Find Alpena County Civil Court Records
Alpena County civil court records are housed at the courthouse on West Chisholm Street in the city of Alpena, along the Lake Huron shore in northeast Michigan. The 26th Circuit Court shares jurisdiction with Montmorency County and handles larger civil disputes. The 88th District Court covers smaller civil claims. This guide explains where to find Alpena County civil court records, how to search for cases online, what documents you can request, and the fees involved in getting copies of court filings.
Alpena County Overview
Alpena County Court Offices
The Alpena County Courthouse on West Chisholm Street houses the circuit court, district court, and county clerk's office. Each office has a separate suite within the building. County Clerk Bonnie Friedrichs handles civil case records for the 26th Circuit Court. The 88th District Court has its own staff and processes in a different suite.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | Bonnie Friedrichs |
| Circuit Court Address | 720 W. Chisholm St., Ste. 1, Alpena, MI 49707 |
| Clerk Office Address | 720 W. Chisholm St., Ste. 2, Alpena, MI 49707 |
| Clerk Phone | (989) 354-9520 |
| Clerk Email | friedrib@alpenacounty.org |
| 88th District Court | 719 W. Chisholm St., Ste. 4, Alpena, MI 49707 |
| District Court Phone | (989) 354-9678 |
| District Court Judge | Thomas J. LaCross |
The 26th Circuit Court is a multi-county court that also serves Montmorency County. Civil cases with claims exceeding $25,000 are heard in circuit court, per MCL 600.8301. Smaller civil disputes go to the 88th District Court. Small claims up to $6,500 also run through district court.
Searching Alpena Civil Court Records Online
Alpena County has a couple of online tools for searching civil court records. The Alpena County Courts page is a good starting point. It provides links to court information and case search options for the 26th Circuit and 88th District courts.
The MiCOURT Case Search portal covers Alpena County courts as part of the statewide system. Search by name, case number, business name, or attorney. Results show docket entries, case status, and scheduled hearings. The tool is free and runs all day, every day. Document images are not available through MiCOURT for most courts, so you will still need the clerk for actual copies of filings.
The Montmorency County case search may also be useful since the 26th Circuit Court serves both counties. If you are tracking a case that involves parties in either county, checking both systems can help fill in gaps.
Note: Online case searches show docket entries and case status but typically do not include full document images.
How to Request Alpena County Court Records
Getting copies of civil court records from Alpena County requires contacting the clerk's office. In-person requests are the fastest option. Head to 720 W. Chisholm Street, Suite 2, in Alpena during business hours. Tell the staff what case you need and which documents you want copied. If you have the case number, share it upfront. That saves time. The staff will locate the file and make copies on the spot.
Mail requests also work. Write to County Clerk Bonnie Friedrichs at 720 W. Chisholm St., Ste. 2, Alpena, MI 49707. Include the case number, party names, and a clear list of documents you need. Send a check to cover copy fees and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time varies, so plan for at least a week or two.
You can reach the clerk by email at friedrib@alpenacounty.org for questions about records or procedures. For electronic filing of new documents, use the MiFILE portal. Most attorneys must use MiFILE, while self-represented parties can choose between electronic and paper filing.
Alpena County Court Fees
Copy fees follow the statewide schedule set under MCL 600.2546. Standard copies cost $1.00 to $2.00 per page. Certified copies run $10.00 to $11.00 for the certification plus the per-page charge. If you need documents for official use in another court, get certified copies.
Filing fees for new civil cases in the 88th District Court start around $30 to $35 for claims up to $600. Higher claim amounts bring higher fees. Circuit court filing fees for cases over $25,000 are the most expensive. The clerk's office can give you exact amounts when you call or stop in. Small claims filings cost less than standard civil cases and follow a simplified process.
Public Access to Alpena Court Records
Under MCL 600.1420, all Michigan courts must be open to the public. That includes Alpena County courts. You can ask to see any civil case file without explaining your reasons. MCR 8.119 spells out the rules for public access to court records. The general rule is that case records are public unless a specific law or court order says otherwise.
Records that stay private include juvenile proceedings, adoption files, mental health cases, and anything sealed by a judge. Since April 2022, courts also redact protected personal information from public files. MCR 1.109 lists what gets removed: birth dates, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and bank account numbers. If you are filing documents, take care not to include unnecessary personal details.
Court records in Michigan fall outside the Freedom of Information Act. MCL 15.232(h)(iv) exempts the judiciary from FOIA. You cannot file a FOIA request for court files. All record requests go through the clerk's office.
Note: The clerk cannot release sealed records without a court order authorizing access.
Legal Resources for Alpena County
Michigan Legal Help has free self-help tools, court forms, and guides for people representing themselves in civil cases. The Michigan Courts website offers standardized court forms and a full directory of courts across the state. Both resources are especially valuable for those new to the civil court process in Alpena County.
For direct help with filing or records, call the Alpena County Clerk at (989) 354-9520. Staff can walk you through procedures and point you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice, though. If you need advice on strategy or legal arguments, consult with a licensed attorney or use the tools on Michigan Legal Help.
The Alpena County Courts page lists court contacts and case search options for civil court records.
Visit the courts page for contact information, office hours, and links to search civil case filings in the 26th Circuit Court and 88th District Court.
Alpena County also provides joint case search tools through the Montmorency County case search portal.
Since the 26th Circuit Court serves both Alpena and Montmorency counties, this shared search tool can help you locate civil court records across both jurisdictions.
Nearby Counties
Surrounding counties in northeast Michigan also process civil court records that might be relevant to your search.