Lansing Divorce Decree Search
Lansing divorce decree records are held by the Ingham County 30th Judicial Circuit Court. Most of Lansing falls within Ingham County, and that is where most residents file for divorce. The Lansing City Clerk does not maintain divorce records. This guide explains the two courthouse locations that serve Lansing, how to get certified copies of divorce decrees, what the fees are, and how to search cases online.
Lansing Overview
Ingham County 30th Circuit Court: Two Locations
The 30th Judicial Circuit Court serves Lansing and all of Ingham County. There are two courthouse locations that handle circuit court matters. The Lansing location is at Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 W Kalamazoo St, 1st Floor, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone is (517) 483-6500, fax is (517) 483-6401. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For mail, use P.O. Box 40771, Lansing, MI 48901.
The second location is the Ingham County Courthouse in Mason, which is the county seat. That address is 315 S Jefferson, 3rd Floor, Mason, MI 48854, P.O. Box 196. Records can be accessed at either location, though complex searches may involve one location over the other depending on when the case was filed. Call the Lansing location first to confirm where your specific records are held.
The Ingham County Clerk's main office is at 315 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854. Phone is (517) 676-7201 and email is clerk@ingham.org. Clerk Barb Byrum heads the office. You can reach the Circuit Court Clerk online for more detail on procedures and forms.
Divorce records in Ingham County go back to 1839. The Ingham County Courts website and its Court Record Search tool let you look up cases before visiting in person.
Lansing Spans Three Counties: Which Court Applies?
Lansing is one of the few Michigan cities that spans more than one county. Most of Lansing is in Ingham County. A portion extends into Eaton County, and a small area overlaps with Clinton County. If you live in the Ingham County portion of Lansing, which covers the large majority of the city, you file at the 30th Circuit Court.
If you live in the part of Lansing that falls within Eaton County, your divorce goes to the Eaton County Circuit Court in Charlotte, not in Lansing or Mason. If you are unsure which county your Lansing address falls in, check with the county assessor or call the circuit court clerk before filing.
For most Lansing residents, the 30th Circuit Court in the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W Kalamazoo is the right place.
Lansing City Clerk: Does Not Hold Divorce Records
The Lansing City Clerk is at 124 W. Michigan Avenue, 9th Floor, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone is (517) 483-4130. The city clerk handles elections, city licensing, and some municipal records. They do not maintain divorce records. Divorce records are court records. They belong to the circuit court that issued them, not to the city.
If you contact Lansing City Hall looking for a divorce decree, they will direct you to the 30th Circuit Court. The Lansing City Clerk's website is clear about what records they hold, and divorce decrees are not among them. Certified copies of embossed divorce decrees must come from the circuit court clerk.
The Lansing City Clerk handles local government records. Divorce decree records for Lansing residents are held by the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court, not at City Hall.
How to Get a Certified Copy in Lansing
Contact the 30th Circuit Court clerk's office to get a certified copy of a Lansing divorce decree. Certified copies require an embossed seal from the court. Call (517) 483-6500 to ask about current fees and how to submit a request. Fees can change, so confirm amounts before sending payment by mail.
In Person: Visit the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W Kalamazoo St, 1st Floor, Lansing. Bring photo ID, the names of both parties, and the approximate year of the divorce. If you have a case number, bring that too. Court staff can search by name, but a case number speeds things up considerably.
By Mail: Mail a written request to P.O. Box 40771, Lansing, MI 48901. Include both parties' names, the year of divorce, your return address, and a check or money order for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing times vary.
Online Search: Use the Ingham County Court Record Search to find case details before submitting a request. This lets you confirm the case number and year, which saves time.
The Ingham County Courts Record Search lets you look up Lansing divorce cases online by name or case number before requesting certified copies.
Michigan Divorce Law for Ingham County Residents
Michigan follows a no-fault divorce standard under MCL 552.6. You do not need to prove wrongdoing to file. The only claim you make is that the marriage has broken down without reasonable chance of saving it. The 30th Circuit Court applies this same standard.
Residency under MCL 552.9 requires 180 days in Michigan and 10 days in the county. Lansing residents who have been in Ingham County for 10 days or more qualify. Newer Michigan residents must wait to reach the 180-day mark before they can file here.
The waiting period is 60 days for cases with no minor children. Cases involving minor children require a full 180 days from the date of filing. The Friend of the Court assists with post-decree child support and custody issues. Their Ingham County phone is (517) 483-6103. Divorce decrees that include child support orders will involve the Friend of the Court in enforcement going forward.
Legal Help for Lansing Residents
Free resources include Michigan Legal Help for forms and step-by-step divorce guides. The Capital Area Legal Services provides free legal help for qualifying residents. Call (517) 485-7111 to ask about eligibility. The Ingham County Bar Association can refer you to private attorneys. For self-represented parties, the 30th Circuit Court has self-help materials available at the clerk's counter.
If you only need to understand the divorce decree records process (not the divorce itself), call the clerk's office directly at (517) 483-6500. They can walk you through what documentation you need to request copies.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities have divorce records at their respective county circuit courts.
Ingham County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Ingham County, visit the county records page.