Livingston County Family Court Records

Livingston County family court records are filed and maintained at the 44th Circuit Court Judicial Center Building at 204 South Highlander Way, Suite 4, Howell, MI 48843. The Circuit Court Family Division handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption cases for all Livingston County residents. You can search case information online for free through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal or through Livingston County's own subscription portal, LivingstonLive. For copies or certified records, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (517) 546-9816.

Where Livingston County Family Court Records Are Filed

The 44th Circuit Court Judicial Center is at 204 South Highlander Way, Suite 4, Howell, MI 48843. The Circuit Court main phone is (517) 546-9816 with a fax at (517) 548-4219. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The county's courts information is available at livgov.com/courts. This page covers all Livingston County courts, including the Family Division of the Circuit Court, which handles all domestic relations matters for county residents.

Livingston County stands out among Michigan counties for having its own online court records portal. The LivingstonLive portal at livingstonlive.livgov.com offers subscription-based access to court records. The cost is $6.00 per name search and $2.50 per case history view. This is separate from the free statewide MiCOURT system. LivingstonLive may provide more detailed local data for Livingston County cases, but MiCOURT is the free starting point for most searches.

For anyone who doesn't want to pay for LivingstonLive, free self-service court indexes are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours. You can also view records in person at no charge under MCR 8.119. Just bring a valid photo ID.

Searching Livingston County Family Court Records Online

You have two main options for online searches of Livingston County family court records. The first is MiCOURT Case Search, Michigan's free statewide portal. Search by party name, case number, attorney, or business name. Results include case numbers, filing dates, party names, hearing schedules, and docket entries. Document images are not available on MiCOURT.

The second option is LivingstonLive, Livingston County's own subscription portal. This system may offer more detailed local case data and is used by attorneys and frequent searchers. A name search costs $6.00 and a case history view costs $2.50. If you only need to do an occasional search, MiCOURT is the better free option. If you need regular access to Livingston County case data, LivingstonLive may be worth the subscription cost.

Livingston County Court Records Portal

Livingston County's LivingstonLive portal gives subscribers direct online access to Livingston County court records, making it one of the more advanced local court search tools available among Michigan's 83 counties for family court records inquiries.

While Ingham County's portal is shown here as an example of a Michigan county-level records search tool, Livingston County operates a similar system through LivingstonLive. Both represent the county-level approach to supplementing the statewide MiCOURT system with more detailed local case data.

Fees for Livingston County Family Court Records Copies

Livingston County's copy fees are slightly above the statewide baseline. Plain copies cost $1.50 per page. Certified copies require the $10.00 certification fee per document plus the per-page charge. Viewing records at the courthouse is free under MCR 8.119. A Michigan Circuit Court Record Copy Request Form is required for mail requests. Ask the clerk for this form or check the county website before sending a mail request.

Self-service court indexes are available for free at the Circuit Court Clerk's office during regular business hours. These let you look up case numbers and basic case information without paying any fee. If you find the case you need and want copies, then the per-page fee applies. For urgent or large requests, calling ahead at (517) 546-9816 is a good idea to get a cost estimate before submitting payment.

Types of Family Court Records in Livingston County

The 44th Circuit Court Family Division handles the full range of domestic relations cases for Livingston County. Divorce files contain the complaint or petition, proof of service, the judgment of divorce, and all orders entered during the case. Contested divorces can generate many pages of motions, financial statements, and records from hearings. Custody files hold parenting time orders and any modifications over the life of the case. Paternity files establish legal parentage through the order of filiation and link to child support orders.

Child support is administered through the Livingston County Friend of the Court. The FOC maintains records separate from the main circuit court file and handles enforcement, modification, and parenting time compliance. Reach the Livingston County FOC through the court contacts at livgov.com/courts. For statewide policy guidance, the Friend of the Court Bureau at the SCAO sets standards for FOC offices across Michigan. Adoption records are sealed under MCL 710.67. Juvenile records are restricted under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection order details are not public under MCR 3.705.

In-Person and Mail Access to Livingston County Records

Visiting the Judicial Center at 204 South Highlander Way, Suite 4, Howell, MI 48843 is the most direct way to get Livingston County family court records. Bring a valid photo ID. Free self-service indexes are available at the clerk's office. For copies, the $1.50 per page fee applies. For older or large files, call (517) 546-9816 ahead of time to give staff a chance to retrieve the case before you arrive. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mail requests require a completed Circuit Court Record Copy Request Form. Write a letter with the case number if known, full party names, filing year, and which documents you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order payable to the Livingston County Clerk. Certified copies must be obtained in person or by mail, not by email or fax. Mail turnaround varies, typically running from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on request size and office workload.

Michigan Laws That Govern Livingston County Family Court Records

Family court records in Livingston County follow Michigan's statewide legal framework. MCR 8.119 establishes that court records are public unless restricted by statute, court rule, or order. It bars courts from charging fees just to view records in person. MCL 600.2546 sets copy fee rules. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not apply to court records since the judiciary is exempt under MCL 15.232(d)(v). If a records request is denied, file a motion with the circuit court directly, not a FOIA appeal.

All Michigan Compiled Laws are available at legislature.mi.gov. The SCAO forms database at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms holds approved forms for divorce, custody, paternity, and support modification filings. Livingston County Circuit Court requires SCAO-approved forms for most family law matters.

Nearby Counties

Family court records for residents near Livingston County may also be on file in a neighboring county circuit court.