Charlevoix County Public Records /Charlevoix County Court Records

Charlevoix County Court Records

How To Find Court Records in Charlevoix County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Charlevoix County may access publicly available case information through several official channels. CharlevoixRecords.us provides access to publicly available information that may relate to court records, property data, and other county-level records. Charlevoix County court records are maintained by the offices of the 33rd Circuit Court and the 90th District Court, both of which serve the county under Michigan's unified trial court system.

Depending on the case type and the applicable public-access rules, users may find information such as party names, case numbers, hearing dates, docket entries, judgments, and case dispositions. Record categories that may be available include:

Civil case filings and judgments
Criminal case dockets and sentencing records
Family court orders and divorce decrees
Probate filings and estate records
Traffic and ordinance violation records
Small claims case outcomes

Court records in Charlevoix County may be searched through five primary methods:

Clerk of Court or Court Records Office — The Charlevoix County Clerk's office maintains official court records and accepts in-person requests. Staff can assist in locating case files by party name, case number, or filing date. Fees may apply for copies.
Courthouse Public Access Terminals — Public computer terminals located within the courthouse allow members of the public to search case information at no charge during regular business hours. These terminals provide access to docket entries and case status without requiring a formal written request.
Online Court Search — Michigan's Odyssey Case Search portal provides online access to circuit and district court case information statewide, including cases filed in Charlevoix County. Users may search by name, case number, or filing date.
State-Level Judicial Search Tools — The Michigan Courts website offers statewide judicial resources, including links to individual court websites, e-filing portals, and public access tools maintained by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).
Written or Mail Requests — Members of the public may submit written requests to the Charlevoix County Clerk's office. Requests should include the full name of the party, approximate filing date, and case type. Fees for copies and certified documents apply per the court's established fee schedule.

Are Court Records Public In Charlevoix County

Court records in Charlevoix County are subject to public access under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq., and the Michigan Court Rules governing public access to court records. Under current law, the general rule is that court records are open to public inspection unless a specific statutory provision, court rule, or judicial order restricts access.

Records that are generally available to the public include:

Case dockets and docket entries
Party names and case numbers
Hearing dates and courtroom assignments
Filed motions, complaints, and answers
Court orders and final judgments
Sentencing records in criminal cases

Records that may be confidential, sealed, redacted, or restricted include:

Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings
Adoption records
Mental health commitment proceedings
Expunged criminal records under MCL § 780.621
Sealed filings pursuant to court order
Protected personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and dates of birth in certain filings

A distinction exists between courthouse inspection and online access. While physical inspection of most court records is permitted during business hours, not all records available at the courthouse are accessible through online portals. Some older records, sealed matters, and restricted case types may require an in-person visit or a formal written request to the clerk's office.

What Are Court Records in Charlevoix County?

Court records are the official documents, filings, and entries created and maintained by a court in connection with a legal proceeding. In practical terms, a court record encompasses everything generated from the initial filing of a case through its final disposition, including any subsequent appeals.

The distinction between a docket entry and a full case file is significant. A docket is a chronological index of all actions taken in a case — it lists filings, hearings, orders, and status changes but does not contain the full text of each document. A case file, by contrast, includes the actual pleadings, motions, exhibits, orders, and other documents filed with the court.

Civil court records document disputes between private parties or between a party and a government entity, covering matters such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property actions. Criminal court records document proceedings initiated by the state against an individual charged with a violation of Michigan law, from arraignment through sentencing.

Filed pleadings are the initial documents that define the legal dispute, while final judgments represent the court's ultimate resolution of the matter. Public filings are accessible to any member of the public, whereas sealed or restricted filings are withheld from public view pursuant to statute or court order.

Trial court records are maintained by the clerk of the court in which the case was heard — in Charlevoix County, this is the 33rd Circuit Court for felony, civil, and family matters, and the 90th District Court for misdemeanors, civil claims under $25,000, and traffic matters. Appellate records are maintained by the Michigan Court of Appeals or the Michigan Supreme Court, depending on the level of review.

Court records are created when a party files an initial pleading and are updated continuously as the case progresses through hearings, motions, and orders, until a final disposition is entered and the record is closed.

What's Included in a Charlevoix County Court Record?

A court record in Charlevoix County may include a range of documents and data points depending on the case type and applicable public-access rules. The following information commonly appears within a court record:

Case number assigned at the time of filing
Court name and division, such as circuit, district, or probate
Filing date and case initiation information
Party names, including plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, and respondents
Case type and current status
Docket entries listing all actions taken in chronological order
Scheduled and past hearing dates
Motions, complaints, petitions, answers, and responses
Court orders, judgments, decrees, and notices
Minute entries reflecting what occurred at each hearing
Outcome information, such as dismissals, guilty pleas, convictions, sentencing entries, custody rulings, probate orders, or appellate decisions
Administrative and financial information, including filing fees, assessed costs, fines, restitution amounts, and bond information where publicly shown

Certain information is excluded or restricted from public court records. Sealed filings, expunged matters, juvenile case files, adoption records, and protected personal data such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are not available for public inspection. Some exhibits, particularly those containing sensitive personal information or proprietary materials, may also be withheld from the public record pursuant to court order or statute.

