Marquette County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Marquette County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the 25th Circuit Court in Marquette, the largest city in the Upper Peninsula and a major regional center for the UP. If you need to find a dissolution case filed here, you can search online through the MiCOURT Case Search system, visit the courthouse at 234 W. Baraga Avenue in person, or send a mail request to the clerk's office. This guide covers how to access Marquette County dissolution records, what those files hold, Michigan's filing rules, fees, and where to get free legal help.
Marquette County Overview
25th Circuit Court, Marquette County
The 25th Circuit Court at 234 W. Baraga Avenue in Marquette handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Marquette County. The court's phone number is (906) 225-4185. The county clerk's office is at the same address and can be reached at (906) 225-8415. Marquette County is the largest county in Michigan by land area and the primary legal center for a wide stretch of the Upper Peninsula. Court hours run Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Because Marquette is the largest city and the main regional hub in the UP, the 25th Circuit handles a higher caseload than most other UP counties. Staff can search by party name or case number. Cases involving minor children carry the code DM; cases without use the code DO. The Friend of the Court office in Marquette handles support enforcement and parenting time matters for DM cases after the final judgment enters.
| Court | 25th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 234 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 |
| Phone | (906) 225-4185 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Marquette County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 234 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 |
| Phone | (906) 225-8415 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching Marquette County Dissolution Filings
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal, maintained by Michigan Courts, is the best tool for searching Marquette County dissolution records remotely. Search is free. You can look up cases by full party name or case number. Results show the case type code, filing date, and status. Use the case number from that search to request specific documents from the 25th Circuit clerk.
Marquette County does not have a separate county-level case search portal. MiCOURT is your main online option. For older or archived records that may not be fully indexed online, call the clerk at (906) 225-8415 to ask about availability and how to request them. In-person visits to 234 W. Baraga Avenue work well if you need to review a file directly or request multiple documents at once.
The Michigan Courts homepage provides access to MiCOURT Case Search and statewide dissolution filing guides that apply to the 25th Circuit Court in Marquette County.
The Michigan Courts portal connects to the MiCOURT search system and contains procedural resources for dissolution filings in Marquette County and across the Upper Peninsula.
Note: MiCOURT shows basic case index information; full document copies must be ordered through the 25th Circuit clerk at (906) 225-4185 or requested in person at 234 W. Baraga Avenue.
Marquette County Dissolution Filing Rules
To file a dissolution of marriage case in Marquette County, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before the filing date. The county also requires 10 days of residency in Marquette County before you can file there. These rules come from MCL 552.9. The court will not accept a petition that does not meet both thresholds, so check your dates before you go.
Michigan does not require proof of fault. Under MCL 552.6, the grounds for dissolution are simply that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of saving it. You do not need to show that the other spouse did anything wrong. This rule is the same everywhere in Michigan, including at the 25th Circuit Court in Marquette.
After filing, a waiting period applies before a final judgment can enter. Under MCL 552.9f, DO cases must wait at least 60 days. DM cases face a 180-day wait. A judge may shorten the 180-day wait in genuine hardship situations, but a motion and supporting facts are required. Filing fees run approximately $175 for DO cases and $255 for DM cases. Copies cost $1 per page and certified copies carry an extra fee. Income-based fee waivers are available.
What Marquette County Divorce Case Files Include
A dissolution of marriage file at the 25th Circuit Court typically includes the original complaint or joint petition, any temporary court orders, financial disclosure documents, a parenting plan for cases with minor children, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment governs all terms, including property division under MCL 552.19 and any spousal support awarded under MCL 552.23. For DM cases, it also covers custody, parenting time schedules, and child support.
Public access to dissolution case records is governed by MCR 8.119. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and details that identify minor children are sealed. The rest of the file is open to anyone, regardless of whether you were a party to the case. You can review a file and order copies without giving a reason for your request.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org describes what documents a dissolution file contains and explains public access rights under Michigan court rules, including those that apply at the 25th Circuit in Marquette County.
Michigan Legal Help offers plain-language guides that explain dissolution file contents and how to request court records from the 25th Circuit in Marquette County and other Michigan courts.
MDHHS Vital Records for Marquette County
Certified divorce certificates for Marquette County dissolutions are available through the MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Contact them at (517) 335-8666. Mail orders cost $34 per certificate. Online ordering is $58.50. Each extra copy is $16, and rush service adds $12 per order. These certificates confirm that a dissolution occurred and give the names of the parties and the filing county. They do not include property terms, custody orders, or other case specifics. For the full file, request documents from the 25th Circuit clerk in Marquette.
Note: MDHHS vital records certificates are useful when you only need proof that a dissolution occurred, such as for a name change or benefits application, without requesting the complete court file.
Legal Help in Marquette County
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and downloadable forms for people who need to file or respond to a dissolution case on their own. The site addresses both DM and DO case types and walks through each step from initial filing to final hearing. The instructions apply to filings at the 25th Circuit Court in Marquette and at every other Michigan circuit court. This is the best first stop for self-represented filers anywhere in the Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of the statutes that govern dissolution, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, and 552.23. The Michigan Courts website has forms and procedural guides that apply statewide, including at the 25th Circuit in Marquette County. Both sites are free to use.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution cases must be filed where at least one spouse lives. If you need to check neighboring counties in the Upper Peninsula, the links below cover those that border Marquette County.