Are Divorce Records Public in Michigan? 2026 Access & Privacy Guide

Yes, divorce records are public in Michigan. Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), court records are open to inspection unless a statute, court rule, or specific sealing order restricts access. Anyone can search party names, case numbers, filing dates, and final judgments through the MiCOURT Case Search system or the county circuit court clerk.

The question "are divorce records public Michigan" residents ask most often has a clear answer: transparency is the default, and privacy is the exception. This guide explains exactly what is publicly available, what stays confidential, how to run a divorce records search, and how to seal divorce records when genuine safety or privacy interests are at stake. Antonio G. Jimenez, Esq. (Florida Bar No. 21022, covering Michigan divorce law) prepared this resource to help Michigan residents understand their access and privacy rights under current 2026 law.

Key Facts: Michigan Divorce Records at a Glance

Are Divorce Records Public in Michigan?

Divorce records are public in Michigan by default. Under Mich. Ct. R. 8.119, only defined case records are public records, and those records are accessible to anyone who requests them unless a statute, court rule, or a specific order restricts access. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, enacted in 1977, reinforces this presumption of openness across all government agencies statewide.

Michigan operates on a presumption of transparency in its judicial system. When a spouse files a complaint for divorce in the circuit court, the case generates a public record that includes the case number, both parties' full names, the filing date, docket entries, and filed pleadings. This openness reflects a deliberate policy choice: the public has a legitimate interest in how courts administer justice, resolve disputes, and divide assets. That same policy is why public divorce filings remain among the most commonly requested court records in Michigan. Only narrow, statutorily defined categories — such as custody evaluations, Friend of the Court reports, and sealed documents — fall outside routine public access.

What Information Appears in Public Divorce Filings?

Public divorce filings in Michigan disclose substantial detail. The publicly available basics include both spouses' full names, the case number, the filing date, and the county circuit court handling the case. The final Judgment of Divorce is the most detailed public document, often revealing property division, specific alimony amounts, payment schedules, spousal support duration, and parenting time arrangements.

The register of actions — the running docket of every filing and hearing — creates a complete timeline of the case as it moves through Michigan's judicial system. A divorce records search of this docket shows scheduling details, hearing dates, and outcomes. The final Judgment of Divorce tends to contain the most substantive information: these decrees outline exactly how a couple divided assets, from real estate holdings down to retirement accounts and personal property. For cases involving support, the public record frequently discloses specific dollar amounts, monthly payment schedules, and the duration of obligations. Financial affidavits, however, may be filed under seal at the outset under Mich. Ct. R. 1.109, keeping sensitive account details out of public divorce filings when a party requests that protection at filing.

Which Divorce Records Are Confidential in Michigan?

Several categories of Michigan divorce records are confidential and shielded from routine public access. Custody evaluations, Friend of the Court reports, and children's testimony are protected under the Child Custody Act, Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.21 et seq. Personal protection orders tied to divorce proceedings, complaints filed without proof of service, and certain domestic violence materials also remain nonpublic to protect vulnerable parties.

Michigan law carves out specific exceptions to its default transparency to safeguard children and at-risk individuals. Friend of the Court files — which contain custody investigations, income data used to calculate child support, and confidential recommendations — are not part of the routinely accessible public file. Filed divorce complaints without proof of service are treated as confidential until service is completed. Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.6a, a complaint for divorce may even be made nonpublic in defined circumstances, with access limited to entities administering child support services under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. These divorce records privacy protections operate automatically, without requiring a party to file a separate sealing motion, though the underlying case docket generally remains visible.

How Do You Search Michigan Divorce Records?

You can search Michigan divorce records online through MiCOURT Case Search or in person at the county circuit court clerk. Most Michigan circuit courts participate in the statewide MiCOURT Case Search, letting you enter a party name, case number, or date range to view docket entries and registers of action. A certified copy from the clerk costs $15 for a three-year search, with a $5 charge for extra copies.

Michigan gives the public multiple avenues for a divorce records search. The most convenient starting point is MiCOURT Case Search, the state's online portal. By entering a party's name, case number, or filing date range, you can view docket entries and often the full register of actions, even when individual scanned documents are not posted online. This tells you which courthouse holds the physical file. For certified copies or documents not available online, you submit a request to the clerk of the circuit court where the divorce was finalized. The clerk typically requires the year of the divorce, both parties' names, and the case number. Because fees and procedures vary slightly by county, verify the exact copy cost and request method with your local circuit court clerk before mailing a request or visiting in person.

