Jackson County Court Records

A Jackson County court document is any record established by the court or submitted to the court in compliance with Michigan Court Rules. Court documents consist of files with the court clerk, including documents, their attachments, discovery resources, and other materials.

Courts keep judicial records to serve as educational resources; they can help the public learn more about the judicial system and understand litigation per state law. Court records also provide essential information on court proceedings, showing how evidence was used and why specific decisions were made.

Are Court Records Public in Jackson County?

Yes. Arrest records are regarded as public records in Jackson County; members of the public generally have access to these records and can request them from the county clerk's office, which is in charge of maintaining these records. However, certain court records may be exempted from public access by a statute, a court order, or rule. In addition, each Jackson County court is required under MCR 8.112(B) to establish a regulatory order that outlines the rules required to safeguard the county's public records and avoid undue and excessive interference with its ability to carry out its duties. The following are some examples of Jackson County court records that are non-public:

• Mental health records and files
• Jurors personal information
• Protected personal information
• Juvenile court records
• Mediation records from family court

Jackson County Court Records Search

The following locations allow the public to search Jackson County court records:

• The Clerk's office in court.
• the court house where the case proceedings took place (searching court dockets)
• Using the terminals at the Jackson County Courthouse
• utilizing the MIcourt online system in Michigan
• A public records website run by a third party.

Jackson County Court Records Search by Name

A name-based search is the most common way to look up Jackson County court records from any channel. A Jackson County court records search by name can be done at the office of the county clerk. The court clerk stores court records in dedicated dockets that are indexed using a person's first and last name on case records.

Jackson County Courts

The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Jackson County are as follows:

4th Circuit Court - Jackson
Jackson County Courthouse
312 S Jackson St,
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4268
Fax: (517) 788-4601

12th District Court - Jackson
Jackson County Courthouse
312 S Jackson St,
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4260

Jackson County Probate Court
Jackson County Courthouse
312 S Jackson St,
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4450 (Family)
Fax: (517) 780-4756 (Family)
Phone: (517) 788-4290 (Probate)
Fax: (517) 788-4291 (Probate)

Jackson County Circuit Court Case Search

The Jackson County 4th Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over the county's criminal and civil matters. This court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases involving claims of more than $25,000, family law matters such as divorce and child custody, and appeals from lower courts. It also oversees juvenile matters. Michigan law grants the public access to most court records, except in cases protected by statute, such as juvenile or certain family law matters (Michigan Court Rule 8.119).

To access Jackson County Circuit Court records, individuals may visit the court clerk's office in person or use the court's online search tool, which allows searches by case number or party name. Physical copies of court records are available upon request for a fee of $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost an additional $10.00 per document. Requests for copies may also be submitted by mail.

Jackson County Clerk
312 S. Jackson St.
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4268

Jackson County District Court Records

The 12th District Court in Jackson County handles misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, preliminary examinations in felony cases, and civil cases involving disputes up to $25,000. This court also handles small claims cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil infractions.

Court records from the 12th District Court are accessible online through Michigan's case search system. However, more sensitive cases, such as those involving minors, may require a formal request in person at the court. Researchers can contact the court clerk's office directly to request copies of records not available online. The office is located at:

Jackson County Courthouse
312 S. Jackson St.
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4260

Jackson County Criminal Records

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office maintains criminal records in Jackson County. These records include details of Jackson County arrests, charges, and court cases' outcomes. The Michigan State Police also offer statewide criminal background checks through the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) for a $10.00 fee. The Sheriff's Office responds to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for criminal records, which can be submitted in person or online. Processing time for FOIA requests typically ranges from 5 to 10 business days. Requests to the county Sheriff's office may be addressed to:

Jackson County Sheriff's Office
212 W. Wesley St.
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 768-7900

Jackson County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Jackson County Circuit Court handles all family-related cases, and the Court Clerk maintains records for these cases. Similar to other counties in Michigan, family court records are considered public in many cases, but certain family law matters are non-public and not accessible via public databases or websites. These include records pertaining to child protective proceedings, adoptions, juvenile guardianship, and name changes, per MCL 722.1206 and MCL 710.67.

Non-public family court records in Jackson County can only be accessed by authorized parties, including case participants, attorneys, designated representatives, or immediate family members. Such individuals must provide a government-issued ID, and third parties may be required to submit authorization documentation. These records are accessible in person at the Jackson County Clerk's Office. Public information on family cases can be viewed through the online record database or the public access terminals available at the Clerk's Office. Researchers must provide the case number or the names of the litigants involved in the case.

Jackson Dissolution of Marriage Records

Marriage dissolutions, including divorces and annulments, are handled by the Family Division of the Jackson County Circuit Court. The associated court records are public, except in cases involving sensitive information such as child custody and support. Certified copies of divorce records can be requested in person or by mail from the Clerk's Office. To locate these records, a researcher must provide both parties' full names and the approximate divorce date.

Jackson County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Jackson County Clerk's Office maintains marriage records and provides access to public and certified copies. Researchers can request certified copies of marriage licenses by completing a Marriage Record Request Form at the Clerk's Office. They must provide the marriage date, the groom's full name, and the bride's maiden name. Marriage records can also be searched online through the Clerk's website.

Divorce records can be accessed at the court where the divorce was granted. Certified copies may be obtained in person or via mail. Requests should be directed to the Clerk's Office:

Jackson County Clerk's Office
312 South Jackson Street
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4265

Jackson County Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are classified as vital records in Jackson County. These records document births and deaths occurring within the county. According to Michigan law under MCL 333.2882, certified copies of birth records less than 100 years old are restricted to the individual named on the record or their legal representative. To obtain a birth certificate, individuals must submit a Birth Record Request Form with a government-issued ID. Certified copies cost $25 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy obtained simultaneously. Birth records can also be requested online or by mail.

Death records are public records; anyone may request them by providing the deceased's full name, the date of death, and payment for the required fees. Certified copies of death records are also $25 for the first copy. Requests can be made in person or online. Mail-in requests for both birth and death records should be directed to:

Jackson County Clerk's Office
312 South Jackson Street
Jackson, MI 49201.

Jackson County Probate Court Records

The Jackson County Probate Court has jurisdiction over matters like wills, estates, trusts, and guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults. It also handles mental health cases and disputes over inheritance. Probate court records are generally public unless sealed by the court. Records related to sensitive matters, such as guardianship and mental health issues, are not available for public inspection.

Individuals can visit the Probate Court office or use Michigan's online court record system to obtain probate court records. Requests for copies of documents can be submitted by mail or in person at:

Jackson County Probate Court
312 S. Jackson St.
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4290

Jackson County Property Records

Property records in Jackson County are documents pertaining to a property and its owner(s). These documents include, but are not limited to:

• Deeds
• Mortgages
• Liens
• Tax assessments

Jackson county property records are managed by the Jackson County Register of Deeds and the Jackson County Treasurer's Office. The Register of Deeds maintains an online index that allows individuals to search property records by name, address, or parcel number. There is a fee of $1.00 per page for viewing or printing records, and certified copies are available for an additional charge.

Jackson County Register of Deeds
Jackson County Tower Building
120 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4350

Jackson County Treasurer
120 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 788-4418

Jackson County Court Records Online

In Jackson County, Michigan, individuals seeking court records can access various online resources beyond the official court websites. These include numerous third-party information service providers that aggregate data from official government sources and offer it to users, often for a fee. While many of these websites, such as MichiganCourtRecords.us, allow users to search across multiple jurisdictions and offer more advanced search functionalities (e.g., searching by case number, name, or type of case), they typically provide limited case information for free.