Alpena County Court Docket Search
Alpena County court dockets are on file with the County Clerk at the courthouse in Alpena. The 26th Circuit Court, shared with Montmorency County, handles all civil, criminal, and family cases for Alpena County. Use the statewide Michigan Courts portal to search case dockets online, or visit the clerk's office to request copies, view the Register of Actions, and access full case files in person.
Alpena County Overview
Alpena County Circuit Court and Clerk
The Alpena County Clerk's office is at 720 West Chisholm Street in Alpena. County Clerk Bonnie Friedrichs manages the court filings for the 26th Circuit Court, which is a multicounty circuit shared with Montmorency County. The Register of Deeds is a separate office handled by Kathy Matash. If you need court records, contact the County Clerk. If you need land records, contact the Register of Deeds. Both offices are at the Alpena County courthouse.
The 26th Circuit Court handles all felony criminal cases, general civil litigation, family law matters, and probate cases filed in Alpena County. District court cases for traffic, misdemeanors, and small claims are handled at the district court level. The clerk's office keeps the Register of Actions for each circuit court case, and those records are available to the public during business hours.
The Alpena County website has contact information for all county offices, including the clerk and Register of Deeds.
| Court | 26th Circuit Court - Alpena County |
|---|---|
| Address | 720 West Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707 |
| County Clerk Phone | (989) 354-9520 |
| Register of Deeds Phone | (989) 354-9547 |
| Fax | (989) 354-9644 |
| friedrib@alpenaccounty.org | |
| County Clerk | Bonnie Friedrichs |
| Register of Deeds | Kathy Matash |
How to Search Alpena County Court Dockets
The Michigan Courts Case Search is the main tool for searching Alpena County court dockets online. This free portal covers all 57 circuit courts in Michigan, including the 26th Circuit Court. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Results show docket entries, case status, and parties. The system requires no login and is available at any time.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 720 West Chisholm Street. Courthouse public access terminals are available for self-service case lookups. Bring the party name or case number to search faster. Staff cannot conduct research on your behalf. If you need help navigating the system, the Michigan Legal Help website has guides on how to read court dockets and find the documents you need.
The Alpena County website provides information about the clerk's office, courthouse location, and the court services available to county residents.
Keep in mind that online search results are informational only. They are not official records. Do not rely on them for legal proceedings or background checks. The court notes that online case information should not be used as a substitute for official certified copies.
Note: Michigan's Clean Slate Law may limit public access to some Alpena County criminal court records to 7 years while expungement processing is ongoing.
Requesting Copies of Alpena County Court Records
You can get copies of Alpena County court records by visiting the clerk's office in person or by mailing a written request. In-person visits are the fastest option. Bring the case name and number if you have them. Staff will locate the file and make copies. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Contact the office at (989) 354-9520 for the current certification fee before sending payment by mail.
Mail requests should go to the County Clerk at 720 West Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707. Include a written request with the case name, case number, and document type. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and make your check or money order payable to the Alpena County Clerk.
For standard Michigan court forms, the SCAO forms page has free downloads. These forms are approved for use in all Michigan courts, including the 26th Circuit Court. Using the right form helps the clerk process your request more quickly.
For historical records or case files from the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals, contact the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. Research fees start at $15 per search. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals case files cost $50 each from the Archives.
Alpena County Court Records and Public Access
Most court records in the 26th Circuit Court are public. Civil, criminal, and family cases are generally open for inspection and copying. The Register of Actions for each case shows the full docket history. You can see every filing, every hearing date, and every court order without being a party to the case. Public access to records is governed by MCR 8.119, which sets the rules for what courts must provide and how personal information must be handled.
Some case types are restricted. Juvenile cases are not public under MCL 600.1750. Personal Protection Order cases are not available online per MCR 3.705. Cases handled under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act are sealed. First-time drug offender dispositions under MCL 333.7411 do not show up in public online searches. These restrictions exist to protect certain individuals while keeping the bulk of court records available to anyone who asks.
For criminal background checks, do not rely on court docket searches. Use the Michigan State Police ICHAT tool for official criminal history. ICHAT is the proper channel for employment and licensing background checks in Michigan.
Cities in Alpena County
Alpena County does not have cities that reach the qualifying population threshold for individual pages. The city of Alpena is the county seat and the largest community. All circuit court filings in Alpena County are processed by the 26th Circuit Court clerk in Alpena.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Alpena County in northeastern Michigan. Each has its own court clerk. Check the county of filing when you are not sure which court handled a particular case.