Search St. Clair County Court Records

St. Clair County civil court records are filed and maintained at the county courthouse in Port Huron, Michigan, right along the Canadian border. The 31st Circuit Court and the 72nd District Court serve this county, dealing with civil disputes at different monetary levels. St. Clair County offers its own online case search in addition to the statewide MiCOURT system. This page walks you through every method for searching, requesting, and obtaining civil court documents in St. Clair County.

St. Clair County Court Clerk

The St. Clair County Clerk manages civil court records for the 31st Circuit Court. The office is in the courthouse at 201 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron. Staff handle case file lookups, copy requests, and certified document preparation.

The 31st Circuit Court handles civil lawsuits where the claim is over $25,000, per MCL 600.8301. This includes major contract disputes, personal injury cases, and property claims. The circuit court serves only St. Clair County, so all hearings happen at the Port Huron courthouse.

The 72nd District Court takes care of civil cases up to $25,000. It also handles small claims up to $6,500. The civil division of the 72nd District Court can be reached at (810) 985-2070. For traffic and criminal matters, the number is (810) 985-2072. Both courts are housed in the same complex in downtown Port Huron.

How to Search St. Clair Court Records

St. Clair County has its own Public Web Inquiry system for searching court records. This local tool lets you look up cases in the 31st Circuit and 72nd District courts. You can search by name, case number, or other criteria. It may show more detail than the statewide system for certain case types.

The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the other online option. This free statewide tool covers St. Clair County courts as well. Search by party name, case number, or attorney to see docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Neither tool shows full document images, so you still need to get copies from the clerk for the actual text of filed papers.

Michigan law supports public access to court records. MCR 8.119 says records are presumed open. MCL 600.1420 requires courts to be public. You can ask to see any civil case file at the clerk's office without giving a reason.

Requesting Civil Court Documents

In person, visit the clerk's office at 201 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron. Ask to see the case file you need. The clerk will pull it, and you can review documents at the counter. Pick the pages you want copied, and the staff will make them while you wait.

St. Clair County also has an online Court Document Request Form. This form lets you submit a request for specific court documents without going to the courthouse. Fill in the case details, specify which documents you need, and submit the form. The clerk's office will process it and contact you about fees and delivery.

Mail requests can be sent to St. Clair County Clerk, 201 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron, MI 48060. Include the case number, party names, and a description of the documents you want. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. Allow one to two weeks for processing. The MiFILE e-filing system is available for filing new documents with the court electronically.

St. Clair County Court Fees

Standard copies run $1.00 to $2.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 for the certification plus the per-page fee. These rates follow MCL 600.2546.

Filing fees for new civil cases range from about $30 for small claims under $600 to over $200 for large circuit court cases. The fee depends on how much money is in dispute. The clerk takes checks and money orders. Credit card acceptance varies, so call (810) 985-2031 before your visit to confirm payment options.

Civil Cases in St. Clair County Courts

St. Clair County courts handle a full range of civil case types. Contract disputes between businesses and individuals are common. Personal injury claims, particularly from auto accidents, fill a significant portion of the circuit court docket. Property disputes come up regularly too, including boundary issues, mechanics' liens, and construction defects.

The 72nd District Court's small claims division deals with cases under $6,500. These hearings are informal. Many people handle them without hiring a lawyer. The court sets a hearing date quickly, usually within a few weeks. Debt collection cases also appear in both courts depending on the dollar amount. All filings, motions, orders, and judgments in these cases become public record under MCR 8.119. Personal data such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers is redacted per MCR 1.109 to protect privacy.

St. Clair County provides an online court document request form for requesting civil court records remotely. The screenshot below shows the form.

This form lets you submit record requests without visiting the courthouse. Fill in the case details and the clerk will contact you with the fees and processing timeline.

Legal Help in St. Clair County

Michigan Legal Help provides free self-help resources for people handling civil court cases. Fillable forms, step-by-step guides, and court information are all available online. Legal Aid of Southeastern Michigan serves St. Clair County and may provide free legal help to those who qualify based on income. The Michigan Courts portal has court forms and general system information as well.

Keep in mind that court records fall outside FOIA coverage in Michigan. MCL 15.232(h)(iv) exempts the judiciary. All document requests must go through the court clerk, not through a freedom of information process. The St. Clair County Courts website is also a useful resource for finding contact details and learning about local court procedures.

Nearby Counties

St. Clair County is in southeast Michigan along the St. Clair River. These neighboring counties each have their own court systems.