Grand Traverse County Court Docket
Grand Traverse County court dockets are maintained by the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court, both located in Traverse City. The circuit court address is 328 Washington St., and the district court is at 280 Washington St., just a block away. Grand Traverse County is one of the larger court systems in northern Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This page explains how to search Grand Traverse County court dockets online, what the 86th District Court's own case lookup tool provides, and how to get copies of court records from the County Clerk.
Grand Traverse County Overview
Grand Traverse County Courts and Contacts
The 13th Circuit Court is at 328 Washington St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Phone is (231) 922-4701 or (231) 922-4702. The Circuit Court Clerk handles all circuit-level filings, docket records, and certified copy requests. Contact the Clerk to ask about procedures, fees, and document availability. In-person visits are accepted during regular court hours.
The 86th District Court is at 280 Washington St., Traverse City, MI 49684, phone (231) 922-4580. The district court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil matters under $25,000, and small claims cases. The 86th District Court offers its own online case search tool, which is a useful local resource for looking up cases filed in that court specifically.
| 13th Circuit Court | 328 Washington St., Traverse City, MI 49684 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (231) 922-4701 |
| 86th District Court | 280 Washington St., Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| District Court Phone | (231) 922-4580 |
| County Website | co.grand-traverse.mi.us |
The statewide Michigan Courts portal at courts.michigan.gov provides the case search tool and other resources for courts across Michigan, including Grand Traverse County.
The Michigan Courts case search portal is available free of charge and covers all 57 circuit courts including the 13th Circuit in Grand Traverse County.
How to Search Grand Traverse County Court Dockets
Grand Traverse County offers two main ways to search court dockets online. The first is the 86th District Court's own case lookup system at districtcourt.co.grand-traverse.mi.us/c86_cases/. This tool is specific to the district court and provides direct access to district court dockets for Traverse City and Grand Traverse County cases. It is a convenient option for misdemeanor, traffic, and small claims lookups.
The second option is the statewide Michigan Courts Case Search portal. This covers both the 13th Circuit Court and the 86th District Court, plus all other Michigan courts. Use the statewide search when you are not sure which court filed a particular case, or when you need to search across multiple courts at once. Both tools are free to use and available without registration.
For in-person searches at the 13th Circuit Court, visit 328 Washington St. during court hours. The Clerk's office can search by name or case number and provide information on case status. Public access terminals are also available for self-service searches. If you need certified copies or document images, you must request them directly from the Clerk since those are not available through online portals.
Note: The 86th District Court provides its own dedicated online case search tool for district court dockets at districtcourt.co.grand-traverse.mi.us/c86_cases/
What's in Grand Traverse County Court Dockets
The 13th Circuit Court's docket covers the most significant legal matters in Grand Traverse County. Felony criminal cases go to circuit court along with civil suits over $25,000, divorce and family law matters, custody disputes, probate proceedings, and appeals from the district court. The Register of Actions (ROA) is the official docket document for each case and lists every step from the initial filing to the final resolution.
The 86th District Court docket covers misdemeanor crimes, traffic cases, civil disputes under $25,000, and small claims. These cases are handled locally at 280 Washington St. in Traverse City. District court dockets can be searched through both the local 86th District Court search tool and the statewide case search portal. Both provide the same core docket information including case status and scheduled hearing dates.
Grand Traverse County also has a Probate Court that handles wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. If you are searching for a probate matter, start with the circuit court case search since probate is part of the 13th Circuit's jurisdiction. Contact (231) 922-4701 to confirm whether a specific probate matter is available for public review.
Public Access to Grand Traverse County Dockets
Michigan court records including those in Grand Traverse County are governed by MCR 8.119. Most court dockets are public. You can look up case information and request copies without being involved in the case. Courts must remove personal identifying information (PII) before releasing documents under MCR 8.119(H)(5). This affects what appears in copies you receive, but the core docket information remains accessible.
Some case types are not public. Personal Protection Orders are excluded under 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 not shown in public online systems. Michigan's Clean Slate Law of 2020 may also affect whether older convictions appear in a search - some have been automatically expunged under that law.
For formal criminal background checks, do not rely on court docket searches. The Michigan State Police ICHAT system provides certified criminal history records for official purposes. The court portals are reference tools, not official background check systems.
Court Record Fees in Grand Traverse County
Copy fees for Grand Traverse County court records vary by court. Contact the 13th Circuit Court Clerk at (231) 922-4701 or the 86th District Court at (231) 922-4580 to get current fee schedules before submitting a request. Michigan courts generally charge $1.00 to $2.00 per page for regular copies and $10.00 for the first page of a certified copy plus per-page fees for additional pages.
Online searches are free through both the 86th District Court's own tool and the statewide case search. No registration is required to use either search system. Charges only apply when you need physical copies or certified documents.
Standard court forms used in Grand Traverse County are available at no cost from the Michigan SCAO forms page. These standardized forms are accepted at all Michigan courts and cover the most common types of filings. The MiFILE e-filing system is also available for courts that have enrolled, so check with the Circuit Court Clerk to confirm whether e-filing is accepted for your case type.
Cities in Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County includes Traverse City and several other communities. No qualifying cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All circuit court filings for Grand Traverse County residents go through the 13th Circuit Court in Traverse City.
Nearby Counties
Grand Traverse County is in northern Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Neighboring counties have their own circuit courts for cases in those areas.