Wayne County Court Records

Court records in Wayne County are the official documents that track judicial proceedings filed within the county's trial-level courts, including the Circuit Court, District Courts, and Probate Court. Depending on the type of case, these records may include dockets, pleadings, motions, judgments, and transcripts. They serve as both a historical record and a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in the justice system. Michigan Court Rules and state statutes guide access to these records.

Like other public record categories in Michigan, such as Wayne County arrest records, vital records, and federal court records, Wayne County court records provide insight into the interactions of individuals and institutions with the law. For example, vital records capture major life events, arrest records document law enforcement actions, and federal records reflect cases handled by U.S. courts. Together, these records create an interconnected system of documentation that allows residents, attorneys, researchers, and the public to understand better both legal outcomes and civic life in Wayne County.

Are Wayne County Court Records Public?

Yes. In Michigan, most court records are considered public with access mainly governed by Michigan Court Rules (MCR), particularly MCR 8.119, which states that court records are public unless restricted by statute, court rule, or a judge's order. Access to court administrative documents is governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.) which allows residents to obtain records from state and local government bodies, while court case files access is handled through the Michigan Court Rules (MCR).

Generally, civil and criminal case records filings, dockets, and judgments are typically open to the public. Probate matters, such as wills or estate disputes, are also public unless sealed. However, sensitive case types like juvenile proceedings (MCL 712A.28), adoptions (MCL 710.67), domestic relations, ealed criminal cases, and cases involving personal identifying information or protective orders are restricted to protect privacy. Certain portions of family law cases, such as financial or custody evaluations, may also be confidential by statute. Access to these sensitive or sealed case record types is allowed only for the involved parties, their attorneys, or other persons with a court order.

What Information is Available in Wayne County Court Records?

In Wayne County, court records broadly include a register of actions (docket sheet), indexes, calendars, scheduling orders, hearing transcripts, notices of appeal, and the clerk's record of filings. The contents vary by case type, but they generally fall into the following categories:

• Civil court case records: Civil case records usually contain the complaint, summons, responses, motions, discovery materials, judgments, orders of the court, and sometimes, exhibits and settlement agreements filed with the court. Under MCR 8.119(D), these filings make up the official register of actions.
• Criminal court records: Criminal records commonly include charging documents, arrest warrants, bail and bond information, motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, verdicts, and sentencing orders. Michigan statutes such as MCL § 780.623 restrict access to certain criminal records if they have been expunged or set aside, but active case files remain public.
• Family and Probate Cases: Family division records may cover divorce filings, child custody determinations, parenting time orders, and child or spousal support judgments. Probate records often include wills, estate inventories, guardianship petitions, and related court orders. Sensitive details such as juvenile records or adoption files are restricted (MCL § 712A.28, MCL § 710.67.)
• Traffic and Municipal Ordinance Cases: Traffic and ordinance violation records usually feature citations, arraignment dates, payment history, and any contested trial outcomes. These records are maintained in the district courts and are generally open to the public unless sealed by law.

Wayne County Court Records Search

Court records in Wayne County can be accessed and inspected through these means:

Online Access: Court records in Wayne County can be searched online via:

• The Michigan Courts' MiCOURT Case Search system, which provides statewide access to case dockets for civil, criminal, traffic, domestic, and probate matters across all Michigan counties. Availability may vary by case type; for instance, certain family law or juvenile records may not be accessible online due to statutory confidentiality restrictions.
• The Odyssey Case Management Search portal, which is hosted by the Third Judicial Circuit Court, and provides access to unofficial records of non-criminal and criminal cases filed within the county. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney information. Search results are limited to registers of action (i.e., if warrants were issued, what happened in court), and civil case records. More extensive document requests should be directed to the Wayne County Clerk .However, certain records such as juvenile matters, sealed cases, and adoption files are restricted.
• Wayne County Probate Court (WCPC) - Case Access: For probate matters, the WCPC portal provides access to search case dockets. For search instructions, users can rad the guidelines on the WCPS website.
• The Wayne County Clerk's online lookup tool, or by ordering copies online. This only applies to Civil and Family Court records.

In-Person Access: For full document access including filings, exhibits, and court orders, and certified record copies of Wayne County court records, one may search in prson by:

• Visiting the clerk court where the case was heard. Viewing is free, but copy fees apply; $1.50 per page for standard copies, and $10 per page plus $1 for each additional page for certification and exemplification
• Using the public access terminals located at the Wayne County Clerk's Records Division
• By visiting the records division of Wayne County Clerk's Office at

Mail and Email Requests: Requests for records may be submitted by mail or email:

• By mail: Researchers should submit a completed request form containing the case number or party names, any other specific documents requested, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required fees in form of money order or certified check payable to "Wayne County Clerk" to the civil and family division at:

Or, the criminal divisions at:

Certified copy fees consist of a $10 certification plus per-page costs; check the current fee schedule before submitting. waynecountymi.gov

• By email: To receive non-certified record copies by email, one should pay through the approved portal (PLC code 6223 for Wayne County), and forward the request and receipt to wcrecordroom@waynecountymi.gov for verification and results. Certified copies cannot be sent by email because of the raised seal.

