Oakland County, Michigan Court Records
Oakland County court records are official documents created by the county’s courts to document legal proceedings within the county’s jurisdiction. These records track filings, motions, orders, judgments, and case outcomes in civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters, preserving an accurate account of everything that transpired in court.
At the trial level, the Oakland County Circuit Court, along with the district and probate courts, serves as the custodian of these records. Court records are created as cases move from the initial filing through disposition, and are maintained in accordance with the Michigan Court Rules and administrative orders issued by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Oakland County court records are part of a broader ecosystem of public records. While distinct, court records intersect with other record types, such as vital records, arrest and law enforcement records, corrections information, and federal court files.
Are Oakland County Court Records Public?
Most Oakland County court records are public and open under Michigan Court Rules (MCR), rather than the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which does not apply to courts. Public access is governed by Michigan Court Rule 8.119, and Michigan Supreme Court administrative orders. Under these rules, court records are presumed to be open to the public unless restricted by law or court order.
Generally accessible records include criminal matters, such as felonies and misdemeanors, and civil matters, including contracts and personal injury, as well as many probate proceedings, such as estate and will filings.
However, some records are restricted. Juvenile matters, child abuse or neglect proceedings, and mental health matters are not open to the general public. While divorce and custody cases are usually public, sensitive documents containing confidential data, such as Social Security numbers or financial information, may be sealed or redacted. Additionally, records that are sealed or expunged under Michigan law are not available for public inspection.
What Information is Available in Oakland County Court Records?
Typical court records in Oakland County include:
- Case number
- Filing date
- Name of the parties involved, including plaintiffs, defendants, and attorneys of record
- The type of case, whether civil, criminal, family, probate, or traffic
- Court actions, including motions filed, hearings scheduled, and rulings issued
- Court documents, such as complaints, petitions, judgments, and court orders
- Arrest information, including arrest warrants, police reports, and booking details
- Sentencing details, such as verdicts and probation information
Oakland County Court Records Search
Accessing court records in Oakland County can be done through several methods, each offering a distinct way to obtain the information required.
- Online Access: Oakland County provides online portals and case management systems that allow users to search and view court records remotely. Through the Oakland County Case Management System (OCCMS), individuals can access various records, including civil, criminal, and family law cases. Users can search by case number, party names, or filing date.
- In-Person Access: For record seekers who prefer direct assistance or need access to records that are not available online, visiting the courthouse is another viable option.
- Public Terminals: The Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds provides public access terminals for individuals who wish to search court records in person. These terminals allow users to look up case information by name, case number, or other identifiers.
- Clerk’s Office Assistance: Persons who require further help or need certified copies of the court records may walk into the Clerk’s Office to request the document. Staff at the Clerk’s Office can guide record seekers through the process of obtaining the document or provide information on accessing court files.
- Mail and Phone Requests: Individuals who prefer to search for court records without visiting in person or online may request court records by mail or phone.
- Mail Requests: To request court records by mail, submit a written request to the Oakland County Clerk’s Office. The request should include the case number, case type, and the names of the parties. A self-addressed stamped envelope is typically required for returning the documents.
- Phone Requests: To obtain Oakland court records by phone, contact the Clerk’s Office directly to ask about the availability of the records and any additional steps required for phone-based retrieval.
Fees for Court Records in Oakland County
The fees for obtaining court records in Oakland County may include copying, certified documents, and paid online services. It costs about $1.00 per page for regular copies of court records, whether ordered in person or by mail. To obtain certified copies of court records, there is a base certification fee of $10.00 plus $1.00 per page. When ordering the records online, there is an additional service charge of $2.50 in addition to the copy fee. While public terminals at the courthouse typically allow free case searches, there is usually a $0.10-$1.00 per-page charge for printing from those systems, depending on the document.
Vital records, such as marriage, birth, or death certificates, are maintained by the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds and have their own fees. Certified copies of marriage, birth, and death records cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy.
Oakland County Courthouse Locations
Here are the locations of the courthouses in Oakland County.
Oakland County Circuit Court
Oakland County Circuit Courts handle major civil and criminal cases, appeals from district and probate courts, and family matters, including divorce, custody, juvenile delinquency, and abuse or neglect cases.
Oakland County Circuit Court
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413,
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 858-0344
Each district court handles traffic, misdemeanor criminal, limited civil, and small claims cases, landlord/tenant disputes, and preliminary hearings for felony charges.
