Marquette County Court Records

Michigan Court Rules (MCR) Rule 1.109 defines court records as all recorded information filed with a court or generated by a court per the Michigan Court Rules.

Whenever court cases, such as criminal or civil proceedings, are handled by local courts in Marquette County, different documents and other materials are usually filed with or generated by the court concerning those cases. These documents and materials are collectively referred to as "Marquette County court records," they contain pertinent information about different aspects of the court case.

Interested persons can review court records to learn more about what happened during the court proceedings, including what led to the final judgment. Court records can also serve as evidence in future court proceedings, especially for appeals. Some examples of court records include pleadings, orders, judgments, notices, warrants, and dockets.

Are Court Records Public in Marquette County?

Yes. Under MCR 8.119 and Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), everyone, besides incarcerated persons, has a right to access most records generated by the government, including court records. As a result, most court records are presumed part of Marquette County Public Records and are available to the public upon request.

However, there are certain exemptions to the laws mentioned above that restrict or limit public access to specific types of court records or information they contain. These records are referred to as Nonpublic and Limited-Access Court Records. Some examples of these exempt records include and are not limited to:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Mediation records
• Divorce complaints
• Guardianship records
• Mental health records
• Investigative subpoenas
• Conservatorship records
• Confidential case inventory
• Personal identifying information, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, national identification numbers, passport numbers, and driver's licenses or state-issued personal identification card numbers.

Marquette County Court Records Search

Marquette County court records searches can be conducted through any of the following:

• The MiCOURT case search website
• The courthouse that handled the case
• Reputable third-party resources that process court records search requests.

Marquette County Courts

Marquette County has three (3) types of court: the 25th Judicial Circuit Court, the 96th District Court, and the County Probate Court. The 25th Circuit Court and the County Probate Court each have a single courthouse, while the 96th District Court has a courthouse in Ishpeming and another in Marquette. The contact information and addresses of these courthouses are listed below:

Marquette County Circuit Court
25th Circuit Court
Marquette County Courthouse
234 W Baraga Ave,
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 225-8330
Fax: (906) 225-8333

Marquette County District Courts
96th District Court - Ishpeming
215 W Hematite Dr,
Ishpeming, MI 49849
Phone: (906) 485-5579
Fax: (906) 485-4725

96th District Court - Marquette
Marquette County Courthouse
234 W Baraga Ave,
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 225-8235
Fax: (906) 225-8255

Marquette County Probate Court
Marquette County Courthouse
234 W Baraga Ave,
Marquette, MI 49855
Phone: (906) 225-8300
Fax: (906) 228-1533

It is worth noting that the District Courthouse in Ishpeming serves the Cities of Ishpeming and Negaunee and the Townships of Ishpeming, Negaunee, Champion, Ely, Humboldt, Michigamme, Republic, Richmond, and Tilden. Meanwhile, the District Courthouse in Marquette serves the City of Marquette and the Townships of Marquette, Powell, Skandia, Chocolay, Sands, Forsyth, Turin, Ewing, Wells, and West Branch.

Marquette County Criminal Records

Marquette County criminal records are official documents or other material containing information concerning an individual's criminal history in the County. They are made up of different records that Marquette County Law Enforcement Agencies and local courts generate. These include, but are not limited to, Marquette County arrest records and conviction records.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is the official state repository for criminal records. As a result, most criminal records generated by relevant agencies in Michigan, including Marquette County, are reported to the MSP. However, these records are limited to misdemeanor convictions and felony arrests and convictions.

Criminal records maintained by the MSP are accessible to the public through certain procedures and resources. Interested persons can obtain Marquette County criminal records by conducting criminal history background checks through the MSP. Record seekers can opt to conduct either a name-based or fingerprint-based background check through the MSP. A name-based background check can be conducted through the MSP Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Meanwhile, fingerprint-based background checks can only be performed if a state statute, federal statute, executive order, or rule requires it (i.e., for employment, licensing, visa, immigration, personal records check, adoption purposes)

If an employer or licensing agency requires an individual's criminal history records, they typically issue the individual an RI-030 Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request form. The individual should appropriately complete Sections II and IV of the form. Afterward, they can contact an approved Live Scan Vendor to get fingerprinted and process the request.

If criminal history records are needed for a visa, immigration, personal records check, or adoption reasons, applicants can request them from the MSP. Michigan residents can query a local law enforcement agency to get fingerprinted on a Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Card (RI-008). Meanwhile, Applicants who do not reside in Michigan can query a local law enforcement agency in the state where they reside to get fingerprinted on an FBI Applicant Fingerprint card (FD-258). After receiving their fingerprint card (either a RI-008 or FD-258), the applicant can submit a request to the MSP to obtain their criminal records. The request should include:

• The applicant's fingerprint card.
• A $30.00 processing fee (via money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan).
• A cover letter explaining the reason for the fingerprint submission.

Applicants should submit their request to:

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

Note that MSP takes three (3) to five (5) weeks to process criminal record requests. For further questions and inquiries about the criminal records request process, visit the MSP Criminal History Records page or contact the MSP's Criminal History Help Desk at (517) 241-0606.

Get Marquette County Civil Court Records

In Marquette County, civil cases can fall under the jurisdiction of the County's Circuit Court and District Court. The Circuit Court has the broadest powers in the County and can handle civil cases with claims of more than $25,000. Meanwhile, the District Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims worth $25,000 or less.

