Clare County Court Docket Access
Clare County court dockets are maintained by the County Clerk/Register of Deeds in Harrison. The 55th Circuit Court and the 80th District Court both serve Clare County residents. Civil, criminal, and family cases go through circuit court while traffic, misdemeanors, and small claims go through district court. Use the Michigan Courts statewide portal to search dockets online, or contact the clerk's office to access the Register of Actions and request certified copies.
Clare County Overview
Clare County Court System
Clare County has both a circuit court and a district court. The 55th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, large civil disputes, family law matters including divorce and custody, and probate cases. The 80th District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, small civil claims, and preliminary felony hearings. County Clerk/Register of Deeds Lori Mott runs the combined office at 225 W. Main St. in Harrison.
The combined Clerk/Register of Deeds office handles both court filings and land records. For court docket records, contact the clerk side of the office at clerk@clareco.net or 55thcourt@clareco.net depending on whether your request is for circuit court records. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Clare County also accepts FOIA requests by email at FOIA@clareco.net, by fax, or by mail. Note that court records themselves are NOT subject to FOIA. Court records are governed by court rules, not FOIA. Send court record requests to the clerk's office, not to the FOIA coordinator. More information is at the Clare County website.
| Circuit Court | 55th Circuit Court - Clare County |
|---|---|
| District Court | 80th District Court |
| Address | 225 W. Main St., PO Box 438, Harrison, MI 48625 |
| County Clerk Phone | (989) 539-7131 |
| Fax | (989) 539-6166 |
| Clerk Email | clerk@clareco.net |
| Circuit Court Email | 55thcourt@clareco.net |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon-1:00 p.m.) |
| County Clerk | Lori Mott |
| Chief Deputy | Stacy Pechacek |
Searching Clare County Court Dockets Online
The Michigan Courts Case Search is the primary online tool for Clare County docket searches. This free statewide portal covers all 57 Michigan Circuit Courts including the 55th Circuit in Clare County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results include case status, docket entries, and party information. No account or payment is required.
For the Michigan Courts portal, start at courts.michigan.gov to find the case search tool, forms, and e-filing resources in one place. The portal covers circuit court cases across all of Michigan. If you are looking for a case that was appealed, the same portal covers Court of Appeals and Supreme Court records.
The Clare County website shown above provides contact information for the clerk's office, the 55th Circuit Court and 80th District Court, and guidance on accessing court dockets in Harrison.
In-person searches are available at the courthouse in Harrison. The office is open weekdays with a lunch break closure. Note the closure from noon to 1:00 p.m. when planning your visit. Public access terminals let you search case indexes at no charge. Bring the case name and number for faster results.
Note: The Clare County clerk's office is closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. on weekdays. Plan your in-person visit for morning or afternoon hours to ensure staff are available.
Requesting Clare County Court Records
Clare County court records are available in person or by mail. Visit the clerk's office at 225 W. Main St. in Harrison during business hours. Remember the noon to 1:00 p.m. lunch closure. Bring the case name and number. For circuit court records, you can also email 55thcourt@clareco.net with your request before visiting to confirm the file is available and to ask about fees.
Mail requests go to PO Box 438, Harrison, MI 48625. Write a clear request with the case name, case number, and the documents you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Copy fees are typically $1 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. Call (989) 539-7131 to confirm current fees before sending payment.
Official Michigan court forms are free at the SCAO forms page. For older historical records, contact the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. Research fees start at $15. For free legal guidance, Michigan Legal Help has step-by-step tools for common legal situations in Clare County and across Michigan.
Clare County Public Records Rules
Most records in Clare County's 55th Circuit Court and 80th District Court are open to the public. The Register of Actions for each case is available to anyone who asks. Civil, criminal, and family case dockets are accessible during business hours. Access to court records is governed by MCR 8.119, which sets out what courts must provide and how personal identifying information must be handled before documents are released.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases are confidential under MCL 600.1750. Personal Protection Order cases are not available online per MCR 3.705. HYTA matters are sealed. First-time drug offense dispositions under MCL 333.7411 are restricted from public online access. These apply throughout Michigan, including Clare County.
Remember that court records are not covered by FOIA. If you need court documents, go to the clerk's office directly, not through a FOIA request. For official criminal background checks, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, which provides verified criminal history records for employment and licensing purposes.
Cities in Clare County
Clare County does not have cities above the qualifying population threshold for dedicated pages. Harrison is the county seat. All 55th Circuit Court and 80th District Court cases for Clare County are processed through the clerk's office in Harrison.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Clare County in central Michigan. Clare has its own 55th Circuit Court and is not part of a multicounty circuit.