Macomb Township Dissolution Of Marriage
Macomb Township dissolution of marriage records are filed at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, which serves all of Macomb County. Macomb Township has grown fast over the past two decades and now ranks among the largest townships in Michigan. If you need to search for a dissolution case, get copies of a divorce decree, or find out about the filing process, this page covers the court, access methods, fees, and resources available to residents.
Macomb Township Overview
Where Macomb Township Cases Are Filed
Macomb Township does not have its own circuit court. All dissolution of marriage cases go to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court at 40 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens. That is the county seat, about 20 miles southwest of the township. The circuit court handles all family law matters for Macomb County, including dissolution, custody, and support. The Friend of the Court office in the same building manages support and parenting time after the case closes.
| Court | 16th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5351 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Cases that involve minor children use the case code DM. Cases without children use DO. Both types are handled by the same court division. The Friend of the Court plays a role in any DM case, conducting investigations and making recommendations on custody and support. Their office number is (586) 469-5160.
Search Macomb Township Dissolution Records Online
Two online systems let you search dissolution of marriage records for Macomb County. The first is the county's own CourtView Public Access portal at circuitcourt.macombgov.org. This portal shows party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries. You can search by name or case number. It covers circuit court cases including dissolution filings for Macomb Township residents.
The second option is the statewide MiCOURT case search run by the Michigan Supreme Court. MiCOURT pulls from courts across the state, so it works for checking whether someone has cases in other Michigan counties too. Both systems are free to use. They give you enough info to confirm a case exists, see case status, and find out what documents are on file.
For certified copies of a decree or judgment, you need to contact the circuit court clerk directly. Copies are not available for download through the online portals. Call (586) 469-5351 to ask about copy fees and how to submit a request.
Michigan courts treat dissolution records as public documents under MCR 8.119. Most filings are open to anyone who asks. A few items, like medical records submitted as exhibits or documents sealed by court order, are not public.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov lists all circuit courts by county and links to local court resources. It is a good starting point if you are unsure which portal to use.
Filing for Dissolution in Macomb Township
Michigan uses the term dissolution of marriage, not divorce. The process is governed by state law, mainly MCL 552.6, which allows either spouse to file on no-fault grounds. You do not need to prove fault. You just need to state that the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable chance of saving it. This is the only ground Michigan courts accept for dissolution.
Before filing, you must meet the residency rule under MCL 552.9. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. On top of that, one spouse must have lived in Macomb County for at least 10 days. If you live in Macomb Township and meet those requirements, you can file at the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.
The waiting period after filing depends on whether you have children. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children have a 60-day minimum wait. Cases with minor children require at least 180 days from the date of filing before the court can enter a judgment. These waits are mandatory and the court cannot shorten them except in rare circumstances.
Filing fees in Macomb County run approximately $175 for a case without children and around $255 for a case with children. These fees go to the circuit court clerk at the time of filing. The Friend of the Court may also charge fees for services in DM cases. If cost is a problem, ask the clerk about fee waiver options. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides on waiving fees and filling out forms.
Note: Filing fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the 16th Circuit Court clerk before you file.
Getting Copies of Dissolution Records
The circuit court clerk keeps all dissolution case files. You can request copies in person at 40 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens or by mail. In-person requests are usually processed while you wait or by the next day. Mail requests take longer. You need to provide the full names of both parties and the case number if you have it. The clerk will pull the file and copy the documents you ask for.
Standard copy fees at Macomb County courts are $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more. Certification adds an official stamp that confirms the copy is a true and correct reproduction of the original court record. Certified copies are often needed for legal purposes like updating a name, changing a deed, or filing with another government office.
Vital statistics copies of dissolution records work differently. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services keeps a separate registry of divorces. You can request a state-level record through MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, or by calling (517) 335-8666. Their website is at michigan.gov/mdhhs. MDHHS records are not as detailed as the full court file, but they work for many official purposes.
MDHHS records go back to 1897. Court files at the 16th Circuit Court go back to 1818. For older records, contact the clerk directly to ask about availability.
Legal Help for Macomb Township Residents
If you need help with a dissolution case in Macomb Township, several resources are available. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guides, form instructions, and an interactive tool that helps you fill out the right court forms for your situation. It covers all stages from filing to the final hearing.
Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents in Macomb County. Call 2-1-1 to get connected to legal aid services in your area. The State Bar of Michigan also runs a lawyer referral service. If you want to hire a family law attorney, the bar can match you with one who handles dissolution cases in Macomb County. The Michigan courts website at courts.michigan.gov also links to self-help resources for people filing without a lawyer.
Macomb County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Macomb Township is part of Macomb County, and all dissolution cases are handled at the county level by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. For a full overview of Macomb County dissolution records, court locations, fee schedules, and additional resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities in Macomb County
Other Macomb County communities with qualifying populations also file dissolution cases at the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.