Lenawee County Divorce Records
Lenawee County divorce records are filed and maintained at the 39th Circuit Court in Adrian, Michigan. The Circuit Court Clerk handles all divorce case records from initial filing through final judgment, and processes requests for copies and certified documents. You can search Lenawee County cases online for free through Michigan's MiCOURT system, or contact the clerk's office in Adrian directly. Lenawee County sits along the Ohio border in southeast Michigan, and its circuit court serves a substantial case volume for the region.
Lenawee County Overview
39th Circuit Court - Lenawee County
The 39th Judicial Circuit Court in Adrian handles all divorce filings for Lenawee County. The court is located at 301 N. Main St. in Adrian. The Circuit Court Clerk's office manages the full record of every divorce case filed in the county. Staff can search by party name or case number and provide copies of records in person or by mail. This is the right office for any Lenawee County divorce record request.
Lenawee County is the southernmost county in Michigan's Lower Peninsula along the Ohio border. Adrian is the county seat and hosts the main courthouse. As a county with nearly 100,000 residents, Lenawee processes a significant volume of divorce cases. The Friend of the Court office in Adrian works with the 39th Circuit on all cases involving minor children. It handles custody investigations, support order calculations, and enforcement after judgments are entered.
The courthouse at 301 N. Main St. is accessible during regular business hours. If you are unsure whether a case is in Lenawee County or a neighboring county, run a MiCOURT search first. Once you confirm the case is in Lenawee County, call 517-264-4599 to ask about current fees and how to get copies. The clerk can also tell you whether a specific file is in active records or needs to be retrieved from archives.
| Court | 39th Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N. Main St. Adrian, MI 49221 |
| Phone | 517-264-4599 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Lenawee County Divorce Cases Online
The statewide MiCOURT case search system covers Lenawee County Circuit Court records. Search for free by party name or case number. Divorce cases appear as case type DM (with minor children) or DO (without children). Results show party names, the register of actions, filing dates, scheduled hearings, and case status. MiCOURT does not give access to documents, but it gives you the case number and enough information to confirm the right case before contacting the clerk.
Lenawee County borders Ohio, and some residents on the state line may have cases that could be in either state's records. MiCOURT confirms which Michigan county holds the case and the specific case number. Run the search before calling the Adrian courthouse to make the request process faster and more accurate.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides free guided divorce forms for Lenawee County residents, walking through each step of the filing process. The site covers the 39th Circuit Court and generates forms tailored to your situation. For uncontested divorces in Adrian or anywhere in Lenawee County, this resource can help you complete the process without an attorney.
Note: MiCOURT shows case information only, not actual documents. To obtain copies of Lenawee County divorce records, contact the 39th Circuit Court Clerk at 301 N. Main St., Adrian, MI 49221, or call 517-264-4599.
How to Get Lenawee County Divorce Records
You can request copies of Lenawee County divorce records in person or by mail. In person is faster. Go to the 39th Circuit Court Clerk at 301 N. Main St. in Adrian. Bring a valid photo ID. Give the clerk the names of both parties or the case number. Standard Michigan copy fees run $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies add a certification fee of $10 to $15. Call 517-264-4599 to confirm the current fee schedule before your visit.
For a mail request, write to the Lenawee County Circuit Court Clerk, 301 N. Main St., Adrian, MI 49221. Include both parties' names, the year of the divorce, and the case number if available. Attach a check or money order payable to the Lenawee County Clerk and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks to process. Older archived files may take longer to pull, so allow extra time if you're requesting records from many years ago.
For a certified statewide divorce certificate, contact MDHHS. MDHHS holds Michigan divorce records back to 1897. The first certified copy is $34 and each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Submit requests through michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords, by mail to P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, or call (517) 335-8656.
The MDHHS certificate is a summary document confirming the divorce took place. The full court record from Lenawee County contains detailed orders on property division, debt allocation, custody, support, and name changes. Most legal, financial, and personal uses require the court record, not just the MDHHS certificate. Know what type of document you need before requesting.
Michigan Divorce Law and Lenawee County Cases
All Lenawee County divorce cases are governed by Michigan law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing. The court needs only to find a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood of recovery. The 39th Circuit Court in Adrian applies this standard across all cases filed there.
Residency requirements are set by MCL 552.9: at least one party must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Lenawee County for at least 10 days before filing. Residents near the Ohio border should note that only Michigan residency counts toward the 180-day requirement. Ohio residency does not apply even if you live right at the state line.
Waiting periods in Lenawee County follow state minimums. Cases without minor children must wait 60 days from the date of filing. Cases with minor children must wait 180 days. A judge can shorten the wait in hardship situations but cannot eliminate it. Most Lenawee County divorces without contested issues resolve within a few months after the wait period ends.
Property division follows equitable distribution under MCL 552.19. Spousal support is governed by MCL 552.13. The 39th Circuit judge weighs the financial needs and circumstances of both parties when deciding on support. Full Michigan statutes are available at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Resources for Lenawee County
Free legal resources are available for Lenawee County residents dealing with divorce cases. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides guided interviews and court-ready forms for the 39th Circuit Court. The Michigan Courts website has all SCAO-approved forms at no cost for download. Use MiFILE to file documents electronically with the Lenawee County Circuit Court.
The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a lawyer referral service for Lenawee County family law cases. Legal aid organizations serving southeast Michigan also provide free assistance to qualifying lower-income residents in Adrian and elsewhere in Lenawee County. These programs can help with both accessing records and navigating active divorce cases.
Cities in Lenawee County
Lenawee County does not have any cities that meet the qualifying population threshold for dedicated pages. Communities including Adrian, Tecumseh, Blissfield, and Hudson all have their divorce cases handled by the 39th Circuit Court at 301 N. Main St. in Adrian.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lenawee County in southeast Michigan. Check the filing party's residential address at the time of the complaint to confirm which county court has jurisdiction.