Shiawassee County Divorce Records
Shiawassee County divorce records are filed and kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Corunna, Michigan. This mid-Michigan county handles all family law and civil case filings through its circuit court, and divorce records are public and available through the clerk in Corunna, by mail, and through the MiCOURT statewide online case search. This page covers how to find and request records from Shiawassee County and the Michigan laws that apply to divorce cases filed here.
Shiawassee County Overview
Shiawassee County Circuit Court Clerk
Shiawassee County is served by the 35th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee St. in Corunna handles all divorce filings and maintains court records for the county. The clerk's office is the place to go for certified copies of divorce decrees, judgments, and other case documents. Staff can search records by party name or case number and produce copies on request.
Corunna is a small city that serves as the county seat of Shiawassee County. The courthouse is accessible from nearby Owosso and other communities in the county. For cases involving minor children, the Shiawassee County Friend of the Court works alongside the circuit court and is located at the same courthouse. The FOC handles custody enforcement, support collection, and parenting time matters for open cases.
Shiawassee County has a moderate volume of civil and family cases each year. Calling the clerk's office at 989-743-2239 before visiting is a good idea to confirm current hours, fees, and what you need to bring for a records request.
| Court | 35th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 208 N. Shiawassee St. Corunna, MI 48817 |
| Phone | 989-743-2239 |
| County Seat | Corunna |
Search Shiawassee County Divorce Records Online
Shiawassee County divorce cases are indexed in the free statewide MiCOURT case search. Search by party name or case number to find cases filed in the 35th Circuit. Divorce cases appear as DM (with minor children) or DO (without children). MiCOURT shows the filing date, court assignment, register of actions, and hearing schedules. You cannot download actual documents through MiCOURT, but you can verify a case and get the case number to use when requesting records from the clerk.
Electronic filing is available for Shiawassee County through the MiFILE eFiling system. Attorneys and self-represented parties can submit divorce filings online through MiFILE. This is useful for people who cannot easily make it to the Corunna courthouse during business hours. Check MiFILE to confirm which filings are accepted electronically for your specific case type.
The Michigan Legislature website provides Shiawassee County residents with direct access to the statutes that govern divorce cases in the 35th Circuit Court.
Note: MiCOURT shows case index information only. To get certified copies of Shiawassee County divorce documents, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at 989-743-2239.
How to Get Shiawassee County Divorce Records
The fastest way to get records is to visit in person. Go to the Shiawassee County Circuit Court Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee St. in Corunna. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Have both parties' names and the approximate divorce year ready. The case number from MiCOURT is useful but not required. The clerk can search by name and pull the file. Both plain copies and certified copies are available. Certified copies carry the clerk's signature and court seal and are required for legal uses.
Mail requests go to Shiawassee County Circuit Court Clerk, 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817. Include both parties' names, the year of the divorce or the case number, and a clear description of what you need. State whether you need plain or certified copies. Include payment for copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call 989-743-2239 to confirm current fees before mailing. Mail requests generally take one to two weeks to process.
Shiawassee County divorce records are public court records and available to anyone. Some cases may have sealed filings or restricted documents, which the clerk will disclose before you request them. For most standard divorce case files, access is straightforward.
For a state-level certified divorce certificate rather than a court file copy, contact MDHHS Vital Records. MDHHS has records of Michigan divorces from 1897 forward. A certified copy is $34, and additional copies at the same time are $16. This is a different record from the circuit court file and is used for official purposes like remarriage or benefits claims.
Michigan Divorce Law and the 35th Circuit
All divorce cases in Shiawassee County are governed by Michigan state law. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state under MCL 552.6. You do not need to allege or prove fault. The only ground is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Shiawassee County for at least 10 days before the filing date, per MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods apply in every Shiawassee County divorce case. Without minor children, the court waits at least 60 days from the filing date before entering a final judgment. With minor children, the minimum waiting period is 180 days. The 35th Circuit Court judge has discretion to shorten the period in limited circumstances, but it is not common. The divorce is not complete until the judgment is signed.
Marital property in Shiawassee County divorces is divided under equitable distribution principles set out in MCL 552.19. The court divides assets fairly based on the circumstances, not necessarily equally. Spousal support is governed by MCL 552.13, and the judge has wide discretion in deciding whether to award it and how much. Financial need and ability to pay are the main factors the court considers.
All Michigan divorce statutes are at legislature.mi.gov. For free help with the Shiawassee County divorce process, visit Michigan Legal Help.
Legal Help for Shiawassee County Residents
Michigan Legal Help is a free resource for people in Shiawassee County who need to file for divorce or access court records on their own. The site offers guided interviews for filling out court forms, step-by-step process guides, and plain explanations of how the 35th Circuit Court handles family cases. It covers all aspects of the divorce process from start to finish.
SCAO-approved divorce forms accepted in Shiawassee County are available at no cost from the Michigan Courts website. The State Bar of Michigan's referral service can connect you with a licensed family law attorney who handles mid-Michigan cases. Legal aid services may also be available for lower-income residents in the Shiawassee County area. Check with Michigan Legal Help for referral options.
Cities in Shiawassee County
Shiawassee County includes Owosso, Corunna, and several other communities. None of the cities in Shiawassee County currently meet the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated city page. All divorce filings from residents of Shiawassee County are handled through the 35th Circuit Court Clerk in Corunna.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Shiawassee County. If you live near a county line, confirm your residential county before filing your divorce case to make sure it goes to the right court.