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In Bay County, money disputes up to $7,000 go to the small-claims court: simplified procedures, and no attorneys at the hearing.
Below is what you need for a small claims case in Bay County: the limit, filing fees, which courthouse to use, how to serve the other side, your deadlines, and how to file. When you're ready, Squabble prepares everything and files it for you.
Small claims in Bay County are heard at the courthouse below. When you file, the court confirms the right location for your case based on where the defendant lives or where your dispute happened.
Tap a courthouse to see its details in the list below.
Locations change. The court publishes its current small-claims address on its own page; Squabble confirms the courthouse for your case when you file.
About 102,651 people live in Bay County. Bay County covers 11 ZIP codes, including the Auburn, Bay City and Bentley areas.
This court works from paper filings, delivered in person or posted in. Squabble builds the packet so nothing is missing.
Hearings in small claims are attended in person at the courthouse.
Bring copies of your evidence for the judge and the other side; some courts also accept electronic submission ahead of the hearing.
Bay County, Michigan, has a population of 102,651 and is served by the Michigan Small Claims Court, which handles claims up to $7,000. Small claims matters arising in the county are heard at the Third Judicial District: 74th District Court: Bay City, located at 1230 Washington Ave # 736 in Bay City, 48708. The court can be reached at (989) 895-4232, and information is posted at http://www.baycountycourts.com/. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed Saturday and Sunday. Electronic filing is not available, so filings are handled in person at the courthouse. The county covers communities including Auburn, Bay City, Essexville, Kawkawlin, Linwood, Munger, and Pinconning, along with ZIP codes such as 48611, 48634, 48706, and 48732. Bay County lies near Arenac County, Midland County, and Saginaw County. The court accepts and processes small claims filings, schedules hearings, and maintains the case records for matters within its jurisdiction.
These 9 places sit inside Bay County:
Auburn, Bay City, Bentley, Essexville, Kawkawlin, Linwood, Munger, Pinconning, University Center.
ZIP codes:
Of Michigan's 83 counties, Bay County is 20th by population at roughly 102,651 people. From Bay City, Third Judicial District: 74th District Court: Bay City is roughly 9 miles from the Midland County courthouse in Midland and 7 miles from the Saginaw County courthouse in Saginaw.
If the other side lives just over the county line, the case may belong next door:
Small claims handles money owed between ordinary people and businesses. Procedure is kept light, no attorneys at the hearing, and claims are capped.
Maximum claim
Either the place the dispute arose or the place the other party lives will usually work.
A single argument stays a single case; it cannot be carved up to fit the limit.
A small-claims judge generally orders one side to pay money; other kinds of orders belong in higher courts.
No attorney appears for either party at the hearing. Advice can be taken beforehand or afterwards.
Minors take part through a guardian appointed by the court.
Over the limit? Either bring the figure down to the maximum and remain in small claims, or file the whole amount in the regular civil court. The amount given up is usually gone for good.
Bay County is under the same limits as nearby Arenac County and Midland County. Third Judicial District: 74th District Court: Bay City is the courthouse listed for Bay County.
If someone owes you money, up to $7,000, small claims is built for it. These are the disputes residents bring most often.
Third Judicial District: 74th District Court: Bay City is the Bay County courthouse listed below. Bay County takes in Auburn, Bay City and Bentley and the rest of the county.
It's built to be navigable without a lawyer. Here's the shape of a case from start to finish.
Write up what is owed on the claim form, select the courthouse, and settle the filing fee.
Service puts the papers in the defendant's hands and starts their time to answer or settle.
Expect a brief session rather than a trial, in person or by video where available, with a decision at the end or soon after.
This is the route a Bay County case takes, whether it starts in 48611 or anywhere else among the county ZIP codes. Third Judicial District: 74th District Court: Bay City lists (989) 895-4232 as its number.
A filed case still has to reach the defendant. Formal notice, known as service of process, does that, and delivering it personally is generally not allowed. Michigan courts usually take delivery by delivery arranged by the court, email service where the court allows it, personal delivery by an approved server or the sheriff or constable.
Who may serve depends on the court: law enforcement, a paid process server, the clerk by certified mail, or a disinterested adult. Costs and rules are local.
How long before the hearing notice must be given is set by the court. That deadline arrives with your hearing date.
A completed proof of service records who delivered the papers and when, and it is filed with the court beforehand.
Service is where many self-filed cases stall. Squabble can coordinate professional Service of Process so it's done correctly and on time.
A Bay County address carries one of its 11 ZIP codes, 48611, 48613 and 48631 among them. Arenac County and Midland County are the counties nearest to Bay County.
The right to bring a claim expires. The period is measured from the moment the dispute arose, and once it has run the court can refuse the case.
| Kind of claim | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract | 6 years |
| Oral contract | 6 years |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Personal injury | 3 years |
The same periods apply in Bay County as in nearby Arenac County and Midland County, which are in the same state. Bay County, population about 102,651, is covered by the table above.
In Michigan, prejudgment interest follows a statutory formula rather than a fixed rate (Mich. Comp. Laws §600.6013).
Want to estimate what interest adds to your claim? Use the Squabble interest calculator to see the running total before you file.
It is the same rate across all 11 Bay County ZIP codes. The rate above is the one for Bay County, population about 102,651.
Confirm the sum sits under the cap and that the time limit for this kind of claim has not run out.
Name the correct party, describe what happened, and show how the amount is calculated.
File with the Bay County small-claims court on paper, by mail or at the counter, and pay the $30–$70 fee (or request a waiver if you qualify).
With a hearing date in hand, organise service and lodge the completed proof with the court.
Gather the paperwork and label your exhibits so each point can be shown quickly.
Attend, in the courtroom or by video where the court allows it, put your case, and hear the ruling.
Describe the dispute to Eleanor. Squabble drafts the paperwork, puts it through a Triple-Check™ for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and lodges it with the court.
Start for FREE →Claim form starts the case · Proof of service shows the defendant was notified · Fee waiver if you qualify. Exact form names vary by court; Squabble prepares the right ones for your courthouse.
Bay County papers go to Third Judicial District: 74th District Court: Bay City in Bay City. Auburn, Bay City and Bentley are among the places in Bay County that filings come from.
The hearing is brief and informal. No lawyers take part, and the judge puts questions to each side directly.
Auburn, Bay City and Bentley are among the Bay County places a hearing can draw parties from. Bay County has about 102,651 residents.
The decision settles who owes what. Turning it into money is a separate stage, and the tools the court makes available differ by state.
Wage garnishment, where the state permits it, sends part of the debtor's pay toward the judgment.
With a bank levy, the court reaches funds held in the debtor's account directly.
Registering the judgment at county level can fix a lien on real estate the debtor holds.
You can also ask the court to order the debtor to appear and disclose income and assets under oath. An unpaid judgment generally keeps accruing interest at the rate state law sets until it's satisfied.
Arenac County and Midland County are the counties nearest to Bay County. Auburn, Bay City and Bentley are among the Bay County places a judgment debtor may live in.
Information reviewed August 2026. Courts change fees, limits and procedures, so check the current details before filing.
Talk with Eleanor about what happened. Squabble prepares your demand letter and court-ready documents, Triple-Checks them for administrative and jurisdictional accuracy, and files your Bay County case for you.
