Guide
Michigan Expungement Research Resources
Use the resources below to identify the agencies, courts, records, and related research tools that often matter when you are exploring expungement, sealing, or other record relief options in Michigan.
- Michigan Public Records Hub Start with the broader Michigan public record directory before narrowing to expungement or sealing research.
- Michigan Criminal Records Review related criminal record research resources that often intersect with expungement and sealing questions in Michigan.
- Michigan Court Records Look for court-level case information, docket access, or filing context connected to expungement matters in Michigan.
- Michigan Police Records Browse police-record and law enforcement resources that may help identify originating agencies in Michigan.
- Michigan Background Checks Compare how records may appear in background check workflows related to Michigan.
- Michigan Inmate Search Use inmate search and corrections links when expungement research overlaps with custody or supervision history in Michigan.
This directory is for informational and research use only. Expungement eligibility, waiting periods, filing fees, notice rules, and the effect on background checks can differ significantly depending on the state, offense level, case outcome, and later law changes.
Guide
Sealing a divorce or civil file in Michigan
Michigan protects divorce finances by keeping the disclosure out of the file. The Verified Financial Information Form, CC 320, is served on the other party and, in the words of the form, is not to be filed with the court, and MCR 3.206(C) makes its information confidential, releasable only to the court, the parties and their attorneys except on court order. The complaint itself is nonpublic until proof of service is filed under MCL 552.6a. Beyond that the file is public under MCR 8.119(H).
Sealing a filed document is by motion under MCR 8.119(I). The filer bears the burden of establishing good cause, an entire case may not be sealed except as required by statute, and when a record is sealed all orders and opinions must remain public records. A filer may ask that a document be made nonpublic temporarily while the motion is decided. The State Court Administrative Office's case file standards restate these rules at courts.michigan.gov.
Guide
Research Notes
- Start with the court and the originating agency. Expungement or sealing requests are often handled through the court that heard the case, sometimes with supporting records from police, prosecutors, or corrections agencies.
- Terminology differs by state. Some jurisdictions use terms such as sealing, set-aside, vacatur, dismissal relief, or nondisclosure instead of expungement.
- Verify current law. Eligibility rules can change through legislation or court decisions, so always confirm the current process before relying on older instructions or third-party summaries.
- Understand downstream effects. Even after record relief, treatment of court, police, private-background check, and federal records may differ depending on the system involved.
By state