Types of Courts in Charlevoix County

Charlevoix County is served by two primary trial courts operating within Michigan's unified court system, as administered by the State Court Administrative Office.

33rd Circuit Court handles general jurisdiction matters including felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $25,000, family law matters (divorce, custody, parenting time), and appeals from the district court. The Circuit Court also exercises jurisdiction over juvenile matters and probate proceedings through its divisions.

90th District Court handles limited jurisdiction matters including misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims cases (up to $7,000), and traffic and ordinance violations.

Charlevoix County Probate Court operates as a division of the Circuit Court and handles estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, mental health matters, and trusts.

What Types of Cases Do Charlevoix County Courts Hear

The courts serving Charlevoix County collectively hear the following case types:

Felony criminal cases — 33rd Circuit Court
Misdemeanor and traffic cases — 90th District Court
Civil cases over $25,000 — 33rd Circuit Court
Civil cases under $25,000 — 90th District Court
Small claims — 90th District Court
Family law (divorce, custody, support) — 33rd Circuit Court
Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings — 33rd Circuit Court
Probate, estates, guardianship — Charlevoix County Probate Court
Appeals from district court — 33rd Circuit Court

33rd Circuit Court / Charlevoix County Trial Court
301 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7200
Michigan Courts – 33rd Circuit Court

90th District Court
301 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7200
Michigan Courts – 90th District Court

Charlevoix County Clerk's Office
203 Antrim Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-7200
Charlevoix County Official Website

How to Search Charlevoix County Court Records for Free?

Members of the public may search Charlevoix County court records at no cost through several methods. In-person inspection at the courthouse is free; individuals may review case files and docket entries during regular business hours without charge. Courthouse public access terminals are also available at no cost and allow users to search case information electronically on-site.

The Michigan Odyssey Case Search tool provides free online access to case information for many Michigan trial courts, including Charlevoix County courts. Users may search by party name or case number without creating an account or paying a fee.

Costs are associated with obtaining copies of court documents. Under the Michigan Court Rules and the applicable clerk fee schedule, the following fees currently apply:

Service	Typical Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy	$10.00 plus $1.00 per page
Exemplified/authenticated copy	$13.00 plus $1.00 per page
Electronic document access (some portals)	Varies

Fees are established pursuant to MCL § 600.1988, which governs clerk fees in Michigan trial courts. Members of the public seeking fee waivers based on indigency may inquire with the clerk's office regarding applicable procedures.

How Long Does Charlevoix County Keep Court Records?

The retention of court records in Charlevoix County is governed by the Michigan Trial Court Case File Management Standards and the records retention schedules issued by the State Court Administrative Office. Retention periods vary by case type and record category.

Under current retention schedules, the following general periods apply:

Felony criminal case files — Retained permanently or for a minimum of 25 years after final disposition
Misdemeanor criminal case files — Retained for a minimum of 7 years after final disposition
Civil case files — Retained for a minimum of 10 years after final disposition
Probate records — Many probate records, including wills and estate files, are retained permanently
Docket books and minute records — Retained permanently
Judgments — Retained permanently
Traffic and ordinance cases — Retained for a minimum of 1 to 7 years depending on offense classification

Paper files may be destroyed after imaging, microfilming, or transfer to archival storage, provided the record has been preserved in an approved format. Destruction of a record is distinct from sealing, redaction, or expungement. A sealed record still exists but is withheld from public access. An expunged record is set aside pursuant to court order and is no longer accessible through standard public search tools. Archived records may exist in paper files, microfilm, or county and state archives, and older records may require an in-person request or a formal research inquiry to locate.

How To Find a Court Docket in Charlevoix County

A court docket is a chronological index of all official actions taken in a specific case. It differs from a full case file in that it lists events, filings, and orders by date without containing the full text of each document. The docket serves as the official record of what has occurred in a case from filing through final disposition.

Dockets for Charlevoix County cases may be accessed through the following methods:

Michigan Odyssey Case Search — The Odyssey Case Search portal allows users to search for cases by party name or case number and view docket entries online. This tool is available at no charge and covers many Michigan trial courts.
Courthouse public access terminals — Terminals located within the Charlevoix County courthouse provide on-site docket access during regular business hours.
In-person clerk request — Members of the public may request docket information directly from the Charlevoix County Clerk's office by providing the case number or party name.
Hearing calendars — The court may maintain separate daily or weekly hearing calendars that list scheduled proceedings. These may be posted at the courthouse or available through the clerk's office.

To locate a docket using the Odyssey portal, a user should navigate to the case search tool, select Michigan as the state, choose the relevant court (33rd Circuit or 90th District), and enter the party name or case number. The resulting case summary will display docket entries in chronological order.

A docket entry reflects the date of each action, a brief description of the filing or event, and the party or court that initiated the action. A docket does not include full document images unless the court has enabled electronic document access for that case type. Sealed entries, confidential attachments, exhibits, and restricted filings do not appear in the public docket. Motion calendars and hearing rosters may be separately available through the clerk's office upon request.