Detroit Divorce Decree Records
Detroit divorce decree records are held by Wayne County's Third Judicial Circuit Court, not the Detroit City Clerk. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree from a case filed in Detroit, you go to the Wayne County courthouse at 2 Woodward Avenue. The city clerk's office does not keep divorce records and cannot help you get them. This guide covers where to go, what to bring, what it costs, and how to search online.
Detroit Overview
Where Detroit Divorce Records Are Kept
Wayne County's Third Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases for Detroit and the rest of Wayne County. The Family Division processes divorces, and the Records Division keeps those files. The Wayne County Clerk's Records Division is in Room LL-61 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Phone numbers for the Records Division are (313) 967-6938 and (313) 224-5530. The Family Division main line is (313) 224-5300.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Plan to arrive before 4:00 PM if you need to complete a request same day. The court is closed on state and federal holidays.
The Detroit City Clerk's office at Detroit City Hall does not maintain divorce records. This is a common source of confusion. The city clerk handles birth, death, and some city-specific records, but per the city's own documentation, the City Clerk's Archives does not have birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificates. Do not contact the city clerk for divorce decree copies.
You can also reach the Wayne County Clerk general line at (313) 224-0157, or visit the Wayne County Clerk website for more details on records access.
Detroit City Clerk: What They Do and Don't Handle
The Detroit City Clerk's office is located at Detroit City Hall. It handles city elections, voter registration, and some local business licensing. When it comes to vital records, the city clerk archives hold certain city-specific records. But divorce records are not among them. The Detroit City Clerk office is explicit about this. Their archives do not contain divorce certificates or divorce decrees.
The City Clerk's Archives and Records division handles historical city documents. If you are trying to find a divorce decree, this is not the right place. You need the Wayne County Circuit Court Records Division instead.
Some people confuse a divorce certificate with a divorce decree. These are two different documents. A divorce certificate is a short summary document issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A divorce decree is the full court order signed by a judge. Both prove a divorce happened, but they serve different purposes. Courts and government agencies typically require the full certified decree. MDHHS vital records handles the certificate side through their vital records office.
The Detroit City Clerk's website makes clear they do not keep divorce records.
The Detroit City Clerk website clarifies which records they hold. Divorce decrees are not part of their archive.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Detroit Divorce Decree
There are three ways to get a certified copy: in person, by mail, or online. Each works, but in-person is fastest if you need the record the same day.
In Person: Go to the Wayne County Clerk Records Division, Room LL-61, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Bring a photo ID. Know the case number if you can find it. Staff can search by name if you don't have a case number, but it helps to have it ready.
By Mail: Send a written request to 2 Woodward Ave., Room LL-61, Detroit, MI 48226. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of the divorce, and your contact information. Include a check or money order payable to Wayne County Clerk. Do not send cash.
Online Search: The Third Circuit Court offers the Odyssey Public Access portal for case lookups. You can search by name or case number to find docket information. Certified copies still require a written request or in-person visit, but Odyssey lets you confirm case details before making your request.
The Third Circuit Court's Odyssey Public Access portal lets you search Wayne County divorce case records online by name or case number.
Fees for Detroit Divorce Decree Copies
The Wayne County Clerk charges $2 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $10 for the certification plus $1 to $2 per page. If you pay by credit or debit card, there is an additional $2.50 convenience fee. Bring exact cash or a check if you want to avoid the card fee.
Civil court records (which include divorces) date back to 1942 in this system. Older records may require additional research time or may be stored differently. Call (313) 967-6938 before visiting if your case is from before 1942.
The Wayne County records page has current fee information. Fees can change, so confirm before you send payment by mail.
Michigan Divorce Law: What Detroit Residents Should Know
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, either spouse can file for divorce without proving fault. The filing party just needs to state the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. This is the legal standard Michigan courts use.
To file in Wayne County, you must meet the residency requirements in MCL 552.9. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. You also need to have lived in Wayne County for at least 10 days before filing there. Detroit residents who have lived in the city for 10 or more days before filing can file in Wayne County without question.
There is a mandatory waiting period. Divorces with no minor children have a 60-day waiting period from the date of filing. Divorces involving minor children require 180 days before a judge can enter a final decree. A judge can waive the 180-day period in cases of hardship or unusual circumstances, but this is not common.
The Wayne County Friend of the Court office assists with child support, custody, and parenting time enforcement. Their phone number is (313) 224-2500. If your divorce decree includes child support or custody orders, Friend of the Court plays a role in enforcement.
Finding Detroit Divorce Records Through MiCOURT
Michigan's statewide court portal is MiCOURT Case Search. It covers many counties and courts across the state. Wayne County is part of the Odyssey system, so Detroit cases also appear in searches through the Third Circuit's own portal. Both are worth trying if you are looking for a specific case.
When searching, use exact name spellings. Divorce cases may be filed under either spouse's name. If you know the approximate year, narrow your search by date range to get more accurate results. Case numbers in Wayne County follow a standard format that includes the year and a sequence number.
Note that online portals show case information and docket entries. They do not let you download certified copies. Certified copies always require a formal request process through the clerk's office.
The Detroit City Clerk's Archives and Records division does not hold divorce records. Those records are with the Wayne County Circuit Court.
Legal Help for Detroit Divorce Cases
If you need legal help with a divorce in Detroit, several resources are available. Michigan Legal Help is a free online resource that covers divorce procedures, forms, and guidance for people representing themselves. The site has step-by-step instructions for filing and responding to divorce cases in Michigan.
Wayne County Legal Aid offers services for low-income residents. Call (313) 964-4130 to see if you qualify. The Wayne County Bar Association also has a lawyer referral service at (313) 961-3545 if you want a private attorney.
For help with divorce decree records specifically, the Wayne County Clerk's office staff can answer procedural questions about getting copies. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you what forms to use and how to submit a request.
Nearby Cities
These nearby qualifying cities also file divorce cases in Wayne County and neighboring county circuit courts.
Wayne County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Wayne County, visit the county records page.