Mason County Family Court Records
Mason County family court records are held at the Mason County Courthouse, 304 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. If you need to find or request records for a divorce, custody, child support, or paternity case filed in Mason County, you can begin with the free statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal or reach the county clerk's office directly. This page covers how to search Mason County family court records online, what the files contain, how to request copies in person or by mail, and what the fees are.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Circuit Court Family Division
The Circuit Court Family Division in Mason County handles all domestic relations matters in the county. These include divorce cases, custody and parenting time disputes, child support orders, and paternity actions. The courthouse is at 304 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. County Clerk Cheryl Kelly oversees the clerk's office. Her phone number is (231) 843-8202, the fax is (231) 843-1972, and the email is cakelly@masoncounty.net.
Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday hours start at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. If you plan to visit in person, call ahead for large or older case files so the clerk can pull the records before you arrive. Bring a valid photo ID and the case number if you have it. The clerk can locate cases by name as well, but having the case number saves time.
The Mason County website at masoncounty.net provides contact information for county departments, links to court resources, and general county information. Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates also go through the county clerk. The fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Standard records can be sent by mail, email, or fax. Official certified records are only available by mail or in-person pickup.
Note: Official certified copies of Mason County family court records are available by mail or in-person pickup only and cannot be sent by email or fax.
Searching Mason County Family Court Records Online
The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the primary online tool for finding Mason County family court records. This free statewide system covers all 83 Michigan counties and is available 24 hours a day. You can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or business name. Search results show case numbers, filing dates, party names, scheduled hearings, case status, and docket entries. MiCOURT does not display the actual documents, just the basic case-level information.
Use MiCOURT to confirm that a case exists in Mason County and to get the case number before contacting the courthouse. With the case number in hand, your records request to the clerk goes much faster. MiCOURT covers civil, criminal, family, and probate cases from participating courts. Restricted records, including adoptions, juvenile cases, and sealed files, do not appear in search results.
Mason County Official Resources
The Mason County government website at masoncounty.net is the official starting point for court contact information, records access procedures, and county department links in Mason County.
From the Mason County website you can find the clerk's office contact information, navigate to court resources, and locate services for residents. For family court records specifically, the circuit court at 304 East Ludington Avenue in Ludington is where you file requests and pick up copies.
What Mason County Family Court Records Contain
Family court files in Mason County cover the full range of domestic relations matters. A divorce file usually holds the initial complaint or joint petition, proof that the other party was served, financial disclosure statements, any temporary orders issued while the case was open, and the final judgment of divorce. Contested divorces can run many pages. Child custody records include the custody order, parenting time schedule, and any modifications filed after the original order was entered.
Child support records are part of the case file and also tracked by the Mason County Friend of the Court. The FOC keeps separate records for payment history and enforcement. Paternity cases include the paternity complaint, the order of filiation, and support orders tied to the paternity finding. When parents were married, paternity is presumed. When they were not, a court action is needed to establish legal fatherhood.
Some records are not available to the public. Adoption files are sealed under MCL 710.67 and held in locked separate files. Juvenile court records are restricted under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection orders have limited access under MCR 3.705. Even in open divorce cases, the judge can restrict access to certain financial documents or portions of a file that contain sensitive data about minor children.
Note: Sealed, juvenile, and adoption records in Mason County cannot be accessed through standard public records requests and require a court order showing good cause.
Getting Mason County Family Court Records
The fastest way to get copies is to visit the Mason County Courthouse at 304 East Ludington Avenue in Ludington. You can view records on site for free under MCR 8.119. Standard copies cost $1.00 to $1.50 per page. Certified copies carry a $10.00 certification fee per document plus the per-page copy rate. Bring your photo ID and, if available, the case number. For large or older files, call first so the clerk can retrieve the records before you arrive.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Mason County Clerk at 304 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431. In your letter, describe the records you need. Include both party names, the approximate filing year, the case number if you have it, and a specific list of the documents you want. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the estimated fees. You can call (231) 843-8202 to confirm the current rates and get a cost estimate before mailing.
Regular uncertified copies can be sent by email or fax. You can reach the clerk by email at cakelly@masoncounty.net or by fax at (231) 843-1972. Certified copies, however, must come by mail or in-person pickup because they require a physical court seal. If you need a certified copy for legal use, plan ahead for the extra processing time that mail delivery adds.
Friend of the Court in Mason County
Mason County has a Friend of the Court (FOC) office that works with the circuit court on family cases involving minor children. The FOC handles child support enforcement, parenting time compliance, and custody recommendations. Michigan law requires the FOC to step in whenever a divorce or paternity case involves kids. The Friend of the Court Bureau at the state level provides oversight, sets policy, and offers support to all county FOC offices across Michigan.
FOC records are separate from the circuit court case file. If you need information about child support payments, arrears amounts, or any enforcement actions taken in a Mason County case, contact the Mason County FOC office directly. The FOC tracks wage garnishment, license suspension, and other steps taken to collect unpaid support. The main circuit court clerk does not maintain these separate FOC records.
To modify a child support order in Mason County, file a motion with the circuit court. The FOC will review your financial situation and make a recommendation to the judge. A significant change in income, overnight schedule, or childcare costs can qualify as grounds for modification under the Michigan Child Support Formula.
Laws Governing Access to Mason County Family Court Records
Michigan family court records are public under MCR 8.119, which states that records are open unless a statute, court rule, or specific order closes them. Courts cannot charge just to look at records on site. At the Mason County Courthouse, you can view any public case file for free. You only pay when you want copies to take with you.
Several record types are not open to the public. Adoption files are sealed under MCL 710.67. Juvenile records are restricted under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection orders have limited access under MCR 3.705. None of these appear in MiCOURT search results. To access a sealed record, you must go to the circuit court and file a motion showing a legitimate reason for access.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not apply to court records. The judiciary is exempt under MCL 15.232(d)(v). If a records request at the Mason County Courthouse is denied, a FOIA appeal won't help. You file a motion directly with the circuit court instead. The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of all Michigan Compiled Laws that govern records access, including MCL 600.2546, which sets the fee framework for court copies.
Nearby Counties
Mason County is located along Michigan's west coast and shares borders with several other counties. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check where the case was filed. Each county keeps its own records at its own courthouse.