Clare County Divorce Records
Clare County divorce records are filed at the Circuit Court Family Division located in Harrison, the county seat. This page explains how to search for Clare County divorce cases online through MiCOURT, how to request copies from the county clerk, and what Michigan law governs divorce cases in the county. Contact details for the courthouse and information on getting vital record certificates from MDHHS are included below.
Clare County Overview
Clare County Circuit Court - Family Division
The 55th Judicial Circuit Court serves Clare County and handles all divorce filings for residents here. The Family Division of this court covers divorce cases, custody and parenting time matters, child support, paternity actions, and personal protection orders. All divorce records for Clare County are maintained at the courthouse on West Main Street in Harrison. The county clerk stores the official case files and processes requests for copies.
The 55th Circuit is a smaller court by Michigan standards, but it follows the same rules and procedures as every other Michigan circuit court. Cases are assigned to a circuit court judge, and the Friend of the Court office in Clare County handles custody and support matters when minor children are involved. Staff at the clerk's office can help you find a case by name or number and will explain what documents are available and at what cost.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has a court locator tool and SCAO-approved divorce forms that apply to Clare County cases. You can use the court locator to verify the specific Circuit Court handling Clare County divorce filings.
| Court | 55th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 W. Main St. Harrison, MI 48625 |
| Phone | 989-539-7135 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Clare County Divorce Records Online
Clare County divorce cases are available through the statewide MiCOURT case search system, which covers the 55th Judicial Circuit. MiCOURT is free to use. You can search by the name of either party or by case number. Search results display the case type (DM for divorce with minor children, DO for divorce without children), filing date, case status, and a register of actions showing what happened in the case. You cannot download documents from MiCOURT, but you can confirm whether a case exists and get the case number needed to request copies from the clerk.
If a Clare County divorce was filed before electronic records were in use at the 55th Circuit, it may not appear in MiCOURT. In that case, contact the Clare County Clerk directly. Staff can search paper indexes for older cases. Always have both parties' names ready when calling, and the approximate year if possible. The more information you can give, the faster staff can find the right file.
MiCOURT shows case information only, not the actual documents. To get copies of the judgment of divorce or any other document from the file, you must contact the Clare County Clerk by phone, mail, or in person.
How to Get Clare County Divorce Records
You can request Clare County divorce records in person at the courthouse in Harrison or by mail. In-person visits are the quickest option. Go to the Clare County Courthouse at 225 W. Main St. in Harrison during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Give staff the names of both parties or the case number. Staff will pull the file and make copies while you wait. Plain copies cost $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee, generally around $10 to $15 per document. Pay at the time of the request.
For mail requests, write to the Clare County Clerk at 225 W. Main St., Harrison, MI 48625. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Attach a check or money order to cover the copy fees and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. The clerk will contact you if more information or payment is needed. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks. If you are unsure of the exact fee, call 989-539-7135 before sending payment.
For a certified divorce certificate rather than a court document, contact MDHHS. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains statewide vital records including divorce certificates. The first certified copy costs $34, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $16. You can request a certificate through michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. A divorce certificate from MDHHS is a summary of the divorce, while a court-issued judgment of divorce is the full legal document from the case. Depending on what you need it for, one may work better than the other.
Michigan courts retain case records for at least 40 years under MCR 8.119(K). Final judgments are kept permanently. You should be able to access Clare County divorce records going back several decades.
Michigan Divorce Law and Clare County Cases
All Clare County divorces follow Michigan state law. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state under MCL 552.6. The only thing you need to show is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of being preserved. You do not need to prove that the other spouse did anything wrong. This applies in Clare County the same as it does throughout Michigan. The judge at the 55th Circuit does not evaluate fault when deciding whether to grant the divorce.
To file in Clare County, you must meet the residency requirements in MCL 552.9. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days. That same spouse must have lived in Clare County for at least 10 days right before filing the complaint. If you are a recent resident of Clare County, confirm that you have met the 10-day county requirement before filing. If not, you may need to wait a few more days or file in the county where you previously lived and met the residency test.
Waiting periods apply. Cases with no minor children must wait at least 60 days from the date the complaint is filed before the final divorce judgment can be entered. Cases involving minor children require a 180-day wait. Judges may reduce the waiting period for documented good cause, but it is not routine. During this period, the court may issue temporary orders covering custody, support, and the use of marital property.
Property is divided under MCL 552.19, which requires an equitable split. The court decides what is just and reasonable. This takes into account the length of the marriage, what each person contributed, and the needs of both parties going forward. A 50/50 division is not required and may not happen. For cases with children, the Friend of the Court in Clare County reviews the situation and makes recommendations to the judge on custody and support. The full Michigan divorce code is available at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Help for Clare County Residents
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free online resource that walks you through the divorce process step by step. It covers filing in Clare County, explains the forms you need, and has guided interviews that generate documents based on your answers. The site is designed for people handling their own cases without an attorney. It is a good starting point if you are not sure where to begin.
All SCAO-approved divorce forms are available free at the Michigan Courts website, courts.michigan.gov. These forms are accepted by the 55th Circuit Court. To file electronically, use the MiFILE system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. For help finding a local family law attorney in the Clare County area, the State Bar of Michigan offers a lawyer referral service through their website.
Cities in Clare County
Clare County does not have any cities above the qualifying population threshold. Harrison is the county seat and hosts the courthouse. All divorce cases for communities throughout the county are handled by the 55th Circuit Court in Harrison.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Clare County. Divorce jurisdiction follows residency, so file in the county where you or your spouse lives and meets the 10-day requirement under MCL 552.9.