Access Macomb County Divorce Decree Records
Macomb County divorce decree records are maintained by the 16th Circuit Court and County Clerk in Mount Clemens, and this page explains how to search case records online through CourtView, request certified copies in person or by mail, understand fees, and find legal help for divorce matters in one of Michigan's most populous counties.
Macomb County Overview
Where to Get Macomb County Divorce Decree Records
The Macomb County Clerk is the primary office for divorce decree records. The clerk's office is located at 32 Market Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Phone: (586) 469-5120. County Clerk Anthony G. Forlini oversees the office. The Clerk's Court Section can be reached at (586) 469-5351 and the Vital Records line is (586) 469-5205. Email requests can be sent to clerksoffice@macombgov.org.
The 16th Circuit Court is located at 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Phone: (586) 469-7171. Both buildings are in downtown Mount Clemens. The Friend of the Court office, which handles ongoing custody and support enforcement matters, is at 10 North Main Street, phone (586) 469-5160.
Macomb County offers several ways to request records. You can visit in person at either office. Mail requests go to the clerk's office at 32 Market Street. A Virtual Clerk's Office is also available for certain types of requests. The CourtView Public Access system allows online searching of case records before you submit a formal request.
The image below shows the Macomb County Clerk page, which provides contact information and links to records request options.
| County Clerk | 32 Market Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Phone | (586) 469-5120 |
| Court Section | (586) 469-5351 |
| Vital Records | (586) 469-5205 |
| clerksoffice@macombgov.org | |
| Circuit Court | 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Search Fee | $10.00 |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certified Copy | $10.00 per document |
Searching Macomb County Divorce Decree Records Online
Macomb County offers CourtView Public Access for online case searching. CourtView lets you search divorce and family court cases by party name or case number and review basic case information before submitting a formal records request. This is the most efficient way to locate a Macomb County divorce decree case before contacting the clerk's office.
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search also covers Macomb County circuit court cases. MiCOURT is maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court and provides public access to case index data across all Michigan circuits, including the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County.
Both CourtView and MiCOURT provide index-level information only. They do not let you download the full decree. Once you identify a case number through either system, contact the Macomb County Clerk to request a certified copy of the actual document.
Macomb County divorce records go back to approximately the 1820s when the county was organized. Electronic records extend back several decades, but very old records may require additional time to retrieve from physical archives. The clerk's office can confirm the availability of specific older records.
Fees for Macomb County Divorce Decree Copies
A name search at the Macomb County Clerk costs $10.00. Copies of records are $1.00 per page. Certified copies of documents are $10.00 per document. These fees apply whether you request in person, by mail, or through the Virtual Clerk's Office.
For mail requests, make your check or money order payable to the Macomb County Clerk. Do not send cash. Include the full names of both parties, the case number if available, the year the divorce was finalized, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests to 32 Market Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.
The Virtual Clerk's Office provides an online option for certain records requests. Check the Macomb County website for current instructions on using the virtual service. Some requests may require in-person pickup even if started online.
Note: Search fee is $10.00. Copies are $1.00 per page. Certified documents are $10.00 each. Contact (586) 469-5351 to confirm current fees before submitting a mail request.
Michigan Divorce Law and the 16th Circuit Court
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, no party has to prove fault or misconduct to obtain a divorce. The legal basis is a breakdown in the marriage with no reasonable likelihood of restoration. Macomb County divorces are filed at the 16th Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 require at least one spouse to have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Macomb County for at least 10 days before filing. Cases without minor children require a minimum 60-day wait after filing. Cases with children require at least 180 days before the court can enter a final decree.
The Friend of the Court office in Macomb County plays an important role in divorce cases involving children. Located at 10 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, the Friend of the Court handles custody investigations, parenting time enforcement, and support calculations. If your divorce involves children, you may need to interact with this office as part of the process.
Property division in Macomb County follows Michigan's equitable distribution principles. The court divides marital assets and debts in a fair manner based on relevant factors. Under MCL 552.18, property acquired during the marriage is generally considered marital property. The final decree is the court order that sets out exactly how everything is divided.
What Macomb County Divorce Decrees Contain
A Macomb County divorce decree is the final signed court order that ends a marriage. It is filed with the 16th Circuit Court Clerk and is a court document, not a vital record. A divorce certificate, issued separately by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is a different document used for different administrative purposes.
Macomb County divorce decrees typically include the names of both parties, the case number, the dates of filing and final judgment, and all the terms the court ordered. Those terms cover how marital property and debts are divided, whether spousal support is ordered, and when children are involved, legal and physical custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and child support amounts. Many Macomb County divorce decrees also address pensions, retirement accounts, real estate transfers, and health insurance obligations.
Most Macomb County divorce decrees are public court records. Some content may be restricted in cases involving domestic violence or sensitive details about minor children. The clerk's office can advise on access limitations before you submit a request.
Legal Help for Divorce in Macomb County
The 16th Circuit Court and Macomb County Clerk provide forms and procedural information. Clerks cannot give legal advice. That rule applies statewide.
Michigan Legal Help is free online and provides step-by-step guides and form tools for people going through divorce in Macomb County. It is a good resource whether you are handling a simple uncontested case or need help understanding a more complicated situation.
Legal aid organizations serving Macomb County may be able to assist qualifying low-income residents. Contact the 16th Circuit Court or check Michigan Legal Help for current referral information. For vital records such as a divorce certificate, use the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office or VitalChek for an online ordering option.
Cities in Macomb County
The following Macomb County cities have dedicated divorce decree records pages:
Nearby Counties
Counties near Macomb with divorce decree record pages include: