Macomb County Family Court Records

Macomb County family court records are filed and maintained at the Macomb County Court Building at 40 North Main Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. The 16th Circuit Court Family Division handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption cases for all Macomb County residents. You can search case data online through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal at no cost, or contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (586) 469-5351 to request copies, certified records, or full case files. Macomb County is one of Michigan's most populated counties, and the court processes a high volume of family cases each year.

Where Macomb County Family Court Records Are Filed

Vital records in Macomb County are handled separately by the County Clerk at a different address: the Talmer Building, 120 North Main, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. Phone for vital records is (586) 469-5120. This is a separate office from the Circuit Court Clerk. If you need birth, death, or marriage certificates, contact the County Clerk at that address. Family court records like divorce files and custody orders go to the Circuit Court at 40 North Main.

Macomb County also has multiple district courts operating throughout the county in cities like Warren, Sterling Heights, and Clinton Township. Those district courts handle traffic, misdemeanor, and small civil claims, not family matters. All divorce, custody, and paternity cases go to the 16th Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens regardless of which city the parties live in.

For attorneys and frequent users, Macomb County offers a CourtView subscription system for electronic case record access. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk to get information on CourtView subscription options and pricing.

Searching Macomb County Family Court Records Online

The main online tool for Macomb County family court records is MiCOURT Case Search, Michigan's free statewide database. MiCOURT is available 24/7 and covers participating courts from all 83 Michigan counties. You can 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 Macomb County family court filings, you need to contact the Circuit Court Clerk directly.

Attorneys and frequent searchers with a CourtView subscription can access more detailed case record information for Macomb County directly through the court's system. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (586) 469-5351 to ask about subscription options for CourtView access.

Macomb County Circuit Court Online Resources

The Macomb County courts portal lists all court divisions including the 16th Circuit Court Family Division. From here, you can find direct contacts for the Circuit Court Clerk, the Family Division, and the County Clerk's vital records office. It is the best starting point for anyone requesting Macomb County family court records or planning an in-person visit to the Mt. Clemens courthouse.

Fees for Macomb County Family Court Records

Standard copy fees at Macomb County Circuit Court follow Michigan's statewide rate structure under MCL 600.2546. Regular copies run $1.00 per page at most Michigan circuit courts. Certified copies require a $10.00 certification fee per document plus the per-page charge. Viewing records at the courthouse in Mt. Clemens is free under MCR 8.119. You only pay when you want copies made.

Vital records at the County Clerk have their own fee schedule. Marriage certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy. Birth and death certificates also cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 each after that. These fees apply at the Talmer Building location, not at the Circuit Court. Call (586) 469-5120 to confirm current rates before submitting payment for vital records.

For mail requests to the Circuit Court, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order payable to the Macomb County Clerk. For an estimate on copy costs before sending payment, call (586) 469-5351. Certified copies must come by mail or in person and cannot be sent by email or fax.

Types of Family Court Records in Macomb County

The 16th Circuit Court Family Division maintains the complete range of domestic relations case files for Macomb County. Divorce files include the complaint or petition, proof of service, the judgment of divorce, and all orders from the case. In a high-volume county like Macomb, contested divorce files can run to hundreds of pages of motions, financial disclosures, and hearing transcripts. Custody files hold parenting time schedules and modification orders filed over the life of a case. Paternity files establish legal parentage and include the order of filiation and child support orders.

Child support in Macomb County is administered partly through the Macomb County Friend of the Court. The FOC keeps separate records from the main circuit court file and handles payment tracking, support enforcement, parenting time compliance, and modification requests. For statewide policy guidance, the Friend of the Court Bureau at the SCAO sets standards for all Michigan FOC offices. The FOC can initiate wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, and other enforcement actions when support orders are unpaid.

Adoption records in Macomb County are sealed under MCL 710.67 and held in separate locked files. Juvenile delinquency records are restricted under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection order details are not public under MCR 3.705. These restrictions apply countywide and are consistent with Michigan law.

In-Person and Mail Requests for Macomb County Records

The most direct way to access Macomb County family court records is to visit the Circuit Court at 40 North Main Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID. Clerks can pull case files and make copies while you wait for cases that are on-site. For older or large case files, calling ahead at (586) 469-5351 allows staff to retrieve the file before your visit. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you view records at no charge before ordering copies.

Mail requests are accepted. Write a letter with the case number if known, full party names, the approximate year the case was filed, and a list of the specific documents you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order payable to the Macomb County Clerk. You can also email the Circuit Court Clerk at courtclerk@macombgov.org with questions before sending a mail request. Certified copies must come by mail or in person. They cannot be sent by email or fax. Mail turnaround depends on request size and office workload, typically a few days to a couple of weeks.

Michigan Laws That Govern Macomb County Family Court Records

Family court records in Macomb County follow Michigan's statewide legal framework. MCR 8.119 says court records are public unless restricted by statute, court rule, or order. It bars courts from charging fees just to view records in person. MCL 600.2546 governs copy fees. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not apply to court records since courts are exempt under MCL 15.232(d)(v). If the court denies a records request, you must challenge it by filing a motion with the circuit court, not a FOIA appeal.

The Michigan Legislature's website at legislature.mi.gov contains all relevant Michigan Compiled Laws. The SCAO forms database at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms provides all approved forms required for family court filings in Macomb County. Use current SCAO forms for all filings. An outdated form may be rejected by the clerk.

Nearby Counties

Family court records for residents near Macomb County may also be on file in a neighboring county circuit court.