Search Clare County Divorce Decree Records

Clare County divorce decree records are maintained by the County Clerk in Harrison, and this page explains how to find and obtain certified copies of Clare County divorce decree records through in-person visits, mail requests, or FOIA email submissions.

Where to Get Clare County Divorce Decree Records

The Clare County Clerk in Harrison holds all divorce decree records for the county. County Clerk Lori Mott and Chief Deputy Stacy Pechacek manage the office. The Clerk's office is at 225 W. Main St. in Harrison and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm, with a lunch closure from noon to 1:00pm. In-person visits and mail requests are both accepted. FOIA requests may be submitted to FOIA@clareco.net for applicable records.

Harrison is in central Michigan, roughly 40 miles north of Mount Pleasant and 30 miles south of Cadillac. The county is largely forested with many lakes and rivers. The courthouse in Harrison is the center of county government and the location for all circuit court records. Clare County is part of the 55th Circuit Court.

For in-person requests, arrive during office hours and bring valid government-issued photo ID. Have the full names of both parties and the year of the divorce ready. If you have the case number, bring it. The office is closed from noon to 1pm for lunch each day, so plan your visit accordingly. The staff at the Clerk's office can assist with locating records from the county's history going back to 1871.

The Clare County Clerk's office at clareco.net in Harrison handles all in-person and mail requests for certified copies of Clare County divorce decree records from the 55th Circuit Court.

Search Clare County Divorce Decree Records Online

The MiCOURT Case Search portal provides free online access to Clare County circuit court cases. Search by party names or a case number to find basic case information: filing date, case status, and party names. MiCOURT covers all Michigan circuit courts including the 55th Circuit for Clare County. Confirming a case number in MiCOURT before contacting the Clerk's office saves time and helps ensure your request is accurate.

MiCOURT is an index system. It does not show the full text of the divorce decree. For the complete signed judgment with all court-ordered terms, a certified copy request through the Clare County Clerk at clerk@clareco.net, by mail to the Harrison address, or in person at the office is required.

FOIA requests by email may be submitted to FOIA@clareco.net. The FOIA process is typically used for requests that go beyond a standard certified copy, such as requests for background information about case files. For a standard certified copy of a divorce decree, a regular written request to the Clerk's office is the most direct approach. State-level certificates from MDHHS Vital Records confirm a divorce occurred but do not include the decree's terms.

Fees for Certified Clare County Divorce Decree Copies

Fees for certified copies of Clare County divorce decree records are set by the 55th Circuit Court. Call the Clerk's office at (989) 539-7131 or email clerk@clareco.net to confirm the current fee before submitting your request. Standard Michigan circuit court fees run $10 to $15 for the first certified copy plus a per-page charge. Payment by check or money order payable to the Clare County Clerk is standard for mail requests. Cash and other payment forms may be accepted in person; confirm when you call.

For mail requests, write a clear request with the full names of both parties in the divorce, the year the divorce was finalized, the case number if you have it, your return mailing address, and a copy of your government-issued photo ID. Enclose your check or money order for the amount confirmed by the Clerk. Mail to P.O. Box 438, Harrison, MI 48625. Allow one to two weeks for processing and return delivery.

In-person requests at the Harrison courthouse are handled during regular office hours. Providing complete case information makes the search faster. The Clerk's office in Clare County handles a manageable volume of requests, and routine certified copy requests are often processed the same day. For older records from the early years of the county, allow additional time as older files may require more effort to locate.

Michigan Divorce Laws and Clare County Proceedings

Clare County divorce cases are handled by the 55th Circuit Court. Michigan's no-fault divorce law under MCL 552.6 is the foundation for all divorce proceedings. A divorce is granted when the court determines the marriage has broken down without a reasonable possibility of recovery. No one has to prove the other spouse did something wrong. This applies uniformly across all Michigan counties.

To file in Clare County, at least one spouse must satisfy the residency requirements under MCL 552.9: 180 days in Michigan and 10 days in Clare County before filing. After filing, mandatory waiting periods apply. Cases without minor children wait 60 days. Cases involving minor children require 180 days. The 55th Circuit Court judge cannot sign the final decree until the applicable waiting period has passed.

The final Clare County divorce decree addresses all court-ordered terms. Property division, debt allocation, and any spousal support under MCL 552.13 are included. Pension and retirement rights are addressed under MCL 552.18. The signed decree is filed with the Clare County Clerk and becomes the permanent binding legal record from that point forward.

What Clare County Divorce Decree Records Contain

A Clare County divorce decree is the 55th Circuit Court's complete final judgment in the case. It names both parties and states the date the judge signed the decree. Property is divided in detail: real estate, financial accounts, vehicles, and personal property. In rural central Michigan, this often includes cabins, boats, hunting land, and other recreational assets common in Clare County. Debts are allocated as well, making clear which party is responsible for outstanding financial obligations.

When minor children are involved, the decree includes all child-related orders. Custody designations, parenting time schedules, and child support amounts are set out. Health insurance and medical expense responsibilities are part of these terms. The Friend of the Court in Clare County handles enforcement. Modifications to custody or support require a new court order from the 55th Circuit Court.

The Clerk's full case file also includes the original complaint, financial disclosures, and any motions or orders from the case. Some financial documents in the file may have restricted access. The final judgment of divorce is a public record and can be inspected at the Clerk's office or obtained as a certified copy. It is a different document from the MDHHS divorce certificate, which only confirms the divorce event occurred without including any of the court's ordered terms.

Legal Help for Divorce in Clare County

Clare County residents who need help with a divorce case or who need to access an existing decree can use Michigan Legal Help for free. The site provides plain-language guides and forms for the entire divorce process. Post-decree modifications, support enforcement, and custody changes are all covered. Self-represented parties can use the interactive tools to identify which forms they need and how to complete them correctly without an attorney.

For income-eligible residents, legal aid programs serving central Michigan may be available. Michigan Legal Help has referral tools to help identify current providers. Private family law attorneys in Harrison, Mount Pleasant, and the broader central Michigan area handle 55th Circuit cases. The State Bar of Michigan's referral service can connect you with a licensed attorney nearby.

State divorce certificates from MDHHS are useful for administrative verification only. They do not contain the court's orders. The Clare County Clerk at 225 W. Main St. in Harrison is the only source for the complete signed judgment of divorce.

Michigan Legal Help provides free tools and guides for Clare County residents dealing with divorce or existing decree records, covering the full process from filing through post-decree modifications.

Nearby Counties

Clare County is in central Michigan, surrounded by counties that each hold separate divorce decree records at their own clerk's offices.