Sanilac County Court Records

A court record is a legal document created and maintained by the court during a case proceeding. The Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining Sanilac County court records. This recordkeeping policy ensures that all details regarding a court case are officially captured. Court records in Sanilac County include judgments, docket sheets, motions, summonses, warrants, interrogatories,

Are Court Records Public in Sanilac County?

Yes. Individuals have access to Sanilac County court records under Rule 8.119 of the Michigan Court Rules (MCR). The rule outlines which court records are generally accessible and which are not available to the public. Accessibility to court records is also indirectly regulated by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under the FOIA and MCR, court records relating to adoptions, juveniles, the safekeeping of wills, and mental health are not public records.

Sanilac County Court Records Search

Researchers have some options available when searching for a Sanilac County court record. These include:

• The Clerk of Court having custody of the record
• The 24th Circuit Court, 73A District Court, and 76th Probate Court search portals.
• Third-party vendors

Sanilac County Courts

The 24th Circuit Court, 73A District Court, and Probate Court serve Sanilac County. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over the county's most significant cases. These include civil cases involving claims worth $25,000 or more, felony offenses, and serious misdemeanors that may result in prison sentences. Below are the addresses of the three courts.

24th Judicial Circuit Court
60 West Sanilac
Room 303
Sandusky, MI 48471
Phone: (810) 648-2120
Fax: (810) 648-5466

73A Judicial District Court
60 West Sanilac
Room 302
Sandusky, MI 48471
Phone: (810) 648-3250
Fax: (810) 648-3271

Sanilac County Probate Court
60 West Sanilac
Room 213
Sandusky, MI 48471
Phone: (810) 648-3221
Fax: (810) 648-2900

Sanilac County Criminal and Civil Records

A court record is classified as criminal when it pertains to litigation in a criminal case, which involves the government prosecuting an individual for violating the law. In contrast, civil court records document disputes or litigation between two or more parties.

The 24th Circuit Court and 73A District Court handle criminal and civil cases, depending on the severity of the matter. Individuals seeking information about a specific case can visit the court clerk, who maintains custody of the records. A fee may be required to obtain a copy of a record.

Court records from the Circuit and District Courts are also accessible online through their respective case search portals. These portals allow users to search by name or case number. However, only limited information, such as the case number, is displayed in search results for criminal records involving convictions older than seven years.

Sanilac County Marriage Records

The County Clerk files and safeguards the Sanilac County marriage records. A marriage can only be recorded if the ceremony was conducted and the license was issued in Sanilac County.

Individuals may visit the Clerk's Office at the courthouse to obtain a marriage certificate. The requester must provide the marriage date, full names of both spouses, one spouse's maiden name, and the purpose of the request.

Individuals may opt for an online order. This can be done by clicking the "Order Vital Records" link on the County Clerk's website and following the corresponding prompts. Alternatively, a marriage certificate can be requested by completing the "Marriage" section of the Sanilac County Vital Records Request Form and mailing it to the Clerk's Office. Requesters will have the certificate mailed to them once it is ready. The County Clerk's mailing address is:

Sanilac County Clerk
60 West Sanilac Avenue. Room 203
Sandusky, MI 48471

Obtaining a Sanilac County marriage certificate costs $20 for an initial copy and $10 for each additional copy requested simultaneously. Credit/debit card payments can be used for online orders, while a check or money order should accompany mail-in requests.

Sanilac County Divorce Records

The County Clerk maintains Sanilac's divorce records. Inquirers can obtain these records in person at the Clerk's Office or follow the process for an online request after clicking the "Order Vital Records" link on the clerk's website. A Sanilac County divorce certificate can also be requested via mail by completing the "Divorce" section of the Vital Records Form and mailing it to the Clerk's Office. A requester will need to provide the names of the divorcees at the time of filing, the filing year, the case number, and the purpose of requesting the record. A certified copy of a divorce document costs $10 each.

Sanilac County Birth Records

Sanilac County birth records are vital documents that detail the births of individuals within the county. These records are commonly used by employers, licensing agencies, law enforcement, and other organizations to verify an individual's age and identity. Additionally, researchers often utilize birth records to study demographic trends and analyze population-related data.

While birth records are public records, a certified copy of the record will only be issued to the following persons:

• The person named on the record
• A parent named in the record
• An heir named on record if the subject of the record is deceased
• A legal representative or guardian
• A person with a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction

However, anyone can request a certified copy if the birth record is 110 years and older.

Authorized persons can obtain a Sanilac County birth certificate at the County Clerk's office. The requester must provide details regarding the birth, including the date and location of birth, the individual's name at birth, the mother's maiden name, and the father's name.

A request can be made online by clicking the "Order Vital Records" Birth Certificate link on the County Clerk's website and submitting the required details. Online requesters are to fax or email (available on the form) the Photo ID/Signature Form to the clerk. A completed Birth Certificate Request Form can also be mailed to the County Clerk to request a certificate. Requests for birth records less than 65 years old cost $20 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy requested simultaneously. Certificates of birth records 65 or older cost $5 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy. Birth records 110 years or older are to be obtained from the Archives of Michigan.

Sanilac County Death Records

Death records are a part of the Sanilac County vital records, which the County Clerk maintains. These records are accessible to the public. To request a death record or certificate, individuals may visit the Clerk's office in person, order online, or submit a mail request. An online order can be made by selecting the "Order Vital Records" link on the clerk's website and following the request process for a death record. Mail-in requests can be made by completing the "Death" section of the Vital Records Request Form and mailing the form to the County Clerk's address. Sanilac County death certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $10 per extra copy requested simultaneously.

Sanilac County Probate Court Records

Probate case records document court proceedings on the administration of a decedent's estate. In Sanilac, probate matters are handled by the Probate Court. Inquirers can access or acquire a copy of a probate court record at the courthouse. Probate records can also be searched by name or case number on the 76th Probate Court case search portal.

Sanilac County Property Records

Property records are legal records that provide information about real estate. In Sanilac County, the Register of Deeds Office is the custodian of property records. These records include documents of land transfers, addenda to trusts, mortgages, liens, and other property-related documents.

Individuals can stop by the Register of Deeds office during business hours to obtain a property record. The office is located at the county courthouse. A fee may be attached to the disbursement of a property document. Alternatively, inquirers can search for land records on the Register of Deeds online database. A property document can be searched by name, book/page, alternate number, platted description, unplatted description, parcel number, and corners.

Sanilac County Court Records Online

Third-party platforms, such as Michigancourtrecords.us, provide a convenient way to access Sanilac County court records. These platforms allow researchers to search records from multiple county courts through a single database. This generally makes name searches easier, as the search result discloses all categories of court records available for a particular name. While users can perform initial searches for free, accessing the full content of a record may require a fee.

Note that although third-party platforms provide access to records from Sanilac County courts, restricted court records are generally inaccessible and should be requested directly from the courts.