Court records in Bay County, Michigan can be found through several access points. BayMICourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal, visit the court clerks' offices at the Bay County Court Facility, or use public terminals available on-site. The Bay County Online Services page provides links to court dockets, case files, and online case review tools.
Bay County Court System & Jurisdictions
Bay County is served by two trial-level courts, each handling distinct case types. Knowing which court has jurisdiction over a matter is the first step toward finding the right docket.
18th Judicial Circuit Court
The 18th Judicial Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Michigan. In Bay County, it handles:
- Felony criminal cases — all felonies after bindover from district court
- Civil cases — claims exceeding $25,000
- Family division matters — divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, and adoptions
- Appeals — from district court and administrative agencies
The Circuit Court also oversees the Friend of the Court office, which assists with domestic relations cases involving custody, parenting time, and support enforcement.
74th District Court
The 74th District Court covers all of Bay County and handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Felony arraignments and preliminary examinations
- Civil cases — claims up to $25,000
- Small claims — disputes up to $6,500
- Landlord-tenant disputes — including evictions
- Traffic violations — civil infractions and misdemeanor traffic offenses
Probate Court
Bay County Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, mental health commitments, and trust matters. Probate records are generally maintained separately from Circuit and District Court files.
Both the Circuit Court and the 74th District Court are located at the Bay County Court Facility:
Bay County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Bay County publishes court docket schedules that allow you to look up today's, tomorrow's, and upcoming hearings.
- Court Docket: The county's Online Services page includes a direct link to the Court Docket, which lists scheduled hearings by date and courtroom.
- Online Case Review (74th District Court): The same Online Services page links to an online case review tool for the 74th District Court, where you can look up individual cases and see scheduled hearing dates.
- MiCOURT Case Search: The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal displays case event dates for both Circuit and District Court cases in Bay County. Search by party name or case number to see upcoming and past hearing dates.
If you need to confirm a specific hearing time or courtroom assignment, contact the appropriate court clerk directly at the Bay County Court Facility. Docket information displayed online is for informational purposes and does not replace the official court record.
How to Get a Copy of a Bay County Court Document
Bay County offers several ways to obtain court documents, depending on whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Online
Basic case information — including party names, charges, case status, and hearing dates — is available at no cost through the MiCOURT Case Search and Bay County's online case review tool. However, these tools typically do not provide downloadable copies of filed documents such as complaints, motions, or orders.
In Person
To obtain physical copies of court records, visit the clerk's office at the court where the case was filed:
According to Bay County's court records request page, court records must be requested at this location. Bring the case number if you have it — this speeds up the search considerably.
- Go to the clerk's office window for the appropriate court (Circuit, District, or Probate).
- Provide the case number or party names.
- Specify whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
- Pay the applicable fee.
By Mail
Written requests can be mailed to the clerk's office at the court facility address above. Include the case number, the specific documents you need, whether you require certification, and a check or money order for the estimated fees. Contact the clerk in advance to confirm the amount.
FOIA Requests
Some county records — particularly those held by county departments other than the courts — may be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Court records, however, are generally handled directly by the court clerks rather than through the FOIA process.
Restricted Records
Certain records are not available to the public, including:
- Sealed or expunged cases
- Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings (generally confidential)
- Some mental health commitment records
- Records restricted by court order
Bay County Court Records Fees & Payment
Michigan court fees are established by statute and court administrative orders. The table below lists common fees for court record services in Michigan courts. Actual fees may vary slightly — confirm with the clerk's office before submitting payment.
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of court document | $10.00 (first page) + $1.00 each additional page |
| Case file search / look-up | $10.00 |
| Authentication / exemplification | $10.00 |
| ICHAT criminal history search (state level) | $10.00 |
Fees are based on MCL 600.1986 and Michigan court fee schedules. Contact the clerk's office to confirm current amounts.
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (accepted at most clerk windows).
- By mail: Check or money order made payable to the appropriate court (e.g., "18th Circuit Court" or "74th District Court").
- Online: Bay County offers online payment for traffic tickets and court fines through the 74th District Court page. Document copy fees typically must be paid in person or by mail.
For criminal background checks at the state level, the Michigan State Police ICHAT system provides name-based public criminal history searches for a fee. This is separate from court record requests and covers records maintained statewide.