Antrim County Public Records /Antrim County Divorce Records

Antrim County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Antrim County in 2026

AntrimRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Antrim County, Michigan. Members of the public may find case numbers, party names, filing dates, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the 13th Circuit Court, the Antrim County Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools provided by the Michigan court system.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the primary online tool for locating divorce case records in Michigan. Members of the public may search by party name or case number at no charge for basic case information. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.

Free basic case information
Search by party name or case number
Available statewide, including 13th Circuit Court cases
Document copies may require a fee

2. Antrim County Online Services

The county's online services portal provides direct access to 13th Circuit Court civil and criminal case records, including family law matters. Members of the public may use this resource to locate divorce filings without visiting the courthouse in person.

3. State Vital Records

Michigan registers divorce records through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Michigan vital records office maintains divorce certificates for proceedings finalized in the state. These certificates provide limited information compared to full court case files and are subject to applicable fees.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — 13th Circuit Court Family Division:

Antrim County Courthouse — Circuit Court Clerk
203 E. Cayuga Street
Bellaire, MI 49615
Phone: (231) 533-6353
Antrim County Clerk — Vital Records

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Staff assistance for locating records

By Mail

Written requests for divorce records may be submitted by mail to the Antrim County Clerk. Requestors should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, the case number if known, a return mailing address, and payment for applicable copy fees. A self-addressed stamped envelope should accompany the request. Processing time is typically one to two weeks.

Mail requests to:
Antrim County Clerk
203 E. Cayuga Street
Bellaire, MI 49615

Completed request forms for birth, death, marriage, and divorce records may also be submitted by email to clerk@antrimcountymi.gov, with checks made payable to the Antrim County Clerk.

By Phone

The Antrim County Clerk's office may be reached at (231) 533-6353. Staff can confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, and advise on case status or filing date. Detailed document information and copies of filed records cannot be provided by telephone.

Through Attorneys

Licensed attorneys may access divorce case files on behalf of clients, including requesting sealed documents upon a proper showing to the court. The State Bar of Michigan maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in Michigan
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Divorce proceedings in Michigan are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record should confirm the county of residence at the time of the proceeding. Under MCL § 552.9, one spouse must have been a resident of Michigan for at least 180 days and a resident of the filing county for at least 10 days prior to filing.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces: Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing. Members of the public should allow several days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered.
Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a specific written request.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a divorce record may not appear in a search include:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations or spelling differences between maiden and married names
The case remains pending and has not been finalized
The record is archived and not yet digitized
The case has been sealed by court order

Members of the public encountering difficulty locating a record may contact the Antrim County Clerk at (231) 533-6353, attempt alternate name spellings, search both spouses' names, or consult the Michigan vital records office for a divorce certificate.

What Are Antrim County Divorce Records?

Antrim County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the 13th Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Antrim County Clerk as the official custodian of court records. Pursuant to MCL § 552.6, Michigan courts have jurisdiction to enter judgments dissolving marriages and resolving all related matters including property, support, and custody.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed during the proceeding:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits from both parties
Parenting plans and custody evaluations
Settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing transcripts
Final judgment of dissolution

Final Decree is the official court order ending the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, division of marital property, spousal support terms, child custody and parenting time arrangements, child support orders, and any name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Antrim County Clerk.

Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, appraisals, and post-judgment modification orders.

Purpose of Divorce Records:

Divorce records serve a range of legal and personal purposes, including:

Proof of marital status for remarriage
Name change documentation
Property transfer and estate planning
Immigration proceedings
Social Security and benefits claims
Genealogical and family history research

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The 13th Circuit Court Clerk is the primary custodian of divorce case files in Antrim County. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains divorce certificates through the state vital records office, which provides a summary-level record of the dissolution rather than the complete court file.

Are Antrim County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in the 13th Circuit Court are public court records subject to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, MCL § 15.231 et seq. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need. However, certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted or redacted under state and federal law.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties and attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children (may be redacted)
Schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluations
Guardian ad litem reports (restricted)
Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Michigan law and are not part of the public court record.

Who Can Access Records:

Requester	Access Level
General public	Public documents and docket entries
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file
Licensed attorneys	Case files; sealed documents upon court order
Researchers and media	Public portions; sealed records require court permission
Law enforcement	Statutory access to restricted records

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Antrim County?

