Alpena County Family Court Records

Alpena County family court records are maintained at the 26th Circuit Court at the Alpena County Courthouse in Alpena, Michigan. The court's Family Division handles divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and other domestic relations cases filed by county residents. You can start your search online through MiCOURT, Michigan's free statewide case search portal, or contact the circuit court clerk directly to obtain copies of documents. Photo ID and written applications are required for all official records requests in Alpena County.

Alpena County 26th Circuit Court Contact

The Alpena County Courthouse is located at 720 West Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707. The county's main website is alpenacounty.org. Two separate clerks handle records at this courthouse. Keri Bertrand serves as Circuit Court Clerk and can be reached at (989) 354-9520, fax (989) 354-9644, or by email at bertrandk@alpenacounty.org. The County Clerk is Catherine Murphy, reachable at (989) 354-9547, fax (989) 354-9646, or by email at rod@alpenacounty.org. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Circuit court family records, including divorce and custody case files, go through Keri Bertrand's office. Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates are handled by the county clerk. For Alpena County, vital records cost $16 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy of the same record. These are separate from family court case documents, which have their own copy fee schedule under state law.

Written applications are required for all records requests. Photo ID must be presented for in-person visits. Official and certified records are delivered by mail only. Non-certified copies may be available by email or fax in some cases. Call first to confirm what delivery options apply to your specific request.

Searching Alpena County Family Court Records Online

The fastest way to look up Alpena County family court records is through MiCOURT Case Search. This state-run portal is free and runs around the clock. It covers the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena along with all other participating courts across Michigan's 83 counties. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name. Results display case numbers, filing dates, party names, hearing dates, case status, and the full register of actions. MiCOURT does not show document images, so for actual copies you still need to contact the court clerk.

County-level court record search tools, like those used in Ingham County at courts.ingham.org, show what is possible at the local level. Alpena County uses MiCOURT for its online case access. For deeper document access, visiting or writing to the 26th Circuit Court clerk is the direct route.

What Alpena County Family Court Files Include

Alpena County Circuit Court family division files hold all documents filed in a domestic relations case from start to finish. A divorce file includes the complaint or petition, service documents, financial statements, temporary orders for custody and support during the case, property agreements, and the final judgment of divorce. If minor children are involved, parenting time schedules and child support orders are also in the file. Every modification to a custody or support order goes into the existing case file as an additional document, so long-running cases can be quite thick.

Paternity cases are also handled by the Family Division. These files contain the complaint to establish paternity, any genetic testing orders, the order of filiation, and child support orders that follow. The Friend of the Court then takes on support enforcement duties. FOC records are kept separately from the main circuit court file. If you need child support payment history or enforcement records from a paternity or divorce case, contact the Alpena County Friend of the Court. The state-level Friend of the Court Bureau can help you find the right local contact.

Sealed records are not available to the public. This includes adoption files under MCL 710.67 and juvenile records under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection order case details also have restricted online access under MCR 3.705. These categories do not appear in MiCOURT search results.

How to Request Alpena County Court Records

Mail requests for Alpena County family court records should go to the 26th Circuit Court Clerk, Alpena County Courthouse, 720 West Chisholm Street, Alpena, MI 49707. Your written request should include the case number if known, the full names of both parties, the approximate year the case was filed, and a clear list of the documents you want. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment to cover copy fees. Standard copies run $1.00 per page at most Michigan circuit courts. Certified copies cost $10.00 per document plus $1.00 per page. Call (989) 354-9520 to confirm current fees and payment methods before mailing your request.

If you visit in person, go to the courthouse at 720 West Chisholm Street during the 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM window, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Viewing records on-site is free under MCR 8.119. Copies are charged at the standard rate. If you are requesting older or archived files, call ahead to give the clerk time to retrieve them. Written applications are required for all records requests in Alpena County, so plan to fill one out whether you visit in person or submit by mail.

Michigan Law and Alpena County Records Access

Michigan court records access is governed by MCR 8.119, which establishes the presumption that court records are public. The rule bars courts from charging you to view records in person. Fees apply only when you request copies. MCL 600.2546 sets the statutory maximum for copy fees in Michigan circuit courts. The full text of these statutes is available through the Michigan Legislature at legislature.mi.gov. Michigan's FOIA law does not apply to courts, which are exempt under MCL 15.232. If your records request is denied at the Alpena County Circuit Court, the proper remedy is a motion filed with the court, not a FOIA appeal. Standard public family court records are generally accessible without issue.

All court forms approved for use in Michigan family court proceedings are available through the SCAO forms database at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. This includes forms for divorce, custody modifications, paternity, and other family matters. Using unapproved forms can result in rejected filings in Alpena County's circuit court.

Nearby Counties

If you are not certain which county holds a case, the following neighboring counties are worth checking as well.