Lenawee County court records in Michigan are available through several channels. LenaweeCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state online systems, court clerks' offices, and public terminals directly in the courthouse.
Lenawee Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Lenawee County, each handling specific categories of cases.
Circuit Court (39th Circuit) is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles criminal cases involving felonies, civil lawsuits over $25,000, divorce and child custody cases, and appeals from the District Court.
District Court (2A District) handles:
- Criminal cases involving misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Small claims cases — up to $6,500
- Traffic violations
- Eviction cases (landlord-tenant)
Preliminary hearings in felony cases also start here before the case is transferred to the Circuit Court.
Probate Court deals with wills, estate cases, guardianship, and conservatorship. According to the Lenawee County Family Court Plan, the probate court clerk maintains all documents created or filed with this court.
Family Division functions as a division of the Circuit Court. The Lenawee County Clerk is appointed as the court clerk for this division and handles cases regarding paternity, child protection, and juvenile justice.
Lenawee Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out about scheduled hearings today, tomorrow, or this week, use the online docket for the Circuit, Probate, and FOC courts of Lenawee County. This page is updated daily and shows:
- Party name
- Hearing time
- Hearing type
- Case number
To search for a specific case by name or number, use the MiCOURT Case Search. This system covers courts participating in the MiCOURT program and allows you to view case information, although it does not replace the official court record. If the desired court is not displayed in the system, contact the clerk's office directly.
Additionally, the Michigan Supreme Court's Cases, Opinions & Orders portal provides access to documents, opinions, and orders at the state level.
How to Get a Copy of a Lenawee Court Document
Copies of court documents can be obtained in three ways.
In Person
Visit the county clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above, including:
- Full name of the party or case number
- Type of document needed
- Whether a certified or uncertified copy is needed
- Return address and payment by check or money order made out to Lenawee County Clerk
Online
Basic case information — hearing dates, status, party names — can be viewed through the MiCOURT Case Search. Full copies of documents usually need to be ordered through the clerk's office.
A certified copy has the seal and signature of the clerk and is acceptable for official use. An uncertified copy costs less but does not have the legal status of the original.
Some records have restricted access — juvenile cases, sealed criminal cases, and adoption records are generally closed to the public. Ask the clerk if a specific document is available.
To obtain sheriff's office records, including incident reports, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request through the county's website.
Lenawee Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Michigan are regulated by state law, including MCL 600.2529 and MCL 600.8371. Specific amounts may vary depending on the type of court and document. Below are approximate fees set by state law.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification | $10.00 |
| Record search (by name) | $10.00 |
| Certified copy of court order | $10.00 + $1.00 per page |
| Exemplification (double certification) | $10.00 additional |
Payment is accepted in person at the clerk's office or by mail. Checks and money orders made out to Lenawee County Clerk are usually accepted. Check with the clerk's office to see if credit or debit cards are accepted — this option is not available in all departments.
For statewide criminal history checks, use the ICHAT system supported by the Michigan State Police. This service has a separate fee structure.
If you need birth, death, marriage, or divorce records, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office or the county clerk — fees and procedures differ from court records.