Find St. Clair County Probate Records
St. Clair County probate court records are on file at the courthouse in Port Huron, Michigan. The Probate Court is part of the 31st Circuit and handles all estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health cases in the county. St. Clair County sits along the Lake Huron shoreline and the St. Clair River, with Port Huron as its county seat. If you need to search for a probate filing, get a copy of a court document, or start a new case, this court is where you go. Records are available through in-person visits, mail requests, and the statewide online search tool. Here is what you need to know about accessing St. Clair County probate court records.
St. Clair County Overview
St. Clair County Probate Court Information
The St. Clair County Probate Court is at 201 McMorran Blvd., Room 2600, Port Huron, MI 48060. Register Joseph B. Schulte manages the probate register office. You can call at (810) 985-2066 or email jschulte@stclaircounty.org for help with case inquiries or filing questions. The court office is open during regular weekday business hours. Walk-in visitors can search for records, file new cases, and request copies of filed documents. The staff is used to helping people who are going through the probate process for the first time.
St. Clair County is a mid-size county in southeast Michigan. The probate court handles a steady caseload throughout the year. Under Michigan law, the court has jurisdiction over estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and certain mental health matters as set out in MCL 700.1302. The St. Clair County website provides general information about county services and court departments.
How to Search St. Clair Probate Court Records
Visit the courthouse at 201 McMorran Blvd. in Port Huron to search records in person. Room 2600 is where the probate register sits. The staff can pull up any case by name or case number and let you view the file. If you need copies, the standard rate is $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. These costs follow the fee schedule set by MCL 600.855.
For online searches, the MiCOURT Case Search covers St. Clair County probate cases. Type in a party name, case number, or attorney name to find results. The tool shows basic case information like filing date, case type, and parties involved. It does not usually let you download full documents, but it tells you what exists so you can request copies from the court. Not every older case may be in the online system, so call the court if your search comes up short.
Mail requests are another option. Send your request to the court address with the person's full name, any case details you have, and payment for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response.
Estate Filings in St. Clair County
When someone in St. Clair County dies with assets that need to be distributed, the estate may go through probate. The process starts with filing a petition at the probate court. Michigan has different levels of probate depending on the situation. Informal probate is the simplest and works when the will is valid and nobody objects. Formal probate involves more court oversight and hearings. Supervised probate puts the judge in control of every step, which is rare but sometimes necessary for disputed estates.
Filing fees depend on the type of probate. Informal applications typically cost between $150 and $175. Formal petitions run higher. The exact amount can change, so check with the register before you file. All filings must use forms approved by the State Court Administrative Office. The SCAO probate forms page has every form you might need. Common ones include PC 558 for informal applications and PC 559 for formal petitions.
Estates worth $15,000 or less, not counting funeral expenses, may not need full probate. Under MCL 700.3982, heirs can file an affidavit to claim assets directly. This saves time and court fees. The St. Clair County Probate Court has the affidavit form available.
The St. Clair County official website provides information about the probate court and other county departments.
Visit this site for office hours, phone numbers, and directions to the St. Clair County courthouse in Port Huron.
St. Clair County Guardianship Proceedings
Guardianship and conservatorship filings are a core part of what the St. Clair County Probate Court does. These cases protect people who cannot manage their own affairs. A guardianship gives someone legal authority over another person's care and daily decisions. A conservatorship covers money and property management. Both types require a court petition, notice to all interested parties, and a hearing before the judge grants anything.
You can search for guardianship records the same way you search for estate records. Ask the register to look up a case by the name of the protected person or the petitioner. Annual reports and accountings filed by guardians and conservators become part of the case record. These documents are available for public review unless the court has restricted access, which is uncommon in standard guardianship matters.
Legal Resources for St. Clair County
Free legal guidance is available through Michigan Legal Help, which has self-help tools and guides for probate matters. The State Bar of Michigan runs a lawyer referral service for anyone who needs a probate attorney in the St. Clair County area. The Michigan Courts website has general court rules and fee information. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code at MCL 700.1101 governs all probate proceedings in the state, and inventory fees are set by MCL 600.871.
Note: Call the St. Clair County Probate Court at (810) 985-2066 to confirm fees and hours before visiting.
Nearby Counties
These counties border St. Clair and also have probate courts where records can be searched: