Search Detroit Divorce Records
Detroit divorce records are filed and maintained at the Third Judicial Circuit Court Family Division in Wayne County. As Michigan's largest city, Detroit sees a high volume of divorce filings each year, and the court's records go back to 1942. You can search cases online through the Odyssey Public Access system, visit the courthouse in person at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, or mail a request to the Wayne County Clerk Records Division to get copies of divorce documents.
Detroit Overview
Wayne County Handles Detroit Divorce Filings
Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County, and the Third Judicial Circuit Court serves as the court of jurisdiction for all divorce cases filed by Detroit residents. The court's Family Division handles everything from the initial filing through final judgment, including custody, support, and property matters. This is the only court that can grant a divorce for Detroit residents. Cases go on the Family Division docket and stay in Wayne County once filed.
The Wayne County Clerk Records Division stores civil and family court records at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit. Records from 2010 forward are accessible in the records room during business hours. Files from before 2010 must be pulled from the archives and are generally ready the next business day after 2 PM. The records go back to 1942.
| Court | Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Records Division Phone | 313-224-5530 |
| Circuit Court Phone | (313) 224-5510 |
| Records Email | wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Wayne County Court website at waynecountycourt.us has information on court services, divisions, and procedures. If you are not sure which forms to use or how to submit a request, it is a useful first stop before calling the Records Division.
How to Search Detroit Divorce Records Online
The Third Judicial Circuit uses the Odyssey Public Access (OPA) system for free online case lookup. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Results show party names, the register of actions, hearing dates, and case status. Documents themselves are not available for download, but you can confirm a case exists and get the case number you need to order copies. Access OPA at 3rdcc.org.
Detroit divorce cases are also searchable through 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, so either one works to find a case. MiCOURT can be useful if you are searching across multiple counties in the same session.
For certified copies and full case documents, online search alone is not enough. You must contact the Wayne County Clerk Records Division directly. Their page at waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/records explains the process and lists what information to include in your request.
OPA and MiCOURT show case information only. To get physical copies of divorce decrees or judgments, contact the Wayne County Clerk Records Division at 313-224-5530.
How to Request Copies of Detroit Divorce Records
You have three ways to get copies of Detroit divorce records: visit the courthouse in person, send a mail request, or use the county's online records request process. In person is the fastest option for recent records. Go to the Records Division at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can find records by name or case number. Files from 2010 forward are available the same day. Older records take one business day to retrieve.
To request by mail, write 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 date of the divorce, and the case number if you know it. Add your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests usually take one to two weeks. An online divorce records request costs $40 by money order. Call 313-224-5530 to confirm the current steps for online requests.
Copy fees at Wayne County: $2 per page. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee on top of the per-page cost. The $40 flat-rate online request fee covers search and copies for a single case file. Fees can change, so call ahead before sending payment.
If you need a certified copy of the divorce certificate from the state, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). MDHHS charges $34 for the first certified copy and $16 for each additional copy of the same record. Reach MDHHS Vital Records at (517) 335-8656 or visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.
Michigan Divorce Law and Detroit Cases
Detroit divorce cases follow Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to show fault or wrongdoing. The only ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable chance of recovery. The law is the same in Detroit as in every other Michigan city. No-fault rules mean the court does not assign blame, which keeps many cases moving faster than fault-based states allow.
Residency requirements apply before you can file. Under MCL 552.9, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days before filing and in Wayne County for at least 10 days. Detroit residents who meet those thresholds can file right away at the Third Judicial Circuit.
Waiting periods also apply. Cases without minor children must wait 60 days from the filing date before the judge can enter a final judgment. Cases with minor children face a 180-day wait. A judge may shorten these periods for good cause in individual cases. Property division follows equitable distribution under MCL 552.19, meaning the court splits marital assets as it finds fair, not automatically 50/50. Spousal support is handled under MCL 552.13, with the court weighing both parties' income, needs, and circumstances.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of all statutes. The Michigan Legal Help site walks you through each step of the process and links to Wayne County forms and resources.
Detroit Divorce Resources
The City of Detroit maintains a government website at detroitmi.gov with contact details for city offices and services. While the city itself does not handle divorce filings, the site can help you find city clerk contacts and other local government resources you may need during or after a divorce case.
For people who need legal help but cannot afford an attorney, Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guided interviews that generate completed forms for Wayne County cases. The site covers divorce, custody, and support and is designed for people filing on their own. All SCAO-approved court forms are free at courts.michigan.gov.
Electronic filing in Wayne County Circuit Court is available through the MiFILE system. You can use MiFILE to submit documents and get electronic notices without making a trip to the courthouse. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org offers a lawyer referral service if you need to find a family law attorney who handles Detroit-area cases.
The Friend of the Court in Wayne County handles all cases with minor children. It enforces custody orders, collects support, and assists with parenting time disputes for Detroit-area families.
Nearby Cities in Southeast Michigan
These nearby cities are also served by courts in the region. Each has its own page with local courthouse details and resources.
Wayne County Divorce Records
Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County. All divorce cases for Detroit residents go through the Wayne County court system. For full county-level details on fees, procedures, online search tools, and all cities in the county, visit the Wayne County divorce records page.