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Michigan Form MC 01: Summons and Complaint
What this form does, who files it, what it costs, and how to avoid the errors that get Michigan filings rejected.
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Quick Answer
What is Michigan form MC 01?
Form MC 01 is the Michigan summons that opens a civil or family case. The clerk stamps it with your case number and judge assignment, and it tells the other party they have 21 days (28 if served by mail or out of state) to respond.
Who files it
The person starting the case — the plaintiff in a civil case, or the plaintiff/petitioner in a divorce.
Where it goes
The circuit court clerk in the county where you or the defendant lives, filed together with your complaint.
Filing fee
$175 for most circuit court civil cases; $175/$255 for divorce without/with minor children.
What you need before you start
- Full legal names and current addresses for every party
- The county and court where you are filing
- Your complaint (the document explaining what you are asking the court to do)
- The correct number of copies — one for the court, one for each defendant, one for you
How to complete and file form MC 01
- 1
Complete the caption with the court, county, and party names exactly as they appear on legal documents.
- 2
Attach your complaint behind the summons.
- 3
File with the clerk and pay the fee (or file MC 20 to request a waiver).
- 4
The clerk issues the summons with an expiration date — usually 91 days.
- 5
Serve the defendant before the summons expires and file proof of service with the court.
Mistakes that get MC 01 rejected
- Letting the summons expire before service is completed — you then have to request a second summons
- Serving the wrong person or serving by a method the rules do not allow for that case type
- Forgetting to file proof of service, which stalls the case even when service actually happened