Ottawa County Divorce Records

We are glad you came to this page. We will do our best work for you. This guide will help you find and get Ottawa County Divorce Records. We want to make this task easy for you. Use the facts here to aid your search.

If you need to start a search right now, you can visit https://michiganofficialrecords.com/ottawa-county-divorce-records/. This site offers a way to look for Ottawa County Divorce Records right from your own home. It can save you time if you want quick access. Check the site to see if it meets your needs for finding Ottawa County Divorce Records.

Understanding Ottawa County Divorce Records

What are Ottawa County Divorce Records? They are the official court files about a marriage end. The main part is the Judgment of Divorce. This paper shows the divorce is final. It lists names, dates, and court orders. The full case file holds more papers. These include the first request, answers, motions, and other court steps. These files prove a divorce took place. They are kept by the court system in Ottawa County, Michigan.

People need these records for many reasons. You might need proof to change your name back. Getting married again often needs proof of a past divorce. Some money matters need these records too. Loans or property deals could require them. Old divorce records help trace family lines. They show dates and names from the past. Having a copy can solve legal questions. It shows what the court decided. Keep a copy safe for your own use.

Are these records open to the view of all? Yes, most court records in Michigan are public. Ottawa County Divorce Records are held by the court. The County Clerk helps keep them. You can ask to see or copy them. But some rules limit who can see what. Michigan law aims to keep some facts private. Things like birth records have tight rules. Divorce files are more open but check first. Very old records might move to state files.

Where to Find Ottawa County Divorce Records

Primary Source: 20th Circuit Court Family Division

The main place for Ottawa County Divorce Records is the court. The 20th Judicial Circuit Court handles these cases. It has a Family Division for divorce matters. This court makes the final divorce decisions. Its files hold the full record of the case. You need to contact this court or its clerk. They know the process to get copies. The Family Division has specific duties. It deals with divorce, child care, and support. All the key divorce papers start and end here. When you seek records, this court is key. It heard the case and issued the divorce decree. Staff there can guide your record search best. They have direct access to case files.

The 20th Circuit Court has locations to serve you. The main courthouse holds many court parts. There is also a Family Justice Center. Knowing the right place helps your search. The Grand Haven Courthouse is one key site. The Family Justice Center is in West Olive. Both handle court records tasks. Your divorce case might be filed at one. Or records might be kept at one main spot. Ask the Clerk which office holds your specific file. This saves time and trips. These sites have staff ready to help you find records. Plan your visit based on their hours.

Role of the Ottawa County Clerk

The Ottawa County Clerk plays a big role. This person is the official Clerk of the 20th Circuit Court. Their office manages court records. This includes all Ottawa County Divorce Records. They file new cases and keep old ones safe. The Clerk must follow state laws on records. They help the public access files. You will likely deal with the Clerk's staff. They handle requests for copies. They also manage fees for records. The County Clerk is an elected role. Justin F. Roebuck is the current Clerk. His office runs several service spots. They aim to serve all parts of the county.

The County Clerk has offices in a few towns. This makes it easy for people to get help.

• West Olive: The main office is here. Find it at 12220 Fillmore Street, Room 130. This site holds Vital Records and Deeds.

• Grand Haven: An office is at 414 Washington Ave, Room 115. This branch helps with Vital Records and Deeds too. There is also a Circuit Court Records office in Grand Haven. It is at 414 Washington Ave, Room 320.

• Holland: Visit the office at 12251 James Street. It offers Vital Records help.

• Hudsonville: This office is at 3100 Port Sheldon Road. It is open only on Tuesdays for Vital Records. Note that divorce records are court records, not vital records. You need the Circuit Court Records division. These are in Grand Haven and West Olive.

How to Request Ottawa County Divorce Records

Available Methods

You have a few ways to ask for records. Going in person is one way. Visit the Circuit Court Records office. You can ask for help and fill out forms there. Mail is another choice. Send a written request to the court clerk. Be sure to include all key facts. Some records may be found online. Check the Ottawa County website. Look for court record search tools. You might search by name or case number. Email is also an option. Use the Circuit Court Records email address. Ask about the process and fees first. Not all methods work for all records. Ask the clerk's office for the best way.

Make sure you contact the right office. Divorce records are Circuit Court records. Do not use the state vital records office (MDHHS). They handle birth, death, marriage only. Focus on the Ottawa County 20th Circuit Court Clerk. Their offices are in Grand Haven and West Olive. Staff there handle divorce record requests daily. They know the exact steps you must take. Using the correct contact saves you much time. It avoids sending requests to the wrong place. Check the county website for links. Look under Clerk or Courts sections. Find the Circuit Court Records page. It has contact details and maybe search links.

Required Information for Requests

To find the right Ottawa County Divorce Records, you need good facts. Give the full names of both people in the divorce. Use the names they had at the time of the case. Spell names right if you can. The case number is very helpful. If you know it, include it in your request. It makes the search much faster for the clerk. If you do not have the case number, give the year. The year the divorce was final helps narrow the search. Give the best year guess you can. The more facts you give, the better the chance. The clerk needs these details to search files. Without good facts, they may not find the record. Prepare this info before you ask. Write it down clearly for mail or email requests. Have it ready if you call or visit. This makes the process smooth. Good data leads to success.

