How do I search Oakland County Circuit Court records?
Use Court Explorer through the Oakland County Clerk's Court Records page, or open the portal directly at courtexplorer.oakgov.com. Select Circuit Court and search by person name, business name, or exact case number. For people, the official guide says to search last name then first name and allows the first few letters of a name. Use Advanced Search to narrow by Party Type, Case Year, or Case Type. Click a Party Name in the results to view the Case Summary and Register of Actions. For the full walk-through, see court records.
How do I search Oakland County Probate records?
Court Explorer supports Probate Court searches by exact case number only. The official guide says Probate Court's only direct Court Explorer search option is Case Number. If the case number is not known, click the Case Number Look Up icon to transfer to the Michigan Courts website for a party-name lookup. After entering the exact probate case number, click Search to view the Case Summary and Available Documents. For the full Probate workflow, MiFILE rules, and fees, see probate records.
Are juvenile records available in Court Explorer?
No. The Court Explorer page expressly says Personal Protection Orders, juvenile records, and Probate Mental Health records are not available through Court Explorer. Juvenile records are restricted under Michigan's juvenile-record statute. Access is generally limited to parties, attorneys, authorized agencies, and people with court authorization. A missing juvenile result in Court Explorer does not mean no case exists; it means the case is not visible in the public portal.
Is Court Explorer the official criminal background check?
No. Oakland County warns that Court Explorer is not the official record of the court and should not be used for criminal background checks. For statewide public criminal history, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT. MSP says ICHAT includes public criminal history for felonies and serious misdemeanors required to be reported, but excludes warrants, federal records, tribal records, traffic records, juvenile records, local misdemeanors, and suppressed records.
What does Court Explorer actually show?
The official user guide says Court Explorer displays primary case party information, the Case Summary, the Register of Actions, and, for Probate, the Available Documents screen. Circuit Court cases can be searched and opened by clicking the Party Name in the results. The Register of Actions is the docket event list. Court Explorer also allows document orders from the Circuit Register of Actions and the Probate Available Documents screens. The portal is mobile-ready.
How much do Oakland County court copies cost?
Regular copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 per case number plus $1.00 per page. Online orders carry a service fee: 3.5% for credit-card payments or $2.50 for ACH transactions. Certified copies must be mailed and cannot be sent by email. Ordinary copies can be mailed or emailed when a valid email address is provided. See the full fee schedule on the County Clerk and Register of Deeds page.
How long do Court Explorer document orders take?
Court Explorer document orders are processed manually during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Orders are typically fulfilled within two business days of receipt. If an order does not arrive, check the spam folder for an email order or contact the correct office. For Circuit Court documents, contact CourtExplorer@oakgov.com. For Probate Court documents, contact probatecourtexplorer@oakgov.com.
Where are older Oakland County court records?
The county Clerk's Court Explorer page says public records in Court Explorer date back to the early 1990s. Older records not online can be accessed in person or by mail through the Legal Records Division. Contact Legal Records at 248-858-0582 or clerklegal@oakgov.com, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Which court handles felony cases in Oakland County?
Felony cases usually begin in district court for arraignment and preliminary examination, then move to the 6th Circuit Court after bindover. The county Courts About page says district courts handle preliminary examinations on felony cases, while Circuit Court handles criminal cases and appeals. The Clerk's Court Explorer page says Circuit Court felony case types are searchable in Court Explorer. For details, see 6th Circuit Court and arrest records.
Which court handles Oakland County traffic tickets?
Traffic matters are handled by the district court with jurisdiction over the city or township where the citation was issued. Oakland County district court pages have Traffic divisions and fine schedules. The county district court page warns that courts will never solicit payment through a text-message link claiming to be from the Michigan DMV. Secretary of State driving records are a separate file from court traffic records. See traffic court records for the full workflow.
Can I pay bond at the Oakland County Jail?
Yes. The jail says the Bonding Area operates 24 hours a day and accepts Regular, Surety, Interim, and Fines and Costs bonds continually. Bonds may be paid with cash, credit card, cashier's check made out to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, or through a bail bondsman. Cash bonds of $10,000 or more are processed at the court of jurisdiction. Cryptocurrency is not accepted. See inmate records for the full bond walkthrough.
How do I find an inmate in the Oakland County Jail?
Use the CLEMIS Inmate Locator at apps.clemis.org/ClemisInmLoc, linked from the Sheriff's Office and jail pages. The portal requires a Google reCAPTCHA and selection of Oakland County Jail. The jail page warns the information is public record but presented without warranties as to accuracy, timeliness, or completeness. For charge or bond details, contact the court of jurisdiction. For inmate information, call 248-858-1800 or email prisonerinfo@oakgov.com.
How are Oakland County inmates released?
For a scheduled outdate, the person checking on the release goes to the Bonding window at the Oakland County Jail. The jail runs a current LEIN check. If there are no holds, warrants, or detainers, the inmate is released as close to 12:01 a.m. as possible. Once cleared, the person waiting is directed back to the car and the inmate meets them there. See released inmates for verification options including MI-VINE.
How do I visit an inmate at the Oakland County Jail?
All visits use the video visitation system and must be scheduled by appointment through Smart Communications. Each inmate is allowed one free visit and one paid visit per week. Visits can be remote or on-site and last 15 or 30 minutes. Social visits run Wednesday through Friday from 1:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; no social visits Monday or Tuesday. Professional visits run daily from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
What ID do jail visitors need?
Visitors must have a current valid driver's license, state ID, or passport. Only the registered visitor may visit. One adult and one child visitor are allowed, and children cannot be left unattended in the waiting area during on-site visits. The dress code bans transparent clothing, short shorts or skirts, tank or tube tops, bathing suits, revealing attire, and clothing with drug, alcohol, or gang messages. Visitation Unit staff have full authority on acceptable attire.
