Midland County Divorce Records
Divorce records in Midland County are filed and stored at the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in the city of Midland. This page covers how to look up Midland County divorce cases online through MiCOURT, how to request copies from the county clerk, what Michigan law requires for a divorce filed here, and where to get free guidance if you are handling your own case or need help understanding what records are available.
Midland County Overview
Midland County Circuit Court
The 42nd Judicial Circuit Court covers Midland County and handles all divorce cases filed by county residents. The court has jurisdiction over family law matters including divorce, legal separation, custody, parenting time, property division, and spousal support. The courthouse is located at 220 W. Ellsworth St. in the city of Midland. This is where divorce complaints are filed, where hearings are held, and where the final judgment of divorce is entered into the court's records.
The Midland County Clerk's office maintains all civil case records, which include divorce cases. If you need a copy of a divorce judgment, an order from the case, or other filed documents, the clerk's office is the right place to go. Records from recent years are typically accessible during normal office hours. Older cases may require advance notice depending on storage location. Call ahead at 989-832-6735 to ask about a specific case before visiting in person.
Michigan Courts online at courts.michigan.gov links directly to Midland County Circuit Court information and SCAO-approved divorce forms.
| Court | 42nd Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 W. Ellsworth St. Midland, MI 48640 |
| Phone | 989-832-6735 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Seat | Midland |
Search Midland County Divorce Records Online
The MiCOURT Case Search system includes Midland County's 42nd Judicial Circuit. MiCOURT is a free, publicly accessible tool. You can search by party name or case number. Divorce cases appear with case type DM (divorce with minor children) or DO (divorce without children). Results show the names of both parties, the case type, the filing date, the judge assigned to the case, and the full register of actions showing every docket entry from filing to close.
MiCOURT is an index tool. It does not let you download scanned documents or court filings. Its main value is confirming whether a case exists, finding the case number, and reviewing the timeline of the case. Once you have that information, contact the Midland County Clerk to request physical copies of specific documents from the case file.
The MiFILE eFiling portal is available for filing documents in Midland County Circuit Court cases. This includes new divorce complaints, responses, and post-judgment motions. Both attorneys and self-represented litigants can use MiFILE. It is a convenient option for submitting documents without a trip to the courthouse.
Note: MiCOURT shows case index data only. To get copies of actual documents from a Midland County divorce case, call the clerk at 989-832-6735 or visit at 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640.
How to Request Midland County Divorce Records
Getting copies of Midland County divorce records is a fairly simple process. In person is the most direct route. Visit the Midland County Clerk's office at 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640. Have your photo ID ready and, if you have it, the case number. The clerk's office can pull files and make copies the same day for most cases. Standard Michigan circuit court copy fees apply: $1 to $2 per page for plain copies, with certification fees of roughly $10 to $15 on top of that when a certified copy is needed.
Mail requests work as well. Send a written request to the Midland County Clerk at 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and the case number if available. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated cost. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the copies can be returned to you. Call 989-832-6735 to confirm the current fee schedule and turnaround time. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks to complete.
MDHHS Vital Records handles certified divorce certificates for state-level records. These are different from court copies. An MDHHS certificate shows the basic facts of the divorce but not the full judgment. The fee is $34 for the first certificate and $16 for each additional one. Submit through michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords online, by mail, or in person.
The Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office processes divorce certificate requests for Midland County residents at michigan.gov/mdhhs.
Michigan Divorce Law and Midland County Cases
Every divorce filed in Midland County follows Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan uses no-fault divorce. You do not need to show that either party was at fault. The legal basis is that the marriage has broken down to the point where it cannot be reasonably restored. Filing a complaint stating this fact is sufficient. The 42nd Circuit applies this standard without requiring proof of specific wrongdoing by either spouse.
Before filing in Midland County, check the residency requirements under MCL 552.9. At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Midland County specifically for at least 10 days before the divorce complaint is filed. If you just moved to Midland County or Michigan recently, you may need to wait before filing. The clerk's office will ask about residency at the time of filing.
Waiting periods are fixed by state law and the 42nd Circuit follows them. Cases without minor children wait at least 60 days from the filing date. Cases with minor children wait at least 180 days. The judge can shorten these periods for good cause in limited cases. Property is divided under MCL 552.19, which calls for an equitable division based on all the relevant facts. This means what the court considers fair, not a fixed percentage split.
Read full statute text at legislature.mi.gov. For free help, see Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org.
Legal Help for Midland County Residents
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free resource for anyone handling a divorce in Midland County without an attorney. It provides guided form preparation, plain-language explanations of Michigan law, and step-by-step instructions for each stage of the process. The site covers everything from filing the initial complaint to finalizing the judgment in the 42nd Circuit.
All SCAO-approved divorce forms are available at no cost at the Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov. These are the forms the Midland County Circuit Court requires. Download and complete them before your visit to the courthouse. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org provides a lawyer referral service for those who want legal representation. Legal aid organizations in the mid-Michigan area may assist qualifying low-income residents. Ask the clerk's office at 989-832-6735 for a list of local legal aid providers.
Cities in Midland County
Midland County has no cities above the qualifying population threshold for individual pages. Divorce cases from all Midland County communities are filed at the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in the city of Midland.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Midland County in the mid-Michigan region. Divorce jurisdiction depends on where one spouse lives, so confirm your county before filing.