Find Houghton County Divorce Decree Records
Houghton County divorce decree records date back to 1853 and are held by the 12th Circuit Court in Houghton, which serves this Upper Peninsula county along with Baraga and Keweenaw counties, and this guide covers how to request certified copies in person or by mail and what fees apply.
Houghton County Overview
Where to Get Houghton County Divorce Decree Records
The 12th Circuit Court in Houghton handles divorce filings for Houghton County and maintains local divorce decree records. The county clerk office is at 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931. The Circuit Court has a separate phone line at 906-482-5420. Both offices are connected, but the Circuit Court line is the direct contact for court records requests.
| Address | 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931 |
|---|---|
| County Clerk Phone | 906-482-1150 |
| Circuit Court Phone | 906-482-5420 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm |
| Website | 12th Circuit Court |
The 12th Circuit Court in Houghton serves Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw counties, with Houghton County's divorce decree records held at the Houghton Avenue courthouse.
The 12th Circuit covers three counties: Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw. Judges travel between the counties, but each county keeps its own records locally. For a Houghton County divorce decree, the Houghton office is the correct source. Baraga and Keweenaw cases are held in those respective counties' clerk offices.
Walk-in requests are accepted during regular hours. Bring a photo ID and whatever case information you have. For mail requests, contact the office first to confirm current fees and the exact mailing address for the records division.
Note: The 12th Circuit covers three Upper Peninsula counties; for divorce decrees, contact the clerk's office in the specific county where the divorce was originally filed.
Online Search for Houghton County Divorce Cases
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search is the free statewide online tool for finding Houghton County divorce cases. Search by party name or case number to find basic case information, filing dates, and status. MiCOURT does not provide the full text of a divorce decree, but it is a good starting point for finding the case number before requesting a certified copy from the clerk.
The Houghton County website provides court contact information. For cases predating the county's computerized system, a direct request to the clerk's office is necessary. Given that records go back to 1853, a significant portion of the county's historical divorce records are in paper format and not searchable online. Staff can search those older records by party name and year.
Fees and How to Request Houghton County Divorce Decree Copies
Houghton County charges $10.00 for a certified copy of a divorce decree plus $1.00 for each additional page. Civil case filing fees are $175.00, and general copy charges are $1.00 per page. These fees apply for in-person and mail requests. Payment by check or money order is required for mail requests. Make the check payable to the Houghton County Clerk and do not send cash.
For mail requests, include both parties' full names, the year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps ensure copies are returned quickly. Send your request to 401 E. Houghton Ave., Houghton, MI 49931, or call 906-482-5420 to confirm the correct address for the records division. Allow one to two weeks for processing.
If you need only a statewide divorce certificate rather than the full decree, the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office handles those for events from 1897 onward. MDHHS certificates are summary documents only. The full court-issued judgment of divorce with all terms is available only from the Houghton County Circuit Court.
Michigan Divorce Laws in Houghton County
Houghton County divorces follow Michigan's no-fault standard under MCL 552.6. A judge grants a divorce when one party states the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of repair, without any requirement to prove fault. This applies throughout Michigan, including in Houghton County's 12th Circuit Court.
To file in Houghton County, residency requirements under MCL 552.9 must be met. At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Houghton County for at least 10 days before filing. After filing, a 60-day waiting period applies for cases with no minor children. Cases with minor children require a 180-day wait before the decree can be signed.
Property division, spousal support under MCL 552.13, and retirement or pension division under MCL 552.18 are all part of the final decree. The signed judgment is binding on both parties from the date the judge enters it. For any legal matter requiring proof of divorce terms, the decree is the document you need.
What Houghton County Divorce Decree Records Contain
A Houghton County divorce decree is the complete court judgment entered by the 12th Circuit Court. It names both parties and states the date the marriage was dissolved. All terms the judge ordered are in the decree, including property division, real estate transfers, debt allocation, and vehicle assignments. When children were involved, the decree covers custody type, parenting time, and child support amounts.
Spousal support, when ordered, is described in the decree with the payment amount, duration, and any conditions for modification. The case file at the clerk's office also contains the original complaint, interim orders, financial disclosures, and other documents from the proceeding. The majority of the file is a public record. Portions with Social Security numbers or sensitive details about children may be sealed under Michigan court privacy rules and are not available to the general public.
The MDHHS vital records office holds statewide divorce certificates, but the full Houghton County divorce decree with property and custody terms is only available from the 12th Circuit Court Clerk.
Legal Help for Divorce in Houghton County
Free legal resources are available for Houghton County residents dealing with divorce. Michigan Legal Help provides step-by-step guides on the Michigan divorce process, from filing through post-decree issues. The site covers property division, custody, support, and modification proceedings. It is free and available to anyone in Michigan, including those in Upper Peninsula counties.
Legal aid organizations serving Michigan's Upper Peninsula may assist Houghton County residents who cannot afford an attorney. Michigan Legal Help can direct you to local legal aid providers. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service is another resource for connecting with a licensed family law attorney who handles Houghton County cases.
Nearby Counties
Houghton County is in the western Upper Peninsula. Neighboring counties each have their own Circuit Court Clerk for local divorce decree records.