Therefore, individuals who wish to get Marquette County Civil Court records can query the Clerk's Office of the specific type of court that handled the case. For instance, Those looking for court records of civil cases handled by the Circuit Court can contact the Marquette County Clerk's office. The County Clerk charges a $10 fee for civil record checks, and in-walk requests for civil court records can be made at the County Clerk's Office during working hours (Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm).

Alternatively, record seekers can search for civil court records online through the MiCourt Case search portal. On the portal, record seekers must search for and select the court that handled the case. After that, searches can be conducted by party name or case number. The portal is accessible 24/7 and is free to use.

Marquette County Marriage Records

Marquette County vital records, including marriage, birth, and death records, are maintained by the County Clerk's office. Marriage records are considered public in Michigan. Hence, anyone can obtain Marquette County marriage records by making a request to the County Clerk's Office. Marquette County marriage records as far back as 1850 are available through the County Clerk's office. Additionally, requesters are charged $14 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy of a marriage certificate they request from the County Clerk.

Marquette County Clerk accepts in-person, by phone, and by-mail requests for a Marquette County Marriage certificate. In-person requests can be made at the clerk's office during office hours (Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm). To make requests by phone, call the Marquette County Clerk at (906) 225-8330. For by-mail requests, appropriately complete the Request for Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate form and mail it along with the required fee (via check or money order) to:

Marquette County Clerk
Courthouse
234 West Baraga Avenue
Marquette, Michigan 49855

Marquette County Divorce Records

Marquette County divorce records are public and available through the County Clerk's office. Interested persons can review and request copies of divorce records by visiting the Marquette County Clerk's Office during regular office hours to make an in-person request. Alternatively, record seekers can access divorce records online through the MiCourt Case Search website. Users can search for Marquette County divorce records by party name or case name for free on the website.

Marquette County Birth and Death Records

The Marquette County Clerk's Office maintains birth and death records from 1867 to the present. Death records are considered public records, while birth records are private records that are only issuable to eligible persons or by court order. These eligible persons include the registrant and their immediate family members, such as their child(ren), parents, grandchild, and an authorized legal representative.

The Marquette County Clerk accepts in-person, phone, and by-mail requests for a Marquette County birth certificate and death certificate. Requesters are charged $14.00 for the first copy and $7.00 for each additional copy of a death or birth certificate they request. However, there is a Senior Citizen Discount (for requesters aged 65 and older) of $6 for the first copy of a certificate and $4 for each additional copy. The requests must be made in person and be for their own birth certificate for the discount to apply. Furthermore, due to the confidential nature of birth records, photo identification is required to request a birth record.

Record seekers can visit Marquette County Clerk during office hours (Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm) for in-person requests. For phone-in requests, call the Marquette County Clerk at (906) 225-8330. Those requesting Marquette County birth records can email (countyclerk@mqtco.org) or Fax: ((906) 228-1572) their photo I.D. to Marquette County for phone-in requests.

The Marquette County Clerk provides dedicated request forms that record seekers can use to request birth certificates and death certificates by mail. The appropriate request form should be complete and mailed along with the required fee payments (via check or money order) and a photocopy of the requester's photo ID (for birth certificates) to:

Marquette County Clerk
Courthouse
234 West Baraga Avenue
Marquette, Michigan 49855

It is worth mentioning that Marquette County's vital records, including marriage, birth, and death records, are also obtainable online through certain third-party websites

Marquette County Probate Court Records

In Marquette County, the County Probate Court handles all probate matters in the County. These include adjudication of cases involving the properties of a decedent or persons who became incompetent, wills and trust interpretation, commitment of mentally ill persons, and appointments of guardians and conservators for minors, incapacitated persons, or individuals with developmental disabilities.

All requests for Marquette County Probate Court records should be directed to the County Probate Court. Interested parties can contact the Probate Court Clerk at (906) 225-8296 to make requests. Record seekers can also visit the Probate Courthouse to inspect records in person.

Alternatively, online access to the Marquette County Probate Court records is available through the MiCourt Case Search portal. Users should select "Marquette County Probate Court" on the portal's court selection menu. Subsequently, searches for probate court records can be conducted using the name of the party or case number on the portal.

Marquette County Property Records

Marquette County Register of Deeds office is the recording office and custodian of most property records in the County. These include, but are not limited to, deeds, mortgages, lien, land contract, and plat. Once recorded, most property records become public records. Hence, anyone can query the Register of Deeds office to access them.

Record seekers can visit the Marquette County Register of Deed's Public Document Search page to access property records online. Alternatively, interested persons can visit the County Register of Deeds office to make a request in person during the office's open hours (Monday to Friday between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm besides holidays) at:

Register of Deeds
234 W. Baraga Avenue
Marquette, Michigan 49855
Phone: (906) 225-8415
Email: TNelson@mqtco.org.

Meanwhile, interested persons can find tax information on properties in Marquette County through the County Equalization/Tax Roll Department at (906) 225-8405. Record seekers can also access property tax information online through the Department's GIS Map Website.

Marquette County Court Records Online

Besides the MiCourt Case Search portal, third-party websites like michigancourtrecords.us offer online access to Marquette County court records. This website allows people to access court documents swiftly online without visiting local courthouses each time record they need records. They are easy to use, and only a party name or case number is required as search criteria. However, as a case progresses through the legal system, its court records are continually updated. These updates are not always immediately reflected in third-party website databases. Hence, the accuracy and completeness of documents provided by third-party websites are not guaranteed.