Cass County Divorce Records
Cass County divorce records are filed and maintained at the Circuit Court Family Division in Cassopolis. If you need to search for a case, request a copy of a judgment, or find out who handles filings in this southwest Michigan county, this page covers the court office, online search options, how to request records by mail or in person, and what Michigan law requires for cases filed here.
Cass County Overview
Cass County Circuit Court - Family Division
The 43rd Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce filings in Cass County. Its Family Division covers divorce, custody, child support, parenting time, paternity actions, and personal protection orders. All divorce cases originating in Cass County are filed here, and the court records are maintained in Cassopolis at the courthouse on North Broadway. If you or your spouse lives in Cass County, this is the court that has jurisdiction over your case.
The Cass County Clerk's office works alongside the Circuit Court to maintain case files. The clerk is the official keeper of court records in Michigan. You can contact the clerk directly to ask about retrieving a specific case file, confirming a case number, or getting copies of documents. The clerk's staff can tell you what fees apply and how long a request will take. Most active and recent case files are available the same day you visit in person.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has a court locator tool and SCAO-approved divorce forms that apply to Cass County cases. You can use the court locator to verify the specific Circuit Court handling Cass County divorce filings.
| Court | 43rd Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 N. Broadway Cassopolis, MI 49031 |
| Phone | 269-445-2200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Search Cass County Divorce Records Online
Cass County divorce cases are searchable through the statewide MiCOURT case search system. MiCOURT is free to use and covers the 43rd Judicial Circuit. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. Results show case type, party names, filing date, case status, and the register of actions. Divorce cases appear under case type DM (divorce with minor children) or DO (divorce without minor children). The system does not let you download documents, but it gives you the case number you need to request copies from the clerk.
The statewide MiCOURT system pulls data directly from the court's case management system, so results are current. It is a good first step if you are not sure whether a case was filed in Cass County or a neighboring county. You can run searches under both counties if you are uncertain where the case was filed. If a case does not come up in MiCOURT, call the clerk's office directly to check whether it was filed under a different name or before the system's data begins.
MiCOURT shows case information only. To get copies of actual documents, such as the judgment of divorce or a specific motion, you must contact the Cass County Clerk directly by phone, mail, or in person.
How to Request Cass County Divorce Records
You can get Cass County divorce records three ways: in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the MiCOURT online system for basic case information. In person is the fastest. Go to the Cass County Courthouse at 120 N. Broadway in Cassopolis during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Give the clerk staff the names of the parties or the case number. Staff will locate the file and make copies. Copy fees are $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee, typically $10 to $15 depending on the document.
By mail, write to the Cass County Clerk at 120 N. Broadway, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year the divorce was filed or finalized, and the case number if you have it. Include a check or money order for the estimated copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. The clerk will contact you if more payment is needed. Mail requests take longer than in-person requests, often one to two weeks depending on workload and how quickly they can locate the file.
If you need a certified copy of a divorce certificate rather than a court record, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. MDHHS maintains statewide vital records including divorce certificates. The fee for a certified divorce certificate from MDHHS is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can request MDHHS records through their vital records office at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. A court-issued copy of the judgment of divorce is a separate document from the MDHHS certificate, and some situations call for one versus the other.
Court records in Michigan are kept for a minimum of 40 years under MCR 8.119(K). Judgments of divorce are kept permanently. So even older Cass County cases from decades ago should still be on file with the clerk.
Michigan Divorce Law and Cass County Cases
Every divorce filed in Cass County follows Michigan state law. Michigan operates under a no-fault divorce standard. Under MCL 552.6, the only grounds needed are that the marital relationship has broken down and there is no reasonable likelihood the marriage can be preserved. Neither spouse has to prove fault. This keeps the process simpler and focuses the court's attention on practical matters like property, support, and children.
Residency requirements must be met before you can file in Cass County. Under MCL 552.9, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. That same spouse must also have lived in Cass County for at least 10 days immediately before filing. If these requirements are not met, the court lacks jurisdiction and cannot proceed with the case.
Waiting periods apply to all Michigan divorce cases. If the case does not involve minor children, the court cannot enter a final judgment of divorce until at least 60 days have passed from the filing date. If the case does involve minor children, the waiting period is 180 days. A judge can shorten the waiting period for good cause. These periods are set by state law and apply in Cass County the same as they do everywhere in Michigan.
Property division in Michigan follows the equitable distribution standard. Under MCL 552.19, the court divides marital assets in a way that is just and reasonable given the circumstances. This does not mean a 50/50 split is guaranteed. The judge considers each party's contributions, length of the marriage, needs, and other relevant factors. The 43rd Circuit Court Family Division judge assigned to the case has broad discretion on these matters.
If minor children are involved, the Friend of the Court plays an active role in Cass County cases. The FOC makes recommendations on custody, parenting time, and child support to the judge. Both parties deal with the FOC office throughout the case and often after judgment for enforcement and modification matters. The Michigan Legislature's full text of divorce statutes is available at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Help for Cass County Divorce
If you need help navigating a Cass County divorce case, several free resources are available. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers step-by-step guidance for Michigan divorce cases, including forms, instructions, and guided interviews that build documents for you. The site is designed for people who do not have an attorney. It covers the 43rd Circuit Court process and links to relevant SCAO forms.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has all SCAO-approved forms needed to file for divorce without an attorney. These forms are accepted by the 43rd Circuit Court. The MiFILE system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov allows electronic filing in Michigan circuit courts, which includes Cass County. If you need an attorney, the State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service can help you find a family law attorney in southwest Michigan who handles Cass County cases.
Cities in Cass County
Cass County does not have any cities above the qualifying population threshold. Cassopolis serves as the county seat and hosts the courthouse. All divorce filings for communities throughout the county are handled by the 43rd Circuit Court in Cassopolis.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Cass County or are close by. Jurisdiction depends on where the filing party lives, not the city nearest to you. Check the county where you or your spouse reside to make sure you file in the right place.