Wexford County Civil Court Records

Wexford County civil court records are filed and stored at the courthouse in Cadillac, the county seat in northern Lower Michigan. The 28th Circuit Court and 84th District Court both operate from the same building on East Division Street, handling everything from large contract disputes to small claims under $6,500.

Wexford County Court Clerk

The Wexford County Clerk is the clerk of the 28th Circuit Court. This office keeps all circuit court civil records, processes copy requests, and handles certified documents. The office is on the first floor of the courthouse in Cadillac.

The 28th Circuit Court hears civil cases where more than $25,000 is at stake, as set by MCL 600.8301. This includes contract disputes, real estate claims, personal injury lawsuits, and appeals from the district court. The circuit covers both Wexford and Missaukee counties, so cases from either county go through this court. You can reach the circuit court directly at (231) 779-9490.

The 84th District Court takes civil cases up to $25,000 and small claims to $6,500. It sits in the same building at 437 E. Division St. in Cadillac. The phone number is (231) 779-9515. District court cases move faster than circuit court cases, and small claims hearings are usually informal. Both courts file their records through the county clerk's office.

How to Search Wexford County Court Records

The free MiCOURT Case Search portal is the best way to look up Wexford County civil court records online. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. The system pulls up results from both the 28th Circuit Court and 84th District Court. Each result shows the case type, filing date, party names, and the register of actions.

To run a search, go to the portal and select the court or leave it on all courts. Type in a last name and first name. You can use just two letters for a partial match. Click on any case number in the results to see the full docket, which lists every filing and hearing from start to finish.

MiCOURT does not show the actual documents. It shows what was filed and when. To get the text of a complaint, a motion, or a court order, you need to contact the clerk's office or use MiFILE. Under MCR 8.119, civil court records in Michigan are presumed open to the public. You do not need to explain why you want to see them.

The screenshot above shows the MiCOURT search interface used to look up Wexford County civil court records.

Getting Copies of Wexford County Court Records

You can get copies in person at the courthouse. Walk into the clerk's office at 437 E Division St. in Cadillac and give them the case number or party name. Staff will pull the file so you can look through it. When you find the pages you need, ask for copies. They print them right there.

Mail requests work too. Write to the Wexford County Clerk at 437 E Division St., Cadillac, MI 49601. Include the case number if you have it, names of the parties, and which documents you need. Send a check or money order for the estimated copy fees payable to Wexford County Clerk. Processing by mail usually takes one to two weeks depending on workload.

Call the clerk at (231) 779-9450 before sending a mail request. They can tell you if the case exists, roughly how many pages the documents are, and what the total cost will be. That way you send the right amount the first time.

MiFILE is the state's electronic filing system. Attorneys use it to file documents with the court. Self-represented parties can also sign up for free and access filings in their own cases. Check the list of participating courts to confirm availability for Wexford County.

Wexford County Court Record Fees

Standard copies cost $1.00 to $2.00 per page at the clerk's office. Certified copies add a $10.00 certification fee on top of the per-page charge. MCL 600.2546 sets the fee schedule for Michigan courts.

Filing fees for new civil cases depend on the dollar amount in dispute. Small claims under $600 cost about $30 to $35 to file. Cases between $601 and $1,750 run $50 to $55. Motion filing fees are $20. Circuit court civil filings cost more because of the higher claim amounts involved. The clerk takes checks and money orders. Call ahead to ask about credit card options.

• Standard copies: $1.00 to $2.00 per page
• Certified copies: $10.00 certification plus per-page fees
• Small claims filing (under $600): $30 to $35
• Civil filing ($601 to $1,750): $50 to $55
• Motion filing: $20

Types of Civil Cases in Wexford County

Civil court records in Wexford County cover a wide range of disputes. Contract claims are common. So are debt collection cases, where a creditor sues to recover money owed. Property disputes come up regularly, including boundary arguments, mechanics' liens, and foreclosure actions.

Personal injury cases go to the 28th Circuit Court when the amount exceeds $25,000. Smaller injury claims stay in the 84th District Court. Landlord issues like eviction proceedings are filed in the district court as summary proceedings. These move on a faster timeline than regular civil cases.

The small claims division of the 84th District Court handles disputes up to $6,500. These are informal hearings where people usually represent themselves. No attorneys are required. The judge hears both sides and makes a decision, often the same day. All of these case types become part of the public record under MCR 8.119 unless a judge orders the file sealed.

Michigan Laws on Court Record Access

MCL 600.1420 says all courts of record in Michigan must be open to the public. This is one of the strongest public access rules in the state. It means anyone can walk into the Wexford County courthouse and ask to see civil case files.

MCR 8.119 spells out the details. Under subrule (H), case records are public unless a court rule, statute, or judge's order restricts access. The clerk must let people view and copy records. Under subrule (I), a party can ask to seal records, but the judge has to find good cause and decide no less restrictive option will work. Sealed cases are not common in civil court.

Court records are exempt from FOIA requests under MCL 15.232(h)(iv). That means you cannot use a Freedom of Information Act request to get court documents. All requests go directly through the clerk's office. MCR 1.109 requires that personal information like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account numbers be kept out of public filings. This rule took effect April 1, 2022.

Legal Resources

Michigan Legal Help offers free self-help tools, court forms, and step-by-step guides for civil cases. The site covers many types of civil matters and can help you prepare documents for filing in Wexford County courts.

The Michigan Courts website has a forms library and a full directory of courts across the state. You can download standard court forms and find contact details for the 28th Circuit Court and 84th District Court. Legal Aid of Western Michigan may also serve the Wexford County area for residents who qualify for free legal help.

Court clerks at the Wexford County courthouse can help with forms and basic procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction.

Nearby Counties

Wexford County is in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. These neighboring counties each maintain their own civil court records.