Are court cases public record in Michigan?

Terms of Service

The information available here is presented on-line for informational use only and does not replace the official record on file with the court. Bulk data downloads and commercial uses of the data from this site are prohibited. Michigan and federal law preclude disclosure of certain information to the public, and that nonpublic information is not accessible through this website.

The court of record offers this public information without any express or implied warranty as to its accuracy. Please contact the court of record directly if you have additional questions about the information provided on this website. To report a problem with the website, contact the JIS Service Desk.

To make this site work properly small data files, called cookies, are used. A cookie is a small text file that saves to the computer or mobile device when visiting the site. It enables the website to remember the actions taken over a period of time, so data does not have to be re-entered when revisiting the site or browsing from one page to another.

Note: Civil, Traffic, Criminal, Domestic (Divorce/Family), Probate and Juvenile Traffic & Delinquency cases are available through this website depending on the type of court being searched. Neglect/Abuse cases will not be displayed.

By clicking continue, you agree to the above terms of service.

 Corona Virus Information

This site provides information on how to access Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan public court case records through Odyssey Public Access (OPA). Documents filed by parties are not currently accessible online.

The Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan offers electronic access to public case records through public access kiosks located in the lower level of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI. In person counter access to locally-stored, public case records in paper form.

Please read and acknowledge these terms before using OPA to access court records:

• 1.Unofficial records - The information available on OPA is provided as a service and is not considered an official court record. The Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan does not certify OPA records or search results and is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the data found on OPA.
• 2.Limited case record information - The information available on OPA is limited to case search results, registers of action, and civil judgments for publicly accessible court case records. Electronic copies of public documents are not available at this time through OPA.
• 3.OPA should not be used for background checks.
• 4.CAUTION: Name searches can be unreliable - Use caution in evaluating OPA data, as the person for whom you have searched could have the same name, birth date, or other identifiers as another individual. Even if you believe your search has returned the correct match and the information appears to be about the person for whom you have searched, remember that:
  • two or more people can have the same name and birth date and
  • criminal offenders frequently use aliases, including the names of others.
• 5.You are responsible for understanding the meaning of the case record information that you view through OPA and for the appropriate and lawful use of such information. If you have any questions regarding the meaning of case information on OPA, please contact Third Judicial Circuit Court Administration. You are also responsible for determining whether any case record information previously obtained from OPA is still accurate, current, and complete.
• 6.If you see any Errors on OPA, please notify the Wayne County Clerk’s Office.
• 7.Please read our notices & instructions for more information before using OPA.

Please acknowledge that you have read and accept the above terms and limitations, and that you agree to use the OPA website subject to such terms.

COVID-19 InformationView COVID-19 Court Information for the Oakland County 6th Judicial Circuit Court Orders and procedures.

eFiling/Circuit Court Filings

• Most Circuit Court filings are required to be eFiled using MiFILE.
• Filings include Domestic (divorce, custody, parenting time, etc.) Civil and Criminal filing types.
  
• Excluded from eFiling are case types: AP, EM, NC, UD, UE, UF, UI, UM, UN. Filings on these cases can be filed in person or mailed to the Oakland County Clerk's Office.
  
• Click here to eFile using MiFILE - This page also contains "How To" instructions, FAQs, and common rejection reasons
• If you cannot find your case number in MiFILE, email to have your case number added.
  
• For other efiling questions, please call 248-858-0582.
  

Emergency Personal Protection Orders

• To file PPO petitions visit our PPO resource section for instructions.
  
• Additional PPO motions and filings should be eFiled using MiFILE. Visit our eFiling resource section for more information.
• Call 248-303-1534 for questions about the PPO forms, or if you have questions ONLY after a judge has granted your PPO request.
  

Appointments/Notice to Callers

• For matters regarding Court Explorer, copies of court records, and all other Clerk's Office Legal Division questions, please call 248-858-0582.
  
• Appointments are no longer needed for the following services which can be completed in the E-Services Center of the Clerk's Office:
  
• Viewing of 6th Judicial Circuit Court documents and obtaining copies
  
• Assistance with eFiling Account Setup
  
• View Michigan Legal Help Website
  

Other Clerk's Office Services

• 
  Bar Admissions - (Instructions for remote hearings only)
  
• Court Explorer - view Register of Actions and order Court Documents
  
• Legal Name Changes - must be filed by mail or in person
  
• Vital Records – birth, marriage and death certificates, marriage licenses, CPL, notary publics, assumed names/co-partnerships
  

Mailing Address

Oakland County Clerk's Office
1200 N. Telegraph, Dept. 413
Pontiac, MI 48341

The Legal Records Division of the Clerk/Register of Deeds Office records and maintains all files for civil, domestic, felony criminal case types and the recently formed business court cases for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. Cases that are filed with the Legal Records Division include:

Civil Cases: Appeals from district court, civil damage suits including personal injury, auto negligence, medical malpractice and other damage suits. Additional civil cases include business claims and contract disputes.

Domestic Cases: Divorce, paternity, name changes, emancipations, general family matters and Personal Protection Orders.

Felony Criminal Cases: Bound over to the 6th Judicial Circuit Court and are originated from the district courts.

Business Court Cases: Cases involving business or commercial disputes.

Other duties of the Clerk's Office Legal Records Division include:

• Process change of venue cases
• Collect bond money for criminal and civil cases
• Process Bar Admission/Oath of Office for new attorneys admitted to the State Bar
• Issue veteran's vending permits
  
• Record traffic control orders
  

Be advised, this office does not provide legal advice.

Online Services

Other Legal Resources

For legal matters, questions, and filings, you may contact an attorney or visit Michigan Legal Help for tools and resources to help you with court filings and forms. Note: our office cannot provide legal advice.

• Oakland County Bar Association​ - Find an attorney
  
• Michigan Legal Help - Resources to help with legal issues and do-it-yourself tools
• Oakland County Friend of the Court - several resources to forms and procedures for domestic and family filings
• ePraecipe - Submit ePraecipe online to schedule motions and miscellaneous hearings with your assigned judge
  
• Case Code Types - View Circuit Court case type code list
• 6th Judicial Circuit Court
• View Judge's Judicial Schedules
  
• Court Explorer - Perform name and case searches and view Register of Actions including parties and attorneys for free. Purchase court documents which may include divorce, custody, parenting time, civil, and criminal filings.
  

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