Roscommon County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records for Roscommon County are held by the 34th Circuit Court in the city of Roscommon. This court covers Roscommon, Iosco, and Ogemaw counties, making it one of the multi-county circuits in northern lower Michigan. Case files are kept at each county's courthouse, so Roscommon County records stay local at the Roscommon courthouse.
Roscommon County Overview
Roscommon Circuit Court
All dissolution of marriage filings in Roscommon County go through the 34th Circuit Court. The 34th Circuit covers three counties: Roscommon, Iosco, and Ogemaw. Each county seat handles its own filings. If your case was filed in Roscommon County, the records are at the Lake Street courthouse in the city of Roscommon, not at the Iosco or Ogemaw locations.
| Court | 34th Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653 |
| Phone | (989) 275-7170 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The County Clerk's office is also at 500 Lake Street, with a separate phone line for record requests. Contact the clerk for copy orders, certified documents, and questions about case file access.
| County Clerk | 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Phone | (989) 275-5923 |
Roscommon sits in the heart of the northern lower peninsula lake region. The courthouse is easy to find in the small city center. Calling before you visit is always a smart move to confirm your case is accessible.
Searching Roscommon Dissolution Records Online
The state's MiCOURT Case Search tool is the first place to look for dissolution of marriage records from Roscommon County. The 34th Circuit participates in the statewide system, so most cases from recent decades appear there. Search by the name of either party, the case number, or the filing date range to find the record you need.
Dissolution cases in Michigan carry one of two case codes: DM for cases with minor children, and DO for cases without. When browsing MiCOURT results, these codes help you spot the right type of case quickly. The system shows the case filing date, party names, current status, and upcoming court dates. It does not typically show the full contents of case documents, but it confirms whether a case exists and gives you the case number you need to request copies.
Records from before MiCOURT was in place may only be available in paper form. Roscommon County's recreational lake area attracted seasonal residents, and some older cases may involve parties who lived in the county part-time. Those records are at the clerk's office regardless of residency type at the time of filing.
Free online guidance on using MiCOURT is available through Michigan Legal Help, which also explains what to expect from the records search process.
Michigan Legal Help offers plain-language instructions for searching and accessing dissolution of marriage records across all Michigan counties.
Note: MiCOURT only shows cases the court has entered into its digital system, so older paper-only records require a direct request to the Roscommon County Clerk.
How to Get Copies of Dissolution Records
Getting copies from the Roscommon County Clerk is a simple process. In person, visit the clerk's office during business hours, give the case information, and pay the copy fee at the counter. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait, depending on how busy the office is that day.
Mail requests work as well. Write to the Roscommon County Clerk at 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, the case number if you have it, and payment. Plain copies cost about $1.00 per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost $10.00. Certified copies are the ones you need for legal transactions like a name change at the Secretary of State, remarriage, or immigration paperwork. Plain copies are fine for personal records or research purposes.
If you are unsure whether a dissolution case was filed in Roscommon County, run a MiCOURT search first. It can confirm the county of filing so you know exactly where to send your request.
Filing Requirements and Fees in Roscommon County
State law controls how dissolution filings work in Roscommon County. Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 say that at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Roscommon County for a minimum of 10 days before filing. These timelines are firm. Courts do not waive the residency requirement.
Michigan is a no-fault dissolution state under MCL 552.6. You do not need a reason beyond a breakdown of the marital relationship. There is no requirement to prove that either party did something wrong. This keeps the filing process focused on practical matters like property, support, and custody rather than fault.
Once filed, a waiting period applies before the case can be finalized. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days. Cases with minor children require at least 180 days. A judge may waive the waiting period in hardship situations, but that requires filing a motion and getting court approval. It does not happen automatically.
Filing fees at the 34th Circuit Court run approximately $175 for DO cases (without children) and $255 for DM cases (with children). Service fees, copies, and other costs add to the total. Fee waivers are available through the court if income is limited.
What Dissolution Case Files Contain
Roscommon County dissolution case files hold all documents filed with the court from start to finish. Under MCR 3.206 and MCR 3.211, a typical file includes the complaint for dissolution, the summons, proof that the other spouse was served, any response filed by the other party, a proposed settlement agreement, parenting time plans in DM cases, financial disclosure forms, and the final judgment of divorce. Property settlement details appear in cases involving real estate, retirement accounts, or other significant assets.
For DM cases, the Friend of the Court (FOC) in Roscommon County plays an active role. The FOC handles child support orders, parenting time schedules, and custody enforcement. FOC records are not stored in the main case file but are connected to the case through the court. You can contact the FOC office through the courthouse if you need information about support or parenting time matters tied to a specific dissolution.
Under MCR 8.119, Michigan courts must keep records open to the public unless restricted by court order. Most Roscommon County dissolution records are public. Some portions of financial disclosures or documents involving children may be sealed. Ask the clerk which parts of a file are open before you request copies.
Note: Property division details under MCL 552.19 and spousal support terms under MCL 552.23 appear in the final judgment and any attached settlement agreements within the case file.
MDHHS Vital Records and Roscommon Divorces
Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services keeps divorce certificates for all dissolutions finalized across the state. Order through MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48909, or call (517) 335-8666. A divorce certificate is a short document confirming the dissolution occurred. It lists names, the county, and the final date. It does not include property settlements, custody orders, or other case-specific terms.
Mail requests cost $34. Ordering online through the state vendor runs $58.50. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $16. A certificate from MDHHS is faster to obtain than a full case file copy from Roscommon and works well when you only need basic proof that the dissolution happened.
The MDHHS Vital Records page walks you through fees, ordering steps, and what ID or documentation you need to request a divorce certificate from Michigan.
For full case documents, the Roscommon County Clerk is the right contact. MDHHS handles certificate-level records only and cannot provide copies of court orders or filed documents from the case file itself.
Legal Help Resources
Roscommon County residents who need help with a dissolution of marriage case can start with Michigan Legal Help. The site is free and has self-help guides for every stage of the dissolution process. Form packets for uncontested divorces are available to download. The site also explains how to ask the court to waive filing fees if you have limited income, which can make a real difference in a rural county like Roscommon where legal aid offices may not be nearby.
If your case involves disputes over property under MCL 552.19 or spousal support under MCL 552.23, or if child custody is contested, working with an attorney is worth the cost. The State Bar of Michigan runs a lawyer referral line that can connect you with attorneys who handle family law in northern Michigan. Even a single consultation can help you understand what you are likely to face in your case.
All Michigan statutes and court rules mentioned in this page are available at no charge through the Michigan Legislature website. You can read the full text of MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.9f, and the court rules that govern dissolution proceedings. Reading the law gives you a clearer picture of what the court expects and how your case is likely to proceed.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Roscommon in the northern lower Michigan region.