Genesee County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Genesee County dissolution of marriage records are held by the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Flint. The court has handled divorce cases since the 1800s, and the volume here is among the highest in Michigan. You can search cases online through MiCOURT, visit the courthouse in Flint, or send a mail request to the Records Division. This guide covers how to find dissolution of marriage records in Genesee County, what the files contain, how to get copies, what fees apply, and where to turn if you need legal help with a case.
Genesee County Overview
7th Judicial Circuit Court in Genesee County
The 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Flint handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Genesee County. The Family Division of the circuit court processes divorces, including cases with and without minor children. The courthouse is at 900 S. Saginaw Street, and the Records Division can be reached at (810) 257-3220. Case files go back to the 1800s, and Genesee County is one of the most active circuits in the state for family law cases.
The County Clerk and Register of Deeds office is located at 1101 Beach Street, Flint. That office maintains its own records and can assist with certain document requests. For most dissolution of marriage case files, though, you will work directly with the circuit court Records Division. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number. Cases with minor children are coded DM; those without are coded DO.
The Friend of the Court office is also in Flint at the circuit court. You can reach FOC at (810) 257-3100. If your case involves children, the FOC plays an active role from early in the process through enforcement of any orders after the case closes.
| Court | 7th Judicial Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| 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 | Genesee County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 1101 Beach Street, Flint, MI 48502 |
| Phone | (810) 257-2635 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Genesee County Divorce Records
The fastest way to search online is through MiCOURT Case Search, the statewide system run by Michigan Courts. You can search by name or case number at no charge. Results show party names, filing date, and current case status. The system does not display full documents, but it gives you the case number you need to request specific files from the court.
In-person access at the Flint courthouse gives you the most complete view of any case file. Bring the full names of both parties or the case number. The Records Division staff can pull the file and let you review it in a designated area. You can request certified or plain copies at the counter. Certified copies of the final judgment of divorce are the most common request.
Mail requests go to the Records Division at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502. Include the names of both parties, the year the case was filed, and the case number if you have it. Attach a check or money order for the estimated copy fees. The court will process the request and mail back the copies.
Note: High case volume at the 7th Circuit can mean longer wait times for mail requests; calling (810) 257-3220 first to confirm processing times is a good idea.
Genesee County Dissolution Filing Requirements
Michigan requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for 180 days before filing. There is also a 10-day county residency requirement before you can file in Genesee County. Both requirements come from MCL 552.9. The court will reject a filing that does not meet them, so it is worth confirming residency before you pay the filing fee.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, you only need to state that there has been a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood of saving it. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. This is the standard used in nearly every case filed at the 7th Circuit.
Waiting periods apply in all cases. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait a minimum of 60 days after filing before the court can enter a final judgment. Cases with minor children face a 180-day wait. The court may reduce that wait in cases showing extreme hardship, but it requires a motion and the judge's approval.
Filing fees at the 7th Circuit are approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases that involve minor children. Copy fees run $1 per page plus $10 for a certified copy. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income. Ask the clerk about the fee waiver application when you file.
What Genesee County Divorce Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Genesee County typically includes the original complaint or joint petition, any temporary orders entered while the case was pending, financial disclosure forms, parenting plan documents if children are involved, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment covers all terms of the dissolution, including property division under MCL 552.19, any spousal support ordered under MCL 552.23, and all custody and support terms for minor children.
Public access to court records is governed by MCR 8.119. Certain information is restricted, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and identifying details about minor children. The rest of the file is open to any member of the public who requests it. You do not need to be a party to the case to view the file or request copies.
Note: Some older Genesee County dissolution records exist only in paper form and may require extra processing time to locate and copy.
MDHHS Vital Records and Genesee County Divorce Certificates
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains statewide divorce certificates through the MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. Call them at (517) 335-8666. A certified certificate by mail costs $34; online ordering costs $58.50. Additional copies are $16 each. These certificates confirm that a divorce happened and list basic identifying information, but they do not include property terms, custody orders, or case details. For the full file, request documents directly from the 7th Circuit Court in Flint.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal shows ordering options for certified divorce certificates, including mail and online request methods and current fee schedules for Genesee County and all Michigan counties.
Legal Help for Genesee County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and forms for people who want to handle their own dissolution case. The site walks you through each step of the process, from filing the initial papers to attending the final hearing. It covers both DM and DO case types and includes instructions for cases filed in Genesee County and the 7th Circuit.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of all statutes that apply to dissolution of marriage cases, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, and 552.9f. You can read the law directly without needing a legal background to understand the basics.
Michigan Legal Help offers step-by-step guides for filing dissolution of marriage cases in Genesee County, with forms and plain-language instructions that apply to the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Flint.
Cities in Genesee County
Flint is the county seat and the largest city in Genesee County. It is the only city in this county with a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. Cases filed by Flint residents go through the 7th Judicial Circuit Court at 900 S. Saginaw Street. All other cities and townships in Genesee County also file through the same court.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are not sure which county holds a record, check the counties near Genesee.