Livingston County Court Records

Livingston County court records are created to officially document legal proceedings filed in the county courts. These records exist in paper, electronic, and photographic formats and include a variety of documents, such as pleadings, indictments, docket information, trial exhibits, and transcripts.

The maintenance of Michigan court records serves various purposes. It preserves legal history while ensuring accountability and transparency in the judicial system. These records are used for academic research, to satisfy personal curiosity, and for genealogical research, among other reasons.

Are Court Records Public in Livingston County?

Yes, Livingston County court records are public records per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under this act, all materials submitted to or created by government agencies during official functions, regardless of form or quality, must be made available to interested members of the public upon request.

However, court records containing sensitive or confidential information whose disclosure may constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy or risk to a person are exempted from the provisions of this act. Residents of Livingston County may obtain non-confidential court records by submitting a FOIA request or using other methods provided by the court clerk.

Livingston County Court Records Search

A researcher must possess the case number or the full name of a litigant to find a court record. The following methods can be used to find Livingston County court records:

• Self-service indexes at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
• Court-operated websites
• Third-party websites
• Mail.

Livingston County Court Records Search by Name

Names are the most common criteria for searching Livingston court records, as many websites offer name-based search features. Also, researchers may submit a case participant’s name at the clerk’s office to retrieve all associated court records. In most cases, however, names are not sufficient criteria for finding a specific court record, as records may exist for different persons with the same name or multiple case records may be found for a particular person.

As such, researchers should possess additional details, such as a searched party’s date of birth, a case filing date, or a case number. All court-operated websites mentioned herein are searchable by name. Most third-party sites also feature the name-search option. Applicable fees vary for various websites and custodial offices but generally fall within $1.00 to $25.00 per searched name or document.

Livingston County Courts

The judicial system in Livingston County consists mainly of two courts: the 44th Circuit Court of Livingston County and the 53rd District Court. The County also has a Probate Court. There are two district courthouse locations; one in Brighton and the other in Howell. The circuit court has subdivisions with jurisdiction over specialized case types, including family and juvenile cases. Find courthouse addresses and contact information below:

44th Circuit Court - Livingston
Judicial Center Building
204 South Highlander Way
Suite 4
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-9816
Fax: (517) 548-4219

53rd District Court - Brighton
224 North 1st Street
Brighton, MI 48116
Phone: (810) 229-6615
Fax: (810) 229-1770

53rd District Court - Howell
Judicial Center Building
204 South Highlander Way
Suite 1
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 548-1000
Fax: (517) 548-9445

Livingston County Probate Court
Judicial Center Building
204 South Highlander Way
Suite 2
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-3750
Fax: (517) 552-2511

Livingston County Superior Court Case Search

The 44th Circuit Court of Livingston County has superior jurisdiction in the county. The circuit court handles criminal cases and civil cases involving damages alleged to be above $25,000. It also handles all family and juvenile court cases. The court files and maintains all records associated with these cases and facilitates public access. Interested parties can inspect court records for no fee using self service court indexes at the court clerk’s office.

Also, researchers can find records online if they possess the related name or case number. Furthermore, inquirers can request records via mail by completing and submitting a Circuit Court Record Copy Request Form. Plain copies obtained through this method cost $1.50 per page while certified copies cost $10.00 per document. Accepted payment options are in-state checks and money orders. Requests must be sent via mail in a self-addressed envelope to

44th Circuit Court Clerk
204 South Highlander Way
Suite 4
Howell, MI 48843.

Livingston County District Court Records

The 53rd District Court sits in Livingston County and handles felony and misdemeanor cases, small claims up to $6,500 with no juries or lawyers, civil proceedings involving up to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, and civil infractions. Records are available online at no fee and are searchable using party name or case number. Contact the court clerk's office for records not found on this database at:

204 South Highlander Way
Suite 1
Howell, MI 48843
Fax: (517) 548-9445
Phone: (517) 548-1000, (517) 540-7648.

Livingston County Criminal Records

Law enforcement agencies in Livingston County maintain record repositories for all known criminal activities and arrests documented in the county. The Livingston County Sheriff is the primary entity for all criminal record documentation and research. The sheriff’s office handles requests for Livingston County arrest records. Online access to statewide criminal records can be achieved using the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (iCHAT) for a $10.00 fee.

To obtain criminal records from the sheriff’s office, submit a FOIA request online or in person. Requests typically require 7-10 days for processing.

150 South Highlander Way
Howell, MI 48843
Fax: (517) 545-9627
Phone: (517) 546-2440

Livingston County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Livingston County circuit and district courts handle criminal court cases. The circuit court handles juvenile cases, although the district court in the location where the offense occurred may handle the initial stages of the arraignment. Their respective clerks maintain repositories of all documents filed or created in the process. These record repositories are considered public and, as such, documents may be inspected or copied by interested parties.

Both courts maintain online databases for public record searches. These resources are searchable by case number and party name. Certain criminal records, such as those pertaining to juveniles, are not public and can be searched only at the court clerk’s office by authorized parties.

Get Livingston County Civil Court Records

All courts in Livingston County handle civil cases. District courts handle cases involving up to $25,000 in damages while the Circuit court adjudicates others involving more than $25,000. The resulting records are maintained by their clerks, who are also responsible for making them available to interested parties through reasonable means. Civil cases include family matters, small claims, employment disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, property disputes, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases.

