Court records of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, are available through several channels. KalamazooCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state online tools, court clerks' offices, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings.
Kalamazoo Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Kalamazoo County, each handling specific categories of cases.
9th Circuit Court is the county's court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil lawsuits over $25,000, divorce cases, child custody, and other family disputes. This court also includes a juvenile division that deals with cases involving minors.
The Family Division of the Circuit Court handles divorce, alimony, parental rights, and protective orders. Most divorce proceedings do not require a jury trial.
The 8th District Court serves Kalamazoo County and has broad jurisdiction:
- Misdemeanors (lesser offenses) — from the first hearing to sentencing
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Small claims up to $6,500
- Civil infractions, including traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases before transfer to Circuit Court
All criminal cases involving individuals aged 18 and over begin in the District Court. The county's Probate Court handles inheritance cases, guardianship of incapacitated adults, name changes, and involuntary psychiatric treatment.
Kalamazoo Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the MiCOURT Case Search system. After searching for a case by number or party name, the system displays scheduled hearing dates.
For Circuit Court and juvenile division cases, the schedule is also available through the Cases, Opinions & Orders portal of the Michigan Supreme Court — select "Kalamazoo Circuit Court" or "Kalamazoo Juvenile Division" from the list of courts.
If you do not have a case number:
- Go to MiCOURT Case Search.
- Select the desired court in Kalamazoo County.
- Enter the party's last name or other known details.
- Click on the case in the results — details, including hearing dates, will appear.
Note: Some courts only show case numbers and criminal conviction data for the past seven years. For older cases, contact the court clerk's office directly.
General information about county courts, hours of operation, and visitation rules is posted on the county's website.
How to Get a Copy of a Kalamazoo Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in three ways: online, in person, or by mail. The type of copy — regular or certified — affects both the cost and the method of obtaining it.
Online
Attorneys are required to file documents electronically through MiFILE according to Michigan Court Rule 1.109(G)(3)(f). Parties without an attorney may file documents on paper. To obtain copies of records, the 8th District Court offers a Court Record / Copy Request Form on its website.
In Person
Visit the office of the appropriate court. For District Court cases:
For Circuit Court and family cases, contact the County Clerk / Register of Deeds office:
By Mail
Send a written request to the address of the appropriate court, specifying the case number, party names, and type of copy needed (regular or certified). Include payment in the form of a money order. For cases older than a few years, the clerk's office may require additional time to search.
Certified vs. Regular Copies: A certified copy bears the court's seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is needed for official purposes (immigration, other courts). A regular copy is suitable for review.
Records related to minors, mental health cases, and certain family cases are usually closed to public access. Requests for such documents require court permission.
To obtain police reports or accident reports, contact the Records Information department of the sheriff's office or submit a request through the Kalamazoo County FOIA portal.
Kalamazoo Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies of court documents in Michigan are set by administrative orders and local court rules. Below are approximate rates applicable to Kalamazoo County courts. Always confirm the exact amount with the clerk's office, as individual fees may change by court order.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $10.00 |
| Search in court records (search fee) | $10.00 |
| Copy of birth, marriage, or death record (County Clerk) | Check with the Vital Records office |
| ICHAT request (criminal history, state of Michigan) | $10.00 |
Payment is usually accepted in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or, in some cases, credit/debit card. Cash is accepted for in-person requests. For mail requests, sending cash is not recommended.
State-level criminal history can be checked through the ICHAT system of the Michigan State Police. Information about individuals under the supervision of the Department of Corrections is provided by OTIS (Offender Tracking Information System).
If you require a fee waiver, Kalamazoo County provides the option to submit a request for a fee waiver through the FOIA public records portal.