Access Sanilac County Divorce Decree Records
Sanilac County divorce decree records are filed through the 24th Circuit Court and managed by the County Clerk at the Sandusky courthouse. Located in Michigan's Thumb region, the office maintains divorce and court records going back to 1854. The County Clerk is also the Clerk of the 24th Circuit Court, including the Family Division. Records can be requested in person during regular hours, or by mail for those who cannot visit. Genealogy research access is available on Wednesdays only with limited hours.
Sanilac County Overview
Sanilac County Clerk and 24th Circuit Court
The County Clerk's office is located in Room 203 of the courthouse at 60 W. Sanilac Avenue in Sandusky. The Clerk manages all 24th Circuit Court records, including the Family Division, which handles all divorce cases in Sanilac County. You can request records by visiting during business hours or by mail. Circuit Court Administrator Amy Grifka handles administrative matters and can be reached at extension 8357.
| Office | Sanilac County Clerk / 24th Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 60 W. Sanilac Ave., Room 203, Sandusky, MI 48471 |
| Phone (Clerk) | (810) 648-3212 |
| Phone (Circuit) | (810) 648-2120 |
| Fax | (810) 648-5466 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Genealogy Research | Wednesdays only, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
| Website | sanilaccounty.gov |
A note on genealogy research: access is limited to Wednesdays only, and reservations are recommended. This applies to historical record searches for older divorce and court cases. For standard copy requests, the regular business hours apply. Birth records in Sanilac County are not public, so those are not available through the clerk. Divorce and court records go back to 1854, marriage records from 1849, and birth and death records from 1860.
Michigan MDHHS Vital Records handles state-level divorce certificates, which are different documents from the court decree.
The MDHHS vital records program handles divorce certificates at the state level, separate from the divorce decree records held at the Sanilac County Clerk's office in Sandusky.
Searching Sanilac Cases Online
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search tool covers 24th Circuit Court cases. You can search by party name or case number. MiCOURT is free and available any time, and it's a good way to confirm a case exists and get the case number before contacting the Clerk's office for a copy.
MiCOURT shows basic case data: party names, filing date, case status. It does not give you the actual divorce decree document. For a certified copy, you need to contact the Clerk at (810) 648-3212 or visit Room 203 at the Sandusky courthouse. Older records from the 1800s may require a manual search and the Wednesday genealogy research window.
Michigan Divorce Law in Sanilac County
Michigan allows no-fault divorce under MCL 552.6. You don't need to prove your spouse did anything wrong. You simply state the marriage has broken down with no hope of recovery. That is the only legal ground required in the 24th Circuit Court in Sanilac County, as in every Michigan court.
To file in Sanilac County, residency rules under MCL 552.9 must be satisfied. At least one spouse needs to have lived in Michigan for 180 days. That same spouse, or the other spouse, must also have lived in Sanilac County for at least 10 days before the complaint is filed. If you haven't been in the county that long yet, you'll need to wait.
After filing, mandatory waiting periods apply. Cases without minor children require a minimum 60-day wait from the filing date before the judge can enter the final decree. Cases with minor children require 180 days. These periods are set by Michigan law. The Family Division of the 24th Circuit Court handles all domestic relations matters in Sanilac County, including divorce, custody, and support. The divorce decree becomes a public court record once filed by the Clerk.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
People often ask for one when they need the other. They are not the same.
The divorce decree is the full court order from the 24th Circuit Court judge. It covers everything the court decided: property, debts, children, support. This is the document you need for legal purposes such as refinancing a mortgage, dividing a retirement account, or proving specific custody terms. Get it from the County Clerk in Sandusky.
The divorce certificate is a state vital record maintained by MDHHS Vital Records. It is a short document that confirms a divorce took place, listing the parties and the date. It works for basic purposes like applying for a new marriage license. Online ordering is available through VitalChek.
What Is in a Sanilac County Divorce Decree
The final divorce decree from the 24th Circuit Court is a detailed legal order. It names both spouses in full, states the legal end date of the marriage, and sets out every term the court ordered. For most cases this means how the marital home, bank accounts, vehicles, and debts are handled.
When children are part of the case, the decree covers legal and physical custody, the parenting time schedule, and child support amounts. Health insurance and tax exemption responsibilities are also addressed. If spousal support was ordered, the decree states the amount, how long it lasts, and the conditions. Retirement account splits may be addressed through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order referenced in or attached to the decree. The signed decree is filed by the Clerk and becomes a permanent public record at the Sandusky courthouse.
Getting Legal Help in Sanilac County
Michigan Legal Help is a free resource with guides, forms, and instructions for handling Michigan divorce cases. It works for simple uncontested divorces and more complex contested cases. If you have minor children, the site has specific tools for cases involving custody and support.
For legal representation, the State Bar of Michigan can connect you with family law attorneys who practice in the Thumb region. Some offer free consultations. The Clerk's office at (810) 648-3212 can tell you about filing procedures but cannot give legal advice.
Cities in Sanilac County
Sandusky is the county seat of Sanilac County. No cities in Sanilac County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All residents request divorce decree records through the County Clerk at 60 W. Sanilac Avenue, Room 203, Sandusky.
Nearby Counties
Sanilac County is in Michigan's Thumb, bordered by several neighboring counties.