Benzie County Court Docket Database
Benzie County court dockets are on file with the County Clerk/Register of Deeds in Beulah. The 19th Circuit Court, shared with Manistee County, handles civil, criminal, and family cases for Benzie County residents. Search court dockets online through Michigan's statewide portal or visit the clerk's office in Beulah to request copies, view the Register of Actions, and access full case files from the 19th Circuit Court.
Benzie County Overview
Benzie County Clerk and 19th Circuit Court
The Benzie County Clerk and Register of Deeds is a combined office at 448 Court Place in Beulah. County Clerk Dawn Olney runs both functions from this single office. The office serves as the clerk for the 19th Circuit Court in Benzie County. The 19th Circuit is a multicounty circuit shared with Manistee County. Benzie County handles its own docket records while Manistee County manages records for cases filed there.
The combined clerk/Register of Deeds office manages court filings and land records in one place. For court docket records, contact the clerk side of the office. For property records and deed filings, use the Register of Deeds side. Both have the same phone number and address but different staff.
More details about office services and the court system are available at the Benzie County website.
| Court | 19th Circuit Court - Benzie County |
|---|---|
| Address | 448 Court Place, Beulah, MI 49617 |
| Clerk Phone | (231) 882-9671 |
| Register of Deeds Phone | (231) 882-0016 |
| Fax | (231) 882-5941 |
| dolney@benzieco.net | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| County Clerk | Dawn Olney |
How to Find Benzie County Court Dockets
Start with the Michigan Courts Case Search to look up Benzie County court dockets online. This free statewide portal covers all 57 Michigan Circuit Courts, including the 19th Circuit that serves Benzie County. Enter a party name, case number, or attorney name to search. Results show case status, docket entries, and party information without any fee or login required.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 448 Court Place in Beulah. Office hours are weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you search case indexes at no cost. Bring the case name or number to narrow the search. Staff cannot perform searches for you, but they can point you to the right tools.
The Benzie County website above connects you to county services including the clerk's office contact information and resources for finding court dockets and case records in the 19th Circuit Court.
The Michigan Courts portal also links to forms, e-filing, and court rules. If your case was appealed, the same portal covers Court of Appeals and Supreme Court records. Online results are for informational use only. They are not official records. Get certified copies from the clerk's office for any legal or official purpose.
Requesting Benzie County Court Record Copies
Court records from the 19th Circuit Court in Benzie County are available in person or by mail. Visit the clerk at 448 Court Place in Beulah during business hours. Bring the case name and number. Staff will pull the file. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Call (231) 882-9671 before sending payment to confirm current certification costs.
For mail requests, write to the Benzie County Clerk at the same address. State the case name, case number, and the documents you want. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to the Benzie County Clerk. Allow several days for processing. The clerk's office handles a smaller caseload than larger county clerks, but procedures are the same.
Free official court forms are at the SCAO forms page. These cover common filings and record requests for all Michigan courts. For historical Supreme Court or Court of Appeals records, contact the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. Research fees start at $15 per inquiry. The Archives holds case files that are too old to be at the county courthouse.
Note: Online court record results are not official. Always get certified copies from the Benzie County Clerk when you need records for legal or official purposes.
Benzie County Court Records and Access
The 19th Circuit Court in Benzie County handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Each has a docket on file with the clerk. The Register of Actions is the official docket for each case and tracks every event from filing to final order. Civil cases involve disputes over money, property, or contracts. Criminal cases handle felonies. Family cases cover divorce, custody, support, and paternity. Probate deals with estates and guardianships.
Court records in Benzie County are public by default. Anyone can inspect them during business hours. You do not have to be a party to the case. However, certain types are restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential under MCL 600.1750. PPO cases are not accessible online per MCR 3.705. HYTA matters are sealed. First-time drug offense dispositions are also restricted. These rules apply statewide and are not specific to Benzie County.
When you need an official criminal history check, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. ICHAT is the correct tool for background checks. For general legal help and guidance on Michigan court procedures, visit Michigan Legal Help, a free statewide resource available to all residents.
Cities in Benzie County
Benzie County does not have cities above the qualifying population threshold for dedicated pages. Beulah is the county seat. All 19th Circuit Court cases for Benzie County are filed and managed by the clerk's office in Beulah.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Benzie County in northwestern Michigan. Benzie shares the 19th Circuit Court with Manistee County.