Find Divorce Records in Clinton County
Clinton County divorce records are kept at the Circuit Court Family Division in St. Johns. If you need to look up a divorce case, request a copy of a judgment, or understand the process for filing or accessing records, this page covers the courthouse contact information, online search options through MiCOURT, step-by-step instructions for requesting copies, and a summary of the Michigan statutes that govern every divorce case in the county.
Clinton County Overview
Clinton County Circuit Court - Family Division
The 29th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases filed by Clinton County residents. The Family Division of this court covers divorce actions, legal separation, custody and parenting time orders, child support enforcement, paternity, and personal protection orders. Clinton County sits in mid-Michigan not far from Lansing, which means a number of residents deal with both this court and neighboring courts when cross-county issues come up. All records for cases filed in Clinton County are maintained by the county clerk in St. Johns.
The Clinton County Clerk stores all civil court records including divorce cases. The clerk's office is the right place to ask for copies of case documents, to confirm whether a case exists, or to find out the case number for an older matter. Staff can search by party name or case number. They can tell you whether a case is active or closed and what documents are in the file. Clinton County is a growing county and the clerk handles a moderate case volume each year.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has a court locator tool and SCAO-approved divorce forms that apply to Clinton County cases. You can use the court locator to verify the specific Circuit Court handling Clinton County divorce filings.
| Court | 29th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 E. State St. St. Johns, MI 48879 |
| Phone | 989-224-5140 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Search Clinton County Divorce Cases Online
Clinton County divorce cases can be searched through the statewide MiCOURT case search system, which covers the 29th Judicial Circuit. The search is free and open to the public. You can search by either party's name or by case number. Results include the case type, party names, filing date, case status, and a register of actions. Divorce cases filed in Clinton County appear as DM (with minor children) or DO (without minor children). MiCOURT does not let you view or download actual documents, but it gives you the case number and status information needed to request copies from the clerk.
If you are searching for a Clinton County divorce case and it does not appear in MiCOURT, it may predate electronic records at the 29th Circuit. Older case files are stored in paper form at the courthouse. Contact the clerk at 989-224-5140 to ask about searching archived records. Staff will let you know what information they need to find an older case and how long it will take to retrieve the file.
MiCOURT provides case-level information only. Actual court documents from a Clinton County divorce case can only be obtained by contacting the county clerk directly.
How to Request Clinton County Divorce Records
The fastest way to get Clinton County divorce records is to visit the clerk's office in person. Go to the Clinton County Courthouse at 100 E. State St. in St. Johns during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Provide the names of the parties or the case number. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Plain copies are $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies cost more, typically an added $10 to $15 per document. If you are getting a copy of the judgment of divorce specifically, ask the clerk about the certification fee upfront so you can bring the right amount.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Clinton County Clerk at 100 E. State St., St. Johns, MI 48879. Your letter should include the names of both parties, an approximate date or year for the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk's office will contact you if more payment is required. Allow one to two weeks for mail requests to be processed and returned.
MDHHS handles certified divorce certificates for vital records purposes. These certificates are separate from court-issued divorce judgments. If you need a certified divorce certificate from MDHHS, the cost is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests can be submitted through the MDHHS vital records portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. Check which document type is required for your specific need before deciding which to request.
Michigan law requires courts to keep case records for at least 40 years under MCR 8.119(K). Final judgments of divorce are kept permanently. So Clinton County divorce records going back many years should still be on file and accessible through the clerk's office.
Michigan Divorce Law in Clinton County Cases
Clinton County divorce cases are governed by Michigan state law. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, the legal standard is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable chance it can be saved. You do not have to prove the other spouse did anything wrong. The 29th Circuit Court judge applies this standard when reviewing your case and decides whether to grant the divorce based on your testimony that the marriage has broken down.
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 must be met. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. That same spouse must have lived in Clinton County for at least 10 days immediately before filing the complaint. If those requirements are not met for Clinton County, you would file in the Michigan county where the residency test is satisfied.
Mandatory waiting periods apply to all Michigan divorce cases. For cases without minor children, the court cannot enter a final judgment until 60 days after the complaint is filed. For cases with minor children, the wait is 180 days. Good cause can be shown to shorten the wait, but that requires a specific request to the judge. Do not assume the waiting period will be waived. Plan your timeline with these minimums in mind.
Property division follows MCL 552.19, which calls for equitable distribution. The 29th Circuit Court judge has discretion to divide marital assets in a way that is just and reasonable, considering the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and their respective needs. Equitable does not mean equal. Cases involving children also require the Friend of the Court in Clinton County to assess custody and support and report to the judge. All applicable Michigan statutes are available at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Resources for Clinton County
Free help is available for Clinton County residents handling a divorce case. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers plain-language guides and guided form interviews for Michigan divorce cases. The site covers the 29th Circuit process and links to the forms accepted by the St. Johns courthouse. You can build your own documents through the site without paying for an attorney.
SCAO-approved divorce forms are downloadable at no cost from courts.michigan.gov. These forms work in any Michigan circuit court including Clinton County. To file electronically, use the MiFILE system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. For attorney referrals, the State Bar of Michigan can connect you with a family law attorney serving the mid-Michigan area.
Cities in Clinton County
Clinton County does not have any cities above the qualifying population threshold. St. Johns is the county seat and the location of the 29th Circuit Court. All divorce filings from communities throughout the county are handled at the courthouse in St. Johns.
Nearby Counties
Clinton County shares borders with several mid-Michigan counties. Jurisdiction is based on where you or your spouse lives, so make sure you are filing in the county that satisfies the 10-day residency requirement.