Muskegon County Court Records

The daily operations of local courts in Muskegon County, such as handling legal cases, lead to certain information being generated by or filed with the court. Muskegon County court records refer to how these pieces of information are recorded and maintained by local courts in the county.

Per Michigan Court Rules (MCR) 1.109, court records include documents, discovery materials, document attachments, and other materials filed with a court clerk. Court records also include other materials, such as dockets, judgments, notices, and orders, a court generates. Generally, court records are used to document cases heard by a court, highlighting important aspects of the proceeding. Court records also serve as reference materials that can be utilized in future adjudications, especially for appeals. Furthermore, interested parties can review court records to learn how a specific case was handled and ensure proper conduct and procedures followed by court staff.

Are Court Records Public in Muskegon County?

Yes. Most Muskegon County court records are presumed public according to the provisions of the MCR 8.119 and Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, most court records are available to the public upon request and are publicly accessible through resources provided by local courts. However, there are certain exemptions to these rules. These include and are not limited to:

• Court records made confidential by a statute, court rule, or order.
• Juvenile records
• Social security details
• Sealed or expunged court records

Muskegon County Court Records Search

A Muskegon County court records search can be conducted through the following:

• The courthouse where the case was initiated or resolved.
• The MiCOURT cases search portal (online)
• Third-party websites that provide court record search services.

Muskegon County Court Records Search by Name

The most convenient way to conduct a name-based search for Muskegon County court records is through the MiCOURT case search portal. The portal is a public search tool the Michigan Judiciary provides that can be used to search for and view public court records online. On the portal, individuals can search for public court records of cases heard by Muskegon County’s Circuit, District, and Probate courts, the three main types of trial courts found in the county.

To initiate a Muskegon County court records search on the MiCOURT case search portal, users must search for “Muskegon” on the court selection search field. A list of courts found in Muskegon County would be provided and users must select the court that handled the case whose court records are the subject of their inquiry. Once the court has been selected, users are provided two search options (name search or case number search). For a name search, users must supply the name of a party or business involved in a case. The option to provide other search criteria, such as the case’s status, category (i.e. civil, criminal, traffic, or probate), filing date, and offense date, to filter down search results is also provided.

Alternatively, interested persons can visit the courthouse where a case was initiated, heard, or finalized to make an in-person request for a name-based search for the case’s court records. Note that in-person searches may be conducted for free. However, certain fees are usually charged for furnishing requested physical copies of a public court record. For instance, the Muskegon County probate court charges a $1 per page copy fee and $11 for certified documents, according to the court’s fee schedule.

Muskegon County Courts

Muskegon County trial court system consists of three types of court, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. All three courts are situated in the Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice. The physical address of the Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice and the contact information of all three courts are provided below:

Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice

990 Terrace Street
Muskegon, MI 49442

14th Circuit Court
Phone: (231) 724-6251

60th District Court
Phone: (231) 724-6294
Fax: (231) 724-3489

Muskegon County Probate Court
Phone: (231) 724-6241
Fax: (231) 724-6232

Muskegon County Superior Court Case Search

Michigan’s court system consists of three levels: the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the trial (circuit, district, and probate) courts. As a result, there are no superior courts in Michigan or Muskegon County.

Instead of a superior court, Muskegon County has a Circuit Court (14th Circuit Court), which is the county's trial court of general jurisdiction and the highest trial court. The Circuit Court handles all civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000 and all felony criminal cases punishable by a prison sentence. The Circuit Court also presides over appeals from lesser trial courts and administrative agencies. Furthermore, the Circuit Court has a family division that adjudicates most family law matters.

Record seekers can search for court records of a Muskegon County Circuit Court case through the MiCOURT cases search portal (for the 14th Circuit Court). On the portal, users can search for a case’s court records using the name of a party in the case or case number as a search criteria.

Alternatively, interested persons can visit the Muskegon County Clerk's office to inspect Circuit Court records in person. Note that only fairly recent records are available for inspection at the office. These include family court cases from 2009 to the present, criminal cases from 2013 to the present, and civil cases from 2014 to the present. Older Circuit Court records are stored off-site at the Circuit Court Records Office. Hence, to inspect older court records in person, record seekers must contact the County Clerk’s office in advance (at least two (2) days before their visit). This allows the court clerk enough time to order the desired record from the off-site facility. Individuals can also request physical copies of a Circuit Court case record at the county clerk's office for a fee. Regular copies cost $1 per page and certified copies cost $11 per page.

Muskegon County District Court Records

Muskegon County District Court, handles most traffic violations, civil cases with claims under $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, and all misdemeanor criminal cases punishable by a one-year maximum sentence. The District Court also has a division that hears small claims (involving $7,000 or less).

The easiest way to conduct a Muskegon County district court records search is online through the MiCOURT cases search portal (for the 60th District Court). On the portal, users can conduct a name-based or case number-based search. Record seekers can also visit the District Courthouse to inspect physical copies of court records in person at the court clerk's office. Copies of the court record can also be requested for a fee.

