Search Saginaw County Divorce Decree Records
Saginaw County divorce decree records are filed with the 10th Circuit Court and managed by the Circuit Court Records office at 111 S. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw. The county serves a population of over 187,000 across 37 municipalities, and divorce records go back to 1886, with computerized records available from 1985 onward. Whether you need a certified copy or just want to confirm a case was filed, the Circuit Court Records office handles all requests in person, by mail, and by email for filings.
Saginaw County Overview
Circuit Court Records Office
The Saginaw County Circuit Court Records office is located in Room 101 of the courthouse at 111 S. Michigan Avenue. This is where you go for divorce decree copies, case file requests, and document certification. Staff can search by name or case number and process copy requests while you wait or by mail.
| Office | Saginaw County Circuit Court Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Room 101, Saginaw, MI 48602 |
| Phone (Vital Stats) | (989) 790-5251 |
| Phone (Circuit Records) | (989) 790-5540 / (989) 790-5544 |
| Phone (Circuit Court) | (989) 790-5470 |
| Fax (Circuit) | (989) 790-5248 |
| Email (Filings) | circuitcourtrecordsfiling@saginawcounty.com |
| Hours (Courthouse) | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Hours (Clerk) | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | saginawcounty.com |
Fees are as follows: copies cost $1.00 per page, certification is $10.00 per document, and the search fee is $10.00 for the first name searched plus $1.00 for each additional name. If you send a mail request, include a check made out to Saginaw County and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The email address above is for filings only, not general record requests; those must be submitted in person or by mail using the Circuit Court File/Copy Request Form.
Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. Ask the clerk about the process when you contact the office. A Legal Self-Help Center is also available at the courthouse for people who want to handle their own filings.
The Saginaw County website shows the full structure of county departments including the Circuit Court and Clerk's office.
The county site confirms the 10th Circuit Court structure and how it handles family court and divorce decree filings in Saginaw County.
The Circuit Court Records page on the county website has specific instructions for how to request records, what forms to use, and how to submit requests by mail.
This page provides the Circuit Court File/Copy Request Form and detailed guidance on fee schedules and submission options.
The Circuit Court Records section of the county site confirms the Room 101 location and records going back to 1886 for divorce filings in Saginaw County.
Searching Saginaw Divorce Cases Online
Michigan's statewide case lookup tool, MiCOURT Case Search, covers the 10th Circuit Court. You can search by name or case number to confirm a case exists and see basic filing information. This is free and available any time. Computerized records in Saginaw go back to 1985, which means cases from that year forward are more likely to show up in the online system. Older filings from 1886 to 1984 may require a manual search by the clerk's staff.
For more detailed case research, the Circuit Court Records office can pull the physical file. Cases from before 1985 may take longer to retrieve since they're not in the digital system.
Michigan Divorce Law Applied in Saginaw County
Michigan is a no-fault state. Under MCL 552.6, you don't have to prove your spouse did anything wrong to get a divorce. You simply state that the marriage has broken down and can't be repaired. This is the only ground needed in any Michigan court, including the 10th Circuit Court in Saginaw County.
Residency rules come from MCL 552.9. At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days. One spouse must also have lived in Saginaw County for at least 10 days before filing. Both conditions need to be met before the clerk will accept the complaint.
Once filed, mandatory waiting periods apply. A divorce with no minor children cannot be finalized for at least 60 days after the complaint is filed. If the couple has minor children, the wait is 180 days. Judges can sometimes shorten the waiting period for good cause, but this is not automatic. The Family Division of the 10th Circuit Court handles all divorce and domestic relations matters in Saginaw County. Family Court Judge Brittany A. Dicken presides over those matters, with the main circuit bench including Judges Darnell Jackson, James Borchard, Janet Boes, Robert Kaczmarek, and Andre' Borrello.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Saginaw County
These are not the same thing. Many people mix them up.
The divorce decree is the full court order from the 10th Circuit Court judge. It contains all the terms of the divorce: property division, debt assignment, custody, support. If you need to show what a court decided, you need the decree. Get it from the Circuit Court Records office at Room 101.
The divorce certificate is a vital record maintained by the State of Michigan through MDHHS Vital Records. Birth/death/marriage records from 1867 and divorce records are available through the county as vital records. For name changes and basic proof of divorce, the certificate often works. For legal proceedings, property transfers, or retirement account divisions, the full decree is required. You can also order certificates through VitalChek online.
What a Saginaw County Divorce Decree Contains
The final divorce decree issued by the 10th Circuit Court is a detailed legal document. It includes the full names of both parties, the date the marriage legally ends, and the complete terms of the divorce settlement or judgment. In most cases, it covers how real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and debts are divided. If the couple has retirement accounts, the decree may reference a Qualified Domestic Relations Order that handles the split.
Custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, child support amounts, and health insurance provisions are all included when minor children are part of the case. If one spouse will receive spousal support, the amount, duration, and conditions are written into the decree. The document is signed by the circuit court judge, stamped by the clerk, and then becomes part of the permanent public court record.
Legal Help in Saginaw County
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and forms for divorce cases. The site covers both contested and uncontested divorces and has specific tools for people with and without children. It's a good first stop before you spend money on an attorney.
The Legal Self-Help Center at the Saginaw County Courthouse can assist people who are handling their own cases. Staff there can help with forms and procedures, though they cannot give legal advice. For representation, the State Bar of Michigan's referral line can connect you with family law attorneys in the Saginaw area.
Cities in Saginaw County
Saginaw County has 37 municipalities, with the City of Saginaw as the county seat. No cities in Saginaw County meet the qualifying population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All residents access divorce decree records through the Circuit Court Records office at 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Room 101.
Nearby Counties
Saginaw County borders several other mid-Michigan counties, each with their own circuit courts and clerk offices.