Mason County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Mason County dissolution of marriage records are on file with the 51st Circuit Court in Ludington, which serves both Mason and Lake counties along Michigan's Lake Michigan shoreline. To search for a case, you can use the statewide MiCOURT Case Search system at no cost, stop by the courthouse at 304 E. Ludington Avenue, or mail a request to the clerk's office. This page explains how to find Mason County dissolution records, what those files hold, the legal requirements for filing, and where to get help if you need it.
Mason County Overview
51st Circuit Court in Mason County
The 51st Circuit Court in Ludington handles dissolution of marriage cases for Mason County. The courthouse is at 304 E. Ludington Avenue. You can reach the court at (231) 843-3555. The county clerk, who manages circuit court filings and records, is at the same address with a direct line at (231) 843-8202. The 51st Circuit also serves Lake County as part of the same judicial district. Hours are Monday through Friday, standard business hours.
Mason County sits along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the western Lower Peninsula. It is a smaller county, so the clerk's office handles circuit court business out of the single courthouse location. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number and make copies of documents on request. Cases with minor children carry the code DM, and cases without use DO. The Friend of the Court handles ongoing support and parenting time matters for DM cases after a final judgment enters.
| Court | 51st Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 304 E. Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431 |
| Phone | (231) 843-3555 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Mason County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 304 E. Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431 |
| Phone | (231) 843-8202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Case Search for Mason County Divorces
The MiCOURT Case Search portal, run by Michigan Courts, is the primary way to search Mason County dissolution of marriage cases online. The search is free. Enter a party name or case number to see basic case details including filing date, case type code, and current status. Once you have a case number, contact the 51st Circuit clerk to request specific documents or copies.
Mason County does not maintain a separate online case search portal. MiCOURT covers it. For records that are older or not fully indexed online, call the clerk at (231) 843-8202. Staff can run a manual search by name and let you know what is available. In-person visits to the Ludington courthouse work well when you need to review a file directly.
Michigan Courts at courts.michigan.gov links to MiCOURT Case Search and provides statewide dissolution of marriage procedural guides used at courts like the 51st Circuit in Mason County.
The Michigan Courts website links to case search tools and forms that apply to dissolution filings handled by the 51st Circuit Court in Ludington, Mason County.
Note: MiCOURT shows case index data only; call the 51st Circuit clerk at (231) 843-3555 to request document copies from a Mason County dissolution file.
Filing Rules for Mason County Dissolution Cases
To file a dissolution in Mason County, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days. The 10-day county residency rule also applies, meaning one spouse must have lived in Mason County for at least 10 days before filing there. Both requirements are in MCL 552.9. Check your dates before you submit any documents or pay a fee at the 51st Circuit clerk's window.
Michigan is a no-fault state for dissolutions. Under MCL 552.6, the only thing you have to show is that the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable chance of saving it. You do not need to prove that the other spouse did something wrong. This rule applies uniformly across the state, including at the 51st Circuit in Ludington.
Mandatory waiting periods apply after filing. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from filing before a final judgment can enter. Cases with children face a 180-day wait. A judge can shorten the 180-day period if extreme hardship is shown, but you must file a motion. Fees are approximately $175 for DO cases and $255 for DM cases. Copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies carry an added charge. Fee waivers are available based on income.
What Is Inside a Mason County Dissolution File
A dissolution file at the 51st Circuit generally includes the original complaint or joint petition, temporary orders entered during the proceedings, financial disclosure documents, a parenting plan when minor children are part of the case, and the final judgment of divorce. The final judgment sets out all terms agreed to or decided by the court: property division rules under MCL 552.19, any spousal support terms under MCL 552.23, and custody, parenting time, and support details for DM cases.
Access to dissolution records in Mason County is governed by MCR 8.119. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and information that identifies minor children are sealed from public view. The rest of the file is publicly available. You do not need to have been a party to request access. Walk-in requests are handled at the clerk's window during business hours at 304 E. Ludington Avenue.
Michigan Legal Help explains what records a dissolution file contains and how public access rules under MCR 8.119 apply to cases filed in Mason County and other Michigan courts.
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides on dissolution case records and how to request documents from the 51st Circuit Court serving Mason County in Ludington.
MDHHS Certified Divorce Certificates for Mason County
Certified divorce certificates for Mason County dissolutions are available from the MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. Call (517) 335-8666 for ordering information. Mail orders are $34 per certificate. Online ordering costs $58.50. Additional copies are $16 each, and rush processing adds $12 per order. These certificates confirm that a dissolution took place and give the names of the parties and the date. For the complete case file, contact the 51st Circuit clerk in Ludington directly.
Note: MDHHS certificates are sufficient for many legal uses like name changes; request the full court file from the 51st Circuit only if you need property, custody, or support terms.
Legal Resources for Mason County Filers
Michigan Legal Help provides free, plain-language guides and forms for people handling their own dissolution case. The site covers both DM and DO case types and explains every step from initial filing to final hearing. Instructions apply to filings at the 51st Circuit in Mason County and everywhere else in Michigan. If you do not have a lawyer, this is the place to start before you prepare any documents.
The Michigan Legislature website carries the full text of MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, 552.23, and other statutes that govern dissolution. The Michigan Courts site offers downloadable forms and filing instructions that apply at the 51st Circuit Court in Ludington and statewide. Both sites are free to use and require no login.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution cases must be filed where at least one spouse lives. If you think a record might be in a neighboring county, the links below cover the counties that border Mason.