Westland Divorce Decree Records
Westland divorce decree records are held by Wayne County's Third Judicial Circuit Court in Detroit, not by Westland City Hall. The Westland City Clerk does not maintain divorce records. All divorces filed by Westland residents are processed and stored at the Wayne County courthouse, located at 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. This guide explains how to get certified copies, what fees apply, and how to search Wayne County divorce cases online.
Westland Overview
Wayne County Third Circuit Court: Home of Westland Divorce Records
Westland is in Wayne County. That means the Third Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorces for Westland residents. The court is at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Clerk main line: (313) 224-0157. Records Division in Room LL-61: (313) 224-6262. Family Division: (313) 224-5300. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Vital records for Wayne County residents go through a separate division at 2 Woodward Avenue, Room 201, Detroit. But divorce decree copies come from the Records Division in Room LL-61, not the vital records office. A divorce decree is a court record. A divorce certificate is a vital record. They are not the same document and are obtained from different offices.
The Wayne County Clerk website provides guidance on all records available through the clerk's office. The Third Circuit Odyssey Public Access portal is the online case search tool. It is free and lets you search by name or case number before submitting a copy request.
Westland City Clerk: Not the Right Place for Divorce Records
The Westland City Clerk is at 36300 Warren Road, Westland, MI 48185. Phone is (734) 467-3185, fax is (734) 422-1208. City Clerk Shannon Inman manages the office. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The city clerk handles elections, voter registration, and city government records. Vital records for Westland go through the Wayne County Clerk.
Divorce records are not held at the city level in Michigan. The Westland City Clerk does not have them and cannot provide them. If you contact Westland City Hall about a divorce decree, the correct referral is to Wayne County's Third Circuit Court in Detroit.
The Westland city website shows city services. Divorce record access is not among them. Go directly to the Wayne County courthouse for divorce decrees.
The Westland city website shows city services. For divorce decree records for Westland residents, you need the Wayne County Third Circuit Court Records Division in Detroit.
How to Request a Certified Westland Divorce Decree Copy
Fees at Wayne County are $2 per page, $10 for the certification, plus $1 to $2 per additional page. Card payments add $2.50 extra. Bring cash or check to avoid that surcharge.
In Person: Go to Room LL-61 at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Bring a photo ID and know both parties' names and the approximate year. Arrive before 4:00 PM. Staff can search by name if you don't have a case number, but having one makes the process faster.
By Mail: Write a request with both parties' full names, the year of the divorce, your full name, return address, and phone. Attach a check or money order payable to Wayne County Clerk and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to 2 Woodward Ave., Room LL-61, Detroit, MI 48226. Do not send cash.
Online: The Odyssey Public Access portal lets you search Wayne County cases online for free. Find the case number before visiting or mailing a request to speed up the process.
Westland provides city government services online. Westland residents needing divorce decree copies should contact the Wayne County Third Circuit Court in Detroit, not the city.
Michigan Divorce Law: What Westland Residents Should Know
Michigan uses no-fault divorce standards under MCL 552.6. You do not need to prove your spouse did anything wrong. The legal basis for filing is simply that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable hope of recovery. Wayne County's Third Circuit Court processes Westland divorces under this standard.
Under MCL 552.9, you need to have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Wayne County for 10 days before filing. Westland residents who have lived in the city for 10 or more days meet the county requirement without difficulty. The 180-day state residency requirement is the one that affects newcomers.
The mandatory waiting period after filing is 60 days for cases with no minor children. Cases with minor children require 180 days from the filing date before the court can enter a final decree. These periods cannot be shortened without a formal request and a showing of hardship. Plan your case around these required waits.
Legal Help for Westland Residents
Free legal guidance is available through Michigan Legal Help for all aspects of Michigan divorce. Wayne County Legal Aid is at (313) 964-4130 for income-qualifying residents. The Wayne County Bar Association has attorney referrals at (313) 961-3545. The clerk's office can explain the copy request process, but they cannot give legal advice on the substance of your divorce case.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are also in Wayne County or nearby areas with access to Wayne County and neighboring circuit court divorce records.
Wayne County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Wayne County, visit the county records page.