Search Alpena County Divorce Records
Alpena County divorce records are filed at the 26th Circuit Court clerk's office at 720 W. Chisholm Street in Alpena. The clerk holds all divorce case files for the county, including filings, judgments, and decrees. You can search cases online for free using the MiCOURT statewide portal, then request copies in person or by mail from the clerk's office. This page covers how to search and obtain Alpena County divorce records and explains the Michigan laws that apply to cases filed here.
Alpena County Overview
Alpena County Circuit Court - Family Division
The 26th Circuit Court serves Alpena County and handles all divorce filings in the county. The Family Division covers divorce, child custody, parenting time, support orders, and personal protection orders. All Alpena County divorce records from the date of filing forward are held at this courthouse. If either spouse lives in Alpena County, this court has jurisdiction and this is where the case is filed and where the records stay.
The clerk's office at 720 W. Chisholm Street manages requests for divorce records. Staff can search by name or case number. Bringing the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce is the minimum you need. A case number from MiCOURT speeds things up considerably. Very old records that have not been digitized may take extra time to retrieve from the physical archive.
The Michigan Courts official website at courts.michigan.gov provides a court locator, SCAO-approved divorce forms, and links to the Alpena County Circuit Court directly. From there you can find the specific contact info, hours, and online resources for Alpena County divorce records.
| Court | 26th Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 720 W. Chisholm St. Alpena, MI 49707 |
| Phone | 989-354-9579 |
| County Seat | Alpena |
How to Search Alpena County Divorce Records Online
The free statewide MiCOURT case search at micourt.courts.michigan.gov is the best starting point for searching Alpena County divorce records online. No account or fee is required. Search by name or case number. Alpena County cases appear under case type DM (divorce with minor children) or DO (divorce without children). The system covers the 26th Circuit Court.
MiCOURT search results show the register of actions for each case. You can see every document filed, every hearing scheduled, the assigned judge, the case status, and whether a final judgment has been entered. You cannot download the actual documents from MiCOURT, but you get the case number and the details you need to request specific records from the clerk's office in Alpena.
Michigan's MiFILE electronic filing system is available for submitting documents to the 26th Circuit Court. Attorneys and self-represented parties can use MiFILE to file new cases or add documents to existing cases without going to the courthouse. This is useful for parties in rural areas of Alpena County or those who live elsewhere. Visit mifile.courts.michigan.gov for filing instructions.
Note: MiCOURT shows case information only. To get copies of actual divorce documents from Alpena County, contact the clerk at 989-354-9579 or visit 720 W. Chisholm St., Alpena.
How to Request Alpena County Divorce Records
In-person is the fastest way to get Alpena County divorce records. Go to the clerk's office at 720 W. Chisholm Street during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Give staff the names of both parties and the year the case was filed. If you have a case number, bring that too. Staff will pull the file and make copies. You pay when the copies are ready.
To request records by mail, write to the Alpena County Clerk, 720 W. Chisholm St., Alpena, MI 49707. Include full names of both parties, the filing year, the case number if known, and a description of the specific documents you need. Attach a check or money order for the estimated copy fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call 989-354-9579 ahead of time to confirm the current fee and whether any specific request form is required by the office.
Circuit court copy fees in Michigan typically run $1 to $2 per page. A certification fee of $10 to $15 applies if you need a certified copy. Alpena County follows these standard Michigan ranges. Call to confirm amounts before sending payment, since fees can be updated. Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like remarriage applications, name changes, or government benefit claims.
MDHHS handles statewide divorce certificates independently from the circuit court. Their records go back to 1897 and cover all Michigan counties. The first certified copy costs $34; each additional copy is $16 when ordered together. Order at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. MDHHS records show the divorce occurred but do not include judgment details or other case documents. For those, contact the Alpena County clerk.
Michigan Divorce Law and Alpena County Cases
Divorce cases in Alpena County follow the same Michigan state law as every other county. Michigan is a no-fault state under MCL 552.6. The sole ground for divorce is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable chance of it being preserved. Proving fault is not a part of the process. Either spouse can file at any time.
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 apply before the 26th Circuit Court can hear the case. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. One spouse must have lived in Alpena County for at least 10 days before the filing date. These requirements establish the court's jurisdiction over the case.
Michigan law imposes minimum waiting periods before a divorce can be finalized. A divorce without minor children cannot be completed until 60 days have passed since filing. A divorce with minor children requires at least 180 days. Judges can reduce these periods for good cause, though that is uncommon. Many Alpena County cases take considerably longer than the minimum due to the need to negotiate property, support, or custody terms.
Marital property gets divided under MCL 552.19. Michigan uses equitable distribution, meaning the court divides assets fairly based on all relevant circumstances. Equal shares are one possible outcome, but the judge has broad discretion. Factors include the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and the economic needs of both parties after the divorce. Spousal support may also be addressed when income disparities exist.
Full Michigan divorce statutes are at legislature.mi.gov. All of MCL 552 and related statutes apply to Alpena County cases in the same way as they do across the rest of Michigan.
Getting Help with Alpena County Divorce Records
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is free for anyone dealing with divorce in Michigan. It covers the entire process, generates court-ready forms for the 26th Circuit Court, and explains what to do at each step. No legal background is needed to use it.
SCAO-approved divorce forms are free at the Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov. These forms work in every Michigan circuit court, including Alpena County. The courts site also lists the correct contact information for the 26th Circuit and links to the clerk's office directly.
The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org can connect you with family law attorneys who practice in Alpena County and the northeast Michigan region. If your case is contested or involves complex issues, legal advice is worth considering.
For MDHHS divorce certificates, use the ordering portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs. State-level records cover all Michigan counties and are useful when you need a short-form proof of divorce rather than the full court file.
Cities in Alpena County
Alpena County has no cities that meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All divorce cases from communities in the county are filed at the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Alpena County in northeast Michigan. If you need to verify which county has jurisdiction over a divorce case, check where the filing party lived when the case was filed.