Is There an Online Docket Lookup for Washtenaw County Circuit Court Business Cases?

Online Docket

Readers who manage commercial disputes often ask whether they can monitor a Washtenaw County Circuit Court file without visiting the clerk’s counter. Online case‑search tools now answer most day‑to‑day status questions, and they do so at no cost. This article explains where those tools live, what information they deliver, and why certified records still matter when evidence or deadlines are on the line.

Purpose

Business owners and attorneys rely on rapid updates to gauge risk, schedule filings, and prepare for hearings. Two web portals—the county’s Docket / Calendar page and the statewide MiCOURT system—supply public docket entries for civil cases over $25,000, including all matters assigned to the Business Court division. The discussion that follows describes each portal, clarifies its limits, and outlines the formal steps for securing official copies when informal viewing is not enough.

Court Structure

The Twenty‑Second Judicial Circuit Court in Ann Arbor holds jurisdiction over civil actions that exceed $25,000, appeals from administrative agencies, and specialized Business Court matters. Three district courts (14A, 14B, and 15th) handle lower‑value suits, misdemeanors, and traffic infractions but do not control Business Court dockets. Understanding this division ensures that searches target the correct database from the start.

Washtenaw County Trial Court Portal

The county provides a direct link to its case‑management system through the Docket / Calendar tool at https://www.washtenaw.org/1062/Docket-Calendar. After selecting the “Circuit Court” tab, a user may enter a party name or case number and receive the current Register of Actions. The screen lists every filing, hearing notice, and order that the clerk has entered, usually within one business day of receipt. Because the feed comes straight from the court’s internal software, it reflects real‑time docket text, but it does not expose the underlying pleadings or exhibits. The portal works best for quick date checks, confirmation of service, and verification that a motion has posted.

Michigan MiCOURT Public Case Search

Statewide searching begins at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/. Selecting the “Business Court Search” filter narrows results to the specialized docket that handles complex commercial disputes, such as construction claims, contract actions, and shareholder litigation. Users enter party names, case numbers, or business‑court categories and obtain the same Register of Actions view supplied by the county site, yet MiCOURT extends the search beyond county lines. Attorneys conducting due‑diligence scans appreciate the single interface for multiple jurisdictions. Like the county portal, MiCOURT publishes docket text only and warns that the display is not an official record.

Limits of Online Data

Both portals suppress sealed proceedings, juvenile matters, personal‑protection orders, and personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. Attachments, signed orders, deposition exhibits, and transcripts remain offline. The courts disclaim liability for errors and require lawyers to confirm dates or filings before relying on them. Automated scraping or bulk downloads breach MiCOURT’s terms of service; repeated violations can trigger access blocks.

Obtaining Official Documents

A party who needs certified or exemplified copies must contact the Clerk of the Court, Court Services Division, at 101 East Huron Street, Room 1106, Ann Arbor. Walk‑in requests of thirty pages or fewer are fulfilled while the requester waits; larger pulls complete within ten calendar days. Mail requests use the Records Request Form available at https://www.washtenaw.org/1420/Records-Request. The form, a check for copy fees, and a self‑addressed stamped envelope go to the same address. Telephone orders permit credit‑card payment, but staff will not disclose docket details over the phone. Standard copies cost two dollars per page. A certified copy adds ten dollars plus one dollar per page. An exemplified copy carries the same surcharge. Audio or video recordings arrive within five business days of payment. All new civil filings, including motions and claims of appeal, must include a statewide twenty‑five‑dollar e‑filing fee that the clerk collects at submission.

Processing Time and Cost Planning

Urgent document pulls favor in‑person pickup because the clerk releases small jobs on the spot. Mail requests suit projects that tolerate longer lead times but add postal transit both ways. Clients should budget for per‑page fees and certification surcharges in advance. Large discovery sets may justify targeted requests for only the critical orders rather than full files.

Practical Workflow

Savvy practitioners begin with the county portal to verify recent filings or hearing dates each morning. When a search must span multiple counties or isolate a specific business‑court category, they repeat the query in MiCOURT. Before citing a docket entry in a pleading or relying on it in settlement talks, they order a certified copy to validate authenticity. Automation remains limited to occasional individual queries to avoid service disruption.

Key Links

For convenience, the primary resources appear here:

Conclusion

Online tools give business litigants and their counsel swift access to docket text for Washtenaw County Circuit Court cases. The county portal delivers real‑time local data, and MiCOURT expands reach statewide. Neither site provides the pleadings or certified copies required for formal use. When accuracy carries legal weight, parties should verify entries and follow the clerk’s procedures to obtain official records.

Contact Tishkoff

Tishkoff PLC specializes in business law and litigation. For inquiries, contact us at www.tish.law/contact/. & check out Tishkoff PLC’s Website (www.Tish.Law/), eBooks (www.Tish.Law/e-books), Blogs (www.Tish.Law/blog) and References (www.Tish.Law/resources).