Find Divorce Records in Rochester Hills
Rochester Hills divorce records are filed and kept at the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. Rochester Hills is in Oakland County, so all divorce cases for Rochester Hills residents go through the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. There is no city court for divorce in Rochester Hills. The Oakland County Circuit Court at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac handles every divorce filing in the county, including those from Rochester Hills. This page covers how to search, request copies, file a case, and get help.
Rochester Hills Overview
Where Rochester Hills Divorce Records Are Filed
Rochester Hills residents file for divorce at the Oakland County Circuit Court, located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. The court's main phone number is (248) 858-0582. This is where all divorce cases for Oakland County are filed and where completed divorce case records are stored. All Oakland County cities, including Rochester Hills, share this single circuit court.
The Rochester Hills City Clerk is at 1000 Rochester Hills Dr., Rochester Hills, MI 48309, phone 248-656-4680. The city clerk handles local matters such as city licenses, ordinances, and municipal records. Divorce case files are not part of city clerk records. If you need a divorce record, the county circuit court in Pontiac is the right place to call, not the city clerk. The Oakland County Courts website at oaklandcountycourts.org has full details on court services and procedures.
| Court | 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Oakland County |
|---|---|
| Court Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413 Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Court Phone | (248) 858-0582 |
| Rochester Hills City Clerk | 1000 Rochester Hills Dr. Rochester Hills, MI 48309 248-656-4680 |
| Note | City clerk does not hold divorce records |
How to Search Rochester Hills Divorce Records Online
Rochester Hills residents can search Oakland County divorce cases for free through Court Explorer at courtexplorer.oakgov.com. This is Oakland County's own online case lookup tool. Search by name or case number to find party information, case type, the register of actions, and hearing dates. It is a free tool and does not require registration. Use it to confirm whether a case exists or to get a case number before requesting copies.
The Oakland County Genealogy Search at courts.oakgov.com/OakGnlg provides Rochester Hills residents access to historical marriage and related court records from the county's early years.
The statewide MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search also covers Oakland County's 6th Circuit. MiCOURT and Court Explorer use the same underlying court data. Either system can help you find a case. MiCOURT is useful if you are searching multiple counties at once or want a single statewide interface.
For in-person searches, go to the Oakland County Circuit Court at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac during normal business hours. Bring a photo ID and come prepared with the names of both parties or the filing year. Staff can search and provide copies.
Court Explorer and MiCOURT show case information only. To get actual copies of divorce documents, contact the Oakland County Circuit Court at (248) 858-0582.
Requesting Copies of Rochester Hills Divorce Records
To request copies of divorce records from Oakland County, contact the Circuit Court at (248) 858-0582 or visit in person at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. In-person visits are the fastest option. Bring a photo ID. Know the names of both parties or have the case number ready. Staff can look up the file and make copies the same day in most cases. Call ahead to confirm current copy fees and payment options.
Mail requests go to: Oakland County Circuit Court, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Add your return address and payment. Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, sometimes longer during busy periods.
For a state-issued certified divorce certificate, MDHHS processes those separately. The fee is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Request through MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs. Court-certified copies of the actual judgment are the right document for legal proceedings. MDHHS certificates work well for name changes and insurance purposes.
Filing for Divorce in Rochester Hills
Rochester Hills residents file for divorce at the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state under MCL 552.6. You do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong. The legal ground is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. State that in your filing and you meet the legal standard.
Residency rules apply. Under MCL 552.9, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Oakland County for at least 10 days before filing. Rochester Hills is in Oakland County. As long as you have been here for more than 10 days, you can file in Oakland County at the Pontiac courthouse.
Michigan requires waiting periods for all divorces. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before a judge can enter a final judgment. Cases that involve minor children must wait at least 180 days. A judge can shorten the wait for good cause, but it is not common. Build these timelines into your planning. The 180-day wait for cases with children is particularly important to know early.
Property is divided under MCL 552.19 based on equitable distribution. The court decides what is just and reasonable given the circumstances of both spouses. This does not always mean equal. The judge weighs contributions, needs, and the length of the marriage among other things. Spousal support is handled under MCL 552.13, which gives the court wide discretion on whether to award support and in what amount.
Self-represented filing is allowed. SCAO forms are free at courts.michigan.gov. MiFILE at mifile.courts.michigan.gov accepts electronic filings for Oakland County circuit court cases. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free tools for Rochester Hills residents filing without an attorney. The full text of Michigan divorce statutes is at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Help for Rochester Hills Divorce Cases
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a strong resource for Rochester Hills residents. It is free, covers Oakland County procedures, and has guided tools that help you understand forms and steps without a lawyer. You can use it from home before you ever visit the courthouse. The site links directly to 6th Circuit resources and covers custody, support, and property in addition to basic divorce filings.
Legal aid groups serve Oakland County and offer free help to people with lower incomes who need assistance with divorce cases. Reach out early to see if you qualify. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a referral service to connect you with family law attorneys in Oakland County. Oakland County Courts at oaklandcountycourts.org has self-help resources and court contact information. Court forms are free at courts.michigan.gov.
Nearby Cities
These Oakland County cities also have divorce records pages with local court and clerk information.
Oakland County Divorce Records
Rochester Hills is in Oakland County and all divorce filings go through the 6th Judicial Circuit Court in Pontiac. For full county-level information including Court Explorer, the genealogy portal, and the complete list of court contacts, visit the Oakland County divorce records page.