Find Leelanau County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Leelanau County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the 13th Circuit Court, a multi-county circuit that covers Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties. For Leelanau County cases, the courthouse and clerk's office are in Suttons Bay. The 13th Circuit is one of the more active family law courts in northern Michigan. You can search cases online using MiCOURT, visit the Suttons Bay courthouse in person, or contact the clerk's office by phone or mail to obtain copies of dissolution records. This page explains how to access those records and what to expect at each step.
Leelanau County Overview
13th Circuit Court for Leelanau County
The 13th Circuit Court covers Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties. Leelanau County cases are filed and maintained at the courthouse at 3948 S. Dewey Road in Suttons Bay. The court can be reached at (231) 271-4360. The county clerk handles records at the same address and can be reached at (231) 271-3699. Because the 13th Circuit spans multiple counties, some administrative functions are shared with the Grand Traverse County courthouse in Traverse City.
All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Leelanau County residents go through the Suttons Bay location. Cases with minor children carry a DM designation; cases without children are coded DO. The Friend of the Court serves the 13th Circuit and handles support enforcement, custody investigations, and parenting time matters for cases with children. If your dissolution case involves minor children, the FOC will play an active role in administering any orders after the case closes.
| Court | 13th Judicial Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) |
|---|---|
| Address | 3948 S. Dewey Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 |
| Phone | (231) 271-4360 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Leelanau County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 3948 S. Dewey Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 |
| Phone | (231) 271-3699 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Leelanau County Divorce Records
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search tool, run by Michigan Courts, is the main online resource for Leelanau County dissolution of marriage cases. Search by party name or case number at no cost. Results show case status, party names, and filing dates. You will need the case number from MiCOURT to request documents from the Suttons Bay courthouse.
In-person visits to 3948 S. Dewey Road are straightforward. Bring the full names of both parties or the case number. Staff can pull the file for review and take requests for certified or plain copies. For mail requests, write to the Leelanau County Clerk at 3948 S. Dewey Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Include party names, the approximate year filed, and a money order for estimated fees.
Note: Because the 13th Circuit covers three counties, confirm with the clerk at (231) 271-3699 that your case was filed at the Suttons Bay location before visiting in person.
Leelanau County Dissolution Filing Rules
Michigan law under MCL 552.9 requires one spouse to have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Leelanau County for at least 10 days before a dissolution petition can be filed. The 13th Circuit Court will not process a filing that does not satisfy both requirements. Given the transient nature of some seasonal and part-time residents in this northern Michigan county, confirming your exact residency dates before filing is worth the extra step.
Michigan is a no-fault state. Under MCL 552.6, you only need to state that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of being preserved. No fault or wrongdoing by either party needs to be shown. This makes the entry point to filing accessible for most couples in Leelanau County who have decided to end their marriage.
Waiting periods are set out in MCL 552.9f. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days after filing before a final judgment can be entered. Cases involving minor children face a 180-day minimum wait. A judge can reduce the 180-day period under documented extreme hardship, but it requires a formal motion. Filing fees are approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases that involve minor children. Income-based fee waivers are available from the clerk's office.
What Leelanau County Dissolution Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file at the 13th Circuit Court in Suttons Bay includes the original complaint or petition, any temporary orders entered during the case, financial disclosures, parenting documents if children are involved, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment sets out property division under MCL 552.19, spousal support if any was ordered under MCL 552.23, and all custody, parenting time, and child support terms when minor children are part of the case.
Public access to court records follows MCR 8.119. Restricted information includes Social Security numbers, financial account details, and identifying data about minor children. The rest of the file is open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case to view or request copies. Any member of the public can ask for documents from the Leelanau County Clerk in Suttons Bay.
MDHHS Vital Records and Leelanau County Divorces
Certified divorce certificates for Leelanau County cases are available through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at the MDHHS Vital Records office, 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. Call (517) 335-8666. Certified certificates cost $34 by mail and $58.50 online. Each additional copy is $16. These certificates confirm a dissolution occurred and list basic identifying information, but they do not include property orders, custody terms, or case details. For the complete file, contact the clerk at the Suttons Bay courthouse.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal provides ordering options and fee information for certified divorce certificates applicable to Leelanau County and all Michigan counties.
Legal Help for Leelanau County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help offers free guides and forms for people handling their own dissolution case in any Michigan county, including Leelanau. The site addresses both DM and DO case types and covers the process from filing through the final hearing. For residents in northern Michigan, where in-person legal services can be limited, this online resource is a practical way to get reliable guidance without the cost of hiring an attorney. The guides are written in plain language and do not require a legal background to use.
The full text of Michigan dissolution statutes is at the Michigan Legislature website. You can read MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, and 552.23 directly. The Michigan Courts site has procedural guides and court forms that apply statewide.
Michigan Legal Help provides plain-language forms and guides for dissolution of marriage filings in Leelanau County, applicable to cases at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Suttons Bay.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution cases are filed where at least one spouse lives. Leelanau County is in northern Michigan, along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Check the surrounding counties if you are unsure where a record was filed.