Criminal Court Records in Iron County
Iron County criminal court records are maintained at the Iron County Courthouse in Crystal Falls. The county is part of the 41st Circuit Court, a shared circuit with Dickinson and Menominee counties. This page explains how to search criminal court records in Iron County, what fees to expect, and what tools are available for online and in-person access.
Iron County Overview
Iron County Clerk and 41st Circuit Court
Kris D. Pirkola serves as the Iron County Clerk. The office is at Iron County Courthouse, 2 South Sixth Street, Suite 9, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. The main phone number is (906) 875-3221 and the fax is (906) 875-0125. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST. Iron County operates on Central Standard Time, which is one hour behind most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
The 41st Circuit Court is a shared circuit serving Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee counties. This means the same circuit judges cover multiple counties, rotating between courthouses. For criminal case records in Iron County specifically, you contact the Iron County Clerk. The District Court for Iron County can be reached at (906) 875-0619.
The county government website is at ironmi.com. You can also find the department directory at ironmi.com/county-departments-directory and online payment options at ironmi.com/payments.
| Office | Iron County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Kris D. Pirkola |
| Address | Iron County Courthouse 2 South Sixth Street, Suite 9 Crystal Falls, MI 49920 |
| Phone | (906) 875-3221 |
| Fax | (906) 875-0125 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST |
| District Court | (906) 875-0619 |
| 41st Circuit Court | Shared with Dickinson and Menominee counties |
The Iron County government site offers useful information on county departments and online services. Below is a screenshot showing what you can find at the county website.
Visit ironmi.com for department contacts, online payments, and other Iron County services.
Searching Iron County Criminal Court Records
The main options for searching Iron County criminal court records are in-person at the courthouse, by mail, or by phone. MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ is the free online option for basic case information. Use MiCOURT to check whether a case exists and get a case number before contacting the clerk for documents.
For in-person searches, go to Suite 9 at the Iron County Courthouse in Crystal Falls. Staff can search by name or case number. Bring valid ID. For phone inquiries, call (906) 875-3221 during office hours. For mail requests, send a written request to: Iron County Clerk, 2 S. Sixth St., Crystal Falls, MI 49920. Include the subject's full name, approximate year of the case, and case number if known. Iron County also accepts some payments online at ironmi.com/payments.
Note: Iron County is on Central Standard Time. If you are calling from elsewhere in Michigan, account for the time difference when checking office hours.
Fees for Iron County Criminal Record Searches
Iron County charges $15.00 for criminal record searches. Family record searches cost $5.00 per name. These are specific fees set by Iron County and differ from standard per-page copy fees. If you need copies of actual case documents, standard Michigan copy rates apply on top of the search fee.
Online payments for some Iron County services are accepted at ironmi.com/payments. Call (906) 875-3221 to confirm what can be paid online versus in person or by mail for your specific request type. For mail payments, send a check or money order made out to Iron County.
For statewide criminal history through ICHAT, the fee is $10 per name at michigan.gov/ichat. This is separate from the Iron County clerk fee and covers all participating Michigan agencies, not just Iron County court records.
You can pay some Iron County fees online at ironmi.com/payments. Check with the clerk's office to confirm which fees can be paid through this portal.
Online Resources for Iron County Records
Iron County provides online payment options and department contact information through its website. For criminal record searches, MiCOURT is the primary online tool. The Michigan Courts homepage at courts.michigan.gov provides statewide court information and directories for all 83 Michigan counties including Iron County.
The department directory at ironmi.com/county-departments-directory lists all county offices with contact details. Use it to find the correct department for your needs. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a useful free resource for understanding how to search and use criminal court records. For state police records, the FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles online submissions.
The Iron County department directory at ironmi.com/county-departments-directory helps you find the right office for your record request.
FOIA vs. Criminal Court Records in Iron County
Criminal court records in Iron County are not subject to FOIA. They follow MCR 8.119 and must be requested from the court clerk. FOIA under MCL 15.231 applies to public records held by government agencies outside the courts, such as the Iron County Sheriff's Office or local municipal police.
For law enforcement records from the Upper Peninsula area, FOIA requests go to the specific agency that holds the records. The Michigan State Police FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles MSP records. Agencies must respond within five business days under MCL 15.231. Extensions of up to ten additional days are possible for complex requests. The first $20 in fees is waived for qualifying indigent requesters under MCL 15.234.
Criminal history records under MCL 28.241a include both felony and misdemeanor arrests, charges, and convictions from participating agencies. Those are available through ICHAT for a $10 fee, separate from what the clerk's office handles.
Legal Help in Iron County
Iron County is a rural Upper Peninsula county with limited local legal services. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guides on court records, FOIA, and navigating Michigan's legal system without an attorney. This is the best starting point for most self-represented individuals.
The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 968-0738 can connect you with a licensed attorney who handles cases in the Upper Peninsula. Legal Services of Northern Michigan may also serve Iron County residents who qualify for free assistance based on income. The Iron County Clerk at (906) 875-3221 can provide referrals to local resources for self-represented parties appearing in the 41st Circuit Court.
Cities in Iron County
The county seat is Crystal Falls, where the Iron County Courthouse is located. Iron River is another community in the county. No cities in Iron County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All criminal court records for Iron County residents are maintained at the courthouse in Crystal Falls.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Iron County. The 41st Circuit Court serves Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee counties together, though each county maintains its own clerk's office.