Flint Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage cases filed by Flint residents are handled by the 7th Judicial Circuit Court, which is located right in Flint at 900 S. Saginaw Street. As the county seat of Genesee County, Flint residents have the advantage of filing at a courthouse in their own city rather than traveling to a separate county seat. This page covers the filing process, online search options, record access, and where to get certified divorce documents.
Flint Overview
Where Flint Dissolution Cases Are Filed
The 7th Judicial Circuit Court is the court that handles all dissolution of marriage cases for Genesee County, including cases from Flint. This is one of the few Michigan cities where the circuit court sits within the city itself. Flint is the county seat of Genesee County, so residents do not need to travel to a separate location to file or access dissolution records. The courthouse is at 900 S. Saginaw Street, and the main court phone line is (810) 257-3220.
The Genesee County Clerk and Register of Deeds is at a separate location: 1101 Beach Street, Flint, MI 48502, phone (810) 257-2635. The clerk's office handles county-level recording and administrative functions. For dissolution of marriage records and case filings specifically, the Circuit Court Legal Division at 900 S. Saginaw Street is your first stop. Staff there handle family law case filings and record requests for dissolution matters.
| Court | 7th Judicial Circuit Court - Genesee County |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 |
| Phone | (810) 257-3220 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | 1101 Beach Street, Flint, MI 48502 |
| Clerk Phone | (810) 257-2635 |
Unlike many Michigan cities where residents must drive to a separate county seat, Flint residents can access the circuit court without leaving the city. The courthouse is centrally located and parking is generally available nearby.
Note: Standard Genesee County filing fees follow Michigan norms, approximately $175 for cases without minor children and $255 for cases with children, though you should confirm current fees with the court before filing.
Searching Flint Dissolution Records Online
The statewide MiCOURT case search operated by the Michigan Supreme Court is the primary online tool for searching Flint dissolution of marriage records. You can search by party name or case number to find Genesee County circuit court cases. The system returns case type, filing date, status, and basic docket activity. It covers a wide range of Michigan courts and is a reliable starting point for finding dissolution cases filed in Flint.
For cases not appearing in MiCOURT, or for older records, you can contact the 7th Circuit Court Legal Division directly at (810) 257-3220. Staff can confirm whether a case is on file and assist with in-person record access or copy requests. Some older Genesee County cases may exist only in paper form and require a visit to the courthouse to review.
Note: Online search results cover docket information. Accessing actual filed documents or requesting certified copies requires a direct request to the court.
Flint Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Process
To file a dissolution of marriage in Flint, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirements under MCL 552.9. One party must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Genesee County for at least 10 days before the case is filed. These are minimum thresholds. If you file before meeting both requirements, the court can dismiss the case and require you to refile once the residency period is satisfied.
Michigan uses a no-fault dissolution standard governed by MCL 552.6. Neither party needs to prove wrongdoing. You state that the marriage has broken down and that there is no reasonable chance of saving it. That is the legal threshold. Under MCL 552.9f, there is a required waiting period after filing. Cases without minor children must wait 60 days before the court can enter a final judgment. Cases with minor children face a 180-day wait, though a judge can reduce that period for good cause in limited circumstances.
Flint dissolution cases involving children are assigned case type DM. Cases without children are DO. DM cases involve the Friend of the Court for matters of custody, parenting time, and child support. Property division is addressed under MCL 552.19. Spousal support is governed by MCL 552.23. Filing fees in Genesee County are roughly $175 for DO cases and $255 for DM cases at standard rates.
Accessing Flint Dissolution Records
After a dissolution case closes, the court file is part of the public record unless the judge has ordered specific portions sealed. Final judgments and decrees from Flint dissolution cases are generally accessible to the public. You can review records in person at the 7th Circuit Court at 900 S. Saginaw Street. Bring a case number or the names of both parties so staff can locate the file quickly. For copy requests, tell staff whether you need a plain copy or a certified copy, as the fees are different.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature. They are required for legal tasks such as updating a driver's license with a name change, changing a name on a Social Security card, removing a former spouse from a deed, or handling pension and retirement account paperwork. Plain copies are fine for your own records but will not be accepted by most agencies. Copy fees vary; confirm current rates with the court when you request.
Michigan court record access is governed by MCR 8.119 and case-level access rules under MCR 3.206. Financial affidavits, exhibits involving minor children, and certain sealed orders may be restricted. If you are requesting your own case file, bring photo identification. Third parties can generally access the public portions of dissolution records.
MDHHS Vital Records for Flint Residents
If you need an official divorce certificate rather than a copy of the actual court judgment, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services handles that. The MDHHS Vital Records office issues divorce certificates that confirm a dissolution occurred, stating the names of the parties, the county of filing, and the date finalized. This document is shorter than the full judgment and does not include custody, property, or support terms.
Order a Michigan divorce certificate through MDHHS Vital Records.
MDHHS Vital Records is at 333 S. Grand Avenue in Lansing, phone (517) 335-8666. Mail orders cost $34 for the first certificate. Online orders through VitalChek cost $58.50 for the first copy, with additional copies at $16 each when ordered at the same time. For most administrative name-change purposes, the MDHHS divorce certificate is sufficient and faster to get than a certified copy from the 7th Circuit Court. If you need the full judgment text, contact the court directly.
Legal Help for Flint Dissolution Cases
Flint residents who need help with dissolution of marriage cases have access to both free online resources and local legal aid programs.
Michigan Legal Help is a free resource developed with the State Bar of Michigan. It covers the full dissolution process with step-by-step instructions, downloadable court forms, and plain-language explanations of Michigan law. The site is built for people who are not attorneys and addresses common issues such as filing procedures, custody basics, support calculations, and what to expect at a hearing. Legal aid eligibility information is also available through the site.
The Michigan Courts website provides official court forms and procedural guides for family law cases. The Michigan Legislature site lets you read the full text of every statute that applies to dissolution cases. Genesee County also has legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents. Michigan Legal Help can point you toward local legal aid eligibility and contact information if you need in-person assistance with your Flint dissolution case.
Genesee County Dissolution Records
Flint is the county seat of Genesee County, and the 7th Judicial Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage filings for the county. The Genesee County page has more detail on court procedures and county-wide resources.
Nearby Cities
Other major Michigan cities with dissolution of marriage record pages are listed below. Note that these cities are in different counties and file with their own circuit courts.