Divorce Certificate vs. Court Record: What Is the Difference?

A Michigan divorce action generates two distinct records: the court file and the divorce certificate. The Judgment of Divorce is the court's final order — held by the circuit court clerk — detailing property division, support, and custody. The divorce certificate is a condensed vital record issued by MDHHS containing only basic facts. A certified certificate costs $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy.

Understanding this distinction matters when you need records for a specific purpose. The court file, maintained by the circuit court under Mich. Ct. R. 8.119, contains the complete case: pleadings, motions, hearing transcripts, and the detailed final judgment. The divorce certificate, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services under authority of Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.2813, lists only the date the divorce became final, the parties' names, the court, and the case number — the data needed for a legal name change or insurance update. Anyone may request a certified certificate under Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.2882 by applying in writing and prepaying the fee. Michigan divorce vital records date back to 1897, and MDHHS regular processing currently runs 10 to 12 weeks, with an 8 to 10 week expedited option for a $12 rush fee.

Can You Seal Divorce Records in Michigan?

You can seal divorce records in Michigan, but courts grant sealing only in narrow circumstances. Under Mich. Ct. R. 8.119(I), a judge may not seal court records unless a party files a written motion identifying the specific interest to protect, the court finds good cause in writing, and there is no less restrictive means available. Entire cases generally cannot be sealed, and court orders and opinions can never be sealed.

The standard to seal divorce records in Michigan is intentionally demanding because it runs against the presumption of openness. To satisfy the good-cause test, parties must demonstrate a genuine risk of harm — not mere embarrassment about the divorce's contents. When weighing a sealing motion, the court must consider the interests of the parties, the safety of any alleged domestic violence victim, and the interest of the public, and it must give interested persons an opportunity to be heard. Three hard limits govern divorce records privacy through sealing: an entire case may not be sealed except as required by statute; a court may never seal an order or opinion, including the order deciding the sealing motion; and personal protection orders cannot be sealed, as confirmed in Jenson v. Puste. Individual documents, such as a financial affidavit, may instead be filed under seal at the outset under Mich. Ct. R. 1.109(D)(8), which is often the more realistic path to protecting sensitive information.

What Are Michigan's Divorce Filing Requirements in 2026?

Michigan requires a two-part residency test and imposes a mandatory waiting period. Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.9, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in the filing county for 10 days before filing. Filing fees are $175 without minor children or $255 with minor children under Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2529. As of July 2026 — verify with your local clerk.

Michigan is a pure no-fault divorce state. Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.6, the only permitted ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and no reasonable likelihood of preservation remains; the plaintiff may not offer any other explanation. After filing in the circuit court (Family Division), spouses must observe the statutory waiting period under Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.9f: 60 days when there are no minor children, and 6 months when dependent minor children under 18 are involved. The 60-day floor cannot be waived under any circumstances, while the 6-month period may be shortened for documented hardship but never below 60 days. Most Michigan courts accept e-filing through MiFILE, and parties who cannot afford fees may request a waiver using form MC 20 under Mich. Ct. R. 2.002.

How Does Property Division Affect the Public Record?

Property division outcomes become part of the public divorce record in Michigan. Because Michigan follows equitable distribution under Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.19 — dividing marital property in a manner that is just and reasonable rather than a fixed 50/50 split — the final Judgment of Divorce publicly documents how assets and debts were allocated between the spouses, including real estate, retirement accounts, and support obligations.

Michigan is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state, so courts do not automatically split marital assets in half. Instead, judges apply the Sparks v. Sparks factors — including the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions (including homemaking), age, health, earning ability, and, where relevant, fault — and must make specific findings on the record. Those findings and the resulting division appear in the public Judgment of Divorce. Additional statutes shape the outcome: Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.23 lets a court reach separate property when the marital estate cannot provide suitable support, and Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.401 permits awarding part of a spouse's separate property when the other spouse contributed to acquiring or improving it. Retirement accounts divided by a Qualified Domestic Relations Order and any spousal support terms are likewise reflected in the publicly filed decree, which is why divorce records search results so often reveal detailed financial arrangements.