Saginaw County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Saginaw County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained at the 10th Circuit Court in Saginaw. The clerk's office holds case files going back many decades, covering filings from across this central Michigan county. You can search cases online using MiCOURT, go to the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. This page explains how to find Saginaw County divorce records, what information those files contain, how to get copies, and where to turn for help during the process.
Saginaw County Overview
10th Circuit Court in Saginaw County
All dissolution of marriage cases in Saginaw County go through the Family Division of the 10th Circuit Court. This court sits at 111 S. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw and handles every part of the process, from the first filing to the final judgment. The clerk's office at the same address keeps all case files and issues copies of divorce decrees and related documents on request. Staff can help you search by name or case number during regular business hours.
Saginaw is one of the more active courts in central Michigan. Higher case volume means you may want to call ahead before visiting in person to confirm wait times or ask about the best way to submit your records request. The clerk's office processes most routine copy requests, while complex file reviews may require scheduling. For Family Division matters, the circuit court at 111 S. Michigan Avenue is your main contact for dissolution records.
| Court | 10th Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602 |
| Phone | (989) 790-5400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Saginaw County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602 |
| Phone | (989) 790-5251 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Saginaw County Divorce Cases Online
The quickest way to look up a Saginaw County dissolution of marriage case is through MiCOURT Case Search, the statewide system run by Michigan's court network. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show case status, docket events, and hearing information at no cost. Select Saginaw County from the court drop-down to limit results to the 10th Circuit Court.
When searching, case type codes can help you filter results. Cases with minor children are coded DM. Cases without minor children use the DO code. These codes appear in the case number and help narrow your search when the party name is common. MiCOURT covers cases that have been entered into the statewide system, which includes most recent filings and many older ones as well.
Older records, especially those from before the 1990s, may not appear online. For those, a visit to the courthouse or a written mail request is needed. The clerk's office at 111 S. Michigan Avenue can manually search older files by name or approximate filing year.
Note: MiCOURT shows party names and docket events but not full document text; contact the 10th Circuit Court clerk directly to request copies of actual case documents.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Saginaw County
To file in Saginaw County, you must meet the residency requirements set by MCL 552.9. That law requires 180 days of Michigan residency and at least 10 days of Saginaw County residency before filing. You start the case by submitting a complaint for divorce with the circuit court clerk. The filing fee is roughly $175 for cases with no minor children and around $255 for cases involving children. Confirm the exact amount with the clerk before you submit, as fees can change.
Once filed, the case moves through a waiting period required by MCL 552.9f. In cases with no minor children, the court must wait at least 60 days before entering a final judgment. When children are part of the case, that period extends to 180 days. This waiting period begins on the date you file the complaint. Judges rarely shorten it and only do so when specific circumstances apply.
Michigan uses a no-fault standard under MCL 552.6. You do not need to prove that either spouse did something wrong. The only legal basis required is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of recovery. Saginaw County courts follow this same standard as every circuit court in the state.
The Friend of the Court office in Saginaw County handles child support, custody enforcement, and parenting time issues for every case involving minor children. Any case coded DM is automatically referred to the Friend of the Court. Their staff can provide mediation and help determine support amounts under Michigan's income shares model.
What Saginaw County Dissolution Records Contain
A dissolution of marriage file at the 10th Circuit Court includes the original complaint, all amendments, proofs of service, financial disclosures, custody orders, and the final judgment of divorce. The final judgment is the document most people ask for. It sets out how property was divided, what support was ordered, what custody arrangement was put in place, and the official date the marriage ended. Certified copies of that judgment are often needed for name changes, real property title transfers, and retirement account updates.
Under MCR 8.119, certain information in court files is kept from public view. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and details about minor children are restricted. If you were a party to the case, you can access those restricted sections with valid photo identification. Third parties can only see the public portions of the record. The clerk's office can tell you what is available before you make a formal copy request.
Property division in Saginaw County cases follows MCL 552.19, which gives courts broad discretion to split marital assets in a fair way. Spousal support decisions are covered by MCL 552.23. Both topics appear in the final judgment and any related orders held in the case file at the 10th Circuit Court.
Copy fees at Saginaw County are generally $1 to $2 per page for plain copies. Certified copies run $10 to $15 each. If you need a certified copy for a state agency or passport office, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also holds records. You can reach MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Ave in Lansing, by phone at (517) 335-8666. Their certified copy fee is $34 by mail or $58.50 online.
Saginaw County Dissolution Records: Online Resources
The Saginaw County government website at saginawcounty.com provides information on county services including the 10th Circuit Court.
The Saginaw County website provides access to court clerk contact information, FOC resources, and guidance for residents seeking dissolution of marriage records.
The Michigan Legal Help website has free guides and forms for anyone working through a dissolution case in Saginaw County or elsewhere in the state.
Michigan Legal Help walks you through each step of a dissolution case from filing to final judgment, with tools that help you prepare your own forms at no cost.
Legal Help for Saginaw County Residents
Saginaw County residents who need guidance on a dissolution of marriage case have access to several free and low-cost resources. The Michigan Legal Help website offers step-by-step instructions, downloadable forms, and plain-language explanations of the law. The site covers filing, service, hearings, and final orders. It also includes a guided interview tool that helps you build your own court documents without hiring an attorney.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov has forms, procedural guides, and links to circuit court resources. The Saginaw County Friend of the Court at (989) 790-5400 is also available for help with child support and custody after a case is filed. The Michigan Legislature site has the full text of all relevant statutes at no charge.
For certified copies needed outside the court system, the MDHHS Vital Records office handles those requests. These are separate from court-issued certified copies of the judgment and are often what government agencies and benefit programs accept as proof of divorce.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Saginaw County. Each has its own circuit court that handles dissolution of marriage filings. If you are unsure where a case was filed, check the county where the filing party lived at the time.