| Circuit Court Clerk | Livingston County Clerk — Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Probate Court | Livingston County Probate Court |
| Clerk address | Circuit Court Clerk / 53rd District Court, 204 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843 |
| Phone | 53rd District Court (517) 548-1000; Civil Dept. (517) 540-7648 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy fee | $10.00 plus $1.00 per page (MCL 600.2546), unless a more specific statute sets a different fee |
Livingston County's Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps felony, family-division, and larger civil case files, based at the county's court complex in Howell. Self-service court indexes are free to use in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the county also offers a paid online lookup service for remote searches.
The 53rd District Court, in the same Howell complex, handles misdemeanors, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims, landlord-tenant matters, and traffic infractions, and also performs wedding ceremonies. Livingston County's Probate Court is a separate office handling estates, trusts, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Livingston County's online record system charges per search and per case viewed, unlike the free statewide MiCOURT tool, so check MiCOURT first if cost matters and use the county's own system only if MiCOURT does not have the case.
Search Livingston County court records online
Circuit Court Clerk
Livingston County Clerk — Circuit Court
- Cost
- Free self-service indexes in person; online lookup service charges per search
- Coverage
- Circuit Court felony, civil, and family-division case records
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family
The county's online payment-based lookup (livingstonlive.livgov.com) charges roughly $6 per name/court search and $2.50 per case summary viewed, in addition to the free in-person self-service indexes.
Probate Court
Livingston County Probate Court
- Cost
- Free to view; fees for copies
- Coverage
- Estates, trusts, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships
- Records
- Probate
Located in the same Howell court complex as the Circuit Court Clerk and 53rd District Court.
Other courts
53rd District Court
- Cost
- Free to view; fees for copies
- Coverage
- Misdemeanors, felony arraignments, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims, landlord-tenant, and traffic cases
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Traffic
Located at 204 S. Highlander Way, Suite 1, Howell, MI 48843.
Other courts
Livingston County Court Record Search (paid online lookup)
- Cost
- About $6.00 per name/court search plus $2.50 per case history viewed, paid by credit card
- Coverage
- Online index for Circuit Court records, as an alternative to the free in-person self-service terminals
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family
This is a supplementary paid tool on the county's legacy livgov.com domain, separate from the main milivcounty.gov site and from the free statewide MiCOURT search.
What is available online
Free self-service court indexes are available in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Michigan's statewide MiCOURT Case Search also covers Livingston County's circuit court at no charge. The county's own online lookup at livingstonlive.livgov.com charges a per-search and per-case fee and is a supplementary option rather than the primary free search.
Which clerk has your record
In Michigan, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the Michigan page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Courts (57 statewide) | Felony criminal cases; Divorce, custody, and other family-division cases; Civil suits over $25,000 | County Clerk, acting as Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| District Courts (105 statewide) | Misdemeanor criminal cases and felony arraignments; Civil claims up to $25,000; Small claims and landlord-tenant cases | District Court Clerk or Court Administrator (varies by court; not always the county clerk) |
| Probate Courts (78 divisions statewide) | Decedent estates and wills; Guardianships and conservatorships; Trusts | Probate Register or Probate Court Clerk |
Request records in person or by mail
Livingston County clerk offices
Circuit Court Clerk / 53rd District Court, 204 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843
Phone: 53rd District Court (517) 548-1000; Civil Dept. (517) 540-7648
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Contact details were taken from the office's website and are re-checked on a schedule; confirm hours before visiting.
Circuit Court records. Use the free self-service index terminals at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, 204 S. Highlander Way, Suite 4, Howell, MI 48843, search MiCOURT at no charge, or use the county's paid online lookup for remote access. Contact the clerk for certified copies and current fees.
District Court records. Contact the 53rd District Court at 204 S. Highlander Way, Suite 1, Howell, MI 48843, (517) 548-1000.
Probate Court records. Contact the Livingston County Probate Court, in the same Howell court complex, for estate, guardianship, and trust case copies.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | Set by the clerk — ask when you request |
| Certified copy | $10.00 plus $1.00 per page (MCL 600.2546), unless a more specific statute sets a different fee |
MCL 600.2546 sets the default certified-copy and exemplification fee for circuit, district, and probate courts. Plain (uncertified) copy fees are set locally by each court or county and vary; some Michigan clerks charge a flat per-page photocopy fee while others provide free printouts from a public terminal. Confirm the plain-copy fee with the specific clerk before requesting copies.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
Michigan court records are presumptively public under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, but several categories are restricted or excluded from routine searches:
The Michigan guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
Is Livingston County's online court search free?
The self-service index terminals at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office are free, and the statewide MiCOURT Case Search is also free. The county's own remote online lookup at livgov.com charges a per-search and per-case fee.
Which office has my Livingston County divorce or felony case?
The Livingston County Clerk, as clerk of the Circuit Court, based at 204 S. Highlander Way in Howell.
How do I look up a Livingston County misdemeanor or traffic ticket?
Contact the 53rd District Court, located in the same Howell court complex as the circuit court clerk.
Where do I find a Livingston County estate or guardianship case?
The Livingston County Probate Court, also in the Howell court complex, separate from the circuit court clerk.
Sources
- Livingston County Clerk — Circuit Court — https://milivcounty.gov/clerk-circuit-court/
- Livingston County — 53rd District Court — https://milivcounty.gov/district/
- Livingston County — Probate Court — https://milivcounty.gov/probate/
- Livingston County Court Record Search — https://livingstonlive.livgov.com/CourtList.htm
- Michigan Courts — About the Courts — https://www.courts.michigan.gov/courts/
- MiCOURT Case Search — https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/
- Michigan Courts — Court of Appeals — https://www.courts.michigan.gov/courts/court-of-appeals/
- Michigan Court Rules (current rules, Chapter 8 — court records) — https://www.courts.michigan.gov/rules-administrative-orders-and-jury-instructions/current-rules-and-jury-instructions/michigan-court-rules/
- Michigan State Police — Criminal History Records — https://www.michigan.gov/msp/services/chr
- MCL 780.621 — Setting Aside Convictions ("Clean Slate") — https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-780-621
- MCL 600.2546 — Certified Copy and Exemplification Fees — https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-2546
- MCL 15.232 — Freedom of Information Act, definitions (judiciary excluded) — https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-15-232
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan — https://www.mied.uscourts.gov/
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan — https://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/
See also: all Michigan counties.