Grand Traverse County Criminal Court Records
Grand Traverse County criminal court records are maintained by the County Clerk in Traverse City, Michigan. The 13th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, and the district court handles misdemeanor matters. Grand Traverse County offers an online Civil and Criminal Records Search portal, free public research terminals at the Hall of Justice, and email access for records requests. This page covers how to find and request criminal court records in Grand Traverse County.
Grand Traverse County Overview
Grand Traverse County Clerk and Circuit Court
The Grand Traverse County Clerk's office is at 400 Boardman Avenue, Suite 101, in Traverse City. The clerk handles county administration and some circuit court records. For Circuit and Family Court records specifically, contact the Records Office at 280 Washington St., Ste. 206, Traverse City. You can email court records requests to courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov. The main clerk phone is (231) 922-4760, and the Circuit and Family Court line is (231) 922-4710.
The 13th Circuit Court covers Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Leelanau counties. The main courtroom is at 328 Washington Street, Suite 300, in Traverse City, phone (231) 922-4701. Felony criminal cases go through this court. Grand Traverse County is notable for having a free public research terminal at the Hall of Justice where you can look up case records at no charge during business hours.
| County Clerk | 400 Boardman Ave., Suite 101, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Phone | (231) 922-4760 |
| Court Records Office | 280 Washington St., Ste. 206, Traverse City, (231) 922-4710 |
| courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov | |
| 13th Circuit Court | 328 Washington St., Suite 300, Traverse City, (231) 922-4701 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
How to Search Grand Traverse County Criminal Court Records
Grand Traverse County has its own Civil and Criminal Records Search portal at gtcountymi.gov/456/Civil-Criminal-Records-Search. This is one of the better county-level search tools in Michigan. You can search by name or case number and see case status, docket entries, and parties. It is free to use and covers cases from the 13th Circuit Court and the district courts.
You can also use MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov for statewide searches that include Grand Traverse County. For in-person access, visit the Hall of Justice in Traverse City where a free public research terminal is available during business hours. To get paper copies, contact the Court Records Office at (231) 922-4710 or email courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov.
Grand Traverse County's Civil and Criminal Records Search portal at gtcountymi.gov provides online access to case records from the 13th Circuit Court and local courts.
Copy Fees for Grand Traverse County Records
Grand Traverse County has a two-tier copy fee structure. Copies made at the public research terminal cost $0.50 per page. Copies that are mailed or emailed to you cost $2.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page. For a ten-page certified document requested by mail, you would pay $20.00 total. Search fees may apply when staff must locate records without a case number.
Payment can be made in person by check or cash. For mail requests, include a check payable to Grand Traverse County Clerk. You can also email requests to courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov, and staff will respond with the fee before processing. Under MCL 15.234, indigent requesters can request a fee waiver for the first $20 of costs by submitting an affidavit.
The 13th Circuit Court page at gtcountymi.gov has information on court procedures, criminal case handling, and how the circuit court serves Grand Traverse, Antrim, and Leelanau counties.
Online Case Search Tools
In addition to the county's own records search and MiCOURT, Grand Traverse County courts participate in MiFILE, Michigan's e-filing system. Some case documents may be accessible online through MiFILE if they were filed electronically. Check the available courts list to confirm current participation status for Grand Traverse courts.
For broader criminal history background checks, use ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat. Each name-based search costs $10 and returns results from the statewide criminal history database maintained by the Michigan State Police. ICHAT covers arrests and convictions from Grand Traverse County courts and agencies across Michigan.
MiCOURT is the statewide free case search tool covering Grand Traverse County and all Michigan courts. Use it alongside the county's own portal for the most complete results.
FOIA and Court Records
Grand Traverse County criminal court case files are not subject to FOIA. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act under MCL 15.231 covers administrative government records. Criminal case files are governed by MCR 8.119 and must be requested directly from the court. Email courtrecords@gtcountymi.gov or call (231) 922-4710 to request court records. A FOIA request for court files will be denied and redirected.
Legal Resources
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides for all Michigan counties including Grand Traverse. Topics include court record access, expungement under Clean Slate, and criminal case navigation. For state police records, use the MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. Criminal history records are defined at MCL 28.241a.
Cities in Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County's main city is Traverse City, which is also the county seat. Traverse City does not have a dedicated city page on this site. All criminal court records for Traverse City and surrounding communities are handled through the Grand Traverse County Clerk and the 13th Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
Grand Traverse County borders these counties. Check the county where a case was filed if it is not in Grand Traverse.