Hillsdale County Court Docket Records
Hillsdale County court dockets are managed by the 1st Judicial Circuit Court and the 2B District Court, both located in Hillsdale, Michigan. The county seat courthouse at N. Howell St. houses all court operations, including the Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, and Juvenile Services. This border county - adjacent to both Indiana and Ohio - has maintained court records for many decades. This page explains how to search Hillsdale County court dockets online, how the 2B District Court's e-filing system works, and how to get copies of case records.
Hillsdale County Overview
Hillsdale County Circuit and District Courts
The 1st Judicial Circuit Court is at 29 N. Howell St., Room 6, Hillsdale, MI 49242. Phone is (517) 437-4321. The Circuit Court handles criminal cases, divorce, civil matters over $25,000, and probate. The County Clerk's office, which maintains circuit court docket records, is one floor down at 29 N. Howell St., Room 1. Phone for the Clerk is (517) 437-3391, fax (517) 437-3392. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The 2B District Court is at 49 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242. Phone is (517) 437-7329, fax (517) 437-2908. The district court handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic matters, and civil cases under $25,000. Hillsdale County's 2B District Court participates in electronic filing through MiFILE, so attorneys and parties can file documents online without visiting the courthouse. The Probate and Family Court handles estates, adoptions, and guardianships at the same courthouse complex.
| Circuit Court | 29 N. Howell St., Room 6, Hillsdale, MI 49242 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (517) 437-4321 |
| County Clerk | 29 N. Howell St., Room 1, Hillsdale, MI 49242 |
| Clerk Phone | (517) 437-3391 |
| District Court | 49 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242 |
| District Court Phone | (517) 437-7329 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
The Hillsdale County website at co.hillsdale.mi.us lists court departments, clerk services, and online resources for accessing public records.
The county website provides links to all court divisions, the clerk's office, and access to online docket information through the state case search system.
The 2B District Court page at co.hillsdale.mi.us provides information on district court procedures, e-filing enrollment, and online docket access.
The district court page explains the MiFILE e-filing process for Hillsdale County cases and lists contact information for district court staff.
Search Hillsdale County Court Dockets
Use the Michigan Courts Case Search portal to search Hillsdale County court dockets online. The free statewide system covers the 1st Judicial Circuit Court along with all other Michigan circuit courts. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name to find docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. No registration is required to use the search portal.
For the 2B District Court, the statewide case search also includes district court records. The district court's own online docket is accessible through the county website at co.hillsdale.mi.us/index.php/tm-courts. This takes you to the courts page where you can find the district court docket link and other local court resources.
In-person searches are available at both courts during business hours. Visit the Clerk's office at Room 1, 29 N. Howell St. for circuit court records. For district court records, go to 49 N. Howell St. Staff can search by name or case number and tell you what documents are available. If you need certified copies, plan to pay the applicable fees at the time of your visit. Contact (517) 437-3391 before visiting to confirm current fees and procedures.
Note: The 2B District Court in Hillsdale County participates in MiFILE e-filing through TrueFiling, making it easier to file documents without an in-person visit to the courthouse.
E-Filing in Hillsdale County Courts
The 2B District Court accepts electronic filings through the MiFILE system. MiFILE is Michigan's statewide e-filing platform, also known as TrueFiling. Attorneys and self-represented parties can use it to file documents, pay fees online, and get email notifications about case updates. The notification feature is useful if you are tracking an ongoing case and want updates without checking the court portal manually.
For the 1st Judicial Circuit Court, contact the Clerk at (517) 437-4321 to confirm whether circuit court e-filing is available. As MiFILE expands across Michigan, more courts are enrolling. If the circuit court does not yet accept e-filings, documents must be filed in person or by mail at 29 N. Howell St., Hillsdale, MI 49242.
Standard court forms for Hillsdale County filings are available free at the Michigan SCAO forms page. These standardized forms are accepted at all Michigan courts. Using the correct form from the start helps avoid delays and rejected filings.
What Hillsdale County Court Dockets Contain
The 1st Judicial Circuit Court's docket covers all major cases in Hillsdale County. Felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, divorce and custody proceedings, guardianships, adoptions, and probate matters are all circuit court matters. Every filing in circuit court creates a docket entry. The Register of Actions is the official chronological record of everything that has happened in a case.
The 2B District Court docket covers misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and civil cases under $25,000. The Probate and Family Court handles estates, wills, mental health proceedings, and adoption cases. Juvenile Services handles truancy and juvenile drug court cases. Each of these areas has its own docket records accessible through the County Clerk or directly through the court.
Hillsdale County is known as home to Hillsdale College. The county's court records reflect a mix of rural and small-city case types. For very old records, contact the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. The Archives charges $15 for a general search and $50 per case file for Circuit Court and Court of Appeals records.
Public Records Access in Hillsdale County
Under MCR 8.119, most court records in Hillsdale County are open to the public. Civil, criminal, and family law dockets can be searched and copied by anyone. Courts are required to redact protected personal identifying information before releasing copies under MCR 8.119(H)(5). Some details in documents will be removed, but core case information remains accessible.
Confidential case types in Hillsdale County follow the same Michigan rules as elsewhere. PPO cases are excluded under MCR 3.705. Juvenile records are sealed under MCL 600.1750. HYTA cases are not public. First-time drug offender cases under MCL 333.7411 are excluded from online search systems. The 2020 Michigan Clean Slate Law may have led to automatic expungement of some older cases as well.
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the right tool for official criminal background checks. Court docket searches are not a substitute for ICHAT. The online case search is for general reference only and does not produce official certified results.
Cities in Hillsdale County
Hillsdale County includes the city of Hillsdale and several smaller communities including Jonesville, Litchfield, and Camden. No qualifying cities in this county meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All circuit court filings for Hillsdale County residents are processed at the 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsdale.
Nearby Counties
Hillsdale County borders Indiana and Ohio to the south. These Michigan counties are adjacent and have their own circuit courts.