Access Mackinac County Civil Court Records

Mackinac County civil court records are maintained at the county courthouse in St. Ignace, located at the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula. The county is part of the 11th Circuit Court, which it shares with Luce County, and also has the 92nd District Court for smaller civil cases. Despite being a tourist destination known for Mackinac Island, the county has a small year-round population and a modest civil court caseload. This guide explains how to search for court filings, obtain copies, and understand the fees and rules for accessing civil court records here.

Mackinac County Court Offices

The Mackinac County Clerk maintains all circuit court records for the county. The 92nd District Court has its own clerk staff for district-level civil cases. Both offices are in the county courthouse at 100 S. Marley Street in St. Ignace.

The 11th Circuit Court covers both Mackinac and Luce counties. The circuit judge travels between St. Ignace and Newberry to hear cases in each county. This is a common arrangement in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Cases filed in Mackinac County stay in the St. Ignace courthouse for record-keeping purposes.

How to Search Mackinac Civil Court Records

Start with the MiCOURT Case Search portal if you want to search online. This free statewide tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or attorney. It covers both the 11th Circuit Court and the 92nd District Court. Results include the register of actions, case status, and scheduled hearing dates.

The Mackinac County website has pages for both the 11th Circuit Court and the 92nd District Court with contact details and basic information about each court's operations. These pages are useful for finding phone numbers and addresses, though they do not offer a searchable case database.

In-person searches are simple. Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse and ask for the case you need. Bring a case number if you have one. The staff can also do name-based searches, which take a bit longer but work well in a county with a small case volume like Mackinac.

Requesting Court Record Copies

You can request copies of Mackinac County civil court records in person or by mail. Under MCR 8.119, most civil records are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies.

Standard copies run $1.00 to $2.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the certification plus per-page charges, as set by MCL 600.2546. For mail requests, write to the Mackinac County Clerk at 100 S. Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781. Include the case number or detailed party information. Send payment with your request and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Walk-in requests at the St. Ignace courthouse are usually processed the same day. The low case volume in Mackinac County means the clerk's staff can typically help you right away without a long wait.

92nd District Court Civil Cases

The 92nd District Court in Mackinac County handles civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less, as defined by MCL 600.8301. This includes general civil disputes, small claims cases up to $6,500, and other matters within the district court's jurisdiction. Small claims court is designed for people to handle their own cases without needing a lawyer, which makes it a practical option for smaller disputes.

The district court is located at 100 S. Marley Street, Room 55, in St. Ignace. You can reach the court clerk at (906) 643-7321 or by email at districtcourt@mackinaccounty.net. The district court also participates in the MiFILE electronic filing system, though self-represented parties are not required to use it.

The Mackinac County 11th Circuit Court page provides information about the circuit court's civil case procedures.

This county resource outlines the circuit court structure and how to reach the clerk for civil case inquiries.

Mackinac County Filing Fees

Filing fees follow Michigan's uniform fee schedule. The cost to file a civil case depends on how much money is at stake in the lawsuit.

• Claims up to $600: $30 to $35
• Claims from $601 to $1,750: $50 to $55
• Claims from $1,751 to $10,000: $70 to $130
• Claims from $10,001 to $25,000: $130 to $215

Circuit court filing fees for cases over $25,000 vary by case type. Motion fees run about $20. The clerk's office can tell you the exact cost when you file. Payment options may include cash, check, and money order.

Court Records Access and Privacy

Michigan law favors public access to court records. MCL 600.1420 states that all courts of record must be public. This means you can view civil case files at the Mackinac County courthouse without any special permission.

Some records are restricted. Sealed cases, juvenile proceedings, adoption files, and mental health records are not available to the public. MCR 1.109 requires that personal identifying information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers be redacted from public filings. Court records are also exempt from FOIA under MCL 15.232(h)(iv), so all requests must go through the court clerk directly.

The 92nd District Court page on the Mackinac County website has contact and case information.

Use this page to find the district court phone number and email for civil case record requests.

Legal Help for Mackinac County

Michigan Legal Help offers free tools and guides for self-represented parties in civil cases. The Michigan Courts website provides downloadable forms that work in any county court across the state.

Finding a local attorney in Mackinac County may require looking beyond the immediate area, since few lawyers are based in St. Ignace. The State Bar of Michigan maintains a referral service that can connect you with civil litigation attorneys in the broader Upper Peninsula region. For small claims and straightforward district court cases, many people represent themselves successfully.

Nearby Counties

Mackinac County spans both sides of the Straits of Mackinac, bordering several Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula counties.