Search Flint Divorce Records
Flint divorce records are filed and maintained at the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Genesee County. All divorce cases for Flint residents go through the Genesee County Clerk's Legal Division and Family Division, both located along Saginaw Street in downtown Flint. Whether you need to search an existing case, get a certified copy, or file a new divorce, this page covers what you need to know about how the process works in Flint and Genesee County.
Flint Overview
Where Flint Divorce Records Are Filed
Flint residents file for divorce at the 7th Judicial Circuit Court, which is part of Genesee County. The Genesee County Clerk's Legal Division at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Room 101, Flint, MI 48502 is the office that takes in new filings and stores completed divorce case records. This is where you go to file paperwork, pay fees, and request copies of divorce documents.
The Family Division handles all divorce cases that involve minor children, custody disputes, parenting time, and support orders. You can reach the Family Division directly at (810) 257-3489. For general records requests and certified copy orders, call the Legal Division at (810) 257-3220. If you need a certified copy of the divorce certificate issued by state vital records, the Genesee County Clerk's Vital Records office handles that separately at (810) 257-3225.
| Court | 7th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Clerk - Legal Division | 900 S. Saginaw Street, Room 101 Flint, MI 48502 |
| Legal Division Phone | (810) 257-3220 |
| Vital Records Phone | (810) 257-3225 |
| Family Division Phone | (810) 257-3489 |
| City Clerk | 1101 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48502 (810) 766-7346 |
The Flint City Clerk at 1101 S. Saginaw St. handles city business and local records but does not store divorce case files. Divorce records are a court function and belong to the county circuit court. If you are not sure which office to contact, start with the Genesee County Clerk Legal Division at (810) 257-3220.
How to Search Flint Divorce Records Online
Flint and Genesee County divorce records are searchable through the statewide MiCOURT system. MiCOURT is free and covers the 7th Judicial Circuit. You can search by name or case number. The system shows party names, case type codes (DM for divorce with minor children, DO for divorce without children), the register of actions, and hearing dates. Go to micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search to look up a case.
MiCOURT does not give you access to the actual documents inside a case file. It is a case index. Once you find the case number, you can use it to request copies from the Genesee County Clerk. You need at least one party's name or the case number to run a search. A filing year helps narrow results if you are searching a common name.
For in-person searches, visit the Genesee County Clerk Legal Division at Room 101, 900 S. Saginaw Street during normal business hours. Staff can look up cases and provide copies on the spot for most recent records. Bring a photo ID and know the names of the parties or the approximate filing date.
Michigan Courts online at courts.michigan.gov has the court locator and SCAO divorce forms for Flint residents filing in the 7th Circuit Court.
How to Request Flint Divorce Records
There are three ways to get Flint divorce records: in person, by mail, or through the MDHHS vital records office. In person is the fastest. Go to Room 101 at 900 S. Saginaw Street, bring a photo ID, and staff can make copies of court records the same day in most cases. Call (810) 257-3220 first to confirm hours and current fees before you make the trip.
By mail, send your request to: Genesee County Clerk, 900 S. Saginaw St., Room 101, Flint MI 48502. Your letter should include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Include payment in the form the clerk accepts and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Processing times vary, so call ahead if you have a deadline.
For a certified divorce certificate (a state vital record rather than a court copy), contact the MDHHS Vital Records office. MDHHS issues certified copies for $34 each. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $16 each. You can request through MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs. These certified certificates are useful for legal name changes, insurance, and similar purposes. Court-certified copies from Genesee County have their own fee schedule; call the Legal Division for current rates.
MDHHS divorce certificates are available for divorces recorded in Michigan from 1897 forward. For court-certified copies of the actual judgment or decree, contact the Genesee County Clerk directly.
Filing for Divorce in Flint
Flint residents follow Michigan state law when filing for divorce. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong. The legal ground is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. That is all you need to state in your filing.
You must meet the residency rules under MCL 552.9. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. The filing spouse must also have lived in Genesee County for at least 10 days before filing. If you live in Flint and have been here for at least 10 days, you can file in Genesee County. You file at the Clerk's Legal Division, Room 101, 900 S. Saginaw Street.
Waiting periods apply to every Michigan divorce. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before a judge can enter a final judgment. Cases with minor children must wait at least 180 days. A judge can shorten the waiting period for good cause, but this is not common. Plan for the full wait unless your attorney advises otherwise.
Property division in Michigan follows equitable distribution under MCL 552.19. The court divides marital assets in a way it finds just and reasonable. This does not always mean equal. The judge considers each party's contributions, needs, and circumstances. Spousal support is addressed under MCL 552.13, where the court looks at ability to pay and the needs of both spouses.
You can file on your own without an attorney. All SCAO forms are free at courts.michigan.gov. The MiFILE electronic filing portal at mifile.courts.michigan.gov lets you submit papers online to the 7th Circuit Court. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has free step-by-step guides for people filing on their own in Genesee County.
Legal Help for Flint Divorce Cases
Several free and low-cost resources are available to Flint residents dealing with divorce. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is the best starting point. It has guided interviews that help you fill out court forms for Genesee County cases, explains the steps in plain language, and links to local legal aid offices. It is free to use.
Legal aid organizations serve Genesee County and can provide free help to people with low income. If you cannot afford an attorney, contact a local legal aid group before you file to find out if you qualify. The State Bar of Michigan's lawyer referral service at michbar.org can connect you with family law attorneys who handle 7th Circuit cases in Flint. All SCAO-approved court forms are free at courts.michigan.gov. You do not need to pay for forms. Electronic filing through MiFILE is available for circuit court filings in Genesee County.
Nearby Cities
These Michigan cities also have divorce records pages with local court and clerk information.
Genesee County Divorce Records
Flint is in Genesee County, and all divorce filings go through the 7th Judicial Circuit Court. For full county-level information including fees, search tools, and court contact details, visit the Genesee County divorce records page.