Muskegon County Criminal Records

Muskegon County criminal records are official documents that contain information about an individual’s interactions with the local criminal justice system, such as local law enforcement agencies and county courts. Criminal records are subject to Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, most criminal records are presumed public.

Interested persons can look up an individual’s Muskegon County criminal records by conducting a background check through the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC). The CJIC is the state repository for criminal records. Hence, all criminal justice agencies in Michigan, including Muskegon County, report criminal records they generate and maintain to the CJIC.

There are two ways to conduct a criminal history background check through the CJIC; by fingerprints or name. However, an individual can only perform a fingerprint-based background check if a state or federal statute, executive order, or rule requires it (i.e. for employment, licensing, personal review, visa, immigration, and adoption purposes).

Interested persons can contact an approved live-scan vendor to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal record search. Alternatively, Michigan or Muskegon County residents can contact a local law enforcement agency, such as the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, to request to be fingerprinted on a Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Card (RI-008). Meanwhile, non-Michigan residents can also contact a local law enforcement agency where they reside to be fingerprinted on an FBI Applicant Fingerprint card (FD-258). Note that law enforcement agencies usually charge a fee for providing their fingerprinting service. The requester must also draft a cover letter detailing the reason for the fingerprint card submission. The cover letter should contain the requester’s return address, phone number, or email address. Once the RI-008 or FD-258 form has been appropriately completed, the form, the cover letter, and a $30.00 processing fee (via money order or check) should be submitted at:

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

Note that the processing time for fingerprint-based criminal record background checks is between three (3) to five (5) weeks.

On the other hand, a name-based criminal history background check can be conducted through the CJIC ICHAT portal. Users must log into the portal to perform a search. Users who do not already have an account can create one for free or log in as a guest user. Note that users are charged per search conducted on the ICHAT portal.

Muskegon County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Record seekers can look up Muskegon County criminal court cases by visiting the courthouse where the case was heard to inspect the case’s records at the court clerk's office. As alluded to, Muskegon County Circuit Court and District Court both handle criminal cases. The former handles felony criminal cases punishable by a prison sentence and the latter handles misdemeanor criminal cases punishable by a one-year maximum sentence.

Record seekers can also look up Muskegon County criminal court case records online through the MiCOURT cases search portal. On the portal, users must search and select the court that handled the criminal case (i.e. the 14th Circuit Court or 60th District Court). After that, a name-based or case-number-based search for the criminal case can be conducted. Users should select the “criminal/traffic/civil infraction” filter option when conducting their search to streamline their search results.

Get Muskegon County Civil Court Records

Individuals who want to get a civil case’s court records in Muskegon County should first ascertain which court handled the case. Muskegon County’s Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000. On the other hand, civil cases with claims under $25,000 are handled by the District Court. Interested persons can get a civil case’s court record from these courts by visiting their courthouse to inspect the case’s records in person at the court clerk’s office.

Alternatively, record seekers can get Muskegon County civil court records online through the MiCOURT cases search portal. On the portal, users must select the court that handled the civil case they wish to look up. After that, a name or case number search for the case can be conducted. It is worth noting that users can select the filter by “civil” case category option provided on the portal to focus their search results.

Muskegon County Family Court Records

Muskegon County Family Court is a division (Family Divison) of the County Circuit Court that hears family law cases such as:

• Adoption
• Alimony
• Child support
• Divorces
• Domestic violence
• Juvenile delinquency
• Child abuse and neglect
• Child custody.

Family court records are subject to the Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, most family court records are public. However, some family court records, including adoption, juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianships, and parental waivers, are considered private records.

Interested persons can access public Muskegon County family court records by visiting the County Clerk’s Office. Generally, family court files, including divorce, paternity, support, custody, and PPO records, from 2009 to the present are available at the county clerk’s office for inspection by the general public. Interested persons can also conduct family court record searches online through the MiCOURT case search portal.

Muskegon County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Muskegon County Dissolution of Marriage records, also known as divorce records, are official documents, such as a divorce judgement, that provide information about a divorce proceeding. Judgement for divorces that occurred after 2009 in Muskegon County is available for inspection at the County Clerk’s office. Alternatively, record seekers can request a certified copy of a divorce judgement through the clerk’s office by phone at (231) 724-6251 for a fee. The fee for requesting a copy of a divorce judgement depends on how many pages the judgement has. A certified copy of a divorce judgement with two pages or less costs $12.00. However, a divorce judgement with less than two (2) pages costs $17. Record seekers can also search for divorce records online through the MiCOURT case search portal.

Muskegon County Marriage and Divorce Records

Muskegon County Clerk is the county's official custodian of marriage and divorce records. As a result, record seekers can query the County Clerk's Office to inspect or request copies of marriage or divorce records.

As previously explained, records, such as a divorce judgement, of divorces that occurred after 2009 in Muskegon County are available for public inspection at the County Clerk's office. Interested parties can also request copies of divorce records from the County Clerk's office for a fee or access divorce records online by searching the MiCOURT case search portal.

