Emmet County Court Docket Records

Emmet County court dockets are held by the 57th Circuit Court and the 90th District Court, both based in Petoskey, Michigan. The County Clerk also serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court, managing filings and docket records for all circuit-level cases. This page covers how to access Emmet County court dockets online or in person, what records are available, and how to request copies of court documents.

Emmet County Courts and Clerk

The County Clerk's office is at 200 Division St, Suite 130, Petoskey, MI 49770. Suzanne Kanine serves as County Clerk and, in that role, acts as Clerk of the Circuit Court. The 90th District Court is a floor down at the same address, Suite G12. Both courts share the Petoskey location, so visiting in person is straightforward. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can reach the County Clerk at (231) 348-1744 or by fax at (231) 348-0602. The District Court can be reached at (231) 348-1750. Andrea Hughey serves as Chief Deputy Clerk and can assist with many record requests. For mail requests, send correspondence to the County Clerk at 200 Division St, Suite 130, Petoskey, MI 49770.

The Emmet County website at emmetcounty.org lists clerk services, available records, and contact information for all county departments.

The county website provides access to the clerk's services page, which includes links to the 90th District Court, vital records, and other records held by the office.

Search Emmet County Court Dockets

To search Emmet County court dockets online, use the Michigan Courts Case Search portal. This free statewide tool covers the 57th Circuit Court along with all other Michigan circuit courts. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name to pull up docket entries, case status, and hearing dates.

The online system shows docket entries but does not provide access to actual document images. If you need to see or copy a filed document, you must request it from the Clerk's office in person or by mail. Requests by fax are not accepted - the county's records policy requires either in-person visits, mail requests with payment, or online submissions where available.

For vital records (birth, death, marriage), Emmet County offers some online search options. The county provides a divorce packet service for those who need to file. Divorce packets cost $50.00 (includes pleadings and copy costs), and the filing fee for divorce is $175 (no children) or $255 (with children). These are separate from copy fees for existing records.

Types of Court Records in Emmet County

The 57th Circuit Court handles the most serious cases in Emmet County. These include felony criminal cases, civil suits over $25,000, family law matters like divorce and custody, and probate matters including estates and guardianships. The circuit court also handles appeals from the district court. All of these cases create docket records that are maintained by the County Clerk.

The 90th District Court handles a different set of cases. Misdemeanor crimes, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims matters, and traffic cases all go through the district court. District court docket records are accessible through the state Case Search portal as well. If you are not sure which court handled a particular case, the statewide search will show cases from both courts.

Emmet County records go back to the 1860s. Very old case files may not be digitized and must be reviewed in person at the courthouse. Contact the Clerk's office to ask about the availability of records from a specific time period before making a visit.

Emmet County Court Record Fees

Emmet County uses standard Michigan court fee rates for most record requests. Vital record copies cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. Assumed Name (DBA) registration costs $16.00. A certified copy of a DBA is $2.00. Notary filings are $10.00. For court record copies, contact the Clerk at (231) 348-1744 to get the current per-page fee.

Mail requests to the Clerk must include payment by check or money order. Cash payments are accepted in person. Online searches are free through the state portal. Certified copies require the court seal and must be picked up or mailed after the office processes the request.

The free online records search from Emmet County's Register of Deeds provides access to land records. This is a separate system from the court docket search and covers property records, not case files.

The Michigan SCAO forms page provides standard court forms at no charge. These are the same forms used at all Michigan courts, including the 57th Circuit Court and 90th District Court in Emmet County.

What Records Are Public in Emmet County

Most court dockets in Emmet County are open to the public under MCR 8.119. You can look up case information, check hearing dates, and request copies without being a party to the case. However, Michigan law carves out several exceptions. Personal Protection Orders are not shown online per MCR 3.705. Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 600.1750. HYTA cases are confidential. First-time drug offender cases under MCL 333.7411 are also excluded from public online search results.

If a case you are searching for does not show up, it may fall into one of these confidential categories, or it may have been expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate Law of 2020. The law allows for automatic expungement of certain older offenses, which means those cases will no longer appear in public records. The court clerk cannot always confirm whether a case has been expunged, but staff can help direct you to the right resource.

For certified criminal history checks, the right tool is the Michigan State Police ICHAT system, not the court case search portal. ICHAT provides official results suitable for formal screening purposes.

Cities in Emmet County

Emmet County includes Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and several townships. No qualifying cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All court filings for Emmet County residents go through the courts in Petoskey.

Nearby Counties

Emmet County sits in northern Michigan near the Straits of Mackinac. Adjacent counties have their own circuit courts for cases filed in those jurisdictions.