Keweenaw County Divorce Decree Records
Keweenaw County divorce decree records are held by the 12th Circuit Court Clerk in Eagle River, and this page covers how to search those records, request certified copies by mail or in person, and understand the processes for obtaining divorce documents from this small Upper Peninsula county.
Keweenaw County Overview
Where to Get Keweenaw County Divorce Decree Records
The 12th Circuit Court handles divorce, paternity, family support, and custody cases for Keweenaw County. The courthouse is located at 5095 Fourth Street, Eagle River, MI 49950. You can reach the clerk's office by phone at 906-337-2229 or by fax at 906-337-2253. You can also send an email to clerk@keweenawcountymi.gov. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The 12th Circuit Court is a shared court, covering Keweenaw County along with Baraga and Houghton counties. The Honorable Brittany A. Bulleit serves as circuit judge. The county clerk, Julie Carlson, manages day-to-day records operations. The 97th District Court also holds sessions at the same courthouse, so be sure you specify that you need circuit court divorce records when you call or write.
To request a Keweenaw County divorce decree, contact the clerk's office by phone or email first to confirm the fee, identify the case, and get instructions for submitting payment. Both in-person and mail requests are accepted. Call ahead to confirm current fees and turnaround times before sending a mail request.
| Office | 12th Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 5095 Fourth Street, Eagle River, MI 49950 |
| Phone | 906-337-2229 |
| Fax | 906-337-2253 |
| clerk@keweenawcountymi.gov | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM |
| Circuit Judge | Hon. Brittany A. Bulleit |
Searching Keweenaw County Divorce Decree Records Online
The image below shows the 12th Circuit Court page on the Keweenaw County website, which lists court contacts and services available to residents.
Keweenaw County is a small rural county in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Local online search tools are limited. The best statewide option is the MiCOURT Case Search system maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court. This tool covers circuit court filings across Michigan, including Keweenaw County. You can search by party name or case number to find basic case index information.
For more detail on a specific case, or to get a certified copy of the actual decree, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly. MiCOURT shows case index data only and does not let you download the full document.
The county website at keweenawcountyonline.org also provides contact information and department listings. The image below shows the main site where you can find links to the circuit court and other county offices.
Fees and How to Request Copies in Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County uses a standard Michigan fee schedule for court records. Filing fees for civil cases run $175.00. Jury demands are $85.00. Motion fees are $20.00. Criminal name searches are $10.00 per name. For certified copies of divorce decrees, call the clerk's office to confirm the current fee before submitting your request, as fees can vary by case type and document length.
When you request by mail, include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and any case number you have. Make your check or money order payable to the Keweenaw County Clerk. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return the documents to you promptly.
In-person requests can be handled at the courthouse during regular office hours. Staff can help you identify the right case if you have partial information. Bring valid identification when you visit.
Michigan Divorce Law and Keweenaw County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, a spouse does not need to show fault or wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. The only legal basis needed is that the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable chance of saving it.
To file for divorce in Keweenaw County, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Keweenaw County for at least 10 days before filing. This residency requirement comes from MCL 552.9. Given the very small population of Keweenaw County, most divorce filings here involve long-time county residents.
The waiting period is 60 days for cases without minor children and 180 days for cases that involve children. Once the judge signs the final decree, it becomes the governing court order for property division, custody, support, and all other terms the court has ruled on. That signed decree is the document you can request certified copies of from the clerk's office.
Property and debt division in Michigan follows equitable distribution principles. This does not mean a strict 50-50 split. The court divides marital assets and debts in a way it finds fair based on all the circumstances of the case.
What Keweenaw County Divorce Decree Records Contain
A divorce decree from the 12th Circuit Court in Keweenaw County is the final court order that legally ends the marriage. It is a court document, distinct from a divorce certificate. The certificate is a vital record issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. These two documents serve different purposes.
The decree itself typically lists the names of both parties, the filing date, the case number, the date the judge signed the order, and all the terms of the divorce. Those terms can include how marital property is divided, how debts are handled, whether spousal support is ordered, and if children are involved, custody arrangements, parenting time, and child support amounts. The decree may also address insurance, pensions, and other financial matters specific to the case.
Most divorce decrees in Keweenaw County are public records. Certain portions may be restricted if they contain sensitive information about minor children or involve domestic violence protections. Ask the clerk before submitting your request if you are unsure whether a specific record is publicly accessible.
If you need a divorce certificate rather than the court decree, contact the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office. The MDHHS issues certificates for divorces finalized from 1897 onward.
Legal Help for Divorce in Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County is remote and has limited local legal services. The clerk's office at the 12th Circuit Court can provide forms and basic procedural guidance, but staff cannot give legal advice. That rule applies statewide under Michigan court rules.
Michigan Legal Help is a free online resource that helps residents understand the divorce process and complete required forms. It works for people in all Michigan counties including Keweenaw. The guided interview tools walk you through each step and help you prepare the paperwork you need.
For more direct help, legal aid organizations serve Michigan's Upper Peninsula. You may need to contact the nearest regional legal aid office, which likely covers Houghton or Marquette. Call the 12th Circuit Court clerk to ask about current legal aid resources and whether the courthouse has self-help materials available.
Cities in Keweenaw County
Keweenaw County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. The county seat is Eagle River.
Nearby Counties
Keweenaw County shares its circuit court with Houghton County. You can find divorce decree information for that county here: