Wexford County Divorce Decree Records
Wexford County divorce decree records are maintained by the County Clerk at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac, which serves as the home of the 28th Circuit Court. The Clerk handles all divorce filings, vital records, and land records for this northern Lower Michigan county of roughly 35,000 residents. Court and divorce records go back to 1869, and the county's 28th Circuit Court Family Division handles all domestic relations cases. Copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification.
Wexford County Overview
County Clerk and 28th Circuit Court Contact
The Wexford County Clerk's office is at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac, with a P.O. Box for mail requests. The Clerk handles divorce decree records, vital records, and land records all through one office. The 84th District Court is a separate office but operates from the same general court complex. Probate Court is also nearby and handles estate matters separately from the circuit court.
| Office | Wexford County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 437 E. Division Street, Cadillac, MI 49601 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 490, Cadillac, MI 49601 |
| Phone (Clerk) | (231) 779-9450 |
| Fax (Clerk) | (231) 779-0292 |
| Fax (Circuit) | (231) 779-0447 |
| District Court (84th) | (231) 779-9515 |
| Probate Court | (231) 779-9510 |
| Register of Deeds | (231) 779-9455 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | wexfordcounty.org |
Copy fees are $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification. Marriage records cost $10.00 for the first certified copy and $5.00 for additional copies. Birth and death records are also $10.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for additional copies. When requesting a divorce decree copy, have the case number ready if possible. Full names of both parties and the approximate date also help. Land records go back to 1869 and are managed by the Register of Deeds at (231) 779-9455.
The Wexford County website lists contact information, hours, and department details for the Clerk and 28th Circuit Court in Cadillac.
The county site shows the 28th Circuit Court structure and links to the Clerk's office, confirming the Cadillac address and how to request divorce decree records.
The Wexford County home page also provides access to all county departments and a directory for reaching the right office for your request.
The county website confirms office hours, the P.O. Box mailing address, and the full list of records available through the Wexford County Clerk.
Searching Wexford County Cases Online
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search covers 28th Circuit Court cases. Search by party name or case number to confirm a case exists and see basic details. MiCOURT is free and available around the clock.
MiCOURT shows case information and filing dates but does not provide the actual decree documents. For a certified copy, contact the Clerk at (231) 779-9450 or mail a request to P.O. Box 490. Older records from the 1800s and early 1900s may require a manual search that takes additional time. Court records go back to 1869 in Wexford County, with births from 1868 and marriage, death, and divorce records from 1869.
Michigan Divorce Law in Wexford County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, neither spouse needs to prove the other did something wrong. The only legal basis required is that the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable chance of saving it. The 28th Circuit Court in Cadillac applies this law the same as every other Michigan circuit.
Residency rules come from MCL 552.9. At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days. That spouse must also have lived in Wexford County for at least 10 days before the complaint is filed. If you haven't met that county residency period yet, you'll need to wait.
After filing, waiting periods apply. Divorces without minor children require at least 60 days before the court can finalize the case. Divorces with minor children require 180 days. These periods are mandatory under Michigan law. The Family Division of the 28th Circuit Court handles all divorce and domestic relations matters for Wexford County. Once the judge signs the final decree, the Clerk files it, and it becomes a public court record at 437 E. Division Street. Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, and conservatorships separately from the circuit court.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
These are different records. They look similar on the surface but serve different purposes.
The divorce decree is the full court order from the 28th Circuit Court judge. It is the legally binding document that ends the marriage and contains all the terms: property, debts, children, support. For legal purposes, you need the decree. Get it from the Wexford County Clerk at (231) 779-9450. Cost is $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for certification.
The divorce certificate is a shorter vital record from Michigan MDHHS Vital Records. It confirms a divorce happened and lists the parties and date. For basic uses like proving you're legally single, the certificate may be enough. Online ordering is available through VitalChek.
What Is in a Wexford County Divorce Decree
The final divorce decree from the 28th Circuit Court is a complete legal document. It names both parties in full, states the date the marriage legally ends, and covers every term the court ordered or the parties agreed to.
Most decrees address the marital home or other real estate, vehicles, bank and savings accounts, retirement funds, and debts. When children are part of the case, the decree includes legal and physical custody, a parenting time schedule, child support amounts, and health insurance responsibilities. If spousal support is ordered, the decree sets out the amount, duration, and conditions. Retirement account splits may involve a Qualified Domestic Relations Order attached to or referenced in the decree. The signed decree is filed with the Clerk and becomes a permanent public record. Probate Court handles separate matters like estates and guardianships for Wexford County residents.
Legal Help in Wexford County
Michigan Legal Help has free guides and forms for Michigan divorce cases. It covers straightforward uncontested cases and more complex situations involving children or disputed property. For people in northern Michigan without easy access to attorneys, the site is particularly useful.
For legal representation, the State Bar of Michigan's referral service can connect you with family law attorneys who serve northern Lower Michigan. Some offer phone or video consultations. The Clerk's office at (231) 779-9450 can explain filing procedures but cannot give legal advice on your specific case.
Cities in Wexford County
Cadillac is the county seat of Wexford County. No cities in Wexford County meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All residents access divorce decree records through the County Clerk at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac.
Nearby Counties
Wexford County is in the northern Lower Peninsula, surrounded by several other Michigan counties.