Wexford County Divorce Records Search
Wexford County divorce records are filed and kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Cadillac, Michigan. This north-central Michigan county handles all divorce and family law filings through its circuit court, and records are open to the public through the clerk's office in Cadillac, by mail, and through MiCOURT, the free statewide online case search system. This page covers how to find and request Wexford County divorce records and what Michigan law applies to cases filed here.
Wexford County Overview
Wexford County Circuit Court Clerk
Wexford County is served by the 28th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court Clerk at 437 E. Cass St. in Cadillac maintains all divorce records and handles records requests for the county. The clerk's office accepts new case filings, collects court fees, and provides public access to circuit court case files. If you need to locate a divorce case or get certified copies of court documents, the clerk in Cadillac is the right office to contact.
Cadillac serves as the county seat and is the home of the main courthouse in Wexford County. The courthouse is accessible from communities throughout the county. For cases that involve minor children, the Wexford County Friend of the Court is also housed at the courthouse and handles child custody enforcement, support collection, and parenting time for open cases.
Call the clerk at 231-779-9490 before visiting in person. Staff can confirm current hours, tell you what documents to bring, and advise on fees for records requests. For many standard questions, a phone call saves time.
| Court | 28th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 437 E. Cass St. Cadillac, MI 49601 |
| Phone | 231-779-9490 |
| County Seat | Cadillac |
Search Wexford County Divorce Records Online
Wexford County circuit court divorce cases are searchable through the free statewide MiCOURT case search. No account is needed. You can search by party name or case number to find cases in the 28th Circuit. Divorce cases appear as DM (with minor children) or DO (without children). MiCOURT shows the filing date, court assignment, register of actions, and hearing schedules. Documents are not available for download, but MiCOURT is a reliable tool for confirming a case and getting the case number before you contact the clerk.
The MiFILE eFiling system is available for Wexford County circuit court filings. Electronic filing allows parties to submit divorce documents online rather than driving to the Cadillac courthouse. This is a good option for residents in more remote parts of the county. Check MiFILE to confirm whether your specific type of filing qualifies for electronic submission before you try to submit.
The Michigan Legislature website gives Wexford County residents direct access to the divorce statutes that govern 28th Circuit Court cases, including the no-fault grounds, waiting periods, and property rules.
Note: MiCOURT shows case index information only. For certified copies of Wexford County divorce records, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 231-779-9490.
How to Get Wexford County Divorce Records
To request records in person, visit the Wexford County Circuit Court Clerk at 437 E. Cass St. in Cadillac. Bring a valid photo ID. Have the names of both parties and the approximate year the divorce was finalized ready. If you have the case number, bring it. Staff can search by name and pull the file. Plain and certified copies are both available. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and signature and are required when you need to prove a divorce for official purposes like a name change or marriage license.
Mail requests go to Wexford County Circuit Court Clerk, 437 E. Cass St., Cadillac, MI 49601. Your written request should include both parties' names, the divorce year or case number, and a clear statement of what you need. Indicate whether you need plain or certified copies. Include payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call 231-779-9490 before mailing to confirm current fees. Mail processing typically takes one to two weeks.
Wexford County divorce records are public court records and available to anyone. In cases where a file contains sealed documents, the clerk will inform you before you make a formal request. This is not common for most divorce case files.
For a state-level certified divorce certificate rather than a court file copy, contact MDHHS Vital Records. MDHHS holds Michigan divorce records back to 1897. A certified copy is $34. Additional copies at the same time are $16. The MDHHS certificate is a vital record, separate from the court file, and is used for purposes like out-of-state remarriage, benefit claims, and pension applications.
Michigan Divorce Law and the 28th Circuit
All Wexford County divorce cases are governed by Michigan state law. Michigan is a no-fault state under MCL 552.6. You do not have to prove your spouse was at fault to get a divorce. The only legal standard is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. To file in Wexford County, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Wexford County for at least 10 days before filing, per MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods apply in every Wexford County case. For divorces without minor children, the court must wait at least 60 days from the date of filing before entering a final judgment. For cases with minor children, the minimum waiting period is 180 days. The 28th Circuit Court judge can reduce the waiting period in limited circumstances, but it is not a typical outcome. The divorce is not final until the judge signs the judgment of divorce.
Property division in Wexford County follows equitable distribution under MCL 552.19. The court divides marital assets fairly given the facts of the case. This does not always mean an equal split. Spousal support is governed by MCL 552.13, and the 28th Circuit judge has wide discretion to award, modify, or end support based on the financial circumstances of both parties.
Michigan divorce statutes are at legislature.mi.gov. For free plain-language help with the Wexford County divorce process, visit Michigan Legal Help.
Legal Help for Wexford County Divorce
Michigan Legal Help provides free guidance for Wexford County residents who are filing for divorce or trying to access court records on their own. The site offers guided form interviews, step-by-step process descriptions, and plain explanations of how the 28th Circuit Court handles family cases. It is designed for self-represented parties and covers the full range of divorce issues.
SCAO-approved divorce forms accepted in Wexford County are free to download at the Michigan Courts website. The State Bar of Michigan's referral service can connect you with a licensed family law attorney who covers north-central Michigan. Some attorneys in this region handle multiple counties and may offer remote consultations for Wexford County residents. Legal aid programs in northern Michigan may also be available depending on your income. Check Michigan Legal Help for current referral options.
Cities in Wexford County
Wexford County includes Cadillac and several smaller communities. None of the cities in Wexford County currently meet the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated city page. All divorce cases filed by Wexford County residents are handled through the 28th Circuit Court Clerk in Cadillac.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are near Wexford County. If you live close to a county line, confirm your residential county before filing to make sure your case is in the right court.