Muskegon County’s Hall of Justice will reopen Monday, June 22 for non-court services, including divorce filings, birth and marriage records, business registrations, and more
Beginning Monday, June 22 at 10am, Muskegon County residents will once again be able to head to the Hall of Justice at 990 Terrace St. for a variety of non-court services, including divorce filings; birth, death and marriage records; business registrations; and more.
The Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice has been closed since March 16 because of the Covid-19 pandemic; its Monday reopening is being done in compliance with Muskegon County’s plan to incrementally restore services and facilities that were unavailable to the public during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.
“We are excited to resume serving Muskegon County residents in-person,” Beth Dick, Muskegon County director of finance and assistant county administrator, said in a press release. “Our staff is working hard to make sure we can do so safely and as efficiently as possible.”
Beginning Monday, the Hall of Justice will be open from 10am to 5pm. The County Clerk’s Circuit Court Records Office will resume all of its regular functions, including filing documents for divorce, civil, criminal, and paternity/support cases. The County Clerk’s Vital Records office will reopen with limited services, including certified birth, death and marriage records; new notary applications; and business registrations.
Residents will need to have all requests or applications completed before visiting the vital records office and have photo identification and payment ready. Please click here for documents and applications, as well as full details on available online services.
Monday’s reopening does not include most court operations. Only the Circuit Court records office will be open to the public at this time. All Muskegon County courts are subject to a Michigan Supreme Court order that established a phased process for state trial courts to gradually return to full capacity and, more slowly, to reopen courthouse facilities to the general public.
Most hearings and trials will be conducted virtually or delayed because of the Supreme Court order.
Anyone with a scheduled hearing or pending court matter will receive notice in the mail regarding future hearing dates and instructions on whether to appear in-person or via Zoom.
Prior to Monday’s reopening, county officials emphasized that staff members have been working to implement measures meant to protect the public from Covid-19, including new signage, hand sanitizing stations, and physical barriers to ensure physical distancing.