Alpena County Dissolution Of Marriage Lookup
Alpena County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena. The 26th Circuit Court covers both Alpena and Montmorency counties, so some administrative coordination happens between the two. Records in Alpena County go back to the late 1800s and are available by in-person visit, mail request, or through the statewide MiCOURT online search tool. This page covers how to find dissolution of marriage records in Alpena County, what those filings contain, what fees apply, and the Michigan statutes that govern the process.
Alpena County Overview
26th Circuit Court for Alpena County
The 26th Circuit Court handles dissolution of marriage cases filed in Alpena County. The court is at 720 Chisholm Street in Alpena. The County Clerk's office is at the same address in Suite 4. Both offices are in the Alpena County Courthouse. The court maintains case records going back to the late 1800s. A public access terminal is available at the courthouse for those who want to search on-site without staff assistance.
The 26th Circuit also serves Montmorency County. Most day-to-day operations for Alpena County cases happen at the Alpena courthouse. If you have a question about where a particular old case is stored, call the clerk before visiting. Cases filed after the court's transition to electronic records are easier to pull on short notice than older paper records from earlier decades.
| Court | 26th Circuit Court - Alpena County |
|---|---|
| Address | 720 Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707 |
| Phone | (989) 354-9575 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Alpena County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 720 Chisholm Street, Suite 4, Alpena, MI 49707 |
| Phone | (989) 354-9520 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Alpena County Dissolution Records
The MiCOURT Case Search tool from Michigan Courts is available for free online searches of Alpena County dissolution of marriage cases. Search by party name or case number. The system shows party names, case type, filing date, and current case status. This is a good first step before visiting the courthouse or sending a mail request. It confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number you need for a copy request.
The courthouse in Alpena also has a public access terminal. You can use it during business hours to search case records on your own without staff assistance. It is available on a first-come basis. Staff are nearby if you need help with the search or want to request copies once you find the record you need.
Mail requests go to the County Clerk at 720 Chisholm Street, Suite 4, Alpena, MI 49707. Include the names of both parties, the year of filing, and a description of the documents you need. Send a check or money order for the fees. Copies are $1 per page. Certification adds $10 per document. The clerk will mail the copies once the request is processed and payment is confirmed.
Note: The public access terminal at the Alpena courthouse is available during regular court hours and is a convenient option if you want to search multiple cases before deciding which copies to request.
Alpena County Dissolution Filing Requirements
Michigan law sets clear residency rules for dissolution of marriage cases. Under MCL 552.9, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days before the filing date. On top of that, you need at least 10 days of Alpena County residency before filing in this court. If either of these conditions is not met, the court cannot accept the case.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, the only ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the point where there is no reasonable likelihood of preservation. You do not need to allege or prove wrongdoing by either spouse. Every dissolution case filed in Alpena County uses this standard.
After a case is filed, waiting periods apply before a judgment can be entered. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children have a 60-day waiting period. Cases that involve minor children face a 180-day wait. The court may reduce the waiting period in limited circumstances, but a motion is required and approval is not guaranteed. Standard filing fees are about $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases that involve children.
What Alpena County Dissolution of Marriage Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file at the 26th Circuit Court contains all documents from the initial filing through the final judgment. The complaint or joint petition is the first document. Any temporary orders entered during the case are also part of the file. Both parties submit financial disclosure statements. The final judgment of divorce is the document that closes the case and sets all the terms.
The judgment addresses property division under MCL 552.19, which gives the court authority to divide marital assets in an equitable way. Spousal support, if ordered, appears in the judgment under the court's authority in MCL 552.23. If children are involved, the judgment includes custody arrangements, the parenting time schedule, and child support calculated using the Michigan Child Support Formula.
Access to these records is governed by MCR 8.119. Most of the case file is public. Restricted items include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and identifying information about minor children. Copies provided to non-parties have these items redacted. Certified copies of the judgment are the most common request for legal use after a divorce is final.
Friend of the Court in Alpena County
Alpena County has a Friend of the Court office operating under the 26th Circuit Court. The FOC is involved in every dissolution of marriage case with minor children. It gathers financial information from both parties, calculates child support using the Michigan Child Support Formula, and makes custody and parenting time recommendations to the judge. The FOC also monitors compliance with support orders after the case is closed.
If your situation changes after the divorce is final, such as a change in income or a relocation, you can ask the FOC to review the support or custody arrangement. Reach the FOC through the 26th Circuit Court at (989) 354-9575. The clerk's office at (989) 354-9520 can direct you to the right contact within the court.
Legal Resources for Alpena County Divorce Cases
Michigan Legal Help offers free guides and forms for people handling dissolution of marriage cases on their own. The site has step-by-step instructions for every stage of the process and plain-language explanations of what the court requires. It is a solid resource for Alpena County residents who want to file without a lawyer or who need help understanding what comes next in a pending case.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of the statutes governing dissolution of marriage, including MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.9f, MCL 552.19, and MCL 552.23. Reading the statutes directly can help you understand the rules that apply in your case. The Michigan Courts website has approved forms and local court rules for the 26th Circuit.
Michigan Legal Help provides self-help tools for dissolution of marriage cases filed in Alpena County, including forms, instructions, and an online interview tool that generates draft documents.
MDHHS Vital Records and Alpena County Dissolution Certificates
The MDHHS Vital Records office in Lansing keeps divorce certificates for all Michigan counties including Alpena. These certificates confirm a dissolution occurred and provide basic identifying information, but they do not include case details, property terms, or custody arrangements. The office is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, and can be reached at (517) 335-8666.
A certificate costs $34 by mail or $58.50 online. Additional copies in the same request are $16 each. Rush processing adds $12. For full case documents, contact the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena directly. The MDHHS certificate and the court's certified copy of the judgment serve different purposes and are often both needed when changing legal records after a divorce.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal includes an online ordering option and shows current processing times for dissolution certificates from Alpena County and the rest of Michigan.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where one spouse lived at the time of filing. If you are searching for records that may be in a neighboring county, check these options near Alpena.