For Muskegon County Marriage records, record seekers can search the Muskegon County Clerk's Death, Marriage, and Business Registration Index to ascertain if the County Clerk has the marriage record on file. If the marriage record is available, record seekers can submit a request for copies of the record in person, by mail, or by fax. Record seekers would need the following to facilitate their request:

• An appropriately completed request form
• Their valid photo ID (i.e. driver's license or state ID)
• Means of paying the required fee. For instance, cash, credit card, debit card, check, or money order. Requesters are charged $20 for the first certified copy of a record and $10 for additional copies.

In-person requests can be made at the Muskegon County Clerk's Office. Requesters must come to the office with their completed request form, valid photo ID, and the payment for the required fee. For by-mail requests, a requester should mail their completed request form, a photocopy of their ID, a check or money order made payable to Muskegon County Clerk (to cover required fees), and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Muskegon County Clerk
1903 Marquette Avenue, Suite A104
Muskegon, MI 49442

To request via fax, the completed request form and a copy of the requester’s photo ID should be faxed to (231) 724-6262. Once the request has been faxed, the requester can proceed to pay the required fee via credit or debit card through allpaid.com using the Pay Location Code (PLC) 5117. It is worth noting that the Muskegon County Marriage certificate and divorce certificates are also accessible through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Muskegon County Birth and Death Records

Muskegon County birth records and death records are accessible through the County Clerk. Death records, including the cause of death, are public and available to anyone upon request. However, certified copies of Muskegon County birth certificates are only available to certain eligible persons per MCL 333.2882. These eligible persons include:

• The individual named on the record
• The parent(s) named on the record
• An heir of the individual named on the record
• The legal guardian or representative of the individual named on the record.

Record seekers can submit a request for Muskegon County birth or death records to the County Clerk in person, by mail, or by fax. Regardless of their request method, requesters would need the following items to facilitate their request:

• A completed request form
• A valid photo ID (i.e. driver's license or state ID)
• Payment of the required fee. For instance, cash, credit card, debit card, check, or money order. Requesters are charged $20 for the first certified copy of a record and $10 for additional copies.

For in-person requests, record seekers can visit the Muskegon County Clerk's Office and must bring along their completed request form, a valid photo ID, and payment of the required fee. For by-mail requests, requesters can mail their completed request form, a photocopy of their photo ID, a check or money order made payable to the Muskegon County Clerk (for the required fees), and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the County Clerk's Office. More information about requesting birth and death records from the County Clerk’s office is provided on the office’s birth, death, and marriage records page.

It is worth noting that Muskegon County vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, from 1867 to the present are also available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Muskegon County Probate Court Records

Muskegon County Probate Court handles probate matters, such as wills, estates, trusts, guardians, conservators, and mentally ill and developmentally disabled person treatments that arise in the county. Most probate court records are considered part of Muskegon County Public Records. As a result, interested persons can query County’s Probate Court to find public filing and information about probate cases.

Record seekers can contact Muskegon County Probate Court at (231) 724-6241 to inquire about the availability of a probate case’s court record. Interested persons can also search for public probate court records online through the MiCOURT case search portal (for Muskegon County Probate Court). Alternatively, record seekers can visit the county probate court to inspect available probate court records in person at the courthouse clerk’s office.

Muskegon County Property Records

In Muskegon County, property records are maintained by the County’s Register of Deeds and Treasurer. The Register of Deeds records and maintains most records concerning real property in the county. These include and are not limited to deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens. Meanwhile, the Treasurer maintains property tax information and records.

Record seekers can search for property records maintained by the Muskegon County Register of Deeds through the online record database the office provides. The database is accessible for free and contains property records from 1849 to the present. Alternatively, searches can be conducted in person at the Register Of Deeds office at:

Muskegon County Register Of Deeds
173 East Apple Ave., Suite 301
Muskegon MI 49442
Phone: (231) 724-6271
Fax: (231) 724-6842
Email: deeds@co.muskegon.mi.us

Interested persons can also order copies of property records from the Register Of Deeds office for a fee.

Meanwhile, a property’s tax records search can be conducted through the property tax search portal linked on the Muskegon County Treasurer’s website. Alternatively, the record seeker can visit the Treasurer's physical address to make an in-person request for property tax records at:

Muskegon County Treasurer
173 E Apple Avenue, Suite 104
Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone: (231) 724-6261
Fax: (231) 724-6549

Muskegon County Court Records Online

Besides traditional channels provided by relevant government agencies, Muskegon County court records are accessible online through third-party websites, like michigancourtrecords.us. This website and similar websites are operated by private entities that obtain and compile public records they retrieved from relevant government sources, such as local courthouses, and make them publicly available on their website. The primary advantage of using third-party websites over traditional government channels is their lack of geographical and jurisdictional limitations. This means that users can search for court records of different types of courts in multiple states simultaneously. Furthermore, a subject’s name is typically the only required criteria to search for court records on most third-party websites. However, users are typically charged a fee or a subscription to use most third-party websites.