Access Ann Arbor Divorce Records
Ann Arbor divorce records are filed and kept at the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court in Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor is the county seat, so the courthouse is right in the city at 101 E Huron Street. If you need to find, search, or obtain copies of Ann Arbor divorce records, this page covers the court location, how to search online, how to request copies, and what local resources are available to help you through the process.
Ann Arbor Overview
Washtenaw County Handles Ann Arbor Divorce Filings
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County, and the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court is located in the city. All divorce cases for Ann Arbor residents are filed here. Because Ann Arbor is where the courthouse is, this is one of the more convenient setups in the state. You do not have to travel to a different city to file or pick up records. The Circuit Court Records Unit is at 101 E Huron Street, Room 1106, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645.
The Records Unit phone is 734-222-3024. The Washtenaw County Clerk is at 200 N. Main, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645, phone 734-222-6710, email clerk@washtenaw.org. The Ann Arbor City Clerk is at 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, phone 734-794-6140. The city clerk handles city matters only. Divorce records are at the circuit court.
| Court | 22nd Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Records Unit Address | 101 E Huron Street, Room 1106 Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645 |
| Records Unit Phone | 734-222-3024 |
| County Clerk Phone | 734-222-6710 |
| County Clerk Email | clerk@washtenaw.org |
| County Website | washtenaw.org/165/Clerk |
How to Search Ann Arbor Divorce Records Online
Ann Arbor divorce cases can be searched through the statewide MiCOURT case search system. MiCOURT covers the 22nd Judicial Circuit and lets you search by name or case number. Results show party names, case type, filing dates, and docket activity. The system is free and does not require an account. Case types for divorce are DM (divorce with minor children) and DO (divorce without children).
The Washtenaw County Clerk website at washtenaw.org/165/Clerk has additional information on how to request records, what forms of ID to bring, and what fees apply. Checking the clerk's site before you visit can save time and prevent a wasted trip if you need documents they cannot prepare the same day.
The Ann Arbor District Library offers free internet access at its branches, which can be useful for searching MiCOURT or researching legal information at no cost. For more in-depth legal research, the University of Michigan Law Library in Ann Arbor has extensive legal resources, though access may be limited to current students and faculty for certain materials. Most people can do all the searching they need through MiCOURT without a law library visit.
MiCOURT shows case information only. To get copies of divorce documents, contact the 22nd Circuit Records Unit at 734-222-3024 or email the clerk at clerk@washtenaw.org.
How to Get Copies of Ann Arbor Divorce Records
To get copies of Ann Arbor divorce records, contact the Circuit Court Records Unit at 101 E Huron Street, Room 1106. In person is the fastest option. Bring a government-issued photo ID and the case number or both parties' names with the approximate year of filing. Staff can look up the case and make copies while you wait for recent records. Call 734-222-3024 before visiting to confirm the records you need are available on-site.
By mail, send your request to the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N. Main, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645. Or email clerk@washtenaw.org to ask about the process first. Include full names of both parties, the year of filing, and the case number if you have it. Add payment by check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests usually take one to two weeks.
For a state-issued certified divorce record, contact MDHHS Vital Records. MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy. Reach them at (517) 335-8656 or at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. State vital records and court records are different. For most legal and identification purposes, you need the court copy, not the MDHHS version.
Electronic filing at the 22nd Circuit is available through MiFILE. Ann Arbor residents can use MiFILE to submit papers and receive case notifications without visiting the courthouse in person.
Michigan Divorce Law in Ann Arbor Cases
Ann Arbor divorce cases follow the same Michigan statutes used across the state. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to show that your spouse did something wrong. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood it can be saved. This is the standard the 22nd Judicial Circuit applies in all cases.
Residency rules matter for Ann Arbor filers. Under MCL 552.9, one spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in Washtenaw County for at least 10 days before the case is filed. Ann Arbor residents who satisfy those requirements can file at the 22nd Circuit immediately. If you recently moved to the area, you may need to wait to meet the county residency threshold.
Waiting periods apply after filing. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days before a judge can enter a final divorce judgment. Cases with minor children face a 180-day wait. A judge may shorten the waiting period for good cause in individual cases. Property is divided under equitable distribution principles. The court splits marital assets in a way it finds fair under the circumstances, which may or may not be equal. Spousal support is evaluated based on both parties' incomes, needs, and the length of the marriage.
The 22nd Circuit also has a Peacemaking Court initiative that may be available in some cases to help parties resolve disputes outside of traditional litigation. Ask the court about this option if you and your spouse are open to a collaborative process. Full statute text is at legislature.mi.gov. Free guidance is at Michigan Legal Help.
Ann Arbor Divorce Resources
The City of Ann Arbor maintains an official site at a2gov.org. The site covers city services and government contacts. The city does not handle divorce cases, but the site can help you find local offices and services relevant to life changes during or after a divorce.
The Washtenaw County website at washtenaw.org has clerk's office details and court service information. The county clerk page is at washtenaw.org/165/Clerk and covers records requests and procedures specific to Washtenaw County.
For free legal help, Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guided interviews that generate completed divorce forms for 22nd Circuit cases. All official court forms are free at courts.michigan.gov. If you need legal representation, the State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a referral service for family law attorneys in the Ann Arbor area. Legal aid organizations also serve Washtenaw County residents who qualify based on income.
The Ann Arbor District Library provides free computer and internet access at its main branch and locations throughout the city. This can be useful for online case searches or filling out court forms without home internet access.
Nearby Cities
Ypsilanti is a nearby city in Washtenaw County but does not have a separate page on this site. These nearby cities have pages with their own courthouse and records information.
Washtenaw County Divorce Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County. All divorce cases for Ann Arbor residents are filed and kept at the 22nd Judicial Circuit here in the city. For complete county-level details on fees, online search, and all filing procedures, visit the Washtenaw County divorce records page.