Court records in Ingham County, Michigan can be searched through several channels. InghamCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the state's online case-lookup tools, visit the court clerks' offices in person, or use public access terminals at the courthouses. The Ingham County Clerk's Office maintains many county-level records, while each individual court keeps its own case files and dockets.
Ingham Court System & Jurisdictions
Ingham County is served by several courts, each handling specific types of cases. Knowing which court has jurisdiction over a matter determines where to search for docket information.
30th Judicial Circuit Court
This is the county's general jurisdiction trial court, located in Mason. It hears:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases with amounts in controversy above $25,000
- Family division matters — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, personal protection orders
- Appeals from district court
The family division also includes the Ingham Juvenile Division, which handles delinquency, abuse/neglect, and juvenile guardianship proceedings.
Ingham Probate Court
Handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and trust matters. The Probate Court sits in Mason alongside the Circuit Court. You can search Ingham Probate Court records through the Michigan Courts case search, which lists Ingham Circuit Court, Ingham Juvenile Division, and Ingham Probate Court as searchable courts.
54-A District Court
Located in Lansing, the 54-A District Court covers the City of Lansing. It handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil cases up to $25,000
- Landlord-tenant disputes and evictions
- Small claims (up to $6,500)
- Traffic and ordinance violations
- Arraignments and preliminary examinations for felonies
55th District Court
Located in Mason, the 55th District Court serves the remainder of Ingham County outside the City of Lansing. It handles the same categories of cases as the 54-A — misdemeanors, civil disputes, small claims, traffic infractions, and felony arraignments. The county publishes a warrant list for criminal and traffic offenses through the 55th District Court.
Ingham Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Ingham County courts are not published in a single centralized schedule. To find today's or upcoming hearing dates, use these approaches:
- MiCOURT Case Search — The MiCOURT online portal lets you look up individual cases by name or case number for courts across Michigan, including Ingham courts. Case detail pages typically show scheduled hearing dates when available.
- Contact the court clerk directly — Call the specific court (54-A District, 55th District, 30th Circuit, or Probate) and ask for the hearing schedule for a particular case or judge's docket.
- In-person terminals — Public access terminals at each courthouse display current docket information and daily calendars.
- MiFILE — If a case has been e-filed, the MiFILE system may show filing and hearing details for participating Ingham County courts.
Note that some courts only display criminal conviction information in MiCOURT if sentencing occurred within seven years of the search date. For older cases, contact the clerk's office directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Ingham Court Document
You can obtain court documents as either certified or uncertified copies. Certified copies carry the court seal and clerk's signature, which is typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings in other courts. Uncertified copies are plain photocopies suitable for personal reference.
Methods for Requesting Copies
- Online — Search for the case through MiCOURT. Some documents may be viewable or printable directly. For certified copies, you will generally need to contact the clerk's office.
- In person — Visit the clerk's office at the court that handled the case. Bring the case number if you have it, or the names of the parties and approximate filing date. The clerk will locate the file and produce copies while you wait, subject to availability.
- By mail — Send a written request to the appropriate court clerk. Include the case number (or enough identifying information to locate the file), specify whether you need certified or uncertified copies, and enclose payment. Make checks or money orders payable to the court.
Clerk Mailing Addresses
Certain records are restricted from public access, including sealed cases, juvenile records (unless the court orders otherwise), and some mental health proceedings. If you are unsure whether a record is available, ask the clerk before submitting payment.
Criminal History Records
For statewide criminal history information beyond a single court file, the Michigan State Police offers the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which searches public criminal history records maintained at the state level. The Michigan Department of Corrections also provides the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) for looking up individuals who are or were in state prison, on parole, or on probation.
Ingham Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court copies and searches in Michigan are set by statute (MCL 600.2529 and MCL 600.8371) and local administrative orders. The amounts below reflect standard fees commonly charged by Michigan trial courts. Confirm current amounts with the specific Ingham County court before submitting payment, as fees may be updated by court order.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified), per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of court document | $10.00 (first page) + $1.00 each additional page |
| Case search / file lookup (in person) | No charge for basic lookups; fees may apply for extensive searches |
| ICHAT criminal history search (online, statewide) | $10.00 per search |
| Exemplification of a record | $10.00 plus copy fees |
| FOIA request (Michigan State Police or other agencies) | Varies — based on labor and material costs per Michigan FOIA statute |
Payment Methods
- In person — Cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (accepted at most Ingham County court clerk windows).
- By mail — Check or money order payable to the specific court (e.g., "30th Circuit Court" or "54-A District Court").
- Online — The 54-A District Court offers online fine payment; document copy fees may also be payable online depending on the court. Contact the clerk to confirm.
If you need records from a state agency such as the Michigan State Police, fees and processing times are governed by Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. For vital records like birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates, contact the Michigan Vital Records office or the Ingham County Clerk, which issues and files these documents at the county level.