Find Divorce Records in Macomb County
Macomb County divorce records are filed and maintained at the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. Whether you need to look up a current case, confirm a filing date, or get certified copies of a divorce judgment, the county clerk and the CourtView online search system give you multiple ways to access Macomb County divorce records.
Macomb County Overview
Macomb County Circuit Court Family Division
The 16th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases filed in Macomb County. The Family Division of this court covers divorce, legal separation, custody, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders. The court operates under MCL 600.1021, which gives Michigan circuit courts jurisdiction over all domestic relations matters. If you or your spouse lives in Macomb County, this is where your divorce case must be filed and where the records are stored.
The Macomb County Clerk is responsible for recording and maintaining civil court records, which includes all divorce cases. The clerk's office is at 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. The general clerk phone number is 586-469-5120. For questions specifically about the court section of the clerk's office, such as case copies or filing procedures, call 586-469-5351. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The best time to visit is Tuesday through Thursday in the mornings. Monday and Friday afternoons tend to be the busiest.
The circuit court's own page is at circuitcourt.macombgov.org and the clerk's page is at clerk.macombgov.org. Both pages have forms, contact information, and procedural guidance. Case types are recorded as DM for divorce with minor children and DO for divorce without children.
| Court | 16th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Clerk Address | 40 N. Main Street Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| General Clerk Phone | 586-469-5120 |
| Court Section Phone | 586-469-5351 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Fax | 586-469-5353 |
Search Macomb County Divorce Records Online
Macomb County uses CourtView Web Public Access for online case lookup. You can reach it through the circuit court's page at circuitcourt.macombgov.org/circuitcourt-courtview. To use it, click the link to launch CourtView, read and accept the terms, then search by name or case number. Results show the current case status, party names, and docket entries. This is a free public tool and no account is required.
CourtView is the best starting point when you know one of the parties' names but don't have a case number. Once you find the case in CourtView, note the case number and use it when you contact the clerk's office to request copies. CourtView does not let you download documents directly. It is a status and docket lookup tool.
Macomb County cases also show up in the statewide MiCOURT case search. MiCOURT covers the 16th Circuit and uses the same DM and DO case codes. If a search in CourtView doesn't return what you expect, try MiCOURT with the same name. The two systems pull from similar data but may index records differently in some older cases.
The image below shows the Michigan Courts website, which provides statewide resources for Macomb County divorce cases, including access to SCAO forms and the MiCOURT search system.
The Michigan Courts website lists all approved forms, links to MiCOURT, and provides guidance on eFiling through MiFILE, all of which apply directly to Macomb County divorce cases.
Note: CourtView and MiCOURT provide case status and docket information only, and actual copies of Macomb County divorce judgments must be requested through the county clerk's office or by mail.
Requesting Macomb County Divorce Records
In-person requests are the fastest way to get copies of Macomb County divorce records. Go to the Macomb County Clerk's office at 40 N. Main Street, 1st Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number if you have it. Staff can search records and make copies the same day in most situations. Copy fees are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 per document. A search fee of $10 may apply if staff must locate the record by date range rather than case number.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send your request to the Circuit Court Section, Macomb County Clerk's Office, 40 North Main, 1st Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Include both parties' full names, the approximate year of divorce, the case number if available, and your payment by check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow at least two weeks for mail requests. Certified marriage and divorce certificates through the clerk cost $12 to $15 each.
Fax filing is available for certain documents. Download the fax cover sheet from the circuit court website and send to 586-469-5353. This is typically used for motions and documents in existing cases, not for initial records requests. For new divorce cases, eFiling through MiFILE is available for DO cases (divorce without minor children) and for PPO filings.
Under MCR 8.119, most divorce court records in Michigan are public records. Any member of the public can request a copy of a Macomb County divorce judgment without being a party to the case. Sealed documents are the exception. If part of a file has been sealed by the judge, the clerk will tell you when you make your request. Access to sealed documents requires a court order.
For certified divorce certificates from the state vital records office rather than the court, contact MDHHS Vital Records in Lansing. Those certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional one. The MDHHS phone number is (517) 335-8656. MDHHS vital records are separate from the court file copies available through the Macomb County Clerk.
Friend of the Court in Macomb County
The Friend of the Court (FOC) is a required part of every Macomb County divorce case that involves minor children. The FOC office is at 10 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, and can be reached at (586) 469-5160. It handles child custody enforcement, parenting time disputes, child support collection, and related family matters. The FOC works alongside the Family Division judge assigned to your case and provides investigative services when custody or support is disputed.
The FOC office has forms for domestic relations motions, name change requests, and other family law matters. SCAO-approved forms are also available at no cost from courts.michigan.gov. If you are not sure which form to use, FOC staff can point you in the right direction, though they cannot give legal advice. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free resource for understanding custody and support procedures in Macomb County specifically.
Note: The Friend of the Court is involved in all Macomb County divorce cases with minor children, so expect FOC correspondence and requirements if your case includes a child custody component.
Michigan Divorce Law and Macomb County Cases
Divorce in Macomb County follows Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan adopted no-fault divorce in 1972. You don't need to prove the other party was at fault. The legal ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable chance it can be preserved. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Macomb County for at least 10 days before filing, per MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods are required. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before a final judgment can be entered. Cases with minor children must wait at least 180 days. A judge can reduce the waiting period for good cause, but that is not common. These waiting periods apply to every Macomb County divorce case, the same as everywhere in Michigan.
Property division follows MCL 552.19, which calls for equitable distribution. Equitable does not mean equal. The 16th Circuit judge looks at the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, earning capacity, and other relevant factors. Spousal support is addressed under MCL 552.13. The judge has wide discretion to order, modify, or deny support. If you have questions about how Michigan divorce statutes apply to your case, the full text is at legislature.mi.gov.
Major Cities in Macomb County
Macomb County includes several of Michigan's largest cities and townships. All divorce filings from these communities go through the 16th Judicial Circuit Family Division in Mount Clemens. Select a city for more details about local courthouse resources.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Macomb County. Divorce cases must be filed where the petitioner lives. If you're not certain which county handled a case, use each county's online search tool or call the clerk's office to check.