How to Find Out About a Warrant in Michigan
Michigan does not let you check warrant status online — the MiCOURT case-search portal deliberately does not display it. To find out whether you have a warrant in Michigan, call the clerk of the district court that would have issued it, or the county sheriff's records line. Once you know the bond amount, The Bail Bond Center can arrange bail before you surrender. Call 877-968-9255, 24/7.
- MiCOURT (Michigan's online case search) does NOT display warrant status.
- Michigan district courts issue most bench warrants and set the initial bond.
- Find out by phone: the district court clerk or the county sheriff's records/warrants line.
- 'Warrant check' websites are data brokers and cannot confirm a live Michigan warrant.
- Premium once you surrender: 10% of the bail amount, set through Michigan DIFS.
Why you cannot check a Michigan warrant online
Michigan runs a public case-search system called MiCOURT, and many people assume it will tell them whether they have a warrant. It will not. MiCOURT can surface some case records, but it deliberately does not display warrant status — an active bench or arrest warrant simply is not shown to the public. That is by design: courts do not broadcast open warrants. So a clean-looking MiCOURT result does not mean you are clear, and there is no other official Michigan website that reveals a live warrant either. The only reliable way to know is to ask the court or the sheriff directly.
How to actually find out in Michigan
Start with the county where you think the case is. Call the clerk of the district court there — Michigan's district courts handle arraignments, bond, and most misdemeanors, and they are where bench warrants for missed dates usually originate. If you are not sure which court, call the county sheriff's records or warrants line, which can often confirm whether a warrant is on file. Have the defendant's full name and date of birth ready. Example numbers from the courts we serve: the 36th District Court in Detroit (Wayne County) at 313-965-2200, the Wayne County Jail records line at 313-224-0797, the Oakland County Circuit Court at 248-858-0344, and the Macomb County Circuit Court at 586-469-5150. These are the court and jail numbers themselves — to arrange bail, call us at 877-968-9255.
What to do once you confirm a Michigan warrant
If the clerk or the sheriff confirms a warrant, find out the bond amount and where the surrender happens, then arrange bail before you go in. Because a Michigan surety bond can be posted through the issuing district court or the county jail in advance, a pre-arranged surrender means booking and release can happen in one visit where the court allows it — instead of being arrested unexpectedly and waiting hours for a bond. The premium is 10% of the bail amount, set through DIFS, the same as any Michigan bond. You have the right to consult an attorney about your case before you surrender.
Frequently asked questions
Will MiCOURT tell me if I have a warrant?
No. Michigan's MiCOURT case-search portal does not display warrant status. A clean result there does not mean you have no warrant — confirm by calling the district court clerk or the county sheriff.
Who do I call to check a warrant in Michigan?
The clerk of the district court in the county where the case would be, or the county sheriff's records/warrants line. Have the full name and date of birth ready.
Are online Michigan warrant-check sites reliable?
No. They are third-party data brokers reselling outdated records and cannot confirm a live Michigan warrant. Use the court or sheriff instead.
What does bail cost if I surrender in Michigan?
10% of the bail amount, set through Michigan DIFS — the same whether you surrender or are arrested. We can arrange it before you go in.
This page is general procedural information for Michigan and Ohio, not legal advice, and does not predict any legal outcome — confirm the specifics of your case with the court. Ready to arrange bail before you surrender? The Bail Bond Center answers 24/7 across Michigan & Ohio — call 877-968-9255.