Mackinac County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Mackinac County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the 50th Circuit Court in St. Ignace, which serves both Mackinac and Chippewa counties in the eastern Upper Peninsula. If you need to find a dissolution case filed here, you can search online through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search system or visit the courthouse at 100 S. Marley Street. Mail requests go to the same address. This guide covers how to find and get copies of dissolution of marriage records in Mackinac County, what those records contain, what the law requires, and where to turn for help.
Mackinac County Overview
50th Circuit Court in Mackinac County
The 50th Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Mackinac County. The court is located at 100 S. Marley Street in St. Ignace. It also serves Chippewa County as part of the same judicial circuit. You can reach the court by phone at (906) 643-7300. Hours follow the standard weekday schedule. Staff can search by party name or case number and pull files for in-person review.
Mackinac County sits at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula, just south of the Mackinac Bridge. It is a small county by population, so staff can often give you more direct attention than at larger urban courts. That said, the clerk's office handles all circuit business for both counties in the circuit, so call ahead if you plan to visit. Cases with minor children carry the code DM, and cases without use the code DO.
| Court | 50th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781 |
| Phone | (906) 643-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Mackinac County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 S. Marley Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781 |
| Phone | (906) 643-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Mackinac County Divorce Filings Online
The best online tool for searching Mackinac County dissolution of marriage cases is the MiCOURT Case Search portal managed by Michigan Courts. You can search by party name or case number at no charge. The results show basic case details including filing date, case type code, and current status. From there you can contact the clerk to get copies of any specific documents you need.
Mackinac County does not have its own standalone court search portal the way some larger counties do. MiCOURT is your primary option for remote searching. If you cannot find what you need online, call the 50th Circuit Court at (906) 643-7300 and ask staff to check the records manually. In-person visits work well for this county given its smaller scale.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov provides statewide guidance on dissolution filings and links to the MiCOURT case search system used in Mackinac County.
The Michigan Courts portal connects to the MiCOURT Case Search and provides procedural information that applies to dissolution cases filed at the 50th Circuit Court in St. Ignace.
Note: MiCOURT shows case numbers and basic status, but you must contact the 50th Circuit Court clerk directly to request copies of actual case documents.
Filing Requirements for Mackinac County Divorces
Michigan requires one spouse to have lived in the state for at least 180 days before filing a dissolution case. There is also a 10-day county residency rule, meaning you must have lived in Mackinac County for at least 10 days before you file there. Both requirements come from MCL 552.9. If you do not meet either threshold, the court will reject the filing.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable likelihood of saving it. You do not need to prove misconduct or assign blame to either spouse. This rule applies in Mackinac County just as it does everywhere else in Michigan.
Once you file, a waiting period applies before the court can enter a final judgment. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days. Cases with children face a 180-day wait. A judge may shorten the 180-day period in cases of severe hardship, but you must file a motion asking for the reduction.
Filing fees are approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases with children. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an extra fee. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income.
What Is in a Mackinac County Dissolution File
A dissolution of marriage file at the 50th Circuit Court typically includes the original complaint or joint petition, any temporary orders entered during the case, financial disclosure statements, a parenting plan when minor children are involved, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment spells out all the terms agreed to or decided by the court. That includes property division under MCL 552.19 and any spousal support order under MCL 552.23.
Public access to these records is controlled by MCR 8.119. Certain information is sealed from public view: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and specific details about minor children. The rest of the file is open to anyone, regardless of whether you were part of the case. You do not need to explain why you want to see a record.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org explains what documents are part of a dissolution of marriage file and how public access rules apply to cases filed in Michigan courts including the 50th Circuit.
Michigan Legal Help offers plain-language guides on dissolution filings, what records contain, and how to request copies from courts like the 50th Circuit serving Mackinac County.
MDHHS Vital Records for Mackinac County
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services manages statewide divorce records through the MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave in Lansing. You can reach them at (517) 335-8666. A certified divorce certificate costs $34 by mail. Online ordering through the state portal runs $58.50. Each extra copy is $16, and rush processing is $12 more per request.
These certificates are not the same as the full case file. They confirm that a dissolution happened and give the names of the parties, the date, and the county where it was filed. They do not include property terms, custody details, or other case specifics. For those, you need the actual file from the 50th Circuit Court clerk in St. Ignace. MDHHS certificates are often enough for legal name changes or benefits applications.
Note: MDHHS vital records certificates cover Mackinac County dissolutions filed after 1897 and are useful when you only need proof that a dissolution occurred rather than the full case file.
Legal Help for Mackinac County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help provides free, plain-language guides for people handling their own dissolution cases. The site covers the full process from initial filing through final hearing. It addresses both DM and DO case types and explains forms used statewide, including those filed at the 50th Circuit Court. If you do not have a lawyer, start here before you go to the courthouse.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of statutes that govern dissolution of marriage in Michigan, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, and 552.23. The Michigan Courts site also has procedural forms and instructions for dissolution filings that apply across all counties, including Mackinac.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are not sure which county has the record you need, check the counties that border Mackinac.