Find Leelanau County Divorce Records
Leelanau County divorce records are held at the Leelanau County Circuit Court in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains all divorce case files for the county and processes requests for copies and certified documents. You can search Leelanau County cases online using Michigan's MiCOURT system at no cost, or contact the clerk's office directly in Suttons Bay to request records by mail or in person.
Leelanau County Overview
Leelanau County Circuit Court Clerk
The 13th Judicial Circuit Court serves Leelanau County. The court and clerk's office are located at 8527 E. Government Center Dr. in Suttons Bay. All divorce cases filed in Leelanau County go through this court. The clerk stores and manages all case records, processes copy requests, and provides certified documents to those who qualify.
Leelanau County is a peninsula county in the northwestern corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The courthouse in Suttons Bay is the only circuit court location for the county. Because Leelanau is a smaller rural county, the clerk's office handles a more manageable case volume than counties near major cities. However, office staffing may be limited, so it is always a good idea to call 231-256-9824 before visiting or mailing a request to confirm availability and current fees.
The 13th Judicial Circuit also shares some administrative functions with the nearby Grand Traverse County court. When you contact the Leelanau County clerk, make sure you specify that you are looking for records filed in Leelanau County specifically, not in Grand Traverse County, even if the two courts share circuit judges at times. The clerk's office in Suttons Bay handles Leelanau records.
| Court | 13th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 8527 E. Government Center Dr. Suttons Bay, MI 49682 |
| Phone | 231-256-9824 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Leelanau County Divorce Cases Online
Michigan's statewide MiCOURT case search system covers Leelanau County Circuit Court records. Use it to search by party name or case number at no cost. Divorce cases appear as case type DM (with minor children) or DO (without children). Results show party names, the register of actions, hearing schedules, and case status. Documents are not downloadable from MiCOURT, but the case number it provides is what you need for a faster records request to the clerk.
Before calling or driving to Suttons Bay, run a MiCOURT search. It takes a few minutes and confirms whether the case is in Leelanau County. If the case shows up, note the case number and call 231-256-9824 to arrange a copy request. This saves time for both you and the clerk's staff.
Leelanau County Circuit Court cases are filed electronically through MiFILE, Michigan's statewide eFiling platform available at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. New divorce filings in Leelanau County go through MiFILE. The system confirms each submission and routes documents to the Suttons Bay courthouse automatically.
Note: MiCOURT shows case status and filing history only. Copies of actual Leelanau County divorce documents require a direct request to the Circuit Court Clerk at 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suttons Bay, MI 49682.
Requesting Leelanau County Divorce Records
You can get copies of Leelanau County divorce records in person or by mail. In person is faster. Go to the Circuit Court Clerk at 8527 E. Government Center Dr. in Suttons Bay. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Standard per-page copy fees in Michigan run $1 to $2. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee, usually $10 to $15. Call 231-256-9824 before your visit to verify current fees.
To request by mail, write to the Leelanau County Circuit Court Clerk, 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Attach a check or money order payable to the Leelanau County Clerk and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests generally take one to two weeks. Older archived records may take a bit longer to retrieve.
If you need a certified statewide divorce certificate rather than a court file copy, contact MDHHS. MDHHS has held Michigan divorce records since 1897. Certified copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Submit through michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords, by mail to P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, or by phone at (517) 335-8656.
Michigan Divorce Law in Leelanau County
Leelanau County divorce cases are governed by Michigan state law in full. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan requires no proof of fault. The legal standard is a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable likelihood it can be restored. This applies in the 13th Circuit Court in Suttons Bay the same as everywhere else in Michigan.
Residency requirements are established by MCL 552.9. At least one party must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Leelanau County for at least 10 days before filing. Given the county's appeal as a place to relocate, it is worth confirming the 10-day county requirement is met before submitting a complaint.
Cases without minor children in Leelanau County must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before a final judgment can be entered. Cases with minor children face a 180-day minimum wait. Judges can shorten the wait for cause but cannot remove it entirely. Property division follows MCL 552.19, and spousal support is governed by MCL 552.13. Full Michigan statutes are at legislature.mi.gov.
Help for Leelanau County Divorce Cases
Free help is available for Leelanau County residents. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org walks you through the divorce process step by step and generates court-ready forms for the 13th Circuit Court. This resource is practical for uncontested divorces and for anyone who wants to understand the process before deciding whether to hire an attorney.
SCAO-approved forms are free to download from the Michigan Courts website. File electronically through MiFILE. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org offers a lawyer referral service for Leelanau County cases. Legal aid programs in northwest Michigan serve lower-income residents who qualify for free legal assistance in divorce matters.
Cities in Leelanau County
Leelanau County does not have any cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for dedicated pages. Communities in the county, including Suttons Bay, Northport, Lake Leelanau, and Glen Arbor, all have their divorce cases handled by the Leelanau County Circuit Court in Suttons Bay.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Leelanau County in Michigan's northwestern Lower Peninsula. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, check the filing party's address at the time of the complaint to confirm jurisdiction.