Divorce records in Van Buren County, Michigan, are available through several channels. VanburenCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information about divorce cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the county court that issued the decision, at the County Clerk's office, as well as through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — the state office of vital records, which maintains divorce certificates for all events registered in the state of Michigan since 1867.
Van Buren Divorce Records Search
In Michigan, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court. The County Clerk's office in Van Buren County serves as the clerk of the Circuit Court and maintains court case materials, including divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, custody orders, and related documents. The state office MDHHS maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates — brief documents confirming the fact of divorce.
The collection of records includes:
- Divorce decrees / judgments of divorce
- Divorce certificates — through MDHHS
- Settlement agreements
- Custody orders
- Related procedural documents (motions, orders, stipulations)
Main office for inquiries:
Van Buren County Clerk / Circuit Court Clerk
Online search for Circuit Court case information is available through the Circuit Court Case Information page on the county's website, as well as through the statewide system MiCOURT Case Search.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Van Buren
The structure of divorce record storage in Van Buren County depends on the type of document you need.
Circuit Court — Court Case Materials
The 36th Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in Van Buren County. Once a decision is made by a judge, the judgment of divorce remains in the court case. The full set of documents — from the complaint to the final decision — is kept by the Circuit Court clerk. This is where you should go if you need a copy of the court decision, property settlement agreement, or custody order.
Van Buren County Clerk (Circuit Court Clerk)
Forms for requesting records can be found on the Resources, Links & Forms page.
Michigan MDHHS — Divorce Certificate
If you only need a document confirming the fact of divorce (for example, for remarriage or name change), contact the Michigan Vital Records Office. MDHHS issues certified divorce certificates for all divorces processed in the state. Records have been kept since 1867.
Michigan MDHHS — Vital Records
You can order a certificate online or by mail through the Vital Records page on the MDHHS website.
What to Choose?
- Need a full copy of the court decision — contact the County Clerk in Paw Paw.
- Need a certificate of the fact of divorce — order through MDHHS.
- Need to check the case status online — use MiCOURT Case Search or search on the county courts page.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Van Buren
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (Circuit Court) — uncertified | $1.00 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document (Circuit Court) | $10.00 + $1.00 per page | 5–10 business days |
| Certified divorce certificate (MDHHS) | $26.00 | Online order — approximately 3–4 weeks; expedited — shorter time |
| Additional certified copy of certificate (MDHHS, in one order) | $12.00 for each additional | With the main order |
| Search in Vital Records database (MDHHS), if record not found | $26.00 (non-refundable) | 3–4 weeks |