Court records of St. Joseph County, Michigan, are available through several channels. StJosephMICourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the online portal MiCOURT Case Search, directly at the County Clerk's office, and through public terminals installed in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to the county's court system, hearing calendar, obtaining document copies, and paying fees.
St. Joseph Court System & Jurisdictions
Two main courts operate in the county, each with clearly defined jurisdiction.
45th Circuit Court
This is the primary trial court for serious cases. 45th Circuit Court handles:
- Felony criminal cases (serious crimes)
- Civil lawsuits over $25,000
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, alimony
- Appeals from District Court decisions
The official custodian of all materials filed with this court is the County Clerk — 45th Circuit Court Division. This is where you should request copies of decisions, transcripts, and other documents.
3B District Court
3B District Court covers a broader range of everyday cases:
- Misdemeanors (less serious offenses) and serious traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases before transfer to Circuit Court
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Small Claims cases — up to $6,500
- Environmental law violations and animal cases
- Arrest and search warrants
The Probate Court in the county handles matters related to inheritance, guardianship of incapacitated persons, name changes, and involuntary hospitalization. The Juvenile Division deals with cases involving minors.
Note: As of April 11, 2023, due to the enactment of the Clean Slate law, access to some criminal records may be restricted. This pertains to the automatic expungement of convictions under certain conditions.
St. Joseph Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week depends on the specific court.
- 45th Circuit Court — the hearing schedule is usually published on the Circuit Court page or available upon request at the clerk's office. A phone call to the County Clerk is the quickest way to find out the exact time of a specific hearing.
- 3B District Court — information on scheduled hearings can be obtained on the District Court page or by calling the court directly.
- MiCOURT — through the online case search, you can check the status of a specific case and the dates of upcoming hearings if the court publishes this information in the system.
Some Michigan courts display only case numbers and sentencing data for the last seven years in MiCOURT. For more complete information, contact the clerk's office in person.
Contact Information for Courts
45th Circuit Court / County Clerk
3B District Court
How to Get a Copy of a St. Joseph Court Document
Court document copies come in two types: certified and uncertified. A certified copy contains the official seal and signature of the clerk, confirming the document's authenticity. Such a copy is required for most legal purposes — filing with another court, immigration procedures, or real estate transactions.
How to Order a Copy
- In Person — visit the County Clerk's office at 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date.
- By Mail — send a written request with case details and a return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Mailing address:
- Online — basic case information can be viewed through MiCOURT Case Search, but downloading full documents or ordering certified copies online is not available for all case types. Check with the clerk.
Necessary forms for various court procedures are available on the county's forms and documents page.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, adoptions, and certain family cases are usually closed to public view. Records expunged under the Clean Slate law are also unavailable through public search systems.
St. Joseph Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches are set according to Michigan state court rules and local administrative orders. Below are approximate rates — we recommend confirming exact amounts with the clerk's office, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $10.00 |
| Record search (by name) | $10.00 |
| Additional certified copy of the same document | $1.00 per page |
| State criminal history search via ICHAT | $10.00 |
For state-level criminal history checks, the ICHAT system, supported by the Michigan State Police, is used. This is a separate tool from court search.
Payment Methods
- In person at the clerk's office — cash, check, money order
- By mail — check or money order payable to St. Joseph County Clerk
- Online payment — depends on the specific system; check availability on the official county website
Credit and debit cards are not accepted in all cases. Call the clerk's office before visiting to avoid unnecessary trips.