Search Antrim County Dissolution Of Marriage
Antrim County dissolution of marriage records are handled by the 13th Circuit Court. The 13th Circuit covers Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties, with offices in both Bellaire and Charlevoix. Records for Antrim County cases are primarily at the Bellaire courthouse, though some older records may be coordinated with the main 13th Circuit location in Charlevoix. This guide explains where to find dissolution of marriage filings in Antrim County, how to request copies, what fees apply, and what Michigan law requires for cases filed here.
Antrim County Overview
13th Circuit Court for Antrim County Dissolution Cases
The 13th Circuit Court serves Antrim County from the Bellaire courthouse at 203 E. Cayuga Street. The County Clerk's office is also at this address. This is the primary location for filing dissolution of marriage cases for Antrim County residents. The main 13th Circuit office is at 205 James Street, Suite 200, in Charlevoix, which handles Grand Traverse and other matters for the circuit as a whole.
Because the 13th Circuit spans three counties, some records and case coordination may occur across locations. For Antrim County dissolution of marriage filings, start with the Bellaire office. Staff there can confirm whether older records are on-site or whether you need to contact the Charlevoix location. Call ahead if you are searching for historical filings from several decades back to avoid an unnecessary trip.
| Court (Bellaire) | 13th Circuit Court - Antrim County |
|---|---|
| Address | 203 E. Cayuga Street, Bellaire, MI 49615 |
| Phone | (231) 533-6353 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Main Circuit Office (Charlevoix) | 13th Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 James Street, Suite 200, Charlevoix, MI 49720 |
| Notes | Check with Bellaire first; contact Charlevoix for records not located locally |
Searching Antrim County Dissolution Records
The MiCOURT Case Search tool from Michigan Courts is the best starting point for an online search. It is free and available anytime. Search by party name or case number to get basic case information like the filing date, case type, and current status. Dissolution cases in Antrim County are coded DM for cases with minor children and DO for cases without. Once you have the case number from MiCOURT, you can request copies directly from the court.
In-person visits to the Bellaire courthouse give you access to the full case file. Bring the names of both parties or the case number. Staff can pull the file and assist with copy requests. Certified copies of the dissolution judgment are the most commonly requested documents. Copy fees are $1 per page. Certification adds $10 per document.
If you cannot visit in person, mail your request to the County Clerk at 203 E. Cayuga Street, Bellaire, MI 49615. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, a description of the documents you need, and a check for the estimated fees. The clerk will mail copies once the request is processed.
Note: If the Bellaire office cannot locate a particular dissolution record, contact the 13th Circuit's main office in Charlevoix at (231) 533-6353 to check whether the record is held there.
Antrim County Dissolution Filing Rules
To file for dissolution of marriage in Antrim County, you must meet the state's residency requirements. Under MCL 552.9, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days before filing. You also need at least 10 days of residency in Antrim County. The court will not accept a case that falls short on either of these conditions. If you recently moved to the county, you may need to wait before filing.
Michigan law uses a single no-fault ground for dissolution of marriage. Under MCL 552.6, the ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship where there is no reasonable likelihood of preservation. You do not need to prove fault or show wrongdoing by either party. Every dissolution case in Antrim County uses this ground.
After filing, a waiting period applies. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait 60 days before a final judgment can be entered. Cases with minor children wait 180 days. Courts rarely grant exceptions to these waiting periods. Standard filing fees run approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases that involve children.
Contents of Antrim County Dissolution Files
A dissolution of marriage file at the 13th Circuit Court in Bellaire contains the complete record of the case from the initial filing through the final judgment. The file typically includes the complaint or joint petition, any temporary orders entered during the pending case, financial disclosure statements from both parties, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment is the primary document and sets all terms of the dissolution.
Property division is covered in the judgment under the authority of MCL 552.19. The court divides marital assets in a way it finds equitable. If spousal support was ordered, the terms are in the judgment under MCL 552.23. Cases involving children include a parenting time schedule, a custody order, and a child support amount calculated using the Michigan Child Support Formula.
Under MCR 8.119, court records are open to the public with some restrictions. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and identifying details about minor children are redacted from copies given to non-parties. Everything else in the file is generally available to anyone who asks and pays the copy fees.
Friend of the Court in Antrim County
The Friend of the Court office is part of the 13th Circuit Court system serving Antrim County. The FOC is involved in every dissolution of marriage case that includes minor children. It gathers financial information from both parties, calculates child support under the Michigan Child Support Formula, and makes recommendations to the judge on custody and parenting time. After the judgment, the FOC monitors compliance with support and custody orders.
If your circumstances change after the divorce is final, either party can ask the FOC to review the support amount or custody arrangement. The FOC office for Antrim County cases is reachable through the 13th Circuit Court at (231) 533-6353 in Bellaire. The FOC can help with both enforcement of existing orders and requests for post-judgment modifications.
MDHHS Divorce Certificates and Antrim County Records
The MDHHS Vital Records office keeps divorce certificates for all Michigan counties. These are not the same as court records. A certificate confirms the dissolution and shows basic details. It does not include property terms, custody arrangements, or other case-specific information. The MDHHS office is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, phone (517) 335-8666.
A MDHHS divorce certificate costs $34 by mail or $58.50 online. Each additional copy is $16. Rush processing adds $12. When you need the full case file with all judgment details, request copies from the 13th Circuit Court in Bellaire. Both documents serve different purposes, and you may need one or both depending on why you are requesting the records.
The MDHHS Vital Records page shows how to order divorce certificates for Antrim County cases and other Michigan counties by mail or online, with current fees and processing times.
Legal Help for Antrim County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help offers free guides and forms for handling dissolution of marriage cases without a lawyer. The site has plain-language explanations of each step in the process, from filing to the final hearing. It is a solid starting point for Antrim County residents who want to file on their own or need help understanding what the court will require.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of statutes including MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.9f, MCL 552.19, and MCL 552.23. The Michigan Courts website has court-approved forms and local court rules for the 13th Circuit. Reviewing those forms before your visit can help you prepare.
The Michigan Courts homepage links to MiCOURT Case Search, approved dissolution forms, and local court directories for the 13th Circuit, which serves Antrim County from the Bellaire and Charlevoix locations.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where one spouse lived at the time of filing. If you believe a case was filed in a neighboring county, check these counties that border Antrim.