How do I send mail to an Oakland County inmate?
Standard postal mail must go through Smart Communications at Oakland County Jail, Inmate Name - Inmate Number, PO Box 9103, Seminole, FL 33775-9103. Legal or business mail goes to Oakland County Jail, Inmate Name - Inmate Number, PO Box 436017, Pontiac, MI 48343. Do not send standard mail directly to the jail. Packages of any kind, including food, are not accepted, and mail cannot be dropped off at the jail.
How do I apply for an Oakland County marriage license?
Complete the Oakland County online marriage application through the Clerk's Vital Records page, then pick up the license in person. Both parties must provide valid ID, birth certificate information, Social Security numbers, and proof of residency. Michigan residents apply in the county where they live. Out-of-state couples apply in the county where the marriage will happen. The license expires 33 days after application, or 30 days if the waiting period is waived.
What does an Oakland County marriage license cost?
The official fee is $20 per couple for Michigan residents and $30 for out-of-state residents. Waiving the three-day waiting period costs an extra $5. Payment methods are Discover, MasterCard, Visa, cash, or money order payable to Oakland County Clerk. Personal checks are not accepted. The Pontiac office walks in, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the Troy office is by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where do I get Oakland County divorce records?
Divorce is a 6th Circuit Court Family Division matter. Court Explorer covers Domestic cases, including divorce, custody, and parenting time. Search Court Explorer by name or case number. Copies can be ordered through Court Explorer when available. Older records not online may be requested through the Clerk's Legal Records Division. Certified copies cost $10 per case number plus $1 per page. The marriage and divorce records page has the full divorce filing roadmap.
Is Probate Court eFiling required?
Yes for most Probate filings as of June 12, 2025. The Probate Court says all filers must e-file through MiFILE under Michigan Court Rule 1.109(G)(3)(f), with limited exceptions for Emergency Mental Health Transport Petitions, Petitions and Orders for Assignment, Deposit of Original Wills, and Payment of the Inventory Gross Estate Fee. MiFILE account creation is free, and the Probate Court runs a public eFile Center for people who cannot file from home or office.
Does Oakland County have a public warrant search?
No comprehensive official warrant search is published by Oakland County. The Sheriff posts an OCSO Most Wanted list, but it is a curated fugitive list, not a complete warrant database. MSP states that ICHAT does not include warrant information. To verify a warrant, contact the issuing court, the local district court clerk, or an attorney. If the person is in custody, call inmate information and contact the court for bond and charge details.
How do I clear an old Michigan conviction?
Michigan uses the set-aside process under MCL 780.621 and related statutes. The MSP says applications must be filed in the court where the conviction occurred, with separate applications in each convicting court. Michigan Clean Slate automatic set-aside began in April 2023 under MCL 780.621g. Some convictions cannot be set aside. Traffic set-asides do not always clear the Secretary of State driving record. See arrest records for the workflow.
How do I get a public defender in Oakland County?
The Oakland County Indigent Defense Services Office manages appointed criminal defense independently from the judiciary. The system covers the 6th Circuit Court and the four divisions of the 52nd District Court. A person must be indigent, an adult, and charged with a felony in an Oakland County court or a misdemeanor in the 52nd District Court. Contact IDSO at 248-452-9396 or idso@oakgov.com, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Who is the Oakland County Prosecutor?
The Oakland County Prosecutor is Karen D. McDonald. Her official bio says she was elected on November 3, 2020 and took office on January 1, 2021. Contact the Prosecutor's Office at 248-858-0656 or prosecutor@oakgov.com, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd, West Wing - Building 14E, Pontiac, MI 48341. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office runs Trafficking, Hate Crimes, and Conviction Integrity Units along with civil and victim-services functions.
Where are federal cases from Oakland County heard?
Federal cases from Oakland County are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, with the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuting federal criminal matters. Federal court records are not in Court Explorer; they are searched through PACER and CM/ECF.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan handles federal prosecutions for the 34-county Eastern District that includes Oakland County, with offices in Detroit, Flint, and Bay City.
Where do I find federal bankruptcy records for Oakland County?
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan covers Michigan's Eastern Lower Peninsula. Oakland County is in the Southern Division, which includes Genesee, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saint Clair, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Washtenaw, and Wayne. Bankruptcy court sits in Bay City, Detroit, and Flint.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan publishes filing rules, locations, and access information. Bankruptcy filings are accessed through the bankruptcy CM/ECF system and PACER, not Oakland County Court Explorer.
Are there free federal court record tools for Oakland County cases?
Federal records carry PACER fees of $0.10 per page, with a $3 cap on single documents and case-specific reports such as docket reports. Free supplements exist for some materials. The non-profit CourtListener archive at courtlistener.com mirrors many federal court documents.
CourtListener hosts RECAP-archived federal filings, including many from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. It supplements PACER without replacing it for current filings.
Where is the Oakland County courthouse campus?
The Oakland County justice campus is at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan 48341. The 6th Circuit Court, Probate Court, County Clerk, Prosecutor, Indigent Defense Services, Sheriff's Office, and Oakland County Jail are all on the campus. Each office is in a different building, so confirm the building or department number on the hearing notice or filing receipt.
The Google Maps location for 1200 North Telegraph Road shows the campus along North Telegraph Road, west of downtown Pontiac, with major access from I-75, M-59, and Woodward Avenue.
Note: Weapons and cutting instruments are not permitted by court order inside the 6th Circuit Court or Probate Court; check the building entrance signs on arrival.