District Court Locations
52nd District Court - Division 1
48150 Grand River Avenue
Novi, MI 48374-1222
Phone: (248) 305-6460
52nd District Court - Division 2
5850 Lorac Drive
Clarkston, MI 48346
Phone: (248) 625-4880
52nd District Court - Division 3
700 Barclay Circle
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Phone: (248) 853-5553
52nd District Court - Division 4
520 W Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084
Phone: (248) 528-0400
43rd District Court, Ferndale
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: (248) 547-8700
43rd District Court, Madison Heights
300 West 13 Mile Road,
Madison Heights, MI 48071
Phone: (248) 588-1200
43rd District Court, Hazel Park
Hazel Park City Hall
111 East Nine Mile Road
Hazel Park, MI 48030
Phone: (248) 548-7000
44th District Court Royal Oak
203 South Troy Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 246-3000
45th District Court, Oak Park
13600 Oak Park Boulevard
Oak Park, MI 48237
Phone: (248) 691-7440
46th District Court Southfield
26000 Evergreen Road
Southfield, MI 48076
Phone: (248) 246-3000
47th District Court, Farmington Hills
31605 West Eleven Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Phone: (248) 871-2900
48th District Court
4280 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: (248) 647-1141
50th District Court Pontiac
70 North Saginaw
Pontiac, MI 48342
Phone: (248) 758-3800
51st District Court Waterford
5100 Civic Center Drive
Waterford, MI 48329
Phone: (248) 674-4655
Oakland Probate Court
The probate court in Oakland County manages estates, wills, trusts, guardianships or conservatorships, and mental health petitions.
Oakland Probate Court
1200 North Telegraph Road
Dept 457
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 858-0260
Oakland County Friend of the Court
Cases and issues handled by the Oakland County Friend of the Court include divorce and legal separation, child custody, paternity cases, parenting time disputes, and child support establishment and modification.
Oakland County Friend of the Court
230 Elizabeth Lake Road
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 858-0424
Criminal Records Access in Oakland County
Official state-level criminal history checks, such as those used for employment, licensing, immigration, or other formal screenings, are not handled by Oakland County Courts. In Michigan, these checks are administered by the Michigan State Police (MSP), which maintains the state’s criminal history repository. Requests typically require fingerprints or identifying information.
By contrast, local criminal case records are maintained by Oakland County Courts. These records document specific cases filed and processed within the county, including charges, court dates, filings, and case outcomes. These records may be accessed through county court online portals or by conducting in-person searches at courthouse public terminals or the Clerk’s Office.
Oakland County Probate Records
Oakland County probate records document legal matters related to a person’s estate and personal affairs, both during life and after death. These records are maintained by the Oakland County Probate Court and commonly include estate records, wills, probate filings, trust matters, guardianships, and conservatorships. Their purpose is to ensure that assets are properly managed and distributed and that individuals who cannot manage their own affairs are legally protected.
Common probate filings include wills, submitted for probate, estate administration cases for distributing property after death, trust oversight filings, and court actions establishing guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults. Conservatorships are also frequent and involve the court appointing someone to manage another person’s financial affairs. Mental health-related probate matters may also fall under the court’s jurisdiction.
Some Oakland County probate records, particularly more recent case summaries, may be available through online court systems. However, older files or detailed documents usually require an in-person visit to the courthouse. Additionally, certain probate matters are confidential or restricted by law, including cases involving minors, sensitive medical information, or sealed court orders.
Oakland County Family Court Records
Oakland County family court records document legal matters involving families and children, including divorce, child custody, and parenting time, child support, spousal support, and adoption proceedings. In general, many family law case dockets and basic case details are available to the public, while access to specific documents may be limited to protect privacy.
More recent family court case information can generally be searched through online court portals, allowing users to view case numbers, party names, and scheduled hearings. However, some records, such as adoptions, juvenile cases, and documents containing sensitive personal or financial information, are confidential or partially restricted by law and are not available online. For records that cannot be accessed electronically or certified copies, individuals may visit the courthouse clerk’s office to search public terminals or request copies.
Federal Court Records in Oakland County
Federal court cases arising in Oakland County fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. This court handles matters involving federal laws, including civil rights cases, federal criminal prosecutions, bankruptcy-related proceedings, and disputes involving federal agencies or constitutional issues. Federal court records are maintained separately from county systems. Public access to federal case information is available through the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court. In addition, most federal case dockets and documents may be accessed online through PACER (Public Access to Electronic Court Records), a nationwide system that allows users to search and view federal court records for a small per-page fee.
