Find Farmington Hills Civil Court Records

Farmington Hills civil court records are processed through the 47th District Court and the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court. The 47th District Court sits on Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills and handles civil disputes up to $25,000. Bigger cases go to the circuit court in Pontiac. Both courts make their records available to the public through online portals and in-person requests. This page covers how to search for Farmington Hills civil court records, the court offices to contact, fees for copies, and the tools you can use to look up case details from home.

Courts for Farmington Hills Civil Cases

The 47th District Court is the local court for Farmington Hills civil court records. It has jurisdiction over general civil cases up to $25,000 per MCL 600.8301. The court also hears small claims up to $7,000. It serves both the City of Farmington Hills and the City of Farmington, which are two separate municipalities that share this one court. The courthouse is at 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills.

When a civil case exceeds $25,000, it is filed at the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac. Oakland County is one of the most populated counties in Michigan, and its circuit court handles a high volume of civil cases. The Oakland County Clerk's office at 1200 N. Telegraph Road maintains all circuit court records. Under MCR 8.119, both district and circuit court records are presumptively open to the public.

E-filing through MiFILE became mandatory for civil cases at the 47th District Court as of November 2025. Attorneys must use MiFILE for all new filings. Self-represented parties can still file in person if they choose.

Farmington Hills Court Contact Info

Contact details for the courts that handle Farmington Hills civil court records are listed below.

Searching Farmington Hills Court Records Online

The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the main online tool for looking up Farmington Hills civil court records from the 47th District Court. The search is free and open to everyone. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. The system returns case summaries that show the filing date, party names, case type, status, and docket entries. The register of actions gives a chronological list of every filing and event in the case.

For Oakland County Circuit Court cases, the Court Explorer portal provides a search tool. You need to create a free account to use it. Once logged in, search by name, case number, or business name to find civil cases from the 6th Circuit Court. Court Explorer is useful when you are looking at cases over $25,000 that were filed at the county level rather than the district court.

Document images are not available through either portal. Both tools show case information and docket entries only. To get actual copies of filed documents, you need to contact the court directly or visit in person.

How to Request Court Record Copies

Farmington Hills civil court records can be obtained in person at the 47th District Court. Go to the clerk's office at 31605 W. Eleven Mile Road and provide the case number or party names. The clerk will look up the case and print copies for you. Standard copies cost $1 to $2 per page, and certified copies add a $10 to $11 certification fee on top of the page cost. Call ahead at (248) 871-2900 to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods.

You can also request records by mail. Write a letter that includes the case number, the names of the parties, and a list of which documents you need. Send it with a check or money order for the estimated fees to the 47th District Court at the address listed above. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail requests typically take a few business days to process.

Circuit court records require a trip to the Oakland County Clerk's office in Pontiac or a mail request to that office. Fees at the circuit court are similar. Regular copies are $1 to $2 per page and certified copies are $10 to $11 plus page fees. Under MCL 600.2546, the court clerk sets all copy fees. Court records fall outside the scope of Michigan's FOIA law per MCL 15.232(h)(iv).

Civil Case Types in Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills civil court records include general civil claims, small claims, contract disputes, personal injury suits, and debt collection actions. The 47th District Court handles all of these when the amount in dispute is $25,000 or less. Small claims follow a simplified process and cap at $7,000. No lawyers are needed for small claims, though either party may choose to bring one.

Larger disputes over $25,000 move to the 6th Circuit Court. Business litigation, real property cases, and appeals from district court are common at the circuit level. MCR 1.109 requires that protected personal information be redacted from public filings. This includes social security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers. The Oakland County Clerk reviews filings for compliance and can reject documents that include protected data in violation of the rule.

The MiFILE e-filing portal is now the required method for filing civil documents in the 47th District Court. Below is a screenshot of the MiFILE system used for Farmington Hills civil court records filings.

Attorneys must use this system for all new filings. Self-represented litigants can register for free accounts if they want to file electronically.

Legal Resources in Farmington Hills

Michigan Legal Help offers free guides and court forms for people handling civil cases on their own. The site explains how to file a complaint, answer a lawsuit, and prepare for hearings. It covers both district and circuit court procedures. The Michigan Courts website has additional forms and rules that apply statewide.

The Oakland County Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service. For low-income residents, legal aid organizations in the area may offer free or reduced-cost help with civil matters. The MiFILE system also has a support line at 855-959-8868 for technical help with electronic filings.

Oakland County Court Records

Farmington Hills is in Oakland County. See the county page for more about court records across Oakland County.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in Oakland County with dedicated civil court records pages.