The Antrim County Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees applicable to court records in Michigan are governed by MCL § 600.1988, which authorizes courts to establish reasonable copy fees.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$1.00 per page
Certified copy of judgment or decree	$11.00 (first page) + $1.00 each additional page
Divorce certificate (vital records)	$34.00 per certified copy
Online case search (basic information)	Free

Certified copies of the final judgment of dissolution are available through the Antrim County Clerk at the courthouse.
Divorce certificates issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are available through the state vital records office for $34.00 per certified copy.
Basic case information, including case number, filing date, and docket entries, is available at no charge through the MiCOURT Case Search portal.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Check made payable to Antrim County Clerk
Money order
Cash (in-person only)
Credit or debit card (availability subject to confirmation with the Clerk's office)

Fee Waivers:

Members of the public who demonstrate financial hardship may petition the court for a waiver of copy fees. Fee waiver requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing to the court.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Antrim County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the 13th Circuit Court Clerk contains all documents filed from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.

Basic Case Information:

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned and attorneys of record
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage identifies both parties, states the date and location of the marriage, provides grounds for divorce (Michigan is a no-fault state recognizing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage), identifies minor children, and sets forth the relief requested including property division, support, and custody. The Response states the respondent's position and may include a counterpetition.

Financial Affidavits filed by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement funds, as well as all liabilities.

Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and answers, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and business financial statements.

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset and debt inventories
Real property appraisals and business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, parenting time schedules, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income, overnights, health insurance, and childcare costs
Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports (which may be sealed)

Support Documents:

Alimony or spousal support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income and standard-of-living analysis

Settlement Documents:

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreements incorporated into the settlement (mediation communications themselves remain confidential)

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
Final Judgment of Dissolution containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, property awards, support orders, custody and parenting time provisions, and name restoration if requested
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing retirement plan administrators to divide benefits

Post-Judgment Documents:

Petitions to modify custody or support
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders and liens

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details and protective order information
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Mediation communications
Trade secrets in business valuations

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Antrim County?

Proof of divorce in Antrim County is obtained through either a certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution from the 13th Circuit Court or a certified divorce certificate from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Step 1 — Identify the correct record type. A certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution is the most comprehensive proof of divorce and is required for most legal purposes including remarriage, name changes, and property transfers. A divorce certificate from the state vital records office provides summary-level confirmation of the dissolution.

Step 2 — Locate the case. Members of the public may search for the case number using the MiCOURT Case Search portal or the Antrim County online services portal.

Step 3 — Submit a request to the Antrim County Clerk. Certified copies of the final judgment are available in person at the courthouse or by mail. The request should include the full names of both parties, the case number, the approximate date of the divorce, and payment of applicable fees.

Antrim County Courthouse — Circuit Court Clerk
203 E. Cayuga Street
Bellaire, MI 49615
Phone: (231) 533-6353
Antrim County Clerk — Vital Records

Step 4 — Request a divorce certificate from the state (if needed). Certified divorce certificates are available through the Michigan vital records office for $34.00 per copy. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the MDHHS office.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — Vital Records
333 S. Grand Avenue
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 335-8656
Michigan Vital Records

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Antrim County?

Divorce proceedings in Antrim County are presumptively public, but Michigan law and court rules permit certain records or entire cases to be sealed under defined circumstances.

Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
Domestic violence cases: Records containing the address or identifying information of a domestic violence victim may be restricted or redacted to protect the safety of the individual.
Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical or psychological information pertaining to minor children are subject to heightened protection and may be redacted from publicly accessible documents.
Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected under both state and federal law and are not part of the public court file.
Mediation communications: Under Michigan court rules, all communications made during mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public.
Sealed settlements: Confidential settlement terms may be incorporated by reference into the final judgment without being disclosed in the public record.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the 13th Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Antrim County Keep Divorce Records?

The 13th Circuit Court and the Antrim County Clerk retain divorce records in accordance with Michigan's court records retention schedule established by the State Court Administrative Office.

Final judgments of dissolution: Retained permanently. The final decree is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction.
Complete case files: Circuit court case files, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of 25 years following the close of the case under Michigan court records management standards.
Post-judgment modification files: Retained as part of the original case file for the same retention period.
Archived paper records: Cases predating electronic filing are maintained in paper or microfilm format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time.
Vital records (divorce certificates): The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services retains divorce certificates permanently as part of the state's vital records system.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically through the Michigan e-filing system are maintained in the court's electronic records management system for the applicable retention period.

Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than 10 years ago should contact the Antrim County Clerk directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.