Search Cheboygan County Criminal Court Records
Cheboygan County criminal court records are held at the County Clerk and Register of Deeds Office at 870 South Main Street in Cheboygan. You can request criminal case files in person, by phone at (231) 627-8846, or by submitting a written mail request to access docket entries, case histories, and copies of court documents.
Cheboygan County Overview
Cheboygan County Clerk and Court Records
The Cheboygan County Clerk and Register of Deeds Office is at 870 South Main Street in Cheboygan. The mailing address is PO Box 70, Cheboygan, MI 49721. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The general clerk number is (231) 627-8866, and the circuit court clerk line for records is (231) 627-8846. For fax submissions, use (231) 627-8453.
The county website at cheboygancounty.net has full information on clerk services and how to request documents. The clerk handles records for both the 53rd Circuit Court and the 89th District Court. Which number you call depends on whether the case was a felony (circuit) or a misdemeanor (district).
| Address | 870 South Main Street, Cheboygan, MI 49721 |
|---|---|
| Mailing | PO Box 70, Cheboygan, MI 49721 |
| Clerk Phone | (231) 627-8866 |
| Court Records Phone | (231) 627-8846 |
| Fax | (231) 627-8453 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
53rd Circuit Court Felony Records
The 53rd Circuit Court serves both Cheboygan County and Presque Isle County. Court Administrator Dawn Reo manages administrative operations at (231) 627-8818. All felony criminal cases in Cheboygan County go through this shared circuit court. This includes serious drug charges, assault felonies, theft cases above the misdemeanor threshold, and all other state felony offenses.
The 53rd Circuit Court maintains records under Michigan Court Rules (MCR 8.119). Public records include case filings, motion records, plea agreements, trial documents, and sentencing orders. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain personal information within files are not public. For the circuit court website, go to cheboygancounty.net.
The 89th District Court also operates at the Cheboygan County Courthouse. Court Administrator Jodi Barrette handles district court operations at (231) 627-8809. Misdemeanor criminal records and civil cases under $25,000 go through the district court. The district court website is at cheboygancounty.net.
How to Search Cheboygan County Criminal Records
Start your search online using MiCOURT Case Search. This free statewide tool searches by name, case number, or attorney. You get basic case details including party names, docket entries, and upcoming hearing dates for participating courts across Michigan, including Cheboygan County.
For in-person searches, visit the clerk's office at 870 South Main Street during the 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM window. Bring your ID. The court records phone line at (231) 627-8846 lets you call ahead to ask whether specific case files are available and to get an estimate of copy costs before your visit.
The Cheboygan County Clerk page shown above has contact information, hours, and links to court services. Use it to find the right department before calling or submitting a record request.
Mail requests are accepted by sending a written request to PO Box 70, Cheboygan, MI 49721. Include the full name, case number if known, and payment by check or money order. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the documents returned by mail.
53rd and 89th Court Resources
Both courts in Cheboygan County have online pages with information about their operations and how to access records. The 53rd Circuit Court handles felony cases, and the 89th District Court handles misdemeanors and civil matters under $25,000.
The 53rd Circuit Court page provides information on felony case procedures, court schedules, and how to contact the court administrator. Use this page if you have a circuit-level case and need contact information specific to that court.
The 89th District Court page shown above covers misdemeanor criminal records and other district-level matters. If your case involved a misdemeanor charge, start with this court's contact information before calling the general clerk line.
Court Record Copy Fees
Copies of court records in Cheboygan County cost $1.00 per page. Filing fees are set by statute and can vary depending on the type of filing. For a specific estimate, call (231) 627-8846 before submitting your request.
Payment for mail requests is by check or money order payable to Cheboygan County Clerk. In-person payments may vary. Do not send cash through the mail. If you submit a request and the total is different from your estimate, the clerk will contact you before processing.
People who qualify as indigent may request a fee waiver. Submit a written statement with your request explaining your financial situation. Under MCL 15.234, the first $20 of qualifying fees can be waived. Court records are separate from FOIA, but the clerk applies access principles in a similar way for those facing financial hardship.
Online Resources for Cheboygan County
Free online access to Cheboygan County criminal court records starts with MiCOURT. This statewide system shows basic case information and is available any time. For a statewide criminal history search, use ICHAT from the Michigan State Police. ICHAT costs $10 per name and searches all participating agencies across Michigan.
The MiFILE e-filing system may serve attorneys in Cheboygan County courts. Check the participating courts list to confirm. For people navigating these records without a lawyer, Michigan Legal Help has plain-language guides on criminal records, how to read docket entries, and what happens at each stage of a criminal case.
The Michigan Courts official website has the rules that govern court records, including MCR 8.119 which sets public access standards. The site also has court fee schedules and forms. For criminal history governed by MCL 28.241a, ICHAT is the main public tool.
Court Records and FOIA in Cheboygan County
Criminal court case files at the 53rd Circuit Court and 89th District Court are not FOIA records. You get them from the County Clerk directly, not through a FOIA request form. The governing rule is MCR 8.119, which sets public access rules for Michigan court records.
If you need an arrest report, a 911 call record, or another police document related to a criminal case, that is a FOIA request to the relevant agency. Send it to the Cheboygan County Sheriff, the city police department, or the Michigan State Police, depending on who handled the investigation. The MSP FOIA portal is at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia.
Note: Michigan FOIA under MCL 15.231 has a standard 5-business-day response window. Complex requests can extend up to 10 additional days. Court record requests handled through the clerk do not have a set statutory timeline, but most are processed within a few business days.
Cities in Cheboygan County
Cheboygan is the county seat and largest city in Cheboygan County. Indian River and Wolverine are other communities in the county. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a separate city page. Criminal court records for all Cheboygan County cities and townships are handled through this county page. Call (231) 627-8846 for records from any location in the county.
Nearby Counties
Cheboygan County is located in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. These neighboring counties each have their own circuit courts and clerks for criminal court records.