Forms and Fees

You might need a form to ask for copies. Check the Ottawa County Clerk's website. Look for a record request form. The Legal Self Help Center page has some forms. Find it at https://miottawa.org/courts/lshc/forms/. State court forms are on the Michigan Courts site. See https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Domestic-Relations/. A simple form for copies may not be online. You might need to write a letter. Or fill one out when you visit. Call the Circuit Court Records office to be sure. Ask them what form or letter works best.

There are costs to get Ottawa County Divorce Records. A search fee might apply. This pays for the clerk's time to look. Fees for copies are common too. A certified copy costs more. It has a seal and is official for legal use. A plain copy costs less. It is just for your info. Ask the Clerk's office about exact fees. Fees can change over time. State law sets some fee ranges for vital records. See MCL 333.2891. But local court fees may differ. Pay fees when you make the request. Ask how to pay (cash, check, card, online). Plan for these costs in your search.

Types of Divorce Records Available

You can often get different parts of the record. The most common request is the Judgment of Divorce. This is the final court order ending the marriage. It is usually a few pages long. It shows the date, names, and key court rulings. It proves the divorce is official. This paper is often needed for legal tasks. Like changing your name or right to marry again. It confirms the end of the prior bond.

You might need more than just the judgment. The full case file contains everything filed. This includes the initial complaint for divorce. It has the response from the other spouse. Motions filed by lawyers are there too. Orders made by the judge during the case are part of it. Financial statements might be in the file. Custody agreements are included if kids were involved. Getting the whole file gives a full picture. It costs more due to more pages. Tell the clerk exactly what you need.

Copies come in two main types. Certified copies are for official use. They have a court seal or stamp. A clerk signs to certify it is a true copy. Use these for legal needs. Like the DMV, Social Security, or other courts. Plain copies, or informational copies, are just photocopies. They do not have the official seal. Use these for your own review or records. They cost less than certified ones. Know which type you need before you order. Ask the agency needing the record what type they require. This ensures you get the right version.

Access Rules and Privacy Notes

Michigan court records are mostly public. This means you can ask to see them. Ottawa County follows state laws on access. The goal is open government. But there are some limits. Privacy is also important. State laws protect certain details. For example, information about children might be restricted. Some financial data could be kept private too. The law tries to balance public access and personal privacy. You can usually see the main parts of a divorce file. Things like names, dates, and the final judgment are open. But sensitive details might be blacked out or sealed by a judge's order.

Some records might be sealed. This is not common for divorce cases. But it can happen in special situations. If a record is sealed, you cannot see it. Only the parties or someone with a court order can. Michigan law also covers vital records access closely. See the Public Health Code, like MCL 333.2882. While divorce decrees are court records, some access rules overlap. Very old records, like those over 75 years old, might be sent elsewhere. The Library of Michigan gets some old records for history research, per MCL 333.2885. Always check with the Circuit Court Clerk first. They know the current rules for access. They can tell you if any limits apply to the record you seek. Clerks cannot give legal advice per MCL 600.916(1). They just provide access based on law.

Key Contact Information and Office Details

20th Circuit Court Records Division

• Grand Haven Office:

  • Address: 414 Washington Ave, Room 320, Grand Haven, MI 49417

  • Phone: (616) 846-8315

  • Fax: (616) 846-8147 (Fax Filing)

  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

  • Note: Closed 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM on the 2nd Thursday of each month.

• West Olive Office (Family Justice Center):

  • Address: 12240 Fillmore St, Room 50, West Olive, MI 49460

  • Phone: (616) 846-8315 (Same number as Grand Haven)

  • Fax: (616) 738-4638

  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

  • Note: Closed 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM on the 2nd Thursday of each month.

• Email: CircuitCourtRecords@miOttawa.org

Ottawa County Clerk Offices (General Info/Context)

• County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Justin F. Roebuck

• West Olive Main Office (Vital Records & Deeds):

  • Address: 12220 Fillmore Street, Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460

  • Phone: (616) 994-4531 (Vital Records)

  • Fax: (616) 994-4538

  • Hours: Monday - Friday (Check https://miottawa.org/clerk/locations/ for specific hours and closures)

  • Email: countyclerk@miottawa.org

• Grand Haven Branch (Vital Records & Deeds):

  • Address: 414 Washington Ave, Room 115, Grand Haven, MI 49417

  • Phone: (616) 846-8109

  • Fax: (616) 846-8131

  • Hours: Monday - Friday (Closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM daily, check website for other closures)

• Holland Branch (Vital Records):

  • Address: 12251 James Street, Holland, MI 49424

  • Phone: (616) 494-5566

  • Fax: (616) 494-5495

  • Hours: Monday - Friday (Closed 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM daily, check website for other closures)

• Hudsonville Branch (Vital Records):

  • Address: 3100 Port Sheldon Road, Hudsonville, MI 49426

  • Phone: (616) 994-4531 (Main Clerk number)

  • Hours: Tuesdays Only (Closed 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, check website for other closures)

Relevant State Laws and Resources

Knowing the laws helps understand record access. The Michigan Legislature website holds the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL). Part 28 of the Public Health Code covers vital records. Court records fall under different rules but share some ideas. The Michigan Courts website has court rules (MCR). It also links to the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). SCAO provides many standard court forms. The official Ottawa County website is key. It has contact info, office hours, and maybe online search tools. Look under "Courts" or "County Clerk" sections. Use these official sites for the best facts. They are kept up to date by the state and county.