Search Oakland County Divorce Records
Oakland County divorce records are filed and maintained at the 6th Judicial Circuit Court Family Division in Pontiac. If you need to find a divorce case, request copies of a judgment, or confirm a filing date, the court clerk's office and online search tools can help you locate Oakland County divorce records going back many years.
Oakland County Overview
Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division
The 6th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce filings in Oakland County. The Family Division of this court covers divorce, custody, support orders, paternity, and personal protection orders. The court is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Department 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. Anyone who lives in Oakland County can file for divorce here, and all records from those cases are kept at this location. The court is one of the busier family courts in Michigan, given how large Oakland County is.
The Family Division operates under MCL 600.1021, which gives circuit courts authority over domestic relations cases statewide. In Oakland County, this means divorce, child custody, support, and related matters all go through the same division and are tracked in the same case management system. The court assigns case type codes of DM for divorce with minor children and DO for divorce without children.
The phone number for the circuit court clerk is (248) 858-0582. Filing hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Staff can answer questions about how to file, what forms are needed, and how to request copies of existing records. You can also visit the Oakland County Courts website at oaklandcountycourts.org for current fee schedules, forms, and general guidance on how the court operates.
The screenshot below shows the Oakland County Courts website, which lists court divisions, contact details, and links to online search tools.
The Oakland County Courts website at oaklandcountycourts.org is the main hub for learning about local procedures, finding court forms, and getting information about the Family Division.
| Court | 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413 Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Phone | (248) 858-0582 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | oaklandcountycourts.org |
Oakland County Divorce Records Online Search
Oakland County uses the Court Explorer system for public case lookup. You can access it at courtexplorer.oakgov.com. The system is free to use. Court Explorer supports both basic and advanced search options. You can search by name, case number, filing date, or case type. Results show the case number, filing date, current status, names of all parties, docket entries, and upcoming hearing dates. It is the most direct way to confirm whether an Oakland County divorce case exists and to gather the details you need before requesting copies.
When using Court Explorer, look for case types DM and DO. DM stands for divorce with minor children and DO stands for divorce without children. These codes help you filter results quickly if you are searching a common name. Advanced search lets you narrow by date range, which is useful when you know roughly when a divorce was filed but don't have the case number.
The screenshot below shows the Court Explorer case search interface for Oakland County divorce records.
The Court Explorer system lets you view docket entries and hearing information, but it does not let you download actual documents. To get certified copies or full case files, you need to contact the clerk's office directly or submit a records request.
Oakland County divorce cases also appear in the statewide MiCOURT case search. MiCOURT covers the 6th Circuit and draws from the same data as Court Explorer. If one system doesn't return a result, try the other before concluding a case does not exist. MiCOURT is useful when you're searching across multiple Michigan counties at once.
Note: Court Explorer and MiCOURT show case status and docket information only. Actual copies of divorce judgments or filings must be requested through the Oakland County clerk's office, not downloaded from either search portal.
How to Get Oakland County Divorce Records
In-person requests are the fastest way to get copies of Oakland County divorce records. Visit the clerk's office at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341 during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Give the clerk the names of the parties or the case number from Court Explorer. Staff can pull records and make copies the same day in most cases. Copy fees run $1 to $5 per page, and certified copies cost $5 to $10 per document. Bringing exact change or a check makes the process faster.
Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with the full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and the case number if you have it. Include a check or money order for the expected fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail to the circuit court clerk at the Pontiac address. Allow at least two weeks for mail requests to be processed and returned. If you're not sure of the fee, call (248) 858-0582 before sending your request so you don't have to wait for a rejection and resubmission.
Under MCR 8.119, most divorce court records in Michigan are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy. However, some documents can be sealed by the judge, particularly those involving minor children or sensitive financial information. If a document is sealed, the clerk will inform you and you cannot get a copy without a court order.
For historical Oakland County divorce records, the Genealogy Search tool at courts.oakgov.com/OakGnlg may be helpful. This portal is designed for older records including marriage and death documents. It can help you identify case numbers or confirm dates for records that are no longer in the main digital case system.
The Genealogy Search tool at courts.oakgov.com/OakGnlg covers older Oakland County records and is a good resource for anyone researching family history or trying to locate a divorce that was filed decades ago.
Oakland County Divorce eFiling
Oakland County accepts electronic filing through the MiFILE system. MiFILE is the statewide eFiling portal used by circuit courts across Michigan. You can access it at mifile.courts.michigan.gov. It is the standard way to file new divorce cases or submit documents in existing Oakland County cases without going to the courthouse in person. Self-represented parties can use MiFILE just as attorneys do.
When you file through MiFILE, the system assigns a transaction ID and sends a confirmation email. The clerk's office reviews the filing and officially accepts or rejects it, typically within one business day. If rejected, you will get a notice explaining why and can correct and resubmit. Filing fees are paid through MiFILE at the time of submission using a credit or debit card. Once the filing is accepted, it becomes part of the Oakland County case record and appears in Court Explorer.
The MiFILE eFiling portal allows parties and attorneys to file documents in Oakland County divorce cases electronically, avoiding a trip to the courthouse in Pontiac.
Note: MiFILE requires account registration before you can file, so create your account before the day you plan to submit Oakland County divorce documents.
Michigan Divorce Law in Oakland County
All Oakland County divorce cases follow Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan has been a no-fault divorce state since 1972. You do not have to prove the other party did anything wrong. The only legal basis needed is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable chance it can be saved. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing, and in Oakland County for at least 10 days, under MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods apply. If the case has no minor children, the court must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before entering a final judgment. If there are minor children, the wait is at least 180 days. A judge can shorten the waiting period for good cause in unusual situations. These waiting periods are part of state law and apply to all Oakland County cases the same way they do everywhere in Michigan.
Property division in Oakland County follows MCL 552.19, which calls for equitable distribution. That does not always mean a 50/50 split. The judge looks at what is fair given the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and other factors. Spousal support is handled under MCL 552.13, and the court has broad discretion to set, modify, or deny support based on the parties' circumstances.
Legal Help and Resources in Oakland County
If you need help understanding the divorce process or how to access Oakland County divorce records, several free resources are available. The Michigan Legal Help website walks you through the divorce process step by step, helps you fill out court forms, and provides guidance specific to your county. It covers Oakland County procedures and links directly to relevant court resources.
All SCAO-approved Michigan divorce forms are available for free download at courts.michigan.gov. These are the official forms accepted by Oakland County's 6th Circuit Family Division. The full text of Michigan divorce statutes is on the Michigan Legislature website. If you want to hire an attorney, the State Bar of Michigan has a referral service that can connect you with family law lawyers who practice in Oakland County.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also maintains a statewide vital records database. Certified divorce certificates, which are different from court copies of divorce judgments, can be requested from MDHHS Vital Records in Lansing. The cost is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy. MDHHS can be reached at (517) 335-8656.
Major Cities in Oakland County
Oakland County includes a number of large cities and townships. All divorce cases from these communities are filed with the 6th Judicial Circuit Family Division in Pontiac. Select a city for local resources and courthouse details.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Oakland County. Divorce cases must be filed in the county where the filing party lives. If you're not sure whether a case was filed in Oakland or a neighboring county, check the residency requirement under MCL 552.9 and search each county's online case portal.