Search Genesee County Divorce Records
Genesee County divorce records are held at the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Flint. The county clerk's Legal Division manages access to civil court files, including divorce cases, and you can search records online through the statewide MiCOURT system, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written request by mail. Whether you need a certified copy of a final judgment or just want to confirm a case exists, this page covers what you need to know about finding and obtaining Genesee County divorce records.
Genesee County Overview
Genesee County Circuit Court - Family Division
The 7th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases filed in Genesee County. Its Family Division covers divorce, custody, support, and related domestic matters. The court sits at 900 South Saginaw Street in Flint, the county seat. If either spouse lives in Genesee County, this is where the divorce case is filed and where all records are stored. Under MCL 600.1021, the Family Division of the Circuit Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over divorce proceedings in the county.
The Genesee County Clerk's Legal Division is the office that processes requests for divorce records. It is located at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Room 101, Flint, MI 48502. Staff there can locate cases by name or case number and provide certified or plain copies. The Legal Division phone number is (810) 257-3220. The fax number is (810) 257-3265. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The court's Family Division can be reached directly at 810-257-3489, and the court administrator at 810-424-4355.
The Michigan Courts homepage at courts.michigan.gov is a good place to start if you need to understand what court handles your case or what forms are required. The screenshot below shows that site, which links to MiCOURT for statewide case lookups including Genesee County.
After viewing the Michigan Courts site, you can navigate directly to the MiCOURT case search tool to look up Genesee County divorce cases by name or case number without any account or fee.
| Court | 7th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 South Saginaw Street Flint, MI 48502 |
| Legal Division Phone | (810) 257-3220 |
| Family Division Phone | 810-257-3489 |
| Court Administrator | 810-424-4355 |
| Fax | (810) 257-3265 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Genesee County Divorce Records Online
Genesee County divorce records are searchable through the statewide MiCOURT case search system. MiCOURT is free and covers the 7th Judicial Circuit. You can search by the name of either party or by case number. Results show case type, filing date, party names, and the register of actions. Divorce cases in MiCOURT are coded DM for cases involving minor children and DO for cases without children. The system does not let you download documents, but it gives you enough information to confirm a case exists and get the case number you need for a formal records request.
The county's own website was unavailable during research, so MiCOURT is the primary online tool for Genesee County at this time. The statewide system pulls from the same court data and is updated regularly. For electronic filing of new cases or documents in the 7th Circuit, the MiFILE system is the portal to use.
Note: MiCOURT shows case index information only. Copies of divorce decrees, judgments, or other court documents must be requested directly from the Genesee County Clerk's Legal Division.
How to Get Genesee County Divorce Records
You can get Genesee County divorce records in person or by mail. In person is the fastest option. Go to the Genesee County Clerk's Legal Division at 900 S. Saginaw Street, Room 101, Flint, MI 48502. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the clerk the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce, or provide the case number if you have it. Staff can look up the file and make copies while you wait. Standard copy fees apply for each page, plus a certification fee if you need a certified copy.
By mail, send your written request to Genesee County Clerk, 900 S. Saginaw St., Room 101, Flint, MI 48502. Your letter should include both parties' full names, the year or date range of the divorce, and the case number if known. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits, so plan ahead if you need records quickly for a legal matter.
For FOIA requests, the FOIA Specialist for Genesee County is Monaca Elston. The FOIA office is at 1101 Beach Street, Room 312, Flint, MI 48502. The phone number is (810) 257-3020. FOIA requests are typically used when you need records about a government process rather than a personal court file, but the office can help direct you to the right request method.
Marriage records in Genesee County are held separately from divorce records. The Vital Records Division is at a different address: 1101 Beach Street, Flint, MI 48502. The phone for Vital Records is (810) 257-3225. Divorce certificates for statistical purposes are available from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office, not from the Circuit Court. MDHHS charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy, available at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.
Note: The MDHHS divorce certificate shows only the fact of the divorce and basic identifying information, not the full court record with property division or custody terms.
Michigan Divorce Law and Genesee County Cases
All Genesee County divorce cases follow Michigan state law. Michigan became a no-fault divorce state in 1972 under MCL 552.6. You do not have to prove fault or show any wrongdoing. The only legal ground for divorce in Michigan is a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable likelihood it can be restored. The judge does not evaluate who was at fault.
To file for divorce in Genesee County, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days before filing, and in Genesee County for at least 10 days. This is set out in MCL 552.9. If you meet the state residency requirement but not the county requirement, you may need to file in the county where you have lived longest. The 7th Circuit Family Division clerk can help clarify which county has jurisdiction in a specific situation.
Waiting periods apply in Genesee County the same as everywhere in Michigan. If the divorce does not involve minor children, the court must wait at least 60 days after the complaint is filed before entering a final judgment. Cases that involve minor children have a 180-day waiting period. A judge can waive part of the waiting period for good cause, but the waiver is not guaranteed. These timelines affect when final records become available at the clerk's office.
Property division in Michigan follows equitable distribution rules under MCL 552.19. Equitable does not always mean equal. The judge looks at the contributions of each spouse, the length of the marriage, and the economic circumstances of both parties. Spousal support decisions fall under MCL 552.13, which gives the court broad discretion to order, change, or end support based on each party's ability to pay and financial need.
The full text of Michigan's divorce statutes is at legislature.mi.gov. The Michigan Legal Help website has free step-by-step guides for divorce in Genesee County, including which forms to use and how to serve the other party.
Legal Help for Genesee County Divorce
If you need help with a Genesee County divorce case, several free and low-cost resources are available. The Michigan Legal Help website at michiganlegalhelp.org walks you through the divorce process with guided interviews that generate forms tailored to your county. The site is free and covers Genesee County procedures directly, including how to file in the 7th Circuit and what to expect at hearings.
The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov provides all SCAO-approved forms at no cost. These are the standard forms used in Genesee County Circuit Court. For electronic filing, use the MiFILE portal. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys who practice in Flint and Genesee County. Legal aid organizations in the Flint area may also be able to assist with low-income cases at reduced or no cost.
Major Cities in Genesee County
Genesee County's most populous city is Flint, the county seat. All divorce cases from communities across Genesee County are filed at the 7th Judicial Circuit Court in Flint.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Genesee County. If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction over a divorce case, residency at the time of filing determines where the case is filed.