Mason County Court Records

Mason County, Michigan, court records refer to records from court cases held at the courts in the county. These records are kept by law as proof that legal procedures and rules were followed during all cases. Court records generally include general case information and other documents such as motions, filings, rulings, judgments, and orders. Mason County arrest records detailing arrests, crimes committed, and other details may also be found as part of criminal court records.

Are Court Records Public in Mason County?

Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, public records such as court records are open to public access except when a record is legally exempt. Mason County court records may be requested from their custodians at the various courts, including the circuit and district courts. Examples of court records that may be restricted from public access include personal information, records restricted by statutes, certain law enforcement records, and any information under attorney-client privilege.

Mason County Court Records Search

Interested parties may search for Mason County court records by contacting a custodian, such as the Mason County Clerk’s Office. Listed below are methods to perform a Mason County court records search.

• Contact the Mason County Clerk’s Office in person or by mail
• Use the Michigan Courts online search tool on the state-run MiCourt Case Search website
• Try a third-party record search website

Mason County Courts

The trial court system in Michigan consists of Circuit Courts, District Courts, Probate Courts, Municipal Courts, Concurrent Jurisdiction and Unified Trial Courts, and the Court of Claims. Each court handles different responsibilities within the court system. The following are all the courts in Mason County.

51st Circuit Court - Mason
Mason County Courthouse
304 E Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone: (231) 843-8202
Fax: (231) 843-1972

District Courts in Mason County

79th District Court - Mason
Mason County Courthouse
304 E Ludington Ave,
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone: (231) 843-4130
Fax: (231) 845-9076

Probate Courts in Mason County

Mason County Probate Court
Mason County Courthouse
304 E Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone: (231) 843-8666
Fax: (231) 843-1972

Mason County Criminal and Civil Records

Mason County criminal and civil court records can be requested from the Mason County Clerk’s Office in person or by mail. Civil court records include filings, dispositions, rulings, judgments, and motions. Criminal court records will include Mason County arrest records if the arrest led to a trial.

Record seekers may visit the office in person during business hours on Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requests should be made at the clerk’s office at:

Mason County Clerk
304 E. Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, Michigan 49431

Mailed requests must be in writing and sent to the office with enough information for staff to locate the record. Record requests should provide information such as the names of parties to the case, case numbers, court location, and case date. Record seekers may also look up criminal and civil court records online using the MiCourt Case Search site operated by the Michigan Judicial Information Services.

Mason County Marriage Records

In Michigan, marriage records are public records accessible to anyone. Record seekers in Mason County may request a copy of a marriage record by submitting a completed Application for a Certified Copy of a Marriage Record in person or by mail. The completed application can be submitted in person or mailed to:

Mason County Clerk
304 E. Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, Michigan 49431

Mailed requests should add a self-addressed and stamped envelope for returning any copies ordered. Certified copies cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for any additional copies ordered at the same time. Payment is accepted in checks made payable to the Mason County Clerk.

Mason County Divorce Records

Mason County divorce records are public and can be obtained from the Mason County Clerk’s Office. As public records, any member of the public who makes a successful request may obtain these records from the custodian. The requester must provide details of the wedding, such as the couple's names, the location, and the wedding date. Requests can be made by submitting a request at the clerk’s office in person or by mail. Records seekers may bring the request or mail it to the clerk’s office at:

Mason County Clerk
304 E. Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, Michigan 49431

For any inquiries about the request procedures or copy fees, record seekers may call the clerk’s office before their request at (231) 843-8202.

Mason Birth Records

Mason County birth records are not considered public records. Generally, access to birth records in Michigan is restricted to the subject on the records, their parents, and legal guardians. After 100 years, the records become public and accessible to the general public. Birth records may be required to establish an individual’s identity, ethnicity, or citizenship.
Record seekers may obtain Mason County birth records by filling out and submitting an Application for a Birth Record to the county clerk in person or by mail to:

Mason County Clerk
304 E. Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, Michigan 49431

For a request to be processed, requesters must show a valid photo ID or include a copy in a mailed request. Certified copies of birth records cost $15 for the first and $5 each for extra copies ordered at once. Payment is accepted in the form of a check made payable to the Mason County Clerk. Record seekers must also include a self-addressed and stamped No. 10 envelope in mailed requests for returning any copies requested. Birth Records can also be obtained from the Mason County Official Records Online website.

Mason Death Records

Certified Mason County death records are generally not considered public records, they can only be obtained by certain individuals including immediate family of the deceased. The records will become unrestricted from the public after 100 years. Death records may be required for different purposes including claiming life insurance or pensions or resolving inheritance matters.

Record seekers may request death records by submitting a complete Application for a Death Record to the clerk's office at:

Mason County Clerk
304 E. Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, Michigan 49431

Requests can be made in person or by submitting the form by mail. Mailed requests should include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to deliver any copies requested. Certified copies of a death record cost $15 for the first and $5 each for any additional copies ordered simultaneously. Mason County Official Records Online allows record seekers to request vital records, including death certificates, online.

Mason County Probate Court Records

Mason County probate court records are records of probate cases heard in the county. These records will detail cases involving conservatorships, guardianships, admissions of wills, administrations of estates, commitments, and supervision of trusts.

Record seekers may obtain probate court records by visiting or mailing a request to the Mason County Probate Court at:

Mason County Probate Court
Mason County Courthouse
304 E Ludington Avenue,
Ludington, MI 49431

Record seekers with any questions about records or copy fees may call the office at (231) 843-8666 before they visit. Mason County probate records can also be looked up online using the Mason County Probate Court MiCOURT Case Search.

Mason County Property Records

Mason County property records are records of property and any business that involves property in the county. These include liens, mortgages, deeds, plats, and assessments. Record seekers may obtain these from agencies like the Mason County Register of Deeds.
Interested parties may make their requests at the Register of Deeds office in person at:

Mason County Register of Deeds
304 East Ludington Avenue, Suite 101
Ludington, Michigan 49431

Record seekers can also look up records online on the Mason County Online Services webpage, which offers subscriptions and pay-as-you-go plans.

Mason County Court Records Online

Mason County Court records can be obtained online via official channels such as the Michigan MiCOURT database. However, third-party record websites such as Michigancourtrecords.us provide an alternative. These record websites offer user interfaces and search tools that allow users to look up records across jurisdictions from the comfort of home. It should be noted that these websites have no government oversight. Hence, the records they provide may not be accurate or up-to-date.