Wayne County Divorce Records
Wayne County divorce records are kept at the Third Judicial Circuit Court Family Division in Detroit. Michigan's most populous county, Wayne County handles a high volume of divorce filings each year, and its records go back to 1942 at the Records Division. You can search Wayne County divorce records online through the Odyssey Public Access system, request copies in person at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, or mail a request to the Wayne County Clerk Records Division.
Wayne County Overview
Wayne County Circuit Court - Family Division
The Third Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in Wayne County. This court is the largest circuit court in Michigan. Its Family Division covers divorce filings, custody cases, support orders, paternity matters, and personal protection orders. The court is located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in downtown Detroit. If you or your spouse lives in Wayne County, this is where your divorce case is filed and where the records are kept.
The Wayne County Clerk Records Division stores civil court records, which include divorce cases, from 1942 to the present. Files from 2010 forward are available for viewing in the records room during normal business hours. Older files from before 2010 need to be ordered from the county archives and are typically available the next business day after 2 PM. Name change documents after 1996 are also available here.
The Wayne County Clerk Records Division can be reached at 313-224-5530 or by email at wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. The fax number is 313-967-3712. You can also learn more about available records and request procedures at waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/records.
| 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 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records Email | wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com |
Search Wayne County Divorce Records Online
Wayne County uses the Odyssey Public Access (OPA) system for online case lookup. You can access it at 3rdcc.org. The system is free. It lets you search by name, case number, or date. Results show party names, the register of actions, scheduled hearings, and basic case status. Documents are not available for download through OPA, but you can confirm whether a case exists and gather the case number you need to request copies from the clerk.
Wayne County divorce cases are also searchable through the statewide MiCOURT system. MiCOURT covers the Third Judicial Circuit and shows case types coded as DM (divorce with minor children) or DO (divorce without children). The statewide system and OPA pull from the same court data, so you can use either one to locate a case.
The Wayne County Court website at waynecountycourt.us provides additional information about the court's services, divisions, and procedures. It is a useful starting point if you are unsure about what type of request to make or what documents you need.
Note: OPA and MiCOURT show case information only. To get actual copies of divorce documents, you must contact the Wayne County Clerk Records Division directly.
How to Request Wayne County Divorce Records
You have three main options for getting Wayne County divorce records: in person, by mail, or through the online case search for basic information. In person is the fastest method. Visit the Records Division at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can locate records by name or case number and make copies on the spot. Records from 2010 forward are usually available the same day. Older records take one business day to retrieve from archives.
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 parties' names, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Include your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests typically take 1 to 2 weeks to process. An online divorce records request is also available for $40, paid by money order. Call 313-224-5530 to confirm the current process for online requests.
Wayne County divorce records fees: copies cost $2 per page, with an additional certification fee on top of that. The fee for a complete online divorce records request is $40 by money order. Search fees may apply if staff must locate a record by date rather than case number. Call ahead to confirm current fees since these can change.
Note: Under MCL 333.2882, certified copies of divorce certificates from MDHHS are limited to parties, legal representatives, and people with a direct interest. Court copies from Wayne County follow the public access rules under MCR 8.119.
Wayne County Divorce Filing Fees
Filing a divorce case in Wayne County costs $421. This is one of the higher filing fees in the state, reflecting the scale and resources of the Third Judicial Circuit. A counterclaim in an existing case costs $150. These fees are paid to the Wayne County Clerk at the time of filing. For cases involving children, additional filings related to custody, parenting time, and child support may carry their own fees.
The Friend of the Court in Wayne County is involved in all cases with minor children. It provides services for child custody enforcement, support collection, and parenting time. The Friend of the Court office is part of the Third Circuit and works with the Family Division judge assigned to your case.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. Ask the clerk for a fee waiver application and explain your financial situation. The judge reviews the request and decides whether to grant the waiver. If approved, most or all of the filing fees are waived for your case.
Michigan Divorce Law and Wayne County Cases
All divorce cases in Wayne County follow Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. You do not need to prove fault. The legal standard is a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing, and in Wayne County for at least 10 days, as required by MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods apply in Wayne County the same as everywhere in Michigan. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days from the filing date before a judge can enter the final judgment. Cases with minor children must wait at least 180 days. Judges can waive part of these periods for good cause. Property division follows equitable distribution principles under MCL 552.19, meaning the court divides assets as it finds just and reasonable, not necessarily 50/50.
Spousal support in Wayne County is addressed under MCL 552.13. The court looks at ability to pay and the circumstances of both parties. The Family Division judge has broad discretion to order, modify, or terminate support. All temporary orders for custody, support, or housing that the judge issues while the case is pending remain in effect until the final judgment is entered.
The Michigan Legislature's website at legislature.mi.gov has the full text of all Michigan statutes. The Michigan Legal Help website is a free resource for understanding the divorce process, finding the right forms, and getting step-by-step guidance for Wayne County cases specifically.
Legal Help for Wayne County Divorce
Several resources are available if you need help with a Wayne County divorce case or need to access records. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org offers free guided interviews that walk you through the divorce process and generate forms specific to your situation. It covers Wayne County procedures and links to the Third Circuit Family Division directly.
The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys who handle Wayne County Circuit Court cases. For people with low income, legal aid organizations serve the Detroit area. The Michigan Courts website at courts.michigan.gov lists all SCAO-approved forms you can use to file for divorce or request records on your own. All forms are free to download. The MiFILE eFiling system is the portal for electronic filings in Wayne County Circuit Court cases.
Major Cities in Wayne County
Wayne County includes Detroit and several major surrounding cities. All divorce cases from these communities are filed at the Third Judicial Circuit Court. Select a city for local resources and contact details.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Wayne County. If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction over a divorce case, look at the address where the filing party lives. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction.