Clinton Township Divorce Decree Records
Clinton Township divorce decree records are held at the Macomb County 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. Clinton Township is the most populous township in Macomb County, but like all townships and cities in Michigan, it does not keep divorce records at the local level. The township clerk handles township government records, not court records. For divorce decrees, you go to the county courthouse.
Clinton Township Overview
Where Clinton Township Divorce Records Are Kept
The Macomb County 16th Judicial Circuit Court at 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 handles all divorce filings for Clinton Township residents. The main court number is (586) 469-7171. The clerk's court section is (586) 469-5351. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Macomb County divorce records go back to 1857. The county clerk's office has maintained these records for generations, and most are searchable by name through their online case portal. If you need a record from before the current digital system, call the clerk's office before visiting to confirm what's accessible.
The Macomb County Clerk is at 40 N. Main St., Mount Clemens. General line is (586) 469-5120 and email is clerksoffice@macombgov.org. Vital records are at (586) 469-5205. Note that vital records certificates from the county clerk are short-form documents that confirm a divorce occurred. The actual divorce decree is a court record held separately by the circuit court's records section.
The Macomb County Circuit Court website has more information on accessing records, filing procedures, and court schedules.
Clinton Township Clerk: What They Handle
The Clinton Township Clerk's office is at 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038. Phone is (586) 286-9422 and email is webmaster@clintontownship-mi.gov. Township Clerk Kim Meltzer manages township records, elections, and voter registration. The township clerk does not have any role in divorce records.
There is also a local district court in Clinton Township. The 41B District Court is at 22380 Starks Drive, Clinton Township, MI 48036, phone (586) 469-9300. Like all district courts in Michigan, it handles local civil and criminal matters but has no jurisdiction over divorce. Divorce is a circuit court matter. The 41B District Court cannot issue divorce decrees or copies of them.
For Clinton Township divorce records, contact the Macomb County Circuit Court clerk directly. The township clerk's website at www.clintontownship-mi.gov is useful for township services, but divorce record access is not one of those services.
Clinton Township government handles local services. Divorce decree records for Clinton Township residents are maintained at the Macomb County 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.
Getting a Certified Copy of a Clinton Township Divorce Decree
Certified copies of divorce decrees from Macomb County cost $10.00 per document. Page copies are $1.00 each. If court staff must search for a case, there is a $10.00 search fee. Know the names of both parties and the approximate year to minimize search time and costs.
In Person: Go to the Macomb County Clerk's court section at 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens. Bring a photo ID. Have the parties' names and year of divorce ready. If you have the case number, bring it. Pay by check, money order, or cash.
By Mail: Send a written request letter with both parties' names, approximate year, your full name, return address, and phone number. Enclose a check or money order to Macomb County Clerk and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.
Online Case Search: Use the CourtView portal to look up case details before sending a copy request. Getting the case number first helps you avoid the search fee and speeds up the process.
Michigan Divorce Requirements for Clinton Township Residents
Michigan's no-fault divorce law is found in MCL 552.6. No grounds other than irretrievable breakdown of the marriage are needed to file for divorce. The 16th Circuit Court applies the same standard for all Macomb County residents, including those in Clinton Township.
Under MCL 552.9, you need 180 days in Michigan and 10 days in Macomb County before you can file there. Long-term Clinton Township residents easily meet both requirements. The 10-day county requirement is the shorter of the two and almost never an issue for established residents.
The waiting period after filing is 60 days for cases with no minor children. If minor children are involved, the wait is 180 days. The court enforces these waiting periods uniformly. The Friend of the Court office in Mount Clemens (phone: (586) 469-5160) handles child support and custody enforcement for post-decree matters involving children. Their office is at 10 North Main Street in Mount Clemens.
Online Search Tools
The CourtView Case Search on the Macomb County Circuit Court website lets you search for Clinton Township divorce cases by party name or case number. It shows case status and key dates. For a broader state-level search, try MiCOURT Case Search. Both are free.
Remember that online tools show case information but not the full text of the divorce decree. To get the actual document, you still need to contact the clerk's office and submit a copy request.
Legal Help in Macomb County
Free legal help is available through Michigan Legal Help for anyone going through a Michigan divorce. Lakeshore Legal Aid serves Macomb County residents on a sliding scale or free basis for those who qualify. Call (888) 783-8190. The Macomb County Bar Association can refer private attorneys. Call (586) 468-2940. The circuit court clerk's office can answer questions about the copy request process, though they cannot give legal advice.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are also in Macomb County and share access to 16th Circuit Court divorce records.
Macomb County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Macomb County, visit the county records page.