Family Court Records in Shiawassee County

Shiawassee County family court records are maintained by the 35th Judicial Circuit Court and its Family Division, located at 208 N. Shiawassee St., 2nd Floor, in Corunna, Michigan. The court handles divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and other family matters for Shiawassee County residents. You can search basic case data free through the MiCOURT Case Search portal or the county's own online case inquiry tool. For document copies, contact County Clerk Caroline Wilson at (989) 743-2242. Note that Shiawassee County is not an e-filing county, and standard email filings were discontinued after June 30, 2025.

Where to Find Shiawassee County Family Court Records

The 35th Judicial Circuit Court with its Family Division in Corunna holds all family court records for Shiawassee County. The courthouse is at 208 N. Shiawassee St., 2nd Floor, Corunna, MI 48817. Caroline Wilson serves as the County Clerk and can be reached at (989) 743-2242, with a fax line at (989) 743-2241. You can also email the clerk at clerk@shiawassee.net for general questions about records availability. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Circuit Court page for the county is at shiawassee.net/circuit-court, and the County Clerk page is at shiawassee.net/county-clerk. Both pages carry contact information, links to forms, and details about what each office handles. The main Shiawassee County government website is at shiawassee.net and provides access to all county department resources.

One important note for anyone filing documents in Shiawassee County: this court is not part of Michigan's e-filing system. Standard email filings were discontinued after June 30, 2025. Emergency filings only, such as personal protection orders and emergency motions, can be sent to CIRClerkfile@shiawassee.net. All other filings must be submitted in person or by mail. This is different from many other Michigan circuit courts that have moved to full e-filing, so confirm the current submission requirements before preparing documents.

Searching Shiawassee County Family Court Records Online

Shiawassee County offers two online tools for searching court records. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal covers the 35th Circuit and is free around the clock. Enter a party name, case number, business name, or attorney name. Results show the case number, filing date, party names, hearing schedule, current status, and the register of actions. No login is required. MiCOURT does not display document images.

Shiawassee County also has its own case inquiry tool at shiawassee.net/Circuit-Court/Circuit-Court-Case-Inquiry.aspx. This county-specific tool allows users to look up Shiawassee County circuit court cases directly, which may return more detailed results for local cases than the statewide MiCOURT portal. Use both tools to get the most complete picture before contacting the courthouse or submitting a written request.

Sealed records, adoption files, restricted juvenile cases, and personal protection order details do not appear in either search tool. These categories are closed under MCL 710.67, MCL 712A.28, and MCR 3.705. If a case you're looking for does not appear, contact the clerk to confirm whether a file is on record. The clerk can acknowledge that a case exists even when the contents are restricted from public view.

Online Case Inquiry for Shiawassee County Circuit Court

Shiawassee County's dedicated online case inquiry tool is accessible at shiawassee.net, providing direct access to 35th Circuit Court case information alongside the statewide MiCOURT system.

Michigan circuit courts vary in how much local online case search access they provide beyond the statewide MiCOURT portal. Shiawassee County's dedicated inquiry tool is one of the better county-level options in Michigan, allowing users to search 35th Circuit cases without leaving the county's own website.

What Shiawassee County Family Court Files Contain

Family court case files in Shiawassee County include all documents filed from the start of a case through the final order. A divorce file typically holds the initial complaint or petition for divorce, proof that the other party was served, financial affidavit forms, temporary orders issued during the proceedings, and the final judgment of divorce. Contested cases are often large files: they can include multiple rounds of motions and responses, hearing transcripts, Guardian Ad Litem reports, and exhibits from both parties. Uncontested divorces are usually thin, containing just the petition and the signed judgment.

Custody and parenting time files include the original court order and any modifications approved over the years. Paternity files hold the complaint, any court-ordered genetic testing results, the order of filiation, and the initial child support order. These documents are public unless a specific court order seals part or all of the file. Child support payment histories and FOC enforcement records are kept separately by the Friend of the Court and are not part of the main circuit court folder.

Not every record in the 35th Circuit is open to the public. Adoption files are sealed under MCL 710.67. Juvenile delinquency records are restricted under MCL 712A.28 since January 1, 2021. Personal protection order case details are limited under MCR 3.705. These restrictions apply in Shiawassee County just as they do elsewhere in Michigan.

How to Request Shiawassee County Family Court Records

In-person requests are handled at the clerk's office at 208 N. Shiawassee St., 2nd Floor in Corunna. Bring a photo ID. You can view public case files at no charge under MCR 8.119. Fees apply when you request printed copies. Standard court copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies have a higher fee structure in Shiawassee County: $25.00 for the first certified copy of a document, plus $10.00 for each additional certified copy of the same document. This is notably higher than many other Michigan circuits, so budget accordingly if you need multiple certified copies.

Mail requests are accepted. Write a letter with both parties' full names, the case number if you have it, the approximate year filed, and a list of the documents you need. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Call (989) 743-2242 or email clerk@shiawassee.net before mailing to confirm current fees and payment methods. Turnaround time depends on the court's current caseload and the size of the file being requested.

Genealogy name searches cost $10.00 per name. This fee applies when you want the clerk to search for a case using only a name, without a specific case number. If you have a case number already, you avoid the search fee. For most in-person requests with a known case number, the process is straightforward and can often be completed in a single visit during business hours.

Friend of the Court in Shiawassee County

The Shiawassee County Friend of the Court operates under the supervision of the 35th Circuit Court and handles child support enforcement, parenting time compliance, and custody recommendations in cases involving minor children. The FOC becomes involved automatically when a divorce or paternity case is filed and children are part of the situation. It stays active until the youngest child turns 18 or the court formally closes the FOC case.

FOC records are kept separately from the main circuit court file. Payment histories, enforcement action records, and parenting time compliance information are FOC documents and must be requested through the FOC office, not the clerk's office. The Friend of the Court Bureau at the SCAO sets statewide policy for all county FOC offices and can help you find the Shiawassee County FOC contact information if needed.

When child support orders go unpaid in Shiawassee County, the FOC can act without a return trip to court. Enforcement tools include wage garnishment, state and federal tax refund intercepts, driver's license suspension, and passport denial. To modify an existing support or custody order, file a motion with the 35th Circuit Court. The FOC will provide a recommendation before the judge decides.

Michigan Laws That Govern Shiawassee County Court Records

Records at the 35th Circuit in Shiawassee County are subject to MCR 8.119, which presumes court records are open to the public unless restricted by statute, court rule, or specific order. This rule bars courts from charging fees for on-site viewing of public files. Copy fees are controlled by MCL 600.2546, which sets the range for standard copies at $1.00 to $1.50 per page. Shiawassee County's certified copy fee of $25.00 for the first copy is on the higher end of what Michigan courts charge for certification.

Michigan's FOIA does not apply to court records. Courts are exempt from FOIA under MCL 15.232. If a records request at the Shiawassee County courthouse is denied, the proper step is a motion filed directly with the 35th Circuit Court, not a FOIA appeal. Denials for standard public family court records are unusual. Ask for the specific statute or rule cited if a denial does occur.

SCAO-approved forms for divorce, custody, paternity, and other family matters are available at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. Since Shiawassee County is not an e-filing county, using the correct paper form is especially important. Always download from the official SCAO database. The full text of Michigan statutes is at legislature.mi.gov.

Nearby Counties

Family court cases are filed in the county where the parties lived when the case was opened. Check these neighboring counties if you're unsure where a record was filed.