Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Macomb County
Macomb County dissolution of marriage records are filed at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, one of the busiest family courts in Michigan. As the third largest county in the state, Macomb handles a high volume of dissolution cases each year. You can search records online through the county's CourtView Public Access portal or through the statewide MiCOURT system, file or request documents in person at 40 N. Main Street, or submit a mail request to the clerk's office. This guide covers how to find and get Macomb County dissolution records, what the files include, filing rules, fees, and where to get legal help.
Macomb County Overview
16th Circuit Court, Macomb County
The 16th Judicial Circuit Court at 40 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Macomb County. The court's phone number is (586) 469-5351. Court hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If you plan to visit in person, Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to be less crowded. Mondays and Fridays are the busiest days at the window, so plan your visit accordingly.
The County Clerk and Register of Deeds is at a separate address: 120 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, phone (586) 469-5120. That office handles administrative county records. For dissolution case files, you will generally work with the circuit court clerk at 40 N. Main. The Friend of the Court office is at 10 N. Main Street, (586) 469-5160, and handles support enforcement, custody investigations, and parenting time matters after a case closes. Cases with minor children carry the code DM; those without use DO. Records go back to 1818.
| Court | 16th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5351 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5120 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Friend of the Court | Macomb County FOC |
|---|---|
| Address | 10 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5160 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Macomb County Dissolution Records Online
Macomb County offers a public case search tool called CourtView Public Access, available at circuitcourt.macombgov.org/circuitcourt-courtview. You can search by party name or case number to find dissolution of marriage filings at the 16th Circuit. Results show case numbers, filing dates, case type codes, and basic status information. This is one of the more robust county-level search systems in Michigan, and it is available at no charge.
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search system is also available for Macomb County cases. If you cannot locate a case through CourtView, try MiCOURT next. Both tools give you the case number you need to request copies. For document requests, contact the 16th Circuit clerk at (586) 469-5351 or visit in person at 40 N. Main Street.
Macomb County also accepts dissolution filings by mail to 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, or by fax at (586) 469-5353 with a cover sheet. Electronic filing is available for DO cases, civil cases, and PPO matters.
The CourtView Public Access portal for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Macomb County allows name and case number searches for dissolution of marriage filings.
The Michigan Courts site and Macomb's CourtView portal both support dissolution of marriage record searches for cases filed at the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.
Note: CourtView shows case index information only; full document copies must be requested from the 16th Circuit clerk at (586) 469-5351 or in person at 40 N. Main Street.
Macomb County Dissolution Filing Rules and Fees
Michigan requires at least 180 days of state residency before you can file a dissolution case. You also need 10 days of county residency in Macomb County before filing there. Both thresholds are set out in MCL 552.9. If you do not meet either threshold, the clerk will reject the filing. Check your dates before you pay the fee.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of recovery. You do not have to prove that the other spouse did anything wrong. This rule applies at the 16th Circuit just as it does throughout the state.
After you file, a mandatory waiting period applies. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days before a final judgment can enter. Cases with children face a 180-day wait. Judges may shorten the 180-day period in rare hardship situations, but a written motion is required. The fee for a DO case at the 16th Circuit is $175. A DM case runs $255. Copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 per document. Ask the clerk about fee waivers if cost is an issue.
Contents of a Macomb County Dissolution File
A dissolution of marriage file at the 16th Circuit typically includes the original complaint or joint petition, temporary orders entered during the proceedings, financial disclosure forms, a parenting plan if the case involves minor children, and the final judgment of divorce. The final judgment controls all terms of the case: property division under MCL 552.19, any spousal support award under MCL 552.23, and all child custody and support terms for DM cases.
Public access to dissolution records at the 16th Circuit is governed by MCR 8.119. Social Security numbers, financial account details, and information that identifies minor children are sealed. Everything else in the file is open to the public. You do not have to be a party to the case to view the record or request copies. Any person can walk in and ask for a file search by name or case number.
MDHHS Vital Records for Macomb County Divorces
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services handles certified divorce certificates through the MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. Call (517) 335-8666 for ordering information. A certified certificate by mail costs $34. Online ordering runs $58.50. Each additional copy is $16. Rush processing adds $12 per request. These certificates confirm that a dissolution took place and give the names of the parties, the date, and the county. They do not include case-specific terms like property division, custody, or support. For the complete file, request documents directly from the 16th Circuit Court clerk.
MDHHS Vital Records in Lansing provides certified divorce certificates for Macomb County dissolutions and all other Michigan counties.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal shows current fees and ordering methods for certified divorce certificates covering Macomb County and every other county in Michigan.
Legal Help in Macomb County
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and court forms for people who need to handle their own dissolution case without an attorney. The site covers the process from start to finish, addresses both DM and DO case types, and gives step-by-step instructions that apply to filings at the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. It is one of the best free resources available in Michigan for self-represented filers.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of all statutes that govern dissolution of marriage, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, and 552.23. The Michigan Courts site has procedural instructions and downloadable forms that work for filings in Macomb County. If you need to look up a statute before you file, start at the legislature site and search by MCL section number.
Cities in Macomb County
Macomb County includes several large cities, all of which send their dissolution of marriage filings to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court at 40 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens. The cities below have dedicated dissolution records pages with local information.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse resides. If you are not certain which county holds a record, check the neighboring counties below.