Find Family Court Records in Branch County
Branch County family court records are maintained by the 15th Circuit Court at the Branch County Courthouse in Coldwater. The court handles divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity cases for all Branch County residents. You can search for cases online through the statewide MiCOURT portal, or contact the County Clerk to request copies of filings and certified records. This page explains how to find Branch County family court records, what fees apply, and how in-person and mail requests work.
Branch County Court Overview
Where Branch County Family Court Records Are Kept
Branch County family court records are held at the Branch County Courthouse, 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036. The County Clerk, Tamara Kubasiak, oversees records for the 15th Circuit Court. You can reach her office at (517) 279-4306 or by fax at (517) 278-5627. Email contact is available at tkubasiak@countyofbranch.com. The county's main website at countyofbranch.com has office hours, contact details, and information on records request procedures.
The 15th Circuit Court operates from the same courthouse address. Because the circuit court and county clerk share the building, most in-person records requests can be handled in one stop. Family Division cases handled here include divorce, child custody, parenting time enforcement, child support, paternity, and guardianship matters for minors. Cases must be requested from the court where they were originally filed, which for all Branch County family cases means this courthouse in Coldwater.
Note: Branch County does not accept credit or debit cards for records payments. In-person payments must be made in cash, and mail requests require a money order or check.
Searching Branch County Family Court Records Online
The official path for searching Branch County family court records online is MiCOURT, the Michigan Supreme Court's statewide case search system. MiCOURT is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name. The system returns case numbers, filing dates, party names, hearing schedules, and docket entries. MiCOURT does not show document images or detailed personal information.
Branch County does not operate its own local case search portal. If MiCOURT returns no results for a name you expect to find, it may mean the case is older and outside the search window, or the case type is restricted from public view. Sealed adoptions, juvenile records, and personal protection order details do not appear in MiCOURT results. For cases not shown online, you need to contact the clerk's office directly with a written request.
When using MiCOURT to search Branch County records, narrow your results by selecting the county filter. This prevents you from getting results from unrelated courts across the state with similar party names. Having the case number speeds things up considerably. If you don't know the case number, a party name search works but may return multiple results you'll need to sort through.
Michigan Courts and Branch County Family Records
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov provides statewide resources that apply to Branch County family court records, including court directories, SCAO forms, and the MiCOURT access portal.
From the Michigan Courts homepage, you can navigate to the 15th Circuit Court directory listing, access SCAO-approved forms needed for Branch County family court filings, and reach the MiCOURT statewide case search. These resources support both self-represented litigants and attorneys working on Branch County family cases.
Branch County Family Court Records Fees
Branch County charges a $10.00 search fee per case type, which covers 10 years of records. Each additional year searched beyond the 10-year base period costs $1.00 more. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certification of documents costs $10.00 per document. These fees apply to all records requests processed through the Branch County Clerk's office at the 15th Circuit Court.
Vital records in Branch County carry their own fee schedules. Marriage certificates cost $20.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Birth and death certificates are the same: $20.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. These are separate from family court copy fees and are handled through the county vital records division.
Viewing records in person is free under MCR 8.119. No fee is charged simply to inspect public records at the courthouse. Payment for copies must be made in cash when you're there in person. For mail requests, include a money order or check payable to the Branch County Clerk, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return the documents to you.
What Branch County Family Court Records Cover
Branch County Circuit Court Family Division case files cover a wide range of domestic relations matters. Divorce case files typically include the initial complaint or joint petition, proof of service documents, the judgment of divorce, property settlement agreements, and any post-judgment modification orders. Custody and parenting time files contain the original custody order, schedules, and any changes granted by the court since the case was first resolved. These files can grow significantly when parties return to court for modifications over the years.
Paternity cases in Branch County result in orders of filiation that legally establish parentage. These files include the petition, DNA test results when applicable, and the final order establishing both parentage and child support obligations. The Branch County Friend of the Court office handles support enforcement separately from the main court file. FOC records cover payment histories, wage withholding orders, and enforcement actions. Contact the Branch County FOC office for those records. Statewide guidance on FOC services is available through the Friend of the Court Bureau.
Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile records carry access restrictions. Personal protection order records are also limited under MCR 3.705. These categories do not appear in standard public searches or in MiCOURT.
Note: A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for all mail requests to the Branch County Circuit Court Clerk. Requests without one may be delayed or returned unfulfilled.
Requesting Branch County Records by Mail or In Person
To request Branch County family court records in person, go to the courthouse at 31 Division Street, Coldwater, MI 49036. Bring a valid photo ID. Clerks can make copies of available files while you wait. Call (517) 279-4306 ahead of time for large or older files so staff can pull them before your visit. Public access terminals are available at most Michigan courthouses for viewing records at no charge.
Mail requests require a written letter or completed request form that describes what you need. Include the case number, full party names, the approximate year the case was filed, and the specific documents you want. Attach a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order or check for the applicable fees. Cash is accepted only for in-person payments. Mail requests typically take from a few days to several weeks depending on the court's current workload and how many documents you've requested.
Certified copies of Branch County family court records must be obtained in person or by mail. They cannot be issued by email or fax because certified copies require a physical embossed seal. If you need a certified divorce decree or custody order for use in another jurisdiction, plan for in-person pickup or mail delivery. Allow extra time if you're on a deadline.
Michigan Laws Governing Branch County Family Court Records
Branch County family court records follow the statewide legal rules that apply to all Michigan circuit courts. MCR 8.119 defines court records as public except where restricted by statute, court rule, or order. MCL 600.2546 governs copy fees. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act does not reach court records because the judiciary is exempt under MCL 15.232(d)(v). If a records request is denied, the proper response is to file a motion with the court, not a FOIA appeal to a government agency.
The full text of Michigan Compiled Laws is available at legislature.mi.gov. SCAO-approved forms for Branch County family court matters are available at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. These forms are required for most filings in the 15th Circuit Court and cover divorce, custody, paternity, support modification, and personal protection orders.
Nearby Counties
Residents near Branch County may also have family court cases filed in one of these neighboring Michigan counties.