Access Lapeer County Family Court Records
Lapeer County family court records are held at the Lapeer County Circuit Court Complex at 255 Clay Street, Lapeer, MI 48446. The 40th Judicial Circuit handles divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and adoption cases for all Lapeer County residents. You can search basic case data through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal at no cost. To request copies or certified records, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (810) 667-0358 or the County Clerk at (810) 667-0356. This page explains how to find, access, and request Lapeer County family court records.
Lapeer County Court Overview
Where Lapeer County Family Court Records Are Filed
The Lapeer County Circuit Court Complex at 255 Clay Street houses the Circuit Court and Family Division. The Circuit Court Clerk's phone is (810) 667-0358 and the fax is (810) 667-0264. Divorce decrees and other Family Division records are kept by the Circuit Court Section of the County Clerk's office. The County Clerk is located at 225 Clay Street, 1st Floor, Lapeer, MI 48446. The County Clerk's phone is (810) 667-0356 and the fax is (810) 667-0362. Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lapeer County's main website at lapeercounty.org provides contact information and department links. Note that divorce decrees are specifically held in the Circuit Court Section of the County Clerk's office, not at the main Circuit Court Clerk's window. This distinction matters when you are requesting a certified copy of a divorce judgment. Call the County Clerk first if that is what you need.
Photo ID is required for all in-person vital records requests. If you're coming in person, bring a valid driver's license or state-issued ID card. For family court records like divorce files and custody orders, no special authorization is generally needed since they are public records, but staff may still ask for identification to verify who is making the request.
Note: Divorce decrees in Lapeer County are kept by the Circuit Court Section of the County Clerk's office at 225 Clay Street, not at the Circuit Court Clerk's window at 255 Clay Street.
Searching Lapeer County Family Court Records Online
The primary online tool for Lapeer County family court records is MiCOURT Case Search. This free statewide portal is available 24/7 and covers participating courts from all 83 Michigan counties. Search by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name. Results show case numbers, filing dates, party names, hearing schedules, and docket entries. MiCOURT does not display document images. For actual copies of Lapeer County family court filings, you need to contact the clerk's office directly.
SCAO Forms for Lapeer County Family Court Filings
The Michigan State Court Administrative Office maintains the official forms database for all family court filings at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms, which Lapeer County Circuit Court requires for divorce, custody, and other family court matters.
All approved Michigan family court forms are available through the SCAO database. Lapeer County Circuit Court requires SCAO-approved forms for most family law filings. Using the wrong form version can cause a filing to be rejected, so always download current forms from the official source rather than relying on older copies.
Copy Fees for Lapeer County Family Court Records
Lapeer County charges fees consistent with Michigan's statewide framework under MCL 600.2546. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies require a $10.00 certification fee per document plus the per-page cost. Viewing records at the courthouse is free under MCR 8.119. The copy fee only applies when you want reproductions made.
Vital records have a separate fee schedule. Marriage certificates cost $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. Birth and death certificates also cost $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 each after that. Photo ID is required for all vital records requests. Call the County Clerk at (810) 667-0356 to confirm current fees before submitting your request or showing up in person.
Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order payable to the Lapeer County Clerk. Turnaround depends on file size and staff workload, but most requests are handled within a few days to a couple of weeks. Same-day service may be available for in-person requests on files that are readily on hand.
Types of Family Court Records in Lapeer County
The 40th Circuit Court handles all domestic relations matters for Lapeer County. Divorce files include the original complaint or petition, proof of service, the final judgment of divorce, and all orders entered during the case. Contested divorces can generate hundreds of pages of motions, financial disclosure forms, and hearing transcripts. Child custody files hold parenting time orders and modifications over the history of a case. Paternity files establish legal parentage through the order of filiation and include child support orders.
Child support matters in Lapeer County are handled partly through the Lapeer County Friend of the Court. The FOC keeps records separate from the main circuit court file and manages support enforcement, modification, and parenting time compliance. Contact the Lapeer County FOC for records tied to support payment histories or enforcement actions. For statewide policy, the Friend of the Court Bureau directs FOC services across Michigan.
Adoption records are sealed under MCL 710.67. Juvenile records are restricted under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection order information is not public under MCR 3.705. These rules apply in Lapeer County as they do in every other Michigan county.
In-Person and Mail Requests for Lapeer County Records
The most direct way to get Lapeer County family court records is to visit the courthouse complex. For divorce decrees, go to the County Clerk at 225 Clay Street, 1st Floor, Lapeer, MI 48446. For other Circuit Court filings, visit the Circuit Court Clerk at 255 Clay Street. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can pull case files and make copies if records are on hand. For older or large files, call ahead so staff can retrieve them before your visit. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mail requests work for Lapeer County. Include the case number if known, full party names, the approximate year the case was filed, and a list of the specific documents you need. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order. Certified copies must come by mail and carry the official court seal. They cannot be sent by email or fax. Mail turnaround typically runs a few days to a few weeks depending on workload and file size.
Note: Michigan FOIA does not apply to court records. If the Lapeer County Circuit Court denies your records request, the remedy is to file a motion with the court directly.
Laws That Govern Lapeer County Family Court Records
Family court records in Lapeer County follow the same rules as all Michigan courts. MCR 8.119 says court records are public unless a statute, court rule, or order restricts access. It also bars courts from charging a fee just to view records on-site. MCL 600.2546 sets the copy fee framework. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not apply to court records because the judiciary is exempt under MCL 15.232(d)(v). A denied court records request must be challenged by filing a motion with the court, not through a FOIA appeal.
The Michigan Legislature's website at legislature.mi.gov has the full text of all Michigan Compiled Laws relevant to family court access. The SCAO publishes approved court forms at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. These are the required forms for filing family court matters in Lapeer County.
Nearby Counties
Family court records for residents near Lapeer County may also be on file in a neighboring county circuit court.