Ingham County Criminal Court Records
Ingham County criminal court records are maintained by the County Clerk and the 30th Circuit Court in Lansing, the state capital. Whether you need to look up a case, request copies of court documents, or check the status of a criminal filing, this guide covers how to search Ingham County criminal records, where to go, and what to expect.
Ingham County Overview
Ingham County Clerk and 30th Circuit Court
The Ingham County Clerk's Office is located at 303 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. The phone number is (517) 483-6500. The clerk manages all criminal court records for Ingham County and serves as the official records keeper for the courts. The county's official website is at ingham.org.
The 30th Circuit Court is located at Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48933. This court handles felony criminal cases originating in Ingham County. Misdemeanor and lower-level criminal cases are handled by the District Court. Ingham County is the home of Lansing, Michigan's state capital, which means it handles a significant volume of criminal filings compared to smaller counties.
The clerk's office at 303 W. Washtenaw is where you go for most record requests. Staff can pull case files, search by name or case number, and prepare certified copies. Hours are generally Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead at (517) 483-6500 to confirm current hours and any appointment requirements.
| Office | Ingham County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 303 W. Washtenaw St. Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Phone | (517) 483-6500 |
| Website | ingham.org |
| 30th Circuit Court | Veterans Memorial Courthouse 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48933 |
The screenshot below shows the Ingham County website, where you can find links to the clerk's office, court pages, and other county services.
Visit ingham.org to access the county clerk's contact page, court information, and other Ingham County resources.
How to Search Ingham County Criminal Court Records
Ingham County criminal court records can be searched online through MiCOURT, the Michigan Supreme Court's free statewide case lookup system. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ and search by name, case number, or attorney. The system shows case status, docket entries, and hearing schedules for 30th Circuit Court and District Court cases in Ingham County.
MiCOURT is your best first step. It is free, available 24/7, and gives you case numbers and basic details without a trip to the courthouse. If you need full documents, use the case number you find online and bring it to the clerk's office in person.
For in-person searches, visit the Ingham County Clerk at 303 W. Washtenaw St. Staff can assist with name searches, case number lookups, and pulling physical files. For cases not in the online system, in-person access is often the only way to find older records. For mail requests, send a written request to the clerk's office including the subject's full name, approximate filing year, and the case number if you have it.
Note: Some Ingham County criminal records may be sealed. Juvenile cases are not public records.
Fees for Ingham County Court Records
Standard copy fees apply at the Ingham County Clerk's office. Plain copies are typically $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more and are required for official purposes like presenting evidence of a conviction or proving a case was dismissed. Call (517) 483-6500 for the current fee schedule before submitting a mail request.
There is no fee to search MiCOURT online. If you want a statewide criminal history rather than a specific case file, use ICHAT through the Michigan State Police at michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT costs $10 per name search and requires registration. For FOIA requests targeting law enforcement agency records, the first $20 in fees is waived for qualifying indigent requesters under MCL 15.234 with a DIR-103 Affidavit of Indigency.
Online Resources for Ingham County Records
Ingham County residents have access to several state-level tools for criminal record research. The Michigan Courts homepage at courts.michigan.gov provides links to local court contact pages, court rules, and statewide case management information. Because Lansing is the state capital, Ingham County courts are well represented in online state systems.
MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov is the state's e-filing system. While it is primarily used for filing new documents, you can check the available courts list at mifile.courts.michigan.gov/availablecourts to confirm which Ingham County courts participate in electronic filing. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has detailed guides on understanding and accessing criminal court records across Michigan.
FOIA vs. Court Record Requests in Ingham County
Ingham County criminal court records are subject to Michigan Court Rule MCR 8.119, not FOIA. Court records are public but must be requested from the clerk of the court, not through a FOIA submission. FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers records held by government agencies outside the court system.
If you want police reports, incident records, or other records from Ingham County law enforcement agencies, those go through FOIA. The Lansing Police Department and Michigan State Police both accept FOIA requests for law enforcement records. For MSP records, the online FOIA portal is at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. Agencies have five business days to respond, with a possible ten-day extension for complex requests.
Criminal history records under MCL 28.241a, which include felony and misdemeanor arrest and conviction records from participating agencies statewide, are available through ICHAT rather than a court clerk request. Both systems give you useful but different information.
Legal Help in Ingham County
Ingham County has more legal help options than rural Michigan counties because of its location in Lansing. The Legal Services of South Central Michigan serves Ingham County and provides free civil legal aid to income-qualifying individuals. The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 968-0738 can connect you with a licensed attorney in the Lansing area.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a strong starting point for self-represented individuals. The site has guides specifically for understanding criminal records, how to request them, and how to read what you find. The Ingham County Law Library, sometimes accessible through the courthouse, may have additional resources for legal research. Call the clerk at (517) 483-6500 to ask about court law library access.
Cities in Ingham County
Ingham County includes Lansing, the state capital and the largest city in the county. Criminal cases filed by Lansing residents go through the Ingham County courts. You can find more information about accessing records in the city on the Lansing page.
Other communities in Ingham County include East Lansing, Mason (the county seat), Williamston, and Okemos. Criminal matters for all of these communities are handled at the Ingham County courts.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ingham County. Each has its own clerk and courts for criminal records.