Search Monroe County Divorce Records

Monroe County divorce records are held at the Monroe County Clerk's Office at 106 E. First Street in Monroe, Michigan. The county has records from 1945 to the present, and cases can also be looked up online through the statewide MiCOURT portal. This page explains how to request records, what the clerk's office requires, and what Michigan law says about residency, waiting periods, and property division for cases filed in Monroe County.

Monroe County Clerk's Office

The Monroe County Clerk's Office is located at 106 E. First Street, Monroe, MI 48161. The main phone number is 734-240-7300. The clerk's office maintains divorce records from 1945 to the present. This covers decades of divorce filings in Monroe County Circuit Court, including divorce petitions, judgments of divorce, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and related documents. If you need a record from this period, the clerk is your primary contact. The county website is at monroecounty.gov.

Monroe County is located in southeast Michigan along the Ohio border. It is bordered by Wayne County to the north and Washtenaw and Lenawee counties to the west. All divorce cases in Monroe County go through the Monroe County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court's Family Division handles divorce filings, custody, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders. The clerk's office works in the same building and handles records requests for case files and vital records.

For records older than what the county clerk holds, or for records before 1945, contact the Michigan State Archives at 517-335-2576. The State Archives may have older documents related to historical divorces in Monroe County that are not available at the local level. For any divorce between 1945 and the present, the Monroe County Clerk's Office is the right place to start.

Online Search for Monroe County Cases

Monroe County Circuit Court cases are searchable through the statewide MiCOURT case search portal. MiCOURT is free and open to the public. You can search by party name or case number. Results show the case type, party names, and the register of actions. Divorce cases are coded as DM (with minor children) or DO (without children). MiCOURT does not let you download the actual documents, but it helps you confirm whether a case exists in Monroe County and gives you the case number to use when you request copies from the clerk.

Electronic filings for Monroe County Circuit Court cases are submitted through the MiFILE system. MiFILE is the statewide eFiling portal used by self-represented parties and attorneys alike. If you are filing a new divorce in Monroe County or submitting documents in an active case, MiFILE lets you do that without a courthouse visit. All SCAO-approved forms needed for a Monroe County divorce are available at no cost at the Michigan Courts website.

How to Get Monroe County Divorce Records

In person is the most direct way to get Monroe County divorce records. Visit the clerk's office at 106 E. First Street, Monroe, MI 48161, during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Provide both parties' names and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. The case number, if you have it, will speed things up. Staff will locate the record and process your copy request on the spot for most cases. Copy fees apply at the time of your visit.

For mail requests, write to Monroe County Clerk's Office, 106 E. First Street, Monroe, MI 48161. Include both parties' full legal names, the approximate divorce date or year, the case number if known, a legible copy of your government-issued ID, and your payment. Call 734-240-7300 ahead of sending to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods. A self-addressed stamped envelope is recommended for faster return of your documents. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so plan accordingly if you need the records by a specific date.

MDHHS Vital Records provides certified divorce certificates for divorces that occurred in Michigan. The fee is $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record. MDHHS requests can be placed online at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. The MDHHS certificate is a summary-level document. For the full case file including all filings and the judgment of divorce, contact the Monroe County Clerk directly.

Michigan Divorce Law and Monroe County

Every divorce in Monroe County follows Michigan state law. Michigan is a no-fault state under MCL 552.6. This means you don't need to prove fault to get a divorce. The only legal ground is that the marriage has broken down and cannot be saved. Either party can file. The Monroe County Circuit Court handles the case from filing to final judgment without considering which spouse was at fault in most situations.

Residency requirements are governed by MCL 552.9. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Monroe County for at least 10 days before the divorce is filed. Monroe County's location near the Ohio state line means some residents may need to confirm they meet the Michigan residency requirement before filing. If you recently moved to Monroe County from Ohio, check the 180-day Michigan requirement carefully before filing here.

Waiting periods apply in Monroe County the same way as everywhere in Michigan. Cases without minor children must wait a minimum of 60 days from the filing date before a final judgment can be entered. Cases with minor children have a 180-day minimum waiting period. The Circuit Court judge can shorten the waiting period for good cause, but that is not routine, especially in cases involving children. During the waiting period, the court can issue temporary orders for custody, child support, and housing.

Under MCL 552.19, marital property is divided by equitable distribution. The Monroe County Circuit Court judge divides assets fairly, taking into account the circumstances of the marriage. Spousal support, if requested, is decided under MCL 552.13, which gives the court discretion to order, change, or end support based on the financial needs of both parties. All Michigan statutes are at legislature.mi.gov.

Help for Monroe County Divorce Cases

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free guides and court forms for Monroe County divorce cases. The site walks you through the process step by step and generates court-ready forms based on your specific situation. It covers Monroe County procedures and the relevant circuit court. If you are handling your case without an attorney, this site is an important resource for understanding what to file and when.

The Michigan Courts website has free SCAO-approved divorce forms accepted in Monroe County. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org offers a lawyer referral service connecting you with family law attorneys in the Monroe area. Legal aid organizations serve Monroe County residents who qualify based on income. If you have questions about a specific document in your case or need help understanding a court order, these resources are good places to start before contacting the clerk's office.

Communities in Monroe County

Monroe County does not have any cities that meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. The county seat is the city of Monroe. Other communities include Bedford Township, Monroe Township, Frenchtown Township, and the city of Dundee. All divorce cases filed by residents of these areas go through the Monroe County Circuit Court at 106 E. First Street in Monroe.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monroe County. Monroe County is on Michigan's southeast border, adjacent to Ohio. For divorce records from neighboring jurisdictions, use the links below to find the right county clerk's office.