Gogebic County Divorce Decree
Gogebic County divorce decree records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk in Bessemer and date back to 1887, and this guide explains how to request certified copies in person or by mail from this western Upper Peninsula county court office.
Gogebic County Overview
Where to Get Gogebic County Divorce Decree Records
The Gogebic County Clerk in Bessemer is the official keeper of local divorce decree records. The office is at 200 N. Moore Street, Bessemer, MI 49911. Both in-person visits and mail requests are accepted. The county seat of Bessemer is in the far western Upper Peninsula, near the Wisconsin border. If you are not local, a mail request is the most practical option.
| Address | 200 N. Moore Street, Bessemer, MI 49911 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (906) 663-4518 |
| Methods | In-person, mail |
| Website | gogebic.gov |
When visiting in person, bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have, such as the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce. Staff can search by name and approximate date if you don't have a case number. For records from 1887 through the early 1900s, allow extra time for the search, as those records are paper-based and may require more effort to locate.
For mail requests, write a letter with both parties' full names, the divorce year, and the case number if known. Send a check or money order for the applicable fee. Contact the clerk's office at (906) 663-4518 to confirm the current fee before mailing payment. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your copies.
Note: Gogebic County fees for divorce records should be confirmed by phone before mailing any payment, as the clerk's office is the authoritative source for current fee amounts.
Searching Gogebic County Divorce Decree Cases Online
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search is the main online tool for locating Gogebic County divorce cases. The system is free and searchable by party name, case number, or date range. MiCOURT returns basic case data including filing dates, case status, and party names. It does not provide the full text of a decree, but it gives you the case number you need to request a certified copy from the Bessemer office.
The Gogebic County website at gogebic.gov has contact information for county departments. For online case lookup, MiCOURT is the primary public tool. Older records from before the county's computerized records system may not appear in MiCOURT at all, and those must be searched manually by clerk staff in Bessemer.
MiCOURT Case Search is the free online tool for finding Gogebic County divorce case numbers before requesting a certified copy from the clerk's office in Bessemer.
Fees and How to Request Gogebic County Divorce Decree Copies
The Gogebic County Clerk charges fees for certified copies of divorce decree records. Call (906) 663-4518 to get current fee amounts before submitting your request. The county notes that fees for birth, death, and marriage records are $10.00 per copy. Divorce record fees may differ, so confirming the correct amount is important before sending payment.
Mail requests go to 200 N. Moore Street, Bessemer, MI 49911. Include a written request with both parties' full names, the year of the divorce, the case number if you have it, and a check or money order for the fee. Make the check out to the Gogebic County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time is typically one to two weeks after the clerk receives your request.
For a statewide divorce certificate, rather than the full court decree, the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office handles those requests for events from 1897 onward. That document confirms a divorce occurred but does not include the terms of the decree. For the full judgment with property division and any other court orders, the Gogebic County Clerk is your source.
Michigan Divorce Laws in Gogebic County
Gogebic County divorces proceed under Michigan's no-fault statute, MCL 552.6. The law allows a judge to grant a divorce when one spouse states the marriage has broken down with no chance of recovery. No showing of fault is required. This applies throughout Michigan, including in Gogebic County's 32nd Circuit Court.
To file in Gogebic County, at least one spouse must satisfy the residency requirements of MCL 552.9. That means living in Michigan for 180 days and in Gogebic County for at least 10 days before the complaint is filed. After filing, a 60-day waiting period applies for cases with no minor children. Cases with minor children require a 180-day wait before a judge can sign the final decree.
The signed judgment of divorce is the complete court order. It addresses property division, spousal support under MCL 552.13, and any retirement or pension division under MCL 552.18. The decree is what both parties must follow after the divorce is final, and it is the document you need if you are trying to change a name, refinance property, or address any legal matter that requires proof of divorce terms.
What a Gogebic County Divorce Decree Contains
A Gogebic County divorce decree is the full judgment from the Circuit Court judge. It identifies both parties, states the date the divorce was granted, and lays out all ordered terms. Property that was distributed, real estate transfers, debt division, and vehicle assignments are all addressed. For cases with minor children, custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and child support are all specified in the decree.
If spousal support was ordered, the decree describes the payment amount, how long it lasts, and the conditions under which it would end or change. The case file held by the Clerk contains the original complaint and other documents from the proceeding. Most of the file is public record. Certain documents with sensitive financial data or information about minor children may be restricted under court privacy rules and are not available to the general public.
Legal Help for Divorce in Gogebic County
People handling divorce cases in Gogebic County can find free legal guidance at Michigan Legal Help. The site explains each step of the Michigan divorce process in plain language and covers topics from initial filing through post-decree issues. It is free to use and available to all Michigan residents, including those in remote Upper Peninsula counties.
Legal aid organizations serve the Upper Peninsula and may assist Gogebic County residents who cannot afford a lawyer. Michigan Legal Help's website can help you find the nearest legal aid provider. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service also connects residents with licensed family law attorneys who handle cases in the western Upper Peninsula.
For vital records like a statewide divorce certificate, VitalChek is an authorized service for ordering MDHHS certificates online. Keep in mind that MDHHS certificates and VitalChek are for verification documents only. The full court decree is a different document and can only come from the Gogebic County Circuit Court Clerk in Bessemer.
Nearby Counties
Gogebic County is in the western Upper Peninsula. Its neighbors each maintain their own divorce decree records through their Circuit Court Clerks.