St. Clair County court records in Michigan are available through several channels. StClairMICourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state court online portals, directly at court clerks' offices, and through public terminals installed in county courthouse buildings.
St. Clair Court System & Jurisdictions
Several judicial instances operate in St. Clair County, each responsible for specific categories of cases.
Circuit Court (31st Circuit) — a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil lawsuits over $25,000, divorce and child custody cases, as well as appeals from lower courts. The court clerk's office is located in the County Courthouse building in Port Huron.
72nd District Court is also located in Port Huron and serves the entire county. This court handles:
- Criminal cases involving misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Small claims cases — up to $6,500
- Traffic violations and other traffic-related cases
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases before transferring to Circuit Court
- Eviction cases (landlord-tenant)
Probate Court of St. Clair County deals with wills, estate management, guardianship and conservatorship, as well as involuntary hospitalization. Juvenile cases — including delinquency and child protection — also fall here. The list of courts available for electronic filing can be checked on the MiFILE portal.
St. Clair Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the MiCOURT Case Search system. After searching for a case by number or party name, you will see the scheduled hearing dates if the court publishes this information online.
Some county courts also post daily hearing calendars in the courthouse lobby. Call the specific court clerk's office to clarify whether the calendar is available on their website or only on-site.
To search for decisions and orders of appellate and higher state courts, use the Cases, Opinions & Orders portal of the Michigan Supreme Court. It contains copies of unpublished Court of Appeals decisions starting from July 1996.
If you are interested in the status of a convicted person serving a sentence in a state prison or on parole, use the OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) of the Michigan Department of Corrections.
How to Get a Copy of a St. Clair Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the clerk's office of the court where the case was heard. In St. Clair County, this is usually the County Clerk for the Circuit Court or the clerk's office of the 72nd District Court or Probate Court, respectively.
Ways to Obtain Copies
- Online — find the case through MiCOURT. Some documents are available for viewing, but downloading a certified copy online is usually not possible.
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office. Bring the case number or full party name and approximate filing date. The clerk will make a copy on-site.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case number, type of document, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Certified or Regular Copy?
A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature — it is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures. A regular copy is suitable for personal reference.
Mailing address of the County Clerk's office:
For state-level criminal history records, contact the ICHAT tool supported by the Michigan State Police.
St. Clair Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches in Michigan courts are established according to MCL 600.2529 and administrative orders of the state Supreme Court. Below are typical rates applicable in St. Clair County courts. It is better to confirm the exact amount with the specific court clerk's office, as some fees may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $10.00 |
| Case search by clerk (by name) | $10.00 |
| Criminal history check via ICHAT | $10.00 |
| Copy of court judgment (judgment / order) | $1.00 per page + certification fee |
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Some courts accept credit and debit cards; confirm this in advance. For mail requests, use a money order made out to the appropriate court.
Requests for public records from law enforcement agencies — such as police reports — are submitted separately following the FOIA procedure. Local police departments, including the St. Clair City Police, have their own FOIA request forms.