Divorces

All divorce proceedings filed in the county are filed with the Dickinson County 41^st Circuit Court Clerk located in the County Clerk’s office. 

To file for divorce in Dickinson County you must be a resident of Michigan for at least 180 days immediately before filing and a resident of Dickinson County for at least 10 days immediately before filing.

There are two types of divorces:  

with minor children
without minor children  

”Minor children” refers to children born of the two parties involved in the divorce, not children of either party from previous relationships.

For divorces with minor children, there is a six month waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized. 

For divorces without minor children, there is a 60 day waiting period from the date of filing before the divorce hearing can be held.

Divorce packets containing all of the necessary paperwork to file a divorce without an attorney are available at the County Clerk’s office for $50.  A clerk will explain the procedures for completing and filing the paperwork to open the case and how to obtain a court date.

For information on legal separation in Michigan, please contact a Michigan attorney.

There is a $175 filing fee to open any case in 41^st Circuit Court, which must be paid at the time of filing.  

For divorces with minor children, $255. 

Requests for copies of judgments of divorce can be made in person, through the mail or via fax. 

Requests must include:

• the names of both parties at the time of filing
• the year the divorce was filed
• cost is $10 for the certified copy, plus $1 per page

 
Method of payments accepted:

• Cash,
• Local Dickinson County check (no Out of County checks),
• Money orders
• MasterCard/Visa*

*Credit card payments must include:  Full Name on Card, Card Number & Expiration Date (MM/YY), 3-Digit V-Code & Billing Address.

Please make checks and money orders payable to: “Dickinson County Clerk”.