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Livingston County, Michigan State Court Records

Livingston County court records are official documents generated by the county's judicial system during legal trials. These encompass documents on case filings, court proceedings, orders, motions, and outcomes.

The Livingston County Clerk's Office and the clerk's offices of the county's courts maintain court records to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient operation of the judicial system; these documents establish legal precedent and facilitate enforceable outcomes of legal trials.

Generally, court records interconnect with other public records. Law enforcement records (arrest records and police reports) precede criminal prosecutions and are contained in criminal court records. Likewise, court-ordered divorce decrees may be required to update vital records.

Are Livingston County Court Records Public?

Yes, court records are public in Livingston County. Any interested person can access court records in Livingston County, unless specific statutes, court rules, or judicial orders restrict access.

In Michigan, access to court records is governed by MCR 8.119(H) (Michigan Court Rules). While Livingston County's court records are public under Michigan law, to protect the integrity of the documents, individuals cannot view court records regarding certain family matters, juvenile proceedings, and adoption. Additionally, sealed and expunged records, Social Security numbers, financial account details, and driver's license numbers are exempt from public access.

What Information is Available in Livingston County Court Records?

Court records contain information regarding judicial proceedings. The specific information contained in a typical Livingston County court record depends on the case type. Nonetheless, Livingston County court records include some of the following information:

  • Case number and status
  • Names of the parties involved
  • Register of action
  • Court order, judgment, and decree
  • Pleadings and motions
  • Criminal charges (for criminal cases)
  • Sentencing information
  • Disposition summaries
  • Divorce and separation filings
  • Child custody and parenting time arrangement
  • Child support orders and payment history
  • Probate filings
  • Personal protection orders
  • Small claims and general civil lawsuit documentation
  • Landlord-tenant dispute filings
  • Traffic citations and civil infractions
  • Name change and adoption records.

Livingston County Court Records Search

Information seekers can use online resources to locate Livingston County's court records or access them through their custodian agencies' offices.

Online search

Interested parties can access Livingston County's court records online through the Michigan Judiciary's MiCOURT Case Search Portal. While this portal provides access to court records from courts across Michigan, it does not display confidential or personal information. Furthermore, there may be time-based filters on some records. For instance, criminal sensitive information older than 7 years may not be accessible through the MiCOURT portal.

In-person access

For in-person access to Livingston County's court records, interested parties can use the Public Access Terminals provided by the Livingston County Clerk's Office at the Livingston County Judicial Center at:

204 S. Highlander Way,

Howell,

MI 48843.

Alternatively, visit the Livingston County Clerk's Office at:

200 E Grand River Avenue, Suite 1,

Howell,

MI 48843.

Individuals seeking sensitive or sealed court records must provide valid government-issued photo IDs.

Mail-in and phone requests

To access Livingston County's court records by phone, call any of the following applicable clerk's office lines:

  • 44th Circuit Court (felonies, major civil, family law) - (517) 546-9816
  • 53rd District Court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, landlord-tenant):
  • (517) 518-1000 (Howell office)
  • (517) 540-7648 (civil department)
  • Probate Court (estates, Wills, guardianships) - (517) 546-3750.

For a mail-in request for a court record through the Circuit Clerk's Office, send a completed Circuit Court Records Copy Request Form to the appropriate court clerk's office. For instance:

44th Circuit Court Clerk

204 S Highlander Way, Suite 4,

Howell,

MI 48843.

Mail requests for Livingston County District and Probate Courts should be addressed to the specific clerk's office using the same address.

A mail request for a Livingston County court record should include:

  • A check or money order that covers the costs for copies of the records (call the appropriate clerk's office)
  • A self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage.

While Livingston County court clerk offices process requests promptly, there is no guaranteed timeline for delivery after payment. How long it takes to deliver copies of Livingston County's court records depends on the request method, the volume of requests, or whether the specific records are archived.

Fees for Court Records in Livingston County

Free viewing of Livingston County's court records is a public right. However, obtaining physical copies of the documents requires payment. Michigan permits custodians of public records to charge nominal fees to cover the costs of duplication, labor, certification, and delivery of documents to requesters. Consequently, the Livingston County Circuit Clerk's Office charges $1.50 per page of document and $10.00 for certification.

Livingston County Courthouse Locations

In Livingston County, there are three courts at two locations. The Livingston County Judicial Center Complex on Highlander Way houses the 44th Circuit Court, the Livingston County Probate Court, and a Branch of the 53rd District Court. Individuals looking for Livingston County's courts can find them at the following addresses:

44th Circuit Court - Livingston

204 S Highlander Way, Suite 4,

Howell,

MI 48843

Phone: (517) 546-9816, (517) 546-8079

Fax: (517) 548-4219

53rd Circuit Court - Brighton

224 N 1st Street,

Brighton,

MI 48116

Phone: (517) 546-8079

53rd District Court - Howell

Judicial Center Building

204 Highlander Way, Suite 1,

Howell,

MI 48843

Phone: (517) 518-1000

Livingston County Probate Court

204 Highlander Way, Suite 2,

Howell,

MI 48843

Phone: (517) 546-3750.

Criminal Records Access in Livingston County

In Livingston County, official state criminal history background checks are handled by the Michigan State Police (MSP) and not through court search portals. The MSP Internet Criminal History Chat Tool (ICHAT) provides name-based searches for public criminal history. ICHAT is a paid official service that provides comprehensive criminal histories of individuals across Michigan.

For local criminal case records in Livingston County, information seekers should log in to the MiCOURT portal to view the register of actions and case status. However, access to complete criminal case records requires in-person searches through the Livingston County Clerk's Office.

Livingston County Probate Records

In Livingston County, probate records are official case documents generated by the Livingston County Probate Court. These include documents on legal matters regarding the estates of decedents and the affairs of minors and incapacitated persons.

Livingston County probate records include, but are not limited to, documentation on:

  • Will probates
  • Trust administration
  • Guardianships
  • Conservatorships
  • Mental health proceedings.

Livingston County Family Court Records

Livingston County family court records are official documents generated by the Family Division of the 44th Circuit Court in Howell. These encompass, but are not limited to, documentation on matters regarding divorce, child custody, adoption, and child support.

Similar to most of the county's court records, Livingston County family court records are public documents. However, the sensitive nature of family matter-related proceedings and privacy laws restricts public access to certain records.

To access Livingston County's family court records available online, log in to the Michigan Judiciary's MiCOURT portal or Public Access Terminals at the Livingston County Judicial Center. For certified copies of Livingston County's family law records, submit a completed Livingston County Circuit Court Records Copy Request Form to:

The Circuit Clerk's Office

204 S Highlander Way, Suite 4,

Howell,

Michigan

Phone: (517) 546-9816.

The Livingston County Clerk's Office does not list identification documents as a requirement for obtaining copies of documents. Requesters should, however, note that charges apply to copies of Livingston County's family court records.

Federal Court Records in Livingston County

Federal court records are documents on cases prosecuted under United States federal laws. In Livingston County, federal cases are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Access to the U.S. federal case records is through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER provides online access to:

  • Federal case dockets
  • Copies of documents submitted by litigants or issued by the court, including:
  • Judgment
  • Orders
  • Opinions
  • Information regarding judges, attorneys, trustees, and parties involved in federal cases.

Record seekers can also contact the Clerk's Office of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan at any of the following locations:

The Theodore Levin United States Courthouse

231 W Lafayette Boulevard, Room 599,

Detroit,

MI 48226

Phone: (313) 234-5000

Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

600 Church Street, Room 140,

Flint,

MI 48502

Phone: (810) 341-7840.

Livingston County Court