St. Joseph County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
St. Joseph County dissolution of marriage records are maintained at the 45th Circuit Court in Centreville, the county seat of this southwestern Michigan county. Note that St. Joseph County is a separate county from the city of St. Joseph, which is in Berrien County. Records here cover filings handled by the Centreville court. You can search cases online through MiCOURT, come to the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page covers how to find and obtain St. Joseph County divorce records and what help is available.
St. Joseph County Overview
45th Circuit Court in St. Joseph County
All dissolution of marriage cases in St. Joseph County go through the Family Division of the 45th Circuit Court. The court and county clerk's office are both located at 125 W. Main Street in Centreville. The clerk keeps all case files and can issue copies of divorce judgments and related documents. Staff are available during regular business hours to assist with record searches and copy requests.
St. Joseph County is a smaller, rural county in southwestern Michigan. Case volume here is lower than in urban counties, which often means shorter wait times for in-person visits and quicker turnaround on copy requests. If you are looking for an older case, calling ahead to the clerk's office at (269) 467-5603 is a good first step. Staff can confirm what records are available and how to make a request.
| Court | 45th Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 |
| Phone | (269) 467-5502 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | St. Joseph County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 W. Main Street, Centreville, MI 49032 |
| Phone | (269) 467-5603 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search St. Joseph County Divorce Cases Online
The statewide tool for looking up dissolution of marriage cases in St. Joseph County is MiCOURT Case Search, run by the Michigan court system. Go to the site, select St. Joseph County from the court drop-down, and search by the name of one of the parties or by case number. Results show docket entries, case status, and hearing dates at no cost. MiCOURT covers most recent cases and includes many older records that have been entered into the system.
Case type codes identify the nature of each filing. DM is the code for dissolution cases with minor children. DO covers cases without children. Using the right code helps narrow your results when searching by a common name. Both codes apply to dissolution of marriage filings at the 45th Circuit Court.
If you need records from before the digital era, those files may not appear in MiCOURT. In that situation, contact the clerk's office directly. They can search paper indices by name and approximate year and tell you what documents are available.
Note: MiCOURT shows case summaries and docket events only; contact the 45th Circuit Court clerk for full copies of dissolution case documents and judgments.
Residency Requirements and the Filing Process
Before you can file for dissolution of marriage in St. Joseph County, you must meet the residency rules set by MCL 552.9. That statute requires 180 days of Michigan residency and at least 10 days of St. Joseph County residency. The process begins when you file a complaint for divorce with the circuit court clerk. The filing fee is approximately $175 if there are no minor children and around $255 when children are involved. Verify the exact amounts with the clerk before submitting, as fees can change.
Michigan imposes mandatory waiting periods under MCL 552.9f. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before a judge can enter a final judgment. Cases with minor children require 180 days. The waiting period starts when the complaint is filed, not when the other party is served. Judges rarely shorten this and only do so in limited circumstances.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state under MCL 552.6. You do not have to prove either spouse was at fault. The only basis needed is that the marriage has broken down and cannot be saved. St. Joseph County courts follow this same standard. The Friend of the Court office handles child-related issues in any dissolution case that involves minor children, including support calculations and parenting time disputes.
What St. Joseph County Dissolution Records Include
A case file at the 45th Circuit Court holds the original complaint, all amended filings, proof of service, financial disclosure forms, any agreements between the parties, custody and parenting time orders, and the final judgment of divorce. The final judgment is the document most people need. It records the divorce date, sets out how marital property was divided under MCL 552.19, and spells out any support terms under MCL 552.23. Certified copies of the judgment are often needed for title transfers, retirement account changes, and name change proceedings.
Under MCR 8.119, certain information in court files is kept from the general public. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and personal details about minor children are restricted. Parties to the case can access those sections with valid identification. Others can view only the public portions of the file. Ask the clerk what is available before you make a formal copy request.
Plain copy fees are generally $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies cost $10 to $15 each. If you need a certified copy for state purposes, contact MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, (517) 335-8666. MDHHS charges $34 for a certified copy by mail and $58.50 for the online option.
State Resources for St. Joseph County Cases
Free statewide resources are available to anyone handling a dissolution of marriage case in St. Joseph County. The Michigan Legal Help website is a good starting point for understanding the process, finding forms, and getting step-by-step guidance.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free forms, explanations of dissolution law, and a guided interview tool that helps you prepare your own documents for the 45th Circuit Court.
The Michigan Courts website is useful for finding court forms and procedural information that applies to dissolution cases in St. Joseph County and across the state.
courts.michigan.gov provides approved Michigan court forms and contact details for the 45th Circuit Court and other courts throughout the state.
Help for St. Joseph County Residents
Residents of St. Joseph County who need assistance with a dissolution of marriage case can use the Michigan Legal Help site for free guides and forms. The Michigan Courts website has procedural information and approved forms. The Michigan Legislature site has the full text of every relevant statute. For certified copies from the state, MDHHS Vital Records in Lansing handles those requests separately from the court.
The Friend of the Court in St. Joseph County is part of the 45th Circuit Court and assists with child support and parenting time matters in any active case involving minor children. If you are a party to a DM-coded case, this office is a direct source of help with child-related concerns after the case is filed.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near St. Joseph County in southwestern Michigan. Each has its own circuit court for dissolution of marriage filings. Check the county where the filing party lived when the case was started.