Divorce records in St. Clair County, Michigan, are available through several channels. StClairMICourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information on divorce cases. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the county court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the Michigan Division of Vital Records. Online search tools, in-person visits, and mail requests are all viable options for obtaining the necessary documents.
St. Clair Divorce Records Search
In St. Clair County, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court. The clerk of this court maintains complete court records: divorce judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and all related procedural documents. Separately from the court, the Michigan Division of Vital Records maintains a registry of divorce certificates — brief documents that confirm the fact of divorce without case details.
For online case information searches, use the MiCOURT Case Search — a state system that displays basic information about cases in Michigan courts. Note: this system only shows general data, not the full text of documents.
St. Clair County Circuit Court — County Clerk's Office
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in St. Clair
The structure for storing divorce records in Michigan is divided between two institutions, each responsible for its type of document.
Circuit Court — Complete Court Records
All divorce cases in St. Clair County are filed with the St. Clair County Circuit Court. After a final judgment (Judgment of Divorce) is issued, it remains on file in the court clerk's office. Here, the following are stored:
- Judgment of Divorce
- Property settlement and alimony agreements
- Child custody orders
- All procedural documents filed by the parties
If you need a copy of a specific court document — for example, the text of a judgment or custody agreement — contact the Circuit Court clerk directly. Documents can be filed electronically through the MiFILE system.
Division of Vital Records — State Certificates
After a case concludes, the court notifies the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Vital Records (MDHHS). This institution stores divorce certificates — concise documents that confirm the fact of divorce, the names of the parties, and the date of the decision. The certificate does not include case details.
The certificate can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the office in Lansing.
In short: if you need the full text of a court decision, contact the Circuit Court clerk. If you only need confirmation of the divorce, order a certificate from Vital Records.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in St. Clair
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce Certificate (Vital Records, standard processing) | $26.00 for the first copy; $12.00 for each additional | Approximately 15–25 business days |
| Divorce Certificate (Vital Records, expedited processing — Rapid Service) | $34.00 for the first copy; $20.00 for each additional (+ delivery cost) | 1–5 business days |
| Copy of Court Document (Circuit Court, uncertified) | $1.00 per page | Usually during the visit or within a few days |
| Certified Copy of Court Document (Circuit Court) | $10.00 per document + $1.00 per page | Usually during the visit or within a few days |