Fees for Court Records in Wayne County

The cost of obtaining court records in Wayne County depends on the court division and the type of document requested. Standard copy fees are generally $2 per page across the circuit, criminal, probate, and juvenile divisions. Certified or exemplified copies include an additional seal fee of $10 plus $1 for each extra page. Probate court certifications are slightly higher, set at $11 plus $1 per additional page.

For criminal records, a $1.00 per-name search fee applies. Transcript copies cost $0.30 per page, while a "No Record Found" letter requires a $10 fee plus $1 per page. Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, processed by the County Clerk, typically range from $15 to $30 per certificate, depending on the record type and whether certification is required.Payments may be made by certified check, money order, or approved electronic methods (where available). Requests should also include a self-addressed stamped envelope to ensure prompt return processing.

Wayne County Courthouse Locations

Wayne County Circuit Court: The 3rd Judicial Circuit Court serves Wayne County and is the largest trial-level court in Michigan. It has general jurisdiction over civil disputes exceeding $25,000, felony criminal matters, and family/domestic relations cases, along with a Juvenile Division. The court does not handle probate matters, which fall under the separate Wayne County Probate Court.

Wayne County District Court: District Courts handle civil cases under $25,000, landlord-tenant disputes, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and preliminary felony examinations. Wayne County is served by multiple district courts, including

Wayne County Probate Courts: The Wayne County Probate Court has jurisdiction over wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments. It does not handle adoptions (those are processed in the Circuit Court, Family Division).

Municipal Courts: These courts have jurisdiction over civil cases up to $3,000, traffic and ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and preliminary felony hearings. Wayne County hosts five municipal courts, located in the Grosse Pointes.

Criminal Records Access in Wayne County

Clarify that official state-level criminal history checks (where applicable) are handled by the state's Department of Justice or equivalent agency, not the county court. Explain how local case records are available through the county's court portals or in-person searches.

Criminal history records in Wayne County may be obtained at both the state and county levels, depending on the scope of the request

Statewide Criminal History: This is obtained through the Michigan State Police's Central Records Division, through:

• ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool): The ICHAT is a public online tool used for conducting name-based search of felony convictions and serious misdemeanors. Each search costs $10. However, ICHAT does not provide records that have been expunged or suppressed, nor does it include juvenile cases, warrants, traffic tickets, or records from federal or out-of-state courts. As such, it is most commonly used for general background checks
• Fingerprint Criminal Histor : Fingerprint-based record requests can be used where precise identity verification is required, such as employment, licensing, immigration, or adoption. Applicants must obtain a Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Card (RI-008) from an approved fingerprinting vendor or law enforcement agency, and submit it with a cover letter and a $30 fee to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.

Countywide Criminal History Check:

Local criminal case information can be accessed via:

• The Wayne County Circuit Court's Odyssey Public Access (OPA for limited docket information on felonies in the circuit court)
• In-person request for more detailed records at the Wayne County Clerk's Office, Criminal Court Services Division, in person or by submitting a written request by mail.

Wayne County Probate Records

Wayne County probate records cover legal matters such as wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships under the jurisdiction of the Wayne County Probate Court, as governed by the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (MCL 700.1101 et seq.).

Recent probate filings can be viewed online through the Wayne County Probate Court Case Access portal. To use this system, visitors must scroll to the bottom of the court's website, select "Case Access," accept the disclaimer, and input available case details on the search page. This tool provides convenient access to estate-related records, but certain case types remain restricted. For example, juvenile guardianships (MCL 712A.28), mental health proceedings, and cases sealed by court order under Michigan Court Rules are not open to the public.

Wayne County Family Court Records

Wayne County Family Court, part of the Third Judicial Circuit Court, handles cases that include legal matters such as divorce, custody,and visitation, child and spousal support, paternity, adoption, and related domestic proceedings (MCL 710.67), overseen by the Third Judicial Circuit Court. Family court case information, such as dockets and hearing dates, can be quickly looked up using the court's Odyssey Public Access (OPA) portal, searchable by case number or party name.

Members of the public may access many family case records through the Wayne County Circuit Court's case access portal. Still, some family records such as adoptions, personal protective orders, and juvenile cases are generally restricted (MCL 710.67), accessible only to case parties, their attorneys, or by court order. Such restricted information is not online, instead, requesters should visit the Wayne County Circuit Court Clerk's Office with an ID for terminal searches or certified copies upon request. Certified copies are available for a fee, which generally includes a flat certification charge plus a per-page scanning or copying rate. Fees vary, so it's best to check the latest schedule on the Wayne County Clerk's website before submitting a request.

Federal Court Records in Wayne County

Federal cases in Wayne County are heard by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Detroit). The clerk's office maintains federal dockets, filings, and recordings. Public access is facilitated through PACER, the federal electronic records system., or the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan's search tool, which covers all of Michigan's eastern Lower Peninsula including Wayne County.