criminal records by name.

For fingerprint-based checks for criminal records, applicants must follow this process:

1. Visit the local law enforcement agency to get fingerprinted. In-state applicants must take their prints on an RI-008 card, while out-of-state applicants must use an FD-258 card. Law enforcement agencies may request a valid ID before taking your fingerprint.
2. Attach a cover letter stating your reasons for requesting a criminal records check.
3. Enclose a $30 money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan.
4. Mail in the required documents and fee to:

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

Ingham County’s arrest records also include information on criminal activities. The county sheriff’s office maintains an online request form for users. Alternatively, applicants may obtain copies of Ingham arrest records in person by visiting the county sheriff at:

630 North Cedar Street
Mason, MI 48854

Note: Public access to Ingham County Arrest records may vary depending on local laws.

Ingham County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Record seekers may look up Ingham County criminal court records via the county courts that oversaw the case. For instance, the circuit court has sole jurisdiction over felonies and juvenile criminal cases. In contrast, the probate, municipal, and district courts oversee misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations.

Generally, record seekers can submit an in-person request to the court that handled the case. Alternatively, requesters may use the county’s case search portal or the MiCourt platform to access criminal court records online. However, the former only covers criminal cases tried at the circuit and probate courts.

Get Ingham County Civil Court Records

In Ingham County, civil court records typically contain information on disputes or claims handled at the county courts. Examples of civil cases include general civil, civil equity, small claims, and foreclosure and liens.

Public members may access Ingham County civil court records through online or offline request options. To get the records online, the public may conduct searches using the county’s case search portal or the MiCourt platform.

For offline access to civil court case records, requesters must submit a request in person to the court that heard the case. Alternatively, requesters may view court records on self-service terminals installed at the courthouses.

Ingham County Family Court Records

Ingham County Circuit Court is the custodian of family court records. The court has sole jurisdiction over family law cases, such as adoption, divorce, juvenile delinquency, and paternity. To obtain such records, the public may submit a request in person by visiting the circuit court that handled the case. The court also maintains a searchable portal for family court records. Interested parties typically need to provide relevant search details to view records on the portal.

Ingham County Marriage and Divorce Records

Ingham County marriage and divorce records are under the purview of local and state-level agencies. At the local level, the county clerk’s office and the circuit court are the custodians of marriage and divorce records, respectively. In contrast, Michigan’s Vital Records Department is the custodian of both records.

How do I obtain Ingham County marriage records?

At the county level, record seekers may obtain records from the county clerk via online or offline request options. For online requests, the applicant must fill out the online request portal and pay the required fees. The court clerk will process and send the marriage certificate to the applicant’s provided email or mail address.

To obtain the records offline, applicants must follow these steps:

1. Complete a marriage license request form
2. Enclose the fee as a money order or check made payable to Ingham County Clerk’s Office.
3. Mail the documents to:

Ingham County Clerk
P.O. Box 179
Mason, MI 48854

At the state level, you may obtain the records via in-person or mail requests to the state’s Vital Records Department at:

Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909

The mail must include a completed request form and the required fees as a money order or check payable to the “State of Michigan”. A one-year search for an Ingham County marriage certificate costs $34.

How do I obtain an Ingham County divorce record?

Record seekers may view and obtain divorce records through the circuit court’s online case database. The circuit court also accepts in-person requests for divorce records. Interested parties may obtain the record by visiting the courthouse during open hours.

Likewise, the Michigan Vital Records Department allows mail or in-person requests for divorce records. To get the document, interested parties must follow this guide:

1. Complete the application for divorce record form.
2. Attach a $34 basic fee for a one-year search of divorce records. Additional searches cost $12 per year being searched. For mail-based requests, the fees must be a check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan.
3. Mail or submit the request in person to:

Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909

Ingham Birth and Death Records

Ingham County court clerk’s office maintains information on birth and death events. The agency will only disclose such records to the record subject, close family relations, and authorized persons.

To obtain birth or death records, applicants may submit an online request or send a mail request to the court clerk’s office at:

P.O. Box 179
341 South Jefferson
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-7201

The request must include the following:

• A completed Ingham County birth or death certificate request form
• A copy of a government-issued photo ID
• A $30 fee as a check, credit/debit, or money order. Make checks or money orders payable to Ingham County Clerk.

The Michigan Vital Records Department offers an alternative means of obtaining Ingham County vital records. Record seekers may access birth or death records via mail, in person, or drop-box request options. For in-person requests, record seekers must schedule an appointment before visiting the agency at:

To obtain the records via mail, record seekers must follow these steps:

1. Fill out the respective forms:
   1. Ingham County birth certificate request form
   2. Ingham County death certificate request form
2. Attach the required fee as a money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan. It costs $34 for a one-year search of the record.
3. Send the document and fee via mail to:

Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909

Note: Ingham County vital records serve vital functions in legal matters and public health. For instance, death certificates are necessary legal documents for accessing a deceased’s estate or insurance benefits.

Ingham County Probate Court Records

Ingham County probate court has jurisdiction over probate court cases, except for name change court cases. Requesters will find name change cases under the circuit court’s jurisdiction. That being said, record seekers may obtain probate case records through online or offline access options. For online access, record seekers must search using the county’s online case portal. To get the records in person, requesters must visit the courthouse that heard the case.

Ingham County Property Records

In Ingham County, property records contain land and real estate data information. Such records may include parcel ID, property owner’s name, mortgage, property tax, sales value, map image, and lien.

The Ingham County Register of Deeds is the custodian of property records in the county. The agency allows online or offline access to the records. Record seekers may use the agency’s online property information database to find property records online.

For offline access, requesters must follow this guide:

1. Create a request letter that includes these details:
   1. Property name or description
   2. Document number or book page
2. A check for the number of requested copies. The agency charges $1 per copy.
3. Mail or submit the documents in person to:

Physical address
Register of Deeds
2nd Floor
341 South Jefferson Street
Mason, MI 48854

Mail address
Register of Deeds Copies
P.O. Box 195
Mason, MI 48854

Ingham County Court Records Online

Members of the public may use the county’s case search portal or the MiCourt platform to access criminal court records online. Persons or entities may also find Ingham court records online on third-party online resources, like michigancourtrecords.us. Such sites offer an easy-to-navigate interface that allows users to find court cases by inputting relevant search information. Some third-party sites offer a download option. Despite the perks of using third-party sites, they mainly operate outside government jurisdiction and are, therefore, not reliable options for finding court information.