Find Dearborn Divorce Records
Dearborn divorce records are filed and maintained at the Third Judicial Circuit Court Family Division in Wayne County, located in downtown Detroit at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Dearborn residents use the same Wayne County court system as Detroit, which means the same online search tools, the same filing fees, and the same records request process apply. This page covers where to go, how to search for Dearborn divorce cases, and how to get copies of divorce documents.
Dearborn Overview
Wayne County Handles Dearborn Divorce Filings
Dearborn is in Wayne County, so all divorce cases for Dearborn residents go through the Third Judicial Circuit Court Family Division. The courthouse is in Detroit, about 10 miles northeast of Dearborn. The filing fee is $421, which is the same for all Wayne County residents. Records go back to 1942. The Wayne County Clerk Records Division at Room LL-61 in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center stores all civil and family court records, including Dearborn divorce cases.
The Wayne County Clerk Records Division phone is 313-224-5530. The email is wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. The Dearborn City Clerk is at 16901 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126, phone 313-943-2090. City clerk offices do not handle divorce matters. Everything for a Dearborn divorce goes through Wayne County in Detroit.
| Court | Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue, Rm LL-61 Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Records Division Phone | 313-224-5530 |
| Records Email | wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com |
| Dearborn City Clerk Phone | 313-943-2090 |
| County Records Page | waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/records |
Search Dearborn Divorce Records Online
The Third Judicial Circuit uses the Odyssey Public Access (OPA) system for free online case lookup. You can search for Dearborn divorce cases by name, case number, or date range at 3rdcc.org. OPA shows party names, case status, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. Documents are not available for download, but OPA gives you the case number and basic information you need before placing a request with the Records Division.
Dearborn cases also appear in the statewide MiCOURT system. MiCOURT covers the Third Judicial Circuit and uses DM (divorce with minor children) and DO (divorce without children) as case type codes. Both OPA and MiCOURT pull from the same court data. Use whichever is easier to access. For in-depth research involving records across multiple counties, MiCOURT's statewide coverage can save time.
The Wayne County Clerk Records Division page at waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/records explains the request process in detail, including what information to include in a request and how to pay. Review this page before contacting the Records Division to make sure you have everything ready.
OPA and MiCOURT show case information only. Copies of actual documents require a request to the Wayne County Clerk Records Division at 313-224-5530.
How to Request Dearborn Divorce Records
To get copies of divorce records for Dearborn cases, contact the Wayne County Clerk Records Division. In person is the quickest option. Go to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Bring valid photo ID. Staff can locate records by name or case number and make copies on the spot. Records from 2010 forward are typically available the same day. Older records from before 2010 need one business day to retrieve from the archives. Call 313-224-5530 before going to confirm the file is on-site.
By mail, send your request to Wayne County Clerk Records Division, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Rm LL-61, 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226. Include both spouses' full names, the approximate year of filing, and the case number if available. Include your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks.
Copy fees at Wayne County: $2 per page, plus a certification fee for certified copies. A flat-rate online records request costs $40 by money order. Call 313-224-5530 to confirm the current process for that option before sending payment. Fees can change without notice, so always verify before you mail anything.
For a state-issued certified copy of the divorce certificate, contact Michigan MDHHS Vital Records. MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record. Call (517) 335-8656 or go to michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. MDHHS certificates and court copies serve different purposes. Most administrative needs require the court copy from Wayne County.
Michigan Divorce Law for Dearborn Residents
Dearborn divorce cases follow Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of recovery. This applies to Dearborn cases filed at the Third Judicial Circuit exactly the same as it does anywhere else in Michigan.
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 require one spouse to have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Wayne County for at least 10 days before filing. Dearborn is in Wayne County, so residents who meet those thresholds can file right away. Given that Dearborn is a separate city within the county, the 10-day Wayne County residency requirement is easily satisfied by anyone who lives there.
After filing, waiting periods apply before the divorce can be made final. Cases without minor children wait at least 60 days from the filing date. Cases with minor children wait 180 days. A judge may shorten these periods for good cause. Property is divided under equitable distribution rules, meaning the court divides marital assets in a way it finds just and reasonable, not necessarily half and half. Spousal support is addressed under MCL 552.13, based on income, need, and the ability of each party to support themselves.
Michigan's divorce statutes are at legislature.mi.gov. The Michigan Legal Help website provides free step-by-step guidance for Wayne County filers and links directly to Third Circuit forms and procedures.
Dearborn Divorce Resources
For legal help, Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free tool for people handling their own divorce in Wayne County. It walks you through each form and generates completed documents based on your answers. All SCAO court forms are free at courts.michigan.gov.
Electronic filing in Wayne County Circuit Court is available through MiFILE. Dearborn residents can use MiFILE to submit documents and receive case notices without driving to Detroit. This is a practical option for managing your case without multiple courthouse trips. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a referral service for family law attorneys in the Detroit metro area, which includes Dearborn-area practitioners.
The Friend of the Court in Wayne County handles all cases with minor children. It enforces custody orders, manages child support payments, and assists with parenting time disputes. Dearborn families with children in a divorce case will work with the Wayne County Friend of the Court, which operates through the Third Judicial Circuit.
A counterclaim in an existing Wayne County divorce case costs $150. For fee waiver requests, ask the clerk for the application form and provide documentation of your financial situation for the judge to review.
Nearby Cities in Wayne County
These nearby cities are also in Wayne County and use the Third Judicial Circuit Court for divorce filings.
Wayne County Divorce Records
Dearborn is in Wayne County, and all divorce cases go through the Third Judicial Circuit at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. For complete county details including fees, procedures, online search, and all cities in Wayne County, visit the Wayne County divorce records page.