Ann Arbor Divorce Decree
Ann Arbor divorce decree records are filed and kept at the Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court at 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor. The city clerk does not hold divorce records. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree from a Washtenaw County case, the circuit court records unit is where you go. This page covers the court location, phone numbers, fees, online tools, and what Michigan law requires before a divorce can be finalized.
Ann Arbor Overview
Washtenaw County 22nd Circuit Court: Divorce Records in Ann Arbor
The 22nd Circuit Court is located at 101 E. Huron Street, P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645. The main phone is (734) 222-3270 and the fax is (734) 222-3077. The Records Unit is in Room 1106 and can be reached at (734) 222-3024. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Washtenaw County Clerk's main office is at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 100. Phone is (734) 222-6710. Email is clerk@washtenaw.org. The county clerk and the circuit court are separate offices. For divorce decree copies specifically, contact the Records Unit at Room 1106 in the courthouse.
A law library is available in the courthouse at 101 E. Huron St., Room 207, for those doing their own research. There is also a Legal Resource Center on the first floor of the courthouse, open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for help with forms. Staff there can assist with paperwork but cannot give legal advice.
Ann Arbor City Clerk: Vital Records but Not Divorces
The Ann Arbor City Clerk is at 301 East Huron Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Phone is (734) 794-6140. City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry handles elections, voter registration, and city-specific vital records. But like all Michigan city clerks, the Ann Arbor City Clerk does not maintain divorce records.
Divorce records in Michigan are court records. They belong to the circuit court that issued the decree. The city clerk's office cannot produce them. If you contact the city clerk looking for a divorce decree, they will tell you to go to the 22nd Circuit Court. The City of Ann Arbor website has information on city services, but divorce record access is not among them.
How to Get a Certified Copy of an Ann Arbor Divorce Decree
Certified copies cost $10.00. A search fee of $10.00 applies when staff must locate a case, plus $1.00 per page for copies. Have the case number ready if possible to avoid the search fee.
In Person: Go to Room 1106 at 101 E. Huron Street. Bring a photo ID. Know both parties' names and the approximate year of the divorce. If you have the case number, bring it. Pay by check, money order, or ask about other payment methods when you arrive.
By Mail: Send a written request to the Records Unit, 22nd Circuit Court, 101 E. Huron St., P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645. Include names, year, your contact information, and a check or money order. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (734) 222-3024 first to confirm exact fees.
MiFILE: Michigan's electronic filing system at MiFILE is primarily for submitting documents to courts rather than ordering copies. For copy requests, contact the Records Unit directly at (734) 222-3024.
Michigan Divorce Law for Washtenaw County Residents
Michigan's no-fault divorce statute, MCL 552.6, allows either spouse to file without showing any fault on the other's part. The filing party states the marriage has broken down. That is the legal standard. Ann Arbor residents file under the same law as everyone else in Michigan.
To file in Washtenaw County, you need to meet the residency rules in MCL 552.9. That means 180 days in Michigan and 10 days in the county before filing. Ann Arbor residents who have lived in Washtenaw County for 10 days or more meet the county requirement easily. The state requirement of 180 days is what sometimes causes a delay for newer residents.
The waiting period is 60 days for cases without minor children. Cases with minor children have a mandatory 180-day wait from the filing date. The 22nd Circuit Court will not enter a final decree before that period ends unless a judge grants a waiver, which is rare. Knowing these timelines is important when planning your case.
Searching Ann Arbor Divorce Cases Online
Use Michigan's statewide MiCOURT Case Search to find Washtenaw County divorce cases by name. It is free and covers 22nd Circuit Court filings.
Online searches show docket information: filing dates, case numbers, and case disposition. They do not provide the full text of the decree. To get the actual document, submit a copy request through the Records Unit at Room 1106.
Legal Help in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
The Legal Resource Center at the 22nd Circuit Court (1st floor, courthouse) assists self-represented parties with forms on Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Staff help with paperwork but cannot give legal advice. For full legal advice, contact Michigan Legal Help online or call Legal Services of South Central Michigan at (734) 665-6181 to ask about qualifying for free legal aid. The Washtenaw County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service as well.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities also have divorce records at their respective county circuit courts.
Washtenaw County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Washtenaw County, visit the county records page.