Berrien County, MI · Berrien County
Petition for Guardianship of a Minor
This petition packet helps a person request appointment as guardian of a minor from the Berrien County Probate Court.
At a glance
- Issued by
- City of Berrien County · Berrien County, Berrien County, Michigan
- Notarization
- Not required: file this form without a notary.
- Official source
- berriencounty.org
- Blank form
- Download the PDF
- Catalogued
- Machine-readable
- JSON record · about the forms index
What this form is
Use this packet to petition the Berrien County Probate Court for appointment as a guardian of a minor; the instructions also describe a separate petition for limited guardianship. The minor must be a legal resident of Berrien County or live with someone in the county. The packet includes instructions and related forms, and asks for information about the child, parents, proposed guardian, and court history.
Who needs it
A person seeking appointment as guardian of a minor who meets the county residency requirement should complete and file the applicable petition and related forms.
How to submit it
The packet says to bring the completed forms and necessary copies to the Probate Court at 811 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085. It lists a $162 filing fee for the guardianship petition, payable when filed.
About notarization
The petition itself is signed without a notary; if needed, the parent-location affidavit and fee-waiver affidavit require signing before a notary or deputy register.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download the Packet
Download the guardianship petition packet and read its instructions before completing the forms.
- 2
Complete the Forms
Fill out the petition and applicable related forms; the packet says to complete a separate packet for each child.
- 3
Gather Copies and Attachments
Gather a copy of the child's birth certificate and, if applicable, the latest court order affecting the child. Make copies needed for service.
- 4
Submit to the Probate Court
Bring the completed forms and necessary copies to the Probate Court at 811 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085, with the listed filing fee.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Petition for Guardianship of a Minor?
- It is a packet for requesting appointment as guardian of a minor through the Berrien County Probate Court. It includes instructions and related forms for the guardianship process.
- Who can file this guardianship petition?
- A person seeking guardianship may file if the minor is a legal resident of Berrien County or lives with someone in the county. The packet says to use a separate packet for each child.
- Do I need a notary for the Petition for Guardianship of a Minor?
- No, the petition itself is signed without a notary. If applicable, the parent-location affidavit and fee-waiver affidavit must be signed before a notary or deputy register.
- How do I submit the guardianship petition?
- Bring the completed forms and necessary copies to the Probate Court at 811 Port Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085. The packet lists a $162 filing fee payable when the petition is filed.