Find Dissolution Of Marriage in Allegan County
Allegan County dissolution of marriage records are held at the 48th Circuit Court at 113 Chestnut Street in Allegan. The Family Division of the circuit court handles all divorce and dissolution cases filed in the county. You can search for these records online through MiCOURT or by visiting the courthouse in person. This guide explains what records are available, how to request them, what fees apply, and what Michigan law requires for cases filed in Allegan County.
Allegan County Overview
Allegan County 48th Circuit Court
The 48th Circuit Court handles dissolution of marriage cases for Allegan County. The court and County Clerk's office are both at 113 Chestnut Street in Allegan. The Family Division operates at the same address and is the division that hears divorce cases. This is where filings are submitted, hearings are held, and case records are stored.
| Court | 48th Circuit Court - Allegan County |
|---|---|
| Address | 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010 |
| Phone | (269) 673-0450 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The county website at allegancounty.org has additional contact information for county departments and office hours during holidays or special closings.
Searching Allegan County Dissolution Records
Start an online search with MiCOURT Case Search. This free tool from Michigan Courts lets you search by party name or case number. It returns the case type, filing date, and current status. For Allegan County dissolution cases, case types are DM (with minor children) and DO (without minor children). MiCOURT gives you the information you need to identify a case before requesting full copies.
In-person visits to the courthouse at 113 Chestnut Street give you access to full case files. Staff can search by name or case number and pull the file for your review. You can request copies at the desk. Certified copies of the dissolution judgment are the most common request. Copy fees are $1 per page, and certification adds $10 per document. Mail requests are also accepted; include the names of both parties, case year, and a check for the estimated fees.
Note: Calling the Allegan County Circuit Court at (269) 673-0450 before your visit can confirm current hours and whether the specific records you need are available for same-day access.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Allegan County
To file a dissolution of marriage case in Allegan County, you must meet Michigan's residency requirements. Under MCL 552.9, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before the filing date. You also need at least 10 days of residency in Allegan County for the court to have jurisdiction over your case. Meeting both conditions is required. The court will check this at the time of filing.
Michigan uses no-fault grounds. Under MCL 552.6, the only ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship where there is no reasonable likelihood of preservation. You do not have to prove fault or misconduct. Most Allegan County dissolution cases use this single ground. The complaint or joint petition must state that the marriage has broken down.
After filing, you must wait before the court can enter a final judgment. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children wait at least 60 days. Cases with minor children wait at least 180 days. Courts rarely shorten these periods, but a party can file a motion requesting a reduction in cases of extreme hardship. Standard filing fees are approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases with children.
What Allegan County Divorce Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file at the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan contains all documents submitted from the start of the case through the final judgment. The complaint or joint petition begins the file. Temporary orders may follow, covering things like custody or use of the marital home during the case. Both parties file financial disclosures. The final judgment of divorce closes the file and sets out all the terms of the dissolution.
The judgment covers property division under authority granted by MCL 552.19. The court divides marital assets in a way it finds equitable. If spousal support was ordered, the terms appear in the judgment under MCL 552.23. Cases involving children include custody and parenting time schedules and child support amounts calculated using the Michigan Child Support Formula. Certified copies of the judgment are what most people request for legal use after the divorce is final.
Under MCR 8.119, court records are public but restricted information is redacted from copies. SSNs, financial account numbers, and identifying details about minor children do not appear in public copies. The rest of the file is open to anyone who requests it.
Friend of the Court in Allegan County
The Friend of the Court office is part of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County. The FOC handles child support, custody, and parenting time matters in every dissolution of marriage case that involves minor children. When a case is filed with children, the FOC gets involved automatically. The office conducts a review, gathers financial information, and makes recommendations to the judge on support amounts and custody arrangements.
After the divorce is final, the FOC monitors compliance with support orders and helps enforce them if one party stops paying. If circumstances change, either party can ask the FOC to review the support or custody arrangement. Contact the 48th Circuit Court at (269) 673-0450 to reach the Friend of the Court office in Allegan County.
MDHHS Divorce Certificates for Allegan County Cases
The MDHHS Vital Records office in Lansing maintains divorce certificates for cases throughout Michigan. These are different from the court record. A certificate confirms the dissolution occurred and shows basic details. It does not include property division, custody terms, or other case-specific information from the court file.
A certificate from MDHHS costs $34 by mail or $58.50 online. Each additional copy is $16. A rush fee of $12 applies for expedited orders. Call MDHHS Vital Records at (517) 335-8666 or visit their office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. For the full case file with all court documents, contact the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan directly.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides explaining the difference between a MDHHS certificate and a certified copy of the court judgment, and when you need each one.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where one spouse lived at the time of filing. If you think the case may have been filed in a neighboring county, check the counties that border Allegan.