Find Shiawassee County Divorce Decree Records
Shiawassee County divorce decree records are kept by the County Clerk in Corunna, which handles Circuit Court filings for the county. Divorce records go back to 1861, and court records date from December 4, 1837. The Clerk's office at 208 N. Shiawassee Street is open Monday through Friday without a lunch closure, making it easier to visit. Certified copy fees are $25.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for additional copies of the same document. Genealogy research requests for records from 1932 or earlier require a $10.00 search fee.
Shiawassee County Overview
County Clerk Office and Contact Information
The Shiawassee County Clerk handles all circuit court filings, including divorce cases. The main office is at 208 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna. The office does not close for lunch, which is convenient for people who can only visit during midday hours. The Circuit Court Clerk line is a separate number from the general County Clerk line.
| Office | Shiawassee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 208 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817 |
| Phone (Clerk) | (989) 743-2242 |
| Fax | (989) 743-2241 |
| Phone (Circuit Court Clerk) | (989) 743-2262 |
| clerk@shiawassee.net | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (no lunch closure) |
| Probate Court | 110 E. Mack St., Corunna, (989) 743-2372 |
| Website | shiawassee.net |
Fee breakdown: first certified copy is $25.00, additional copies of the same document are $10.00 each. For genealogy or naturalization searches, there is a $10.00 search fee per name. Verification requests are also $10.00. Note that CPL and marriage license requests are not processed between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM or after 4:30 PM, but this does not apply to divorce record copy requests. Up to 3 genealogists are accommodated at a time for research visits.
The Shiawassee County website provides current contact details and information for the County Clerk's office in Corunna.
The county website confirms office hours, fee schedules, and contact information for submitting divorce decree requests through the Shiawassee County Clerk.
Searching Shiawassee Cases Online
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search covers Shiawassee County circuit court cases. Search by party name or case number to confirm a filing and get basic case details. MiCOURT is free to use and works around the clock.
Keep in mind that MiCOURT shows case information but not the actual decree document. For a certified copy of the divorce decree, contact the Circuit Court Clerk at (989) 743-2262 or email clerk@shiawassee.net. Older records from before the digital era may require a manual search. Court records go back to December 4, 1837, and divorce records from 1861, so very old cases may take longer to locate.
Michigan Divorce Law in Shiawassee County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing. You file saying the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired. That's the legal standard used at the Shiawassee County Circuit Court, the same as everywhere else in Michigan.
Residency rules apply before you can file. MCL 552.9 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Michigan for 180 days. That spouse must also have lived in Shiawassee County for at least 10 days before filing. Both requirements must be met.
After filing, there are mandatory waiting periods. Divorces without minor children require a 60-day wait before the court can issue a final decree. When minor children are involved, the wait is 180 days. This cannot be shortened without a court order for specific cause. The population of Shiawassee County is roughly 67,877, and the circuit court handles all family law matters for the county. The Probate Court at 110 E. Mack Street handles estates and guardianships separately from the circuit court. Once the judge signs the final decree and it is filed, it becomes a public record at the Corunna courthouse. Naturalization records from the 1890s through the 1960s are also available through the Clerk's office.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate
These are two different documents. Knowing which one you need saves time.
The divorce decree is the full court order from the Shiawassee County Circuit Court. It is the judge-signed document that legally ends the marriage and contains all the terms. Property division, debt allocation, custody, support - all of it is in the decree. Get it from the County Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street. Cost is $25.00 for the first certified copy.
The divorce certificate is a state vital record held by MDHHS Vital Records. It's a short document confirming a divorce took place. For basic uses like proving prior divorce status, the certificate may work. For legal proceedings or financial transactions, you need the full decree. Vital records can be ordered online through VitalChek.
What Is in a Shiawassee County Divorce Decree
The final divorce decree from the Shiawassee County Circuit Court is a detailed legal document. It includes the full names of both spouses, the legal end date of the marriage, and all terms of the divorce. Most decrees cover the division of real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, and debts.
When children are part of the case, the decree addresses legal and physical custody, parenting time schedules, child support amounts, and health insurance. If one spouse is to receive spousal support, the amount, duration, and conditions are all specified. Some cases involve a Qualified Domestic Relations Order for retirement account division, which may be attached to the decree. The signed decree is filed by the Clerk and becomes a permanent part of the public court record in Corunna.
Getting Legal Help in Shiawassee County
Michigan Legal Help has free guides, forms, and tools for Michigan divorce cases. The site covers both simple uncontested cases and more complex contested divorces. It is especially useful if you plan to handle your own case without an attorney.
For legal representation, contact the State Bar of Michigan's referral service or search for family law attorneys serving the Corunna and Owosso area. The Clerk's office can explain what forms need to be filed but cannot provide legal advice on your specific situation.
Cities in Shiawassee County
Corunna is the county seat of Shiawassee County, and Owosso is the largest city. Neither city meets the population threshold for a dedicated records page on this site. All Shiawassee County residents request divorce decree records through the County Clerk at 208 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna.
Nearby Counties
Shiawassee County sits in mid-Michigan, close to several other counties with their own circuit courts.