Search Iosco County Probate Records
Iosco County probate court records are maintained at the courthouse in Tawas City, Michigan. The Iosco County Probate Court is part of the 23rd Circuit and handles estate cases, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings for this Lake Huron shoreline county. Records go back to 1859. If you need to find a will, check on a probate case, or get copies of filed documents, there are several ways to search. This page walks you through how to access Iosco County probate court records online and at the courthouse.
Iosco County Overview
Iosco County Probate Court Information
The Iosco County Probate Court is at 422 W. Lake St. in Tawas City. The court handles all probate matters in the county under MCL 700.1302. That means estates, trusts, guardianships for adults and children, conservatorships, and mental health hearings all go through this court. Iosco County is part of the 23rd Circuit, which also covers Alcona County. The probate court has kept records since 1859, so there is a long paper trail for researchers to work with.
Online access to Iosco County probate court records is limited. The county does not run its own search tool. You will need to use MiCOURT or contact the court by phone. All filings must use SCAO-approved forms as required by MCL 600.855. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code (MCL 700.1101) governs all probate cases here.
How to Search Iosco County Probate Records
Start with the MiCOURT Case Search. Select Iosco County, pick Probate, and enter a name or case number. The results show case types, filing dates, parties, and docket entries. It is free. Not all cases appear in MiCOURT, especially older ones. If you do not find what you need, call the court at (989) 362-2028.
Visit the courthouse in Tawas City for the most complete access. Staff can pull files for you to review. Mail requests are accepted. Send a letter with the person's name, case details, and a check for the copy fees to 422 W. Lake St., Tawas City, MI 48763. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Plan for 5 to 10 business days for a response.
The MiCOURT Case Search covers Iosco County probate court records and cases from other Michigan counties.
Use MiCOURT to check case status, view docket entries, and find party names for Iosco County filings.
Iosco County Estate Filings
When someone in Iosco County passes away, the estate may need to go through probate. Michigan offers informal probate (Form PC 558), formal probate (Form PC 559), and a small estate process for estates worth $15,000 or less under MCL 700.3982. Filing fees typically run between $150 and $210. The inventory fee follows MCL 600.871 and depends on the estate's total value.
Copies of Iosco County probate court records cost $1 to $2 per page for plain copies and about $10 for the first certified page. Each extra certified page is $1. All forms are available at the SCAO probate forms page.
Guardianship Records in Iosco County
Iosco County probate court records include guardianship and conservatorship filings. These cases are set up when a person needs help with personal care or finances. Case files hold petitions, medical reports, bond documents, annual reports, and court orders. Form PC 625 starts an adult guardianship. Form PC 630 starts a conservatorship. The clerk can help you find the right forms.
Most guardianship records are public. Walk into the courthouse or call to check if a case exists. Mail requests also work for copies.
Note: Iosco County probate records go back to 1859 and may be useful for genealogy research in northeast Michigan.
Legal Resources for Iosco County
Michigan Legal Help offers free self-help tools for probate. The State Bar of Michigan has a lawyer referral service. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan serves the Tawas City area and may help qualifying residents at no cost. The Michigan Courts website has all SCAO forms, court rules, and contact information for every county. MiFILE supports electronic filing for some case types.
For historical or genealogy work, FamilySearch has digitized Michigan probate records going back to the 1800s. The Archives of Michigan in Lansing may also hold older Iosco County estate files.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Iosco and handle their own probate court records: