Court records of Tuscola County, Michigan, are available through several channels. TuscolaCourt.us allows you to find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state court online portals, directly at court clerks' offices, and through public terminals located in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system.
Tuscola Court System & Jurisdictions
There are three main court instances operating in Tuscola County, each handling specific categories of cases.
71B District Court
The 71B District Court, located in Caro, is the primary court of first instance. Judge Hon. Jason E. Bitzer presides over cases including:
- Criminal misdemeanors — punishable by up to one year
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims — up to $6,500
- Traffic violations and other traffic-related matters
- Felony preliminary examinations
- Landlord-tenant disputes
Documents can be filed with this court electronically through the MiFILE system, where the court is listed as "Tuscola County - Caro - 71B District Court."
Tuscola County Circuit Court (54th Circuit)
The 54th Circuit Court handles more serious cases:
- Felonies
- Civil claims over $25,000
- Divorce, custody, and child support cases
- Appeals from district court decisions
Tuscola County Probate Court
The Probate Court is responsible for:
- Probate cases — the process of settling an estate after death
- Guardianship and conservatorship of incapacitated individuals
- Mental health cases
- Name changes
- Adoptions
For state-level criminal cases, a useful tool is the ICHAT by Michigan State Police, which allows you to check public criminal history. Information about inmates and supervised individuals can be found through the OTIS system of the Department of Corrections.
Tuscola Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The 71B District Court schedule is available in real-time. To view today's hearings — party names, time, case numbers — use the Court Display page for 71B District Court. The page is updated daily.
To search for a specific case by number or party name, use the MiCOURT Case Search. Note: some courts display criminal conviction information only for the past seven years.
How to find the schedule for the current week:
- Go to the Court Display page via the link above
- Select a date — the system will show scheduled hearings
- To view details of a specific case, click on the case number
Some hearings are streamed online through the Court Livestreams system of the state of Michigan. Check for available streams for Tuscola County on this page.
The court clerk's office can also provide schedule information by phone.
How to Get a Copy of a Tuscola Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in three ways: in person, by mail, or electronically.
Certified and Regular Copies
A certified copy has the official court seal and clerk's signature — it is required for legal purposes: filing in another court, confirming a sentence, processing documents. A regular (non-certified) copy is suitable for review.
How to Submit a Request
In person: visit the office of the relevant court. For district court cases:
By mail: send a written request indicating the case number, party names, document type, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Electronically: through MiFILE, you can file documents and, in some cases, receive electronic copies of case files.
What You Need to Know
- Provide as many details as possible for the request: full party name, case year, case type
- Juvenile cases, adoption records, and some mental health cases are usually closed to public access
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) are kept not in court but at the Michigan Department of Health
Tuscola Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court services in Michigan are regulated by state law (MCL 600.1986 and related statutes). Below are approximate rates — it is recommended to verify exact amounts directly with the court clerk's office, as they may be updated.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Database search (by name) | $10 per name |
| Regular document copy | $1.00 per page |
| Document certification | $10 per document |
| Certified copy (including copying) | $10 + $1.00 for each additional page |
| Copy of hearing audio recording | Depends on the court; check with the clerk's office |
Payment Methods
- In person: cash, check, money order; some courts accept credit and debit cards
- By mail: check or money order payable to the relevant court (e.g., "71B District Court")
- Electronically: when filing through MiFILE, payment is made online
Before visiting, call the clerk's office to confirm current fees and acceptable forms of payment. For land records and register of deeds documents, contact the Tuscola County Register of Deeds at 125 W. Lincoln St., Caro, MI 48723 — this office has its own fee schedule.