Court records of Oakland County, Michigan, are available through several channels. OaklandCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state court online portals, directly at the Clerk's Office, and through public terminals installed in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to the county's court system and access to documents.
Oakland Court System & Jurisdictions
Several levels of courts operate in the county, each handling specific categories of cases.
Oakland County Circuit Court (6th Circuit) is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, large civil claims (over $25,000), appeals from district courts, and child custody cases. Through the Cases, Opinions & Orders portal, you can find cases from the Oakland Circuit Court and Oakland Family Division.
Oakland County Probate Court handles:
- Estate and inheritance cases
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Involuntary hospitalization
- Name changes
District Courts — Several district courts (43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 52nd) operate within the county. They handle minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), civil claims up to $25,000, eviction cases, and traffic violations. Small claims up to $6,500 are also filed here.
Family cases — divorce, alimony, property division — are handled by the Family Division of the Circuit Court.
Oakland Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the MiCOURT Case Search system. After entering the case number or party name, the system will show scheduled hearings, dates, and courtrooms.
Several practical tips:
- Select the desired court (e.g., Oakland Circuit Court or a specific District Court).
- Enter the party's last name or case number.
- In the search results, review the section with scheduled events.
Note: MiCOURT displays information for reference only and does not replace the official court record. Some courts show criminal convictions only for the last seven years. For the current schedule of a specific district court, you can also call the Clerk's Office directly.
Information about state appellate court cases is published by Michigan Courts.
How to Get a Copy of a Oakland Court Document
There are three ways to obtain a copy of a court document.
Online
Through MiCOURT, basic case information — parties, dates, status — is available for viewing. However, downloading the full text of a document or obtaining a certified copy online is usually not possible. For this, you need to contact the Clerk's Office.
In Person or by Mail
The Oakland County Circuit Court Clerk's Office issues both regular and certified copies. A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and is acceptable for official use — for example, for submission to another court or government agency.
What is needed for a request:
- Full name of the party or case number
- Type of document (court decision, protocol, order, etc.)
- Payment of the appropriate fee
Send mail requests to the specified address along with a check or money order payable to Oakland County Clerk. Include a return address and contact phone number.
Vital records — birth, marriage, death certificates — are maintained by a separate division. More details on this can be found on the Michigan Vital Records page. Real estate documents can be searched through the Oakland County Register of Deeds.
Oakland Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set by Michigan law and administrative orders of the state Supreme Court. Below are approximate rates for the Circuit Court; district courts may have slight differences.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (uncertified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (certification) | $10.00 per document |
| Registry search (by name) | $10.00 |
| Copy of divorce decree | $10.00 (certified) |
| Apostille / authentication | Additionally through Secretary of State |
Payment methods depend on the specific court. Most Clerk's Offices accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some district courts also accept credit and debit cards — check before visiting.
State-level criminal history is checked through ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) of the Michigan State Police. The cost of one request is $10.00. Information about inmates in the state correctional system is provided by OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System) — free of charge.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases, sealed or expunged cases are not displayed in public systems. The Clean Slate program automatically closes access to certain juvenile records. If you need help with expungement, contact the Michigan Attorney General's expungement assistance program.