Records of divorce in Lapeer County, Michigan, are available through several channels. LapeerCourt.us allows you to quickly start searching for public divorce information in the county. Additionally, documents can be obtained directly from the court that issued the decision, at the County Clerk's office, and through the state office of vital records of Michigan.
Lapeer Divorce Records Search
In the state of Michigan, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court. In Lapeer County, this is the 40th Circuit Court, and the official custodian of court records is the Lapeer County Clerk. The collection of documents includes:
- Divorce judgments / decrees
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Associated motions and orders filed during the case
Separately, the state of Michigan through the Department of Health and Human Services maintains divorce certificates — brief documents that confirm the fact of divorce without details of property settlement.
Online court case search is available through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. This tool shows basic case information — dates, parties, status — but does not replace the official record kept in the court.
Lapeer County Clerk's Office (Circuit Court Division)
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lapeer
Understanding the storage structure will help you reach exactly where the needed document is located.
40th Circuit Court — full court file
All divorce cases in Lapeer County go through the 40th Circuit Court. After a judge issues a decision, the complete set of documents — from the complaint to the final decree — remains in the court's office, managed by the County Clerk. If you need a copy of a specific order, custody agreement, or settlement agreement, contact here.
Lapeer County Clerk — Vital Records
This same office has a vital records division. It stores records of marriages, births, and deaths. However, divorce certificates at the county level are usually issued through the court division or through the state.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
If you need a brief certificate confirming the fact of divorce — for example, for a name change or entering a new marriage — it can be ordered at the state level. MDHHS maintains divorce records filed in any county of Michigan.
In short: for details of the court decision, go to the Circuit Court Clerk; for confirmation of the fact of divorce, go to the state office of MDHHS.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lapeer
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce record search (state of Michigan, MDHHS) | $26.00 | 3–6 weeks by mail |
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (MDHHS) | $26.00 (includes search) | 3–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional certified copy (MDHHS, in the same request) | $12.00 each | Together with the main request |
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court Clerk, Lapeer County) | $1.00 per page | Usually during a visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certification of a copy (Circuit Court Clerk) | $10.00 | Usually during a visit or 5–10 business days by mail |