Access Shiawassee County Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Shiawassee County are kept by the 35th Circuit Court in Corunna, the county seat. Shiawassee County has its own single-county circuit court, which means all family law cases including dissolutions are handled exclusively at the Corunna courthouse. Records here date back to the 1820s for historical research.
Shiawassee County Overview
Shiawassee Circuit Court
The 35th Circuit Court serves Shiawassee County on its own, without sharing the circuit with neighboring counties. That makes it straightforward to know where to file and where to search: all dissolution of marriage cases for Shiawassee County go to the N. Shiawassee Street courthouse in Corunna. The court has a family division that handles all divorce and domestic relations matters.
| Court | 35th Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 218 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 |
| Phone | (989) 743-2375 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Shiawassee County Clerk's office is one block away at a separate address on N. Shiawassee Street. The clerk handles certified copies, case file access, and record requests for dissolution cases. Contact the clerk's office directly for copy requests.
| County Clerk | 208 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Phone | (989) 743-2242 |
Corunna is a small city in central Michigan. Both the courthouse and the clerk's office are on the same street and easy to reach. If you plan to search older paper records, call the clerk before visiting to confirm file availability.
Searching Shiawassee Dissolution Records Online
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search includes the 35th Circuit Court in its statewide database. You can search for Shiawassee County dissolution of marriage cases by either party's name, the case number, or a date range. No account or registration is needed. The system is publicly available and free to use.
Dissolution cases carry case codes that tell you what type of case it is. DM is the code for dissolution with minor children. DO is used for dissolution without children. These codes appear in MiCOURT results and help you confirm you have the right case. The system shows party names, filing dates, case status, and hearings. It does not give you the actual documents but tells you the case number and other details needed to request copies from the clerk.
Shiawassee County has a longer history than many Michigan counties, with court records going back to the 1820s. Many older dissolution records will not appear in MiCOURT. For cases that predate digital record keeping, go directly to the clerk's office or write a mail request with the names of both parties and an approximate date range.
The Michigan Legal Help site has a clear walkthrough of how to use MiCOURT and what to do when you cannot find a case online.
Michigan Legal Help explains how to search for dissolution records, request copies, and understand what you find in online court databases.
Note: Shiawassee County has records going back to the 1820s, but digital access through MiCOURT covers only a portion of those older filings.
How to Get Copies of Dissolution Records
The Shiawassee County Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna is where to go for copies of dissolution of marriage records. In-person visits during regular business hours are the fastest way to get what you need. Bring the names of both parties and the case number or approximate filing year. Staff can pull the file and provide copies while you wait in most cases.
Mail requests are accepted as well. Address your letter to the Shiawassee County Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street, Corunna, MI 48817. Include both party names, the filing year, the case number if you have it, and payment for the copy fees. Plain copies run about $1.00 per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost $10.00. Certified copies are the standard for legal use such as a name change, remarriage application, or immigration documentation. Plain copies work for personal files or research.
If you need a record from several decades back, give the clerk a call before sending payment. Older files may take extra time to locate, especially if they are stored in archives rather than the active file room.
Filing Requirements and Fees in Shiawassee County
Residency is the first thing to check before filing a dissolution in Shiawassee County. Under MCL 552.9, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Shiawassee County for at least 10 days. Both requirements must be met at the time of filing. The county residency threshold is short, but it must be satisfied or the court will not accept the case.
Michigan follows a no-fault dissolution framework under MCL 552.6. The filing party does not need to prove that the other spouse did anything wrong. A statement that there has been a breakdown of the marriage is enough. This makes the initial filing process the same for contested and uncontested cases. The complications come later if the parties disagree on property, support, or custody.
Waiting periods apply in all Michigan dissolution cases. Under MCL 552.9f, DO cases must wait at least 60 days from the date of filing. DM cases must wait at least 180 days. Courts can waive the 180-day period under hardship conditions, but a motion must be filed and the judge must agree. It is not automatic even if both parties consent to a shorter wait.
Filing fees at the 35th Circuit Court are approximately $175 for DO cases and $255 for DM cases. These amounts cover the court's filing costs. Separate fees apply for service of process, certified copies, and other services during the case. If you cannot afford the fees, ask the clerk about the fee waiver process.
What Shiawassee County Dissolution Case Files Contain
A dissolution case file in Shiawassee County holds all documents submitted to the court during the case. Under MCR 3.206 and MCR 3.211, this includes the complaint for dissolution, the summons, proof of service on the other party, any response or counter-complaint, settlement agreements, parenting time plans in DM cases, financial disclosure forms, any motions filed during the case, and the final judgment of divorce. The final judgment is the document that legally ends the marriage and sets out the terms the parties must follow.
The Shiawassee County Friend of the Court handles child support, parenting time, and custody enforcement in all DM dissolution cases. FOC records are kept separately from the circuit court case file but are part of the ongoing obligations connected to the case. The FOC operates through the court and can be reached at the Corunna courthouse. If you have questions about a support order or parenting time schedule tied to a Shiawassee dissolution, the FOC is the right contact.
Under MCR 8.119, dissolution records are public by default. Some documents involving children or sensitive financial information may be restricted by court order. Ask the clerk which parts of the file are available before making a copy request to avoid surprises.
Note: Spousal support terms under MCL 552.23 and property division details under MCL 552.19 are included in the final judgment and any attached settlement exhibits in the case file.
MDHHS Vital Records and Shiawassee County
Michigan's vital records agency, MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48909, keeps divorce certificates for all Michigan dissolutions. Call (517) 335-8666 for assistance. A divorce certificate is a summary record, not a court file. It shows the parties' names, the county where the case was filed, and the date the dissolution was finalized. It does not include custody orders, property agreements, or support terms.
Order by mail for $34. Order online through the state vendor for $58.50. Extra copies at the time of order cost $16 each. A certificate from MDHHS is a cost-effective option if you only need to prove the dissolution happened. It is faster to receive than a full case file copy from the Shiawassee County Clerk and covers most basic legal verification needs.
MDHHS Vital Records provides ordering details, fee schedules, and required documentation for requesting Michigan divorce certificates for all counties.
When you need more than a certificate, the Shiawassee County Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna is the source for full case documents going back many decades.
Legal Help for Shiawassee County Residents
Free legal guidance is available online through Michigan Legal Help, which covers the full dissolution process from start to finish. The site includes form packets for uncontested cases, guides for contested issues, and instructions on requesting a fee waiver from the court. It is designed for people who are handling their own case without an attorney, and it works well for straightforward dissolutions in Shiawassee County.
For contested cases, including disputes over property under MCL 552.19, spousal support under MCL 552.23, or child custody, getting an attorney involved is a smart move. Owosso, the largest city in Shiawassee County, has private law firms that handle family law matters. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service can help you find one. Legal aid organizations may also serve Shiawassee County residents with limited income.
The Michigan Legislature website gives you free access to every statute and court rule that applies to your dissolution case. You can read MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.9f, and the Michigan Court Rules without any cost. Understanding the legal framework before you file or respond helps you set realistic expectations and avoid procedural errors that slow your case.
Nearby Counties
Shiawassee County sits in central Michigan surrounded by these counties.