Macomb County Criminal Records and Background Check Search

Macomb County background check records are accessible through the Macomb County Courtview system, the 16th Circuit Court, multiple district courts, the county clerk, and the Michigan State Police ICHAT database. As Michigan's third most populous county, Macomb has extensive online resources and well-developed public access to court records.

ICHAT: Statewide Criminal History

Run a Michigan State Police ICHAT search first for any Macomb County background check. ICHAT searches Michigan's full criminal history database covering all 83 counties. The fee is $10 per name, paid by credit card at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. Results appear right away.

ICHAT returns felonies and serious misdemeanors punishable by over 93 days. It does not cover local misdemeanors, traffic violations, juvenile records, suppressed cases, or records from federal and tribal courts. Each name or alias costs a separate fee. Macomb County is one of the higher-volume counties in Michigan, so pairing ICHAT with the county's own Courtview system is a smart approach for thorough searching.

Macomb County Courtview Online System

Macomb County has a public court records access system called Macomb County Courtview. It covers 16th Circuit Court records including civil, criminal, divorce, paternity, and appeals cases. The system requires Internet Explorer to function properly, which limits some modern browser access. Visit macombgov.org/courtclerk to access it.

The Clerk's Court Department also offers online case information, court record request forms, and e-filing and fax filing options. This means you can request records and submit filings without going in person for many case types. The Virtual Clerk's Office is also available for some services. A Fraud Notify alert service allows residents to sign up for notifications about new filings in their name, which can be useful for identity protection research.

The county clerk, Anthony G. Forlini, also serves as the Register of Deeds. The clerk's office handles court records, vital records, and land filings.

16th Circuit Court and District Courts

The 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County handles felony criminal cases, civil matters over $25,000, family court, and domestic relations. The clerk's court department is at 40 North Main, 1st Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Phone: (586) 469-5351. Fax: (586) 469-5252. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Macomb County has four separate district courts: the 37th, 38th, 39th, and 40th. Each serves a different geographic area of the county. Misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, and traffic matters go to the district court serving the city or township where the case originated. If you are not sure which district court applies, contact the county clerk's office and they can direct you.

The Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, and mental health proceedings. CPL applications are processed at the Macomb County Clerk's Office.

Vital Records and Jury

Vital records in Macomb County are at 120 N. Main St., 1st Floor in Mount Clemens. Phone: (586) 469-5205. This is a different address from the court department. Bring ID and fees when requesting birth, death, or marriage records. Elections records are at 32 Market Street, Mount Clemens, phone (586) 469-5209.

The Jury Room at 40 N. Main St. handles jury service matters at (586) 469-5158. These separate offices reflect the scale of Macomb County's government compared to smaller counties. Each office has its own contact point and sometimes a different physical location.

What Records Show Up in Macomb County

A Macomb County background check can yield several layers of records. The 16th Circuit Court holds felony criminal cases, civil judgments, domestic relations orders, and protection orders. The four district courts hold misdemeanor and traffic records. The Probate Court holds estate and guardianship files. The clerk also holds vital records and land filings.

For the most complete criminal record picture, run ICHAT plus check the Macomb Courtview system. ICHAT gives you the statewide criminal record. Courtview gives you the local case details, docket entries, and case status. Together they cover current and historical criminal activity in Macomb County going back decades.

For corrections status, use the free MDOC OTIS system. For registered sex offenders, search the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry. Both are free and require no account.

FOIA Requests in Macomb County

FOIA requests for Macomb County records go to the specific office holding the records. Court records requests go through the clerk's court department. Vital records requests go to the vital records office. Law enforcement records requests go to the relevant police agency or the county sheriff.

Michigan law requires a response to FOIA requests within 5 business days. The Michigan State Police FOIA portal covers state-level records. For help with any records request or understanding Michigan public records law, visit Michigan Legal Help.

Note: The Macomb Courtview system requires Internet Explorer for full functionality. If you are using a modern browser, some features may not work. The statewide MiCOURT portal at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ is a browser-compatible alternative for basic case searches.

Nearby Counties

Macomb County is in the metro Detroit area. Neighboring counties in southeastern Michigan may also hold relevant records.