Introduction to Michigan Divorce Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Michigan Divorce certificate.  Divorce Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Divorce Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Divorce Certificates is that states have not been registering Divorces for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register Divorces.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the Divorce took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Divorce Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Divorce Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Divorce certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Divorce certificate by following the correct procedure.  

Michigan Divorce certificates have been maintained by the State of Michigan Vital Records Office for individuals divorced in the state of Michigan since 1897.  Some divorces (especially pre-1924) were not filed with the state.

Michigan Divorce Certificate Authorized Persons

Michigan Divorce certificates are open to the general public.  Anyone over 18 years of age may request a copy of any Michigan Divorce certificate.

Michigan Divorce Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Michigan Divorce Certificate for genealogy or other reasons.

Michigan Divorce Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Michigan Divorce Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Michigan Divorce Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Michigan Divorce Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Michigan Divorce Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Michigan Divorce certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Michigan Divorce certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Michigan Divorce certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Michigan Divorce certificate
• Date of Divorce on the Michigan Divorce certificate
• County (or city) of Divorce on the Michigan Divorce certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Michigan Divorce certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Michigan Divorce certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Vital Records Requests

PO Box 30721

Lansing MI 48909

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Michigan: You may go to any county health department in the State of Michigan to obtain a certified copy of a Michigan Divorce certificate. Most Michigan Divorce certificates can be issued while you wait.

Michigan Divorce Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Michigan Divorce certificate is $26.00, which includes one certified copy of the Michigan Divorce certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Michigan Divorce certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. If you want a “rushed” Michigan Divorce Certificate and additional fee of $10.00 is added on to the fee.  If you are over 65 years old and are requesting your own Michigan Divorce Certificate you ware charged a discounted fee of $7.00 for the first Michigan Divorce certificate.  Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to " Michigan Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.