Van Buren County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Van Buren County dissolution of marriage records are on file at the 36th Circuit Court in Paw Paw, the county seat in southwestern Michigan. Van Buren County has its own single-county circuit, so all dissolution filings and case records for this county are located exclusively at the Paw Paw courthouse on E. Paw Paw Street.
Van Buren County Overview
Van Buren Circuit Court
The 36th Circuit Court is a single-county court that handles all family law matters in Van Buren County. Dissolution of marriage cases are filed and heard at the E. Paw Paw Street courthouse. Because this circuit covers only Van Buren County, you will not need to look elsewhere for records tied to cases filed here. The clerk and court are at the same address.
| Court | 36th Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 212 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
| Phone | (269) 657-8218 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Van Buren County Clerk is at the same building and handles all copy requests, certified document orders, and general case file access for dissolution records in the county.
| County Clerk | 212 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Phone | (269) 657-8218 |
Paw Paw is a small village in western Michigan. The courthouse is easy to find near the center of town. Call ahead to confirm the clerk can access older records before making the drive from the outer areas of Van Buren County or nearby counties like Allegan or Kalamazoo.
Searching Van Buren Dissolution Records Online
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search covers the 36th Circuit Court and is the best starting point for searching Van Buren County dissolution of marriage records online. The system is free and open to the public. Search by either party's name, the case number, or a filing date range. No login is required.
Dissolution cases in Michigan courts are coded DM for cases with minor children and DO for cases without. These codes show up in MiCOURT results alongside the filing date, party names, case status, and hearing schedule. The portal confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number, but it does not display full case documents. You need the case number to request specific documents from the clerk by mail or in person.
Van Buren County covers a mix of agricultural land, Lake Michigan shoreline, and small communities. Some residents have seasonal addresses and others have moved in or out over the years. If you are not sure which county handled a dissolution involving Van Buren County residents, MiCOURT's name search can help you find the right case and county before you contact a clerk's office.
The Michigan Legal Help site has a guide on using MiCOURT and a plain-language explanation of how Michigan dissolution records are organized and accessed.
Michigan Legal Help covers the record search process for all Michigan counties and explains what to do when a case does not appear in the online database.
Note: Cases filed before MiCOURT was implemented exist only in paper form and require a direct request to the Van Buren County Clerk in Paw Paw.
How to Get Copies of Dissolution Records
The Van Buren County Clerk in Paw Paw provides copies of dissolution of marriage records by in-person request or by mail. In-person visits are the most direct option. Bring the names of both parties and either the case number or the approximate year of filing. Staff can retrieve the file and make copies at the counter during regular business hours.
For mail requests, write to the Van Buren County Clerk at 212 E. Paw Paw Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079. Include both party names, the filing year, the case number if you have it, and payment. Plain copies cost approximately $1.00 per page. A certified copy with the official court seal costs $10.00. Use certified copies when legal proof of the dissolution is required. This includes name change requests at the Secretary of State, remarriage applications, or immigration filings. Plain copies are fine for personal research, genealogy, or informal reference.
If you are not sure the case was filed in Van Buren County, run a MiCOURT search first. Confirming the county before you send payment avoids delays and misdirected requests.
Filing Requirements and Fees
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 apply to Van Buren County filings just as they do everywhere in Michigan. At least one spouse must have lived in the state for 180 days and in Van Buren County for a minimum of 10 days before filing. The state threshold can be met by living anywhere in Michigan. The county threshold must be met specifically in Van Buren County to file there. Both must be true on the date the complaint is filed.
Michigan dissolved fault-based divorce under MCL 552.6. Filing in Van Buren County does not require proof of wrongdoing. A statement that the marriage has broken down is the only legal basis needed. Contested issues, like disagreements over property or custody, are handled through the case after filing. They do not affect whether the court accepts the complaint in the first place.
Under MCL 552.9f, a 60-day waiting period applies to DO cases after the complaint is filed. DM cases require 180 days. Courts can waive the 180-day requirement when genuine hardship is shown, but this requires a formal motion. It is not available simply because both parties agree to it. In practice, most DM cases run the full waiting period.
Filing fees at the 36th Circuit Court are approximately $175 for DO cases and $255 for DM cases. These cover the court filing costs. Service of process, clerk fees for copies, and legal fees are additional. A fee waiver is available if you qualify on income grounds. Ask the clerk about the waiver form when you arrive to file.
What Van Buren County Case Files Contain
Dissolution case files in Van Buren County include all documents submitted to the court during the life of the case. Under MCR 3.206 and MCR 3.211, this typically means the complaint for dissolution, the summons, proof that the other party was served, any response or counter-complaint, proposed or final settlement terms, parenting plans in DM cases, financial disclosures, property settlement documents, and the final judgment of divorce. The final judgment is the binding document that ends the marriage and sets out what each party must do going forward.
The Van Buren County Friend of the Court handles child support and custody enforcement in DM cases. The FOC calculates support amounts under Michigan's guidelines, reviews parenting time plans, and enforces court orders. FOC records are a separate set from the main circuit court case file. If you are researching a DM dissolution from Van Buren County and need information on support amounts or parenting time, contact the FOC through the Paw Paw courthouse.
Under MCR 8.119, Van Buren County dissolution records are public unless a court restricts access. Some financial disclosures and documents related to children may be partially restricted. Always ask the clerk which parts of the file are open for public inspection before submitting a copy request.
Note: Property division terms under MCL 552.19 and any spousal support provisions under MCL 552.23 are contained in the final judgment of divorce and attached settlement exhibits in the case file.
MDHHS Vital Records for Van Buren County
Michigan keeps statewide divorce certificates through MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48909, reachable by phone at (517) 335-8666. A divorce certificate is a short summary document. It lists both parties' names, the county of filing, and the date the dissolution was finalized. It does not include the terms of the settlement, custody orders, support amounts, or any other case content. It simply proves the dissolution occurred.
Mail requests for a certificate cost $34. Online orders through the state-authorized vendor cost $58.50. Additional copies at the time of order are $16 each. For most name change or proof-of-divorce needs, a certificate from MDHHS is the simplest and least expensive route. It does not require a trip to Paw Paw and typically arrives faster than a full case copy from the clerk.
The MDHHS Vital Records page lists all ordering options, current fees, and the required documentation for requesting a Michigan divorce certificate from any county.
When you need full case documents, go to the Van Buren County Clerk in Paw Paw. MDHHS handles only certificate-level records and cannot provide copies of court orders or filed documents from the case file itself.
Legal Help for Van Buren County Residents
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and form packets for Michigan dissolution cases. The site covers both DO and DM case types and includes step-by-step instructions for uncontested filings. It also explains how to request a fee waiver from the court if you have limited income. Van Buren County residents without easy access to a law office can use the site to handle straightforward dissolutions on their own or to prepare before consulting an attorney.
Contested cases involving real estate, farmland, vineyard property, or other significant assets common in western Michigan may call for legal help. If spousal support under MCL 552.23 is disputed, or if child custody is a point of conflict, an attorney who handles family law in southwestern Michigan can represent your interests before the 36th Circuit Court. Kalamazoo and Battle Creek both have active family law bars within driving distance of Paw Paw, and the State Bar referral service can point you to someone.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of every statute that governs dissolution proceedings, available at no cost. Read MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.9f, MCL 552.19, and MCL 552.23 before you file or respond to a complaint. The court rules at MCR 3.206, MCR 3.211, and MCR 8.119 are also available there. Understanding what the law says helps you ask the right questions and file the right documents the first time around.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Van Buren in southwestern Michigan.