Iosco County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Iosco County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the 23rd Circuit Court in Tawas City. The 23rd Circuit serves Arenac, Bay, Gladwin, and Iosco counties, with the Iosco County portion handled at the courthouse on W. Lake Street. These records include divorce filings, final judgments, and related case documents. Most are public. This guide explains how to search dissolution of marriage records in Iosco County, what steps to take, and what costs to expect when requesting copies.
Iosco County Overview
23rd Circuit Court in Iosco County
The 23rd Circuit Court handles dissolution of marriage cases for Iosco County residents. The courthouse is at 422 W. Lake Street in Tawas City, on the northeastern Lake Huron shoreline. Both the circuit court and the County Clerk's office are in this building. The clerk maintains the official case files, and the circuit court handles active dissolution proceedings. Cases are coded DM when minor children are involved and DO when they are not.
Iosco County is a rural northeastern Michigan county. The court staff is accessible, and walk-in visitors can generally get help during business hours. If you bring the names of the parties or the case number, staff can locate the file and provide access for review. Copies can be ordered while you are there. The courthouse also processes mail requests from people who cannot visit in person.
| Court | 23rd Circuit Court - Iosco County |
|---|---|
| Address | 422 W. Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48763 |
| Phone | (989) 362-3487 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Iosco County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 422 W. Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48763 |
| Phone | (989) 362-3497 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Iosco County Divorce Records
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal, operated by Michigan Courts, is the fastest way to check for dissolution of marriage cases in Iosco County online. Search by name or case number at no cost. The system shows basic case details: party names, filing dates, and case status. You do not see the full file through MiCOURT, but you get the case number to use when requesting documents.
In-person visits to the Tawas City courthouse give you full access to the case file. Staff can pull the records and let you review them. You can ask for copies on the same visit. Copy fees are $1 per page, and certified copies cost $10 per document. If you plan to come in, call ahead at (989) 362-3487 to confirm hours and whether the records you need are readily available.
Mail requests to the County Clerk work for people who cannot visit in person. Write to 422 W. Lake Street, Tawas City, MI 48763. Include full party names, the approximate filing year, and payment by check or money order. The clerk will process the request and return copies by mail.
Note: Older Iosco County records that predate electronic filing may not appear in MiCOURT; call the clerk at (989) 362-3497 to check availability for historical cases.
Dissolution Filing Requirements in Iosco County
Under MCL 552.9, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days before filing. You also need 10 days of residency in Iosco County to file there. Both conditions must be satisfied or the court will not process the filing. These rules are the same across all Michigan counties.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, the only required ground is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable chance of saving it. You do not have to prove fault or misconduct by either spouse. Most dissolution cases in Iosco County proceed on this standard, which simplifies the initial filing.
Filing fees at the 23rd Circuit Court are approximately $175 for a case without minor children and $255 for a case with minor children. The difference reflects the $80 Friend of the Court fee that applies when children are involved. Fee waivers exist for those who qualify based on financial hardship.
Waiting periods begin on the date the case is filed. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without children cannot be finalized until at least 60 days have passed. Cases with minor children must wait 180 days. A judge can shorten either period in exceptional circumstances, but that requires a motion with documented cause.
What Iosco County Dissolution Case Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Iosco County contains the original complaint or joint petition, any temporary orders entered during the case, financial disclosures, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment covers property division under MCL 552.19, spousal support if ordered under MCL 552.23, and all custody and child support terms if children were part of the case. These documents make up the core of the case file and are what most people are looking for when they request divorce records.
Public access to these records is governed by MCR 8.119. The general rule is that court records are open to the public. Restricted information includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and details specific to minor children. The rest of the file is available to any person who requests it, whether or not they were a party to the case.
Friend of the Court Services in Iosco County
The Friend of the Court office in Iosco County operates within the 23rd Circuit Court. Every dissolution of marriage case with minor children involves the FOC. The FOC calculates child support using the state formula, evaluates custody and parenting time arrangements, and presents recommendations to the judge. After the divorce is final, the FOC enforces support orders and handles requests to modify terms.
If you are filing a dissolution case in Iosco County that involves children, plan on FOC contact early in the process. You can reach the 23rd Circuit Court at (989) 362-3487 for information about the FOC's role in your specific case.
Note: FOC involvement adds time to cases with minor children, so factor the 180-day waiting period into your timeline from the date of filing.
MDHHS Vital Records and Iosco County Divorce Certificates
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office maintains certified divorce certificates for all Michigan counties including Iosco. Their office is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI. Call (517) 335-8666 with questions. A certified certificate costs $34 by mail or $58.50 online. Extra copies are $16 each.
A MDHHS divorce certificate is not the same as a copy of the court file. It confirms the dissolution took place and shows the parties, county, and date. It does not include property terms or custody orders. For full case documents, contact the Iosco County Clerk directly at (989) 362-3497.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal covers all Michigan counties including Iosco County and provides current fee information and instructions for ordering certified divorce certificates by mail or online.
Legal Resources for Iosco County Divorce Cases
Michigan Legal Help offers free guides and forms for people handling dissolution of marriage cases without an attorney. The site covers residency requirements, the filing process, what to expect at each stage, and how to handle common issues like property and custody. It is a solid first resource for anyone filing in Iosco County.
The Michigan Legislature website has the complete text of all statutes relevant to dissolution of marriage, including MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.9f, MCL 552.19, and MCL 552.23. You can read these laws directly to understand the legal framework that applies to your case. The Michigan Courts website also has approved forms and links to local court information for the 23rd Circuit.
Michigan Legal Help covers dissolution of marriage procedures that apply to Iosco County cases, including form selection and step-by-step filing guides at no cost to users.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage records are held in the county where one spouse lived at the time of filing. If a case is not found in Iosco County, check the bordering counties below.