Ottawa County Criminal Court Records
Ottawa County criminal court records are maintained by the County Clerk in West Olive, Michigan. The 20th Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases for the county, and district courts serve the county's cities and townships for misdemeanor matters. You can search Ottawa County criminal court records through MiCOURT online, visit the courthouse at 12220 Fillmore Street in West Olive, or contact the clerk at (616) 994-4501.
Ottawa County Overview
Ottawa County Clerk and Circuit Court
The Ottawa County Clerk's office is at 12220 Fillmore Street in West Olive. The main phone is (616) 994-4501, and the county's website is at miottawa.org. The clerk maintains records for both the circuit court and various district courts across the county. Staff can assist with records requests by phone, in person during business hours, or by mail.
The 20th Circuit Court is at 12120 Fillmore Street in West Olive, just down the road from the clerk's main office. The circuit court handles all felony criminal matters filed in Ottawa County. Felony cases include serious drug offenses, assault, weapons charges, breaking and entering, homicide, and other major crimes. The complete circuit court case file contains the charging documents, motions, hearings, any plea agreement or trial transcript, and the sentencing order.
Ottawa County has several district courts serving its various communities. The district court that handled a case depends on where the alleged crime occurred. Misdemeanor records are also public under MCR 8.119. If you are not sure which district court handled a case, start with MiCOURT to identify the court before contacting the clerk. Ottawa County is one of Michigan's faster-growing counties in the western lower peninsula, with a large population served by multiple courts.
| County Clerk | 12220 Fillmore St., West Olive, MI 49460 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (616) 994-4501 |
| 20th Circuit Court | 12120 Fillmore St., West Olive, MI 49460 |
| Website | miottawa.org |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, regular business hours |
How to Search Ottawa County Criminal Court Records
The main online tool for Ottawa County criminal case searches is MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov. This free statewide system covers the 20th Circuit Court and all Ottawa County district courts. Search by name or case number to see case status, docket entries, and party information. Most recent and active cases appear in MiCOURT.
For in-person access, visit the clerk at 12220 Fillmore Street in West Olive or the circuit court at 12120 Fillmore Street. Bring a case number or full name. Staff can pull the file and make copies at $1.00 per page. Mail requests go to: Ottawa County Clerk, 12220 Fillmore St., West Olive, MI 49460. Include the full name, approximate year, and the type of record. The clerk will confirm the fee before processing.
Ottawa County also has a FOIA portal for non-court county government records. For criminal court case files specifically, always contact the court clerk directly rather than submitting a FOIA request, since court records are governed by MCR 8.119, not Michigan's Freedom of Information Act.
Copy Fees for Ottawa County Records
Standard copy fees at the Ottawa County Clerk are $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $10.00 certification fee per document. A ten-page certified record costs $20.00 total. Search fees may apply when staff must search without a specific case number, charged under MCL 15.234 based on actual staff time. Call (616) 994-4501 for a fee estimate before mailing a request.
For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to Ottawa County Clerk. Do not send cash. Indigent requesters may seek a waiver of the first $20 in fees by providing a written affidavit of indigency. Allow extra time for older archived records.
Online Case Search Tools
MiCOURT at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the primary free tool for Ottawa County case searches. For broader criminal history background checks, ICHAT at michigan.gov/ichat costs $10 per name and returns results from the Michigan State Police statewide criminal history database covering Ottawa County and other Michigan courts. Michigan's MiFILE e-filing system may offer online document access for some Ottawa County cases; check the available courts list for current participation.
MiCOURT is the free statewide tool for searching Ottawa County criminal cases online. Use it to find case numbers and confirm which court holds a specific record before contacting the clerk in West Olive.
FOIA and Court Records
Criminal court case files in Ottawa County are not subject to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. FOIA under MCL 15.231 covers administrative government records. Court records are governed by MCR 8.119 and must be requested from the circuit court clerk at (616) 994-4501. A FOIA request for criminal case files will be denied and redirected to the clerk.
Legal Resources for Ottawa County
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free guides on court records and expungement for all Michigan counties including Ottawa. The MSP FOIA portal at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia handles state police records requests. Under MCL 28.241a, criminal history records include personal identifiers and reported arrests, charges, and convictions.
Cities in Ottawa County
Ottawa County is in western Michigan along Lake Michigan. Communities include Holland, Grand Haven, Zeeland, and others. No cities in Ottawa County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Criminal court records for all Ottawa County communities are handled through the County Clerk and the 20th Circuit Court in West Olive.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Ottawa County. Check the appropriate county if a case was filed elsewhere.