Southfield Divorce Records Lookup
Southfield divorce records are filed and maintained at the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac. Southfield is in Oakland County, so all divorce cases for Southfield residents go through the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, not a city court. The Oakland County Circuit Court at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac holds all divorce filings for the county. This page explains how to search, request copies, file a new case, and find help with divorce matters as a Southfield resident.
Southfield Overview
Where Southfield Divorce Records Are Filed
All divorce cases for Southfield residents are filed at the Oakland County Circuit Court at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. The main court phone is (248) 858-0582. This is where you file new divorce cases and where all completed divorce records for the county are stored. The Southfield City Clerk at 26000 Evergreen Rd., Southfield, MI 48076 (248-796-5140) handles local city business only and does not hold divorce case files.
Oakland County has multiple divisions within its circuit court system. Family law matters, including divorce, are handled by the Family Division. Oakland County Courts at oaklandcountycourts.org has general information about the court system, services, and procedures. For case filings and record requests, the main contact remains the Oakland County Circuit Court at (248) 858-0582.
| Court | 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Oakland County |
|---|---|
| Court Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413 Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Court Phone | (248) 858-0582 |
| Southfield City Clerk | 26000 Evergreen Rd. Southfield, MI 48076 248-796-5140 |
| Note | City clerk does not hold divorce records |
How to Search Southfield Divorce Records Online
Southfield residents can search Oakland County divorce records using Court Explorer at courtexplorer.oakgov.com, Oakland County's free online case lookup system. Court Explorer lets you search by party name or case number. Results show party names, case type, the register of actions, hearing dates, and case status. It is a good tool for confirming whether a case exists or for getting a case number before requesting copies from the clerk.
Oakland County also has a Genealogy Search at courts.oakgov.com/OakGnlg for older historical records. If you are searching for a divorce that happened many years ago, the genealogy tool may cover records that do not appear in Court Explorer.
The statewide MiCOURT system at micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search also covers Oakland County's 6th Judicial Circuit. MiCOURT and Court Explorer pull from the same court data, so either system can help you locate a case. Use whichever is easier for you.
Court Explorer and MiCOURT show case information only. To get copies of divorce documents, contact the Oakland County Circuit Court at (248) 858-0582.
Requesting Copies of Southfield Divorce Records
To get 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. Bring a photo ID and know the names of both parties or the case number. Staff can locate the file and provide copies. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule and payment options.
By mail, write 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 available. Add your contact information and preferred return method along with payment. Mail requests typically take a week or two to process.
If you need a state-issued certified divorce certificate, MDHHS handles those at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The cost is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. MDHHS certificates are separate from court copies and serve different purposes. A court-certified copy of the judgment is what you typically need for legal proceedings.
Filing for Divorce in Southfield
Southfield 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 claim or prove fault. You state that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of being preserved. That is the legal standard. File your complaint or joint petition with the clerk at Dept 413, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Pontiac.
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 require that one spouse live in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing and in Oakland County for at least 10 days. Southfield is in Oakland County. If you have lived in Southfield for more than 10 days, you can file in Oakland County. The case stays there for the duration unless a judge orders otherwise.
Michigan law requires waiting periods before a final judgment can be entered. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from the filing date. Cases with minor children must wait at least 180 days. These waiting periods are set by state law and apply in all Michigan counties, including Oakland. A judge can shorten them for good cause, but that rarely happens without a strong reason.
Property division in Oakland County follows equitable distribution under MCL 552.19. The court divides marital assets in a just and reasonable way. This is not always a 50/50 split. The judge considers each party's contributions, needs, and circumstances. Spousal support is governed by MCL 552.13, which gives the court broad discretion to order, modify, or end support based on both parties' financial situations.
If you want to file on your own, SCAO forms are free at courts.michigan.gov. The MiFILE portal at mifile.courts.michigan.gov accepts electronic filings for Oakland County circuit cases. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free guided tools and step-by-step instructions for Oakland County divorce filings. The full text of Michigan's divorce statutes is at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Help for Southfield Divorce
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is the best free starting point for Southfield residents. The site has tools to help you understand what forms you need, how to fill them out, and what to expect at each step of an Oakland County divorce. You can use it from home without going to court first. It covers the 6th Circuit and links directly to Oakland County resources.
For people with low income, legal aid organizations serve Oakland County and can provide free help with divorce cases. Contact a local legal aid group to see if you qualify. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a lawyer referral service for people who need a family law attorney. All SCAO forms are free at courts.michigan.gov. The Oakland County Courts site at oaklandcountycourts.org has additional information about court procedures and self-help resources specific to the 6th Circuit.
Nearby Cities
These Oakland County cities also have divorce records pages with local court and clerk information.
Oakland County Divorce Records
Southfield 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 search portal, and all court contacts, visit the Oakland County divorce records page.