Find Court Dockets in Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County court docket records cover civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed at the Washtenaw County Trial Court in Ann Arbor. The County Clerk maintains these records and serves as the official clerk for circuit court proceedings. You can search Washtenaw County court dockets using the free statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal, or visit the courthouse in Ann Arbor to search records in person and request copies of court filings.

Washtenaw County Trial Court Overview

The Washtenaw County Trial Court handles circuit court cases for the county. The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court covers felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, divorce and family matters, and juvenile cases. The County Clerk's office manages the docket files and issues certified copies of court records. Ann Arbor is the county seat and home to the main courthouse where most filings are processed.

Washtenaw County also falls under the Eastern District of Michigan for federal court matters. The federal courthouse for cases with federal jurisdiction is in Detroit, though some proceedings may take place at other locations in the district. State court cases, which make up the vast majority of dockets, are handled entirely at the Washtenaw County courthouse. For federal case lookups, use the PACER system through the U.S. Courts website, separate from the state MiCOURT portal.

The Washtenaw County government maintains a comprehensive website at washtenaw.org with links to court offices, clerk services, and other county resources. The site is a good starting point if you need to find contact information or verify office hours before visiting in person.

How to Search Washtenaw County Court Dockets

The main way to search Washtenaw County court dockets online is through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal. This free tool covers all 57 Michigan circuit courts, including Washtenaw. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns basic case details: case type, status, party names, and a summary of docket activity. No account is needed. Just go to the site, enter what you know, and review the results.

The MiCOURT portal does not display document images. You can see that a filing occurred on a given date, but you cannot read the document itself through the online system. To view actual case documents, you need to visit the courthouse in Ann Arbor or send a written request to the clerk's office. This is standard practice across Michigan. The online portal is best for confirming a case exists, checking its current status, or finding the case number before you make a records request.

Some case types do not appear in online searches. Personal Protection Orders are excluded under MCR 3.705. Juvenile cases are confidential under MCL 600.1750. HYTA matters are sealed. First-time drug offender cases resolved under MCL 333.7411 are also excluded. If a search comes up empty and you believe a case should exist, one of these restrictions may apply, or the case may have been expunged under the Michigan Clean Slate Law of 2020.

For in-person searches, the Washtenaw County courthouse in Ann Arbor has public access terminals where you can view case indexes at no cost. The clerk's office staff cannot do research for you, but they can direct you to the right terminal or explain how to use the search system. Bring the party name or case number to speed up your search.

Getting Copies of Washtenaw County Court Records

You can request Washtenaw County court records in person at the courthouse in Ann Arbor, by mail, or in some cases by phone or email for basic information. In-person visits are usually the fastest option. You can look through the file and get copies on the same day. For mail requests, write to the Washtenaw County Clerk's office with the case name, case number if known, the specific documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your copies.

Copy fees in Michigan generally run $1 to $2 per page for standard copies. Certified copies carry an additional fee, typically $10 for the certification plus per-page costs. Certified copies are usually required when you need to present a court record as official proof. They bear the raised seal of the court and cannot be emailed. You must receive them by mail or pick them up in person. The SCAO forms page has standardized request forms that make it easier for the clerk to process your request quickly.

Historical records going back to the 1800s are available through the County Clerk. Very old records or those transferred from county custody may be held at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. The Archives charges a general research fee starting at $15. If the records you need predate what the county currently holds, the Archives should be your next stop.

Types of Cases in the Washtenaw County Docket

The Washtenaw County Trial Court handles several categories of cases, each with its own docket format. Civil cases include contract disputes, property matters, personal injury claims, and debt collection actions above $25,000. The circuit court also handles civil cases involving injunctions, real estate disputes, and business litigation. For smaller claims, the district court handles cases under $25,000 and is a separate court with its own docket system.

Criminal dockets in Washtenaw County cover felony charges. Misdemeanor cases go to one of the district courts. Felony docket entries show the original charge, all pretrial hearings, motions, the plea or verdict, and sentencing. Family division dockets cover divorce, legal separation, custody disputes, child support, and paternity cases. Probate dockets handle wills, estates, guardianship proceedings, and mental health commitments. Each division keeps its own docket records, though all circuit-level cases go through the County Clerk for filing and record keeping.

Under MCR 8.119, most docket records are public. The court must remove certain personal information before giving you copies. This includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other protected data. What you get is a redacted version with most information intact but sensitive identifiers removed.

Legal Resources for Washtenaw County

For help understanding court records or navigating the court system, Michigan Legal Help offers free guides written in plain language. The site covers everything from how to file a case to how to search for records and what to expect at a court hearing. It is especially useful if you are representing yourself and need to understand what a court document means or what to do next.

For official criminal background checks, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system rather than a court docket search. ICHAT provides verified criminal history records suitable for employment, licensing, and similar purposes. Court docket searches can give you general case information, but they are not a substitute for a formal ICHAT check when one is required. The MiFILE electronic filing system is available for attorneys and self-represented parties who need to submit documents to the court. MiFILE also sends alerts when new activity posts to your case, which is helpful for tracking ongoing proceedings without checking the docket manually.

Cities in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is the county seat and the largest city in Washtenaw County. Court filings for all communities in Washtenaw County go through the Trial Court in Ann Arbor.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Washtenaw County. If a case was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, use the links below to find the right county court information.