Van Buren County court records, Michigan, are available through several channels. VanburenCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online tools of state courts, the county clerk's office, and public terminals installed directly in court buildings.
Van Buren Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Van Buren County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding the jurisdiction will help determine where to search for the desired court record.
36th Circuit Court — the county's general jurisdiction court. It handles:
- Criminal cases involving felonies
- Civil lawsuits over $25,000
- Family cases: divorce, custody, alimony
- Juvenile justice cases
County Clerk also serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains all documents for this court.
7th District Court serves Van Buren County and handles cases of a different scale. These include:
- Civil lawsuits up to $25,000
- Small claims cases up to $6,500
- Criminal misdemeanors
- Traffic violations
- Landlord-tenant eviction cases
Probate Court deals with wills, guardianship of incapacitated individuals, and estate management. More details about the types of cases each court handles can be found on the county courts page.
Van Buren Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use several resources.
- Schedules by Judges. The Circuit Court Case Information page publishes daily dockets by each judge, including Judge Kathleen M. Brickley.
- Hearing Calendars. The Case Information / Calendars page contains links to hearing schedules, courtroom calendars, and information about scheduled hearings.
- Online Case Search. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search allows you to find a case by party name or case number and see the dates of upcoming hearings.
Court hearings are sometimes broadcast online at the judge's discretion. Separate forms for participating in virtual hearings are available on the Resources, Links & Forms page.
How to Get a Copy of a Van Buren Court Document
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a court document: online, in person, or by mail.
Online
Through MiCOURT Case Search, you can view basic case information — parties, dates, status. However, downloading the full text of a document through this system is usually not possible. To obtain copies, you need to contact the clerk's office.
In Person
Contact the county clerk's office:
For Circuit Court cases — contact the county clerk. For District Court cases — contact the 7th District Court office, located in the same court complex in Paw Paw.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's address, specifying:
- Full name of the party or case number
- Type of document (judgment, transcript, motion)
- Whether a certified or uncertified copy is needed
- Return address and payment
A certified copy has the court seal and clerk's signature — it is required for submission to other courts or government agencies. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal reference.
Van Buren Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies of court documents in Michigan are set according to MCL 600.2529 and local administrative orders. Typical rates are listed below:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Search in court records | $10 per name |
| Copy of document (uncertified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $10 per document |
| Certified copy | $10 + $1.00 per page |
| Copy of divorce decree | $10 (certification fee) |
Payment is accepted in cash or by check. Checks should be made payable to "Van Buren County Clerk." For mail requests, include a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Confirm current fees directly with the clerk's office, as rates may change.
Separate rates apply for real estate records and Register of Deeds documents, published on the Register of Deeds page. Requests for vital records (birth, marriage, death) are processed by the clerk as the county's vital records registrar.