Tuscola County Court Records

Tuscola County court records provide comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings in the county’s courts. These Michigan court records are obtained from criminal, civil, probate, family law, and juvenile cases. Tuscola County court records include case filings, court transcripts, motions, pleadings, exhibits, witness statements, depositions, fines, sentences, orders, and judgments.

In Tuscola County, court records are useful for academic research, proving legal precedents, historical research, journalism research, and verifying court decisions. The availability of court records in the county helps to boost the public’s trust in the county’s judicial system.

Are Court Records Public in Tuscola County?

Yes. Most court records are public in Tuscola County. Per Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, the public has a right to examine and obtain copies of court records in the county, provided such records are not exempted by law or court orders. Confidential court records are typically exempted from public view to protect sensitive information or preserve privacy. Examples of confidential court records in Tuscola County include the following:

• Most juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Mental health and medical records
• Personally identifiable information such as social security numbers and driver’s license
• Information about confidential informants
• Trade secrets and intellectual property

Tuscola County Court Records Search

Individuals can search for Tuscola County court records online and onsite. Michigan Courts provides a platform for the public to find public court records, including those created in Tuscola County. Alternatively, interested persons can request the county’s court records by mail or in person at the premises of the record keeper. Furthermore, record seekers can use third-party websites to search for Tuscola County court records.

Tuscola County Courts

Tuscola County's court system is comprised of Circuit, District, and Probate courts. The Tuscola County 54th Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all cases but typically handles cases beyond the purview of other courts. It hears felonies, civil cases with claims of over $25,000, domestic relations, and juvenile cases. The Tuscola County 71B District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, preliminary felony hearings, civil cases with claims under $25,000, landlord-tenant relations, and small claims cases. Probate matters, including wills, estates, guardianships, trusts, and mental health institution commitments, are handled by the Tuscola County Probate Court. Below are the locations of courts in Tuscola County:

54th Circuit County - Tuscola
Tuscola County Courthouse
440 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 672-3780

Tuscola County 71B District Court
Tuscola County Courthouse
440 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 672-3800 (Civil)
Phone: (989) 672-3790 (Criminal)
Fax: (989) 673-0451 (Civil)
Fax: (989) 672-4526 (Criminal)

Tuscola County Probate Court
Tuscola County Courthouse
440 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 672-3850
Fax: (989) 672-2057

Tuscola County Criminal Records

Tuscola County criminal records are official documents that contain information about an individual's criminal history, including the following:

• Arrests and charges
• Convictions and sentences
• Court dispositions and outcomes
• Incarceration and probation records
• Parole and release information

Tuscola County arrest records and other criminal records are maintained by law enforcement agencies such as the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Michigan State Police. Criminal records are available to the public in Tuscola County. Anyone can inspect and request the county’s criminal records by visiting the county’s Sheriff’s Office at:

Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office
420 Court Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 673-8161

Record seekers may also search for Tuscola County criminal records on the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).

Get Tuscola County Civil Court Records

Tuscola County civil court records are typically available to the public and they include records from the following cases:

• Personal Injury Lawsuits
• Family Law
• Property Disputes
• Divorce Proceedings
• Employment Discrimination
• Libel and slander
• Labor disputes
• Contract Disputes
• Probate and Estate
• Professional malpractice cases
• Torts

Tuscola County civil court records are generated in the Circuit, District, and Probate Courts. The Tuscola County Clerk maintains civil court records from the Circuit Court, while court clerks of the other courts maintain their civil court records. Persons interested in obtaining the county’s civil court records can visit the courts. They can also search for Tuscola County civil court records on the MiCOURT Case Search platform.

Tuscola County Marriage Records

In Tuscola County, marriage records are public records and may be accessed by anyone. The Tuscola County Clerk maintains marriage records for the county. Persons interested in obtaining the county’s marriage records can apply by mail or in person. It costs $15 to purchase a certified marriage record in Tuscola County and $5 for additional copies. Anyone applying by mail must send the completed Vital Record Request Form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a copy of a government-issued photo ID, and an appropriate check made payable to the Tuscola County Clerk. The package should be mailed to:

Tuscola County Clerk
440 North State Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 672-3780

Requesters applying in person at the clerk’s office must go with the complete package as those applying by mail. Alternatively, Tuscola County marriage records may be obtained from the Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Record seekers can contact the Vital Records Division at:

State of Michigan Division of Vital Records
333 South Grand Avenue
South Grand Building, 1st Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 335-8666

Tuscola County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Tuscola County are official documents about the dissolution of the marriage between two persons in the county. Divorce records are maintained by the county’s clerk and are open to the public. They may be accessed by anyone except where restricted by court orders. The Michigan Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics also has copies of Tuscola County divorce records. Record seekers can contact the Tuscola County Clerk or the Division of Vital Records for copies of Tuscola County divorce records.

Tuscola Birth and Death Records

According to Michigan laws (MCL Section 333.2882), Tuscola County birth records are confidential and may only be accessed by the person named on the record, their named parents, their heir, and legal representative. However, birth records over 100 years are open to the public. In contrast, Tuscola County's death records are open to the public. The Tuscola County Clerk and the Michigan Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics are the custodians of birth and death records for the county. Eligible persons interested in obtaining Tuscola County birth and death records can contact the Clerk’s office or the Vital Records office for them.

Birth and death records maintained in Tuscola County may be used for the following purposes:

• Identity verification
• Genealogical research
• Demographic and statistical purposes
• Epidemiology study
• Disease tracking
• Public health research
• Policy development
• Data mining and machine learning training
• Archival purposes

Tuscola County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Tuscola County are generated by the Tuscola County Probate Court and maintained by the Probate Register. These records are created from probate matters such as wills, estates, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and commitments to mental institutions. Record seekers can search for Tuscola County probate court records on the MiCourt Case Search platform. They can also visit the probate court to view or request probate court records from the county.

Tuscola County Property Records

The Tuscola County Register of Deeds maintains property records in the county. Record seekers can visit the Register of Deeds’ office to view or request property records from the county. In addition, they can search online for the county’s property records from 1988 to date using the Register of Deeds search tool.

Tuscola County property records are a vital resource for anyone looking to buy, sell, or understand the history of a property. These official documents contain a wealth of information, including:

• Property details: Location, size, boundaries, and ownership history
• Legal documents: Deeds, titles, transfer records, and liens
• Financial records: Value assessments, appraisals, payment history, and tax liens
• Mortgage information: Documents, payment history, and status
• Land-use records: Easements, plats, surveys, GIS data, and zoning permits

Tuscola County property records can be used for tax assessment, property evaluation, zoning planning, land-use decisions, mortgage applications, and property history research.

Tuscola County Court Records Online

Public court records in Tuscola County may be accessed through third-party websites such as michigancourtrecords.us. These websites are not usually limited by location, and their results often encompass multiple jurisdictions. Users may look up specific cases by inputting relevant information such as case numbers, party names, or dates. However, while using them is convenient, information obtained from these resources can be incomplete, as they are run independently of official government sources.