Inquirers should submit the name of a case participant or the case number to the clerk’s office of the court that adjudicated a case of interest to request records. A person may search online resources provided by court clerks to find court records. Records not found online may be non-public due to the sensitive nature of their contents. Such records may be obtained in person at the presiding court clerk’s office by authorized individuals.

Livingston County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Livingston County Circuit Court handles all family cases and the court clerk keeps all related records. Although family court records are generally considered public, records related to most family law matters are non-public and may not be displayed on public databases or websites, e.g. child protective proceedings, adoption, juvenile guardianship, and name changes.

Non-public records can only be obtained by case parties, their designees, attorneys, or immediate family members at the court clerk’s office. Such persons must carry an ID and (for third parties) authorization paperwork. Interested persons may view public information about family cases on the circuit court’s online record database or by searching public self-service court indexes at the clerk’s office. In any case, a researcher must possess the case number or a litigant’s name.

Livingston Dissolution of Marriage Records

Marriage dissolutions, which include divorces and annulments, are handled by the Livingston County district and circuit courts. The associated records are public and can be obtained using any of the general options provided by the involved court clerk. See the appropriate headers for information on how to obtain records.

Livingston County Marriage and Divorce Records

Court clerks document all marriage licenses issued at their offices and may facilitate a marriage record search. The County Clerk’s office also maintains a records repository for marriages conducted in the county. Interested parties may request certified copies of marriage licenses by completing and submitting a Marriage Record Request Form at the county clerk’s office. A researcher must also possess the marriage date, the groom’s full name, and the bride’s maiden name. The clerk’s office charges fees for this service. The clerk’s office also provides an online search option.

Divorce records may be obtained from the clerk of the court that granted them. To find records, a researcher must possess the full name of any of the divorce participants. Query the clerk’s office for records at:

204 South Highlander Way
Suite 4
Howell, MI 48843.
Phone: (517) 546-9816

Livingston Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records are categorized as Livingston County vital records. They document birth and death incidents that occur within the county. The County Clerk’s Office creates, maintains, and facilitates public access to these records.

Certified copies of Livingston County birth certificates less than 100 years old are non-public and are only obtainable by the record’s subject. Interested persons should complete a Birth Record Request Form and submit it with a valid government-issued ID and the associated fee at the clerk’s office. Certified copies cost $25.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for additional copies obtained on the same day. Copies of Livingston County birth records can also be ordered online or by mail.

Livingston County death records may be ordered online on the county clerk’s website. In-person researchers at the clerk’s office must possess the deceased’s full name, date of death, and applicable fees. Payments can also be made via check or credit card. A $25.00 fee applies for certified copies. Mail-in requests and researchers for both birth and death records should go to

Livingston County Clerk
200 East Grand River Avenue
Howell, Michigan 48843.

Livingston County Probate Court Records

Livingston County Probate Court has jurisdiction over matters pertaining to trusts and the administration of deceased persons’ estates. Other cases heard by this court include juvenile matters, guardianship and conservatorship of incapacitated adults, and cases pertaining to individuals with developmental abilities and mental illness.

Researchers may visit the court clerk’s office to request copies of court documents. Requesting parties must possess the file number or case name associated with the document(s) they wish to view. Copies are available at $1.50 per page, payable by cash, check, and bank card. Probate court records are also available online and are searchable by name or case number.

Records related to mental illness, parental waivers, juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianship, adoption, name changes, and personal protection orders are not available online. Parties with justifiable interests in these cases and other cases not displayed on this website should contact the clerk’s office directly for authorization or guidance on how to access them.

204 South Highlander Way
Suite 2
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-3750

Livingston County Property Records

Property records document important information about the size, taxation, value, ownership, and location of real properties in Livingston County. Furthermore, they contain information about legal encumbrances on properties. Different documents make up property records, including deeds, maps, and liens. These documents are created and maintained by various government agencies, such as:

• The Livingston County Register of Deeds
• The Livingston County Treasurer
• The Livingston County Assessor
• The Livingston County Equalization Office.

Records are available for inspection and copying at these offices as well as online. The Property Information System provides online access to combined property information from the County Equalization and Treasurer Offices. This database is searchable by street name, an owner’s last name, or parcel number, and is accessible for free. A fee is required to view images of property documents on the deeds search page provided by the County Recorder.

Inquirers can search the Register of Deeds index database for free but are charged $1.00 per page (plus a convenience fee) to view, print, or save documents. All fees are payable by credit card. One may obtain certified copies of property records for a fee at the Recorder of Deeds’ Office. To find tax information maintained by the County Assessor, visit the parcel search page. Find relevant addresses and contact details below:

Livingston County Recorder
200 East Grand River Avenue
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-0270

Livingston County Equalization Office
304 East Grand River Avenue
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-4182
Fax: (517) 552-2322

Livingston County Treasurer
200 East Grand River Avenue
Howell, MI 48843
Phone: (517) 546-7010
Fax: (517) 545-9638

Livingston County Assessor
112 West Madison Street
Pontiac, IL 61764
Phone: (815) 844-7214
Fax: (815) 844-2324
Email: srenken@livingstoncountyil.gov

Livingston County Court Records Online

Aside from websites provided by the various courts in Livingston County, many websites operated by information service providers exist for online court records searches. These third-party websites gather information from official sources and provide them to users for a fee. However, some websites allow free access to limited case information.

Some of these sites (e.g. Michigancourtrecords.us) come with extra functionalities that make them quite preferable, such as users’ ability to search multiple jurisdictions at once and multiple search parameters. Note that these resources should only be used for research purposes. To obtain court documents for official use, contact the court clerk's office.