Ingham County Probate Court Records Search
Ingham County probate court records are available at the courthouse in Lansing, Michigan. The Ingham County Probate Court is part of the 30th Circuit and handles all estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health filings for the county that holds the state capital. The court has an online case search system, which makes it one of the easier Michigan probate courts to research from home. You can also visit two courthouse locations to access records in person. This page explains how to find, search, and get copies of Ingham County probate court records.
Ingham County Overview
Ingham County Probate Court Information
The Ingham County Probate Court operates from two locations. The Probate Register's Office is at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing. This is where you go for filing and record requests. The Mason Historical Courthouse is the second location and is used for some hearings. Most people searching for Ingham County probate court records will deal with the Lansing office. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with filing hours from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The court handles all probate matters under MCL 700.1302. That includes estate administration, trust cases, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings. Ingham County is one of the larger counties in Michigan by population, so the probate court has a busy caseload. The court supports eFiling and ePayment, which makes the filing process faster for attorneys and parties who prefer to work online. The fax number for the court is (517) 483-6150.
All filings require SCAO-approved forms per MCL 600.855. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code (MCL 700.1101) sets the rules for all proceedings.
How to Search Ingham County Probate Records Online
Ingham County has its own online case search portal at courts.ingham.org/CourtRecordSearch. This tool lets you search both Circuit and Probate Court records. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. The results show case details, docket entries, and hearing dates. It is free to use and available around the clock. This is the best starting point for any Ingham County probate court records search.
You can also use the statewide MiCOURT Case Search tool. Pick Ingham County, select Probate, and enter your search terms. MiCOURT pulls data from many Michigan courts and may show results that the local portal does not, or the other way around. Using both tools gives you the best chance of finding the records you need.
Computer terminals are available at the courthouse for in-person searches. Staff can help you get started if you are not sure how to use the system.
The Ingham County Court Record Search lets you look up probate court records by name, case number, or date.
This free tool covers both Circuit and Probate Court records for Ingham County.
Getting Copies of Ingham County Probate Records
Copies of Ingham County probate court records cost $1.50 per page. Certified copies have an additional $10 fee per document. Transcript copies are $0.30 per page. If you need a blank SCAO form, each one costs $1. Transcript preparation runs $3.75 per original page and $0.90 per copy page, with a $50 minimum. These fees are set by the court and may change, so check with the clerk if you are not sure about the current amounts.
You can request copies in person at the Veterans Memorial Courthouse in Lansing during filing hours (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). Email requests are accepted and may be the fastest option. Mail requests work too. Send your request to 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48933 with the case details and a check. Fax requests go to (517) 483-6150. For each method, include the full name of the party, the case number if you have it, and a clear note about what documents you need.
Ingham County Estate and Probate Filings
Estate cases are a major part of Ingham County probate court records. Michigan law gives you three options for settling an estate. Informal probate is the simplest. File Form PC 558 and the court appoints a personal representative with no hearing. Formal probate uses Form PC 559 and requires a judge. Small estates under $15,000 can skip probate with an affidavit under MCL 700.3982. Filing fees range from about $150 to $210.
The inventory fee is based on estate value under MCL 600.871. Estates under $1,000 pay $5 plus 1% over $500. An estate worth $100,000 to $500,000 pays $362.50 plus 1/8 of 1% over $100,000. These fees go to the court. All forms can be found at the SCAO probate forms page.
The Ingham County Courts website has information about the probate court, filing procedures, and court schedules.
Visit the site for details about the two courthouse locations, hours, and contact information.
Special Notes About Ingham County Probate Records
Ingham County has a few quirks worth knowing about. Adoption records that were at the Probate Court were transferred to the 30th Circuit Court in the late 1990s. If you are looking for an adoption file, you need to contact the Circuit Court, not the Probate Court. Name change records also split between the two courts. Cases filed in 1997 and earlier are at the Probate Court. Name changes from 1998 forward are at the 30th Circuit Court. This can trip people up, so ask the clerk if you are not sure where to look.
Ingham County supports electronic filing through MiFILE. This speeds up the filing process and keeps digital copies in the court system. Not all case types may be available for eFiling, so check with the court first.
Note: Adoption records and post-1997 name changes are at the 30th Circuit Court, not the Ingham County Probate Court.
Legal Resources for Ingham County
Michigan Legal Help has free guides for estates, guardianships, and other probate tasks. The State Bar of Michigan has a referral service. The Michigan Advocacy Program and other legal aid groups in the Lansing area may help low-income residents with probate matters at no cost. The Michigan Courts website is a central source for forms, rules, and court contact information.
Nearby Counties and Cities
These counties and cities are near Ingham and may have related probate court records:
Residents of Lansing file probate cases at the Ingham County Probate Court.