Lenawee County Divorce Decree Records
Lenawee County divorce decree records go back to 1853 and are filed with the 39th Circuit Court Clerk in Adrian, and this page covers all four ways to request certified copies, the applicable fees, what you need to include with your request, and the legal framework that governs divorce filings in this county.
Lenawee County Overview
Where to Get Lenawee County Divorce Decree Records
The 39th Circuit Court in Adrian handles divorce filings and maintains the official divorce decree records for Lenawee County. There are four ways to request a certified copy of a Lenawee County divorce decree.
Option 1: Visit the Circuit Court in person at 425 North Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221. The circuit court phone number is (517) 264-4597. Option 2: Visit the County Clerk at their temporary location at 113 W. Front Street, Adrian. The county clerk phone is (517) 264-4599. Option 3: Mail your request to 301 N. Main St., Adrian MI 49221. Option 4: Use VitalChek for online requests, though an additional $10 processing fee applies.
Office hours for both the Circuit Court and the County Clerk are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. A divorce kit is also available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for $50 if you need forms to file a new divorce case.
The image below shows the Lenawee County Circuit Court page, where you can find current contact details and procedures for requesting divorce decree records.
| Circuit Court | 425 N. Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221 |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court Phone | (517) 264-4597 |
| County Clerk | 113 W. Front Street (temporary), Adrian, MI |
| County Clerk Phone | (517) 264-4599 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
| First Certified Copy | $16.00 |
| Each Additional | $6.00 |
Searching Lenawee County Divorce Decree Records Online
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search system is the primary online tool for searching Lenawee County divorce decree cases. MiCOURT is maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court and provides public access to circuit court case index data. You can search by party name or case number.
The image below shows the Lenawee County main website, which provides links to the Circuit Court, County Clerk, and other county offices relevant to divorce decree requests.
The image below shows the Lenawee County vital records page, which provides information about certified records and the difference between court decrees and vital certificates.
Lenawee County keeps space for genealogists to review older divorce records in person. Up to two genealogists can work at one time in the records area. If you are doing historical research on Lenawee County divorces from the 1800s, call ahead to arrange a visit and confirm availability.
Fees for Lenawee County Divorce Decree Copies
A certified copy of a Lenawee County divorce judgment costs $16.00 for the first copy. Each additional certified copy of the same document is $6.00. These fees apply to requests made in person, by mail, or through the circuit court. If you use VitalChek, expect to pay an additional $10 processing fee on top of the base record fee, plus any applicable shipping charges.
For mail requests, include the full names of both parties, the year the divorce was finalized, the case number if available, and a check or money order made out to the Lenawee County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not send cash. Mail requests typically take a few business days to process for recent records.
In-person requests at either the Circuit Court or County Clerk office are typically faster. Staff can help you locate the case and confirm fees. Having the case number ready makes the process much smoother.
Note: The County Clerk is currently operating from a temporary location at 113 W. Front Street, Adrian. Call ahead to confirm current address and hours before visiting in person.
Michigan Divorce Law in Lenawee County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, either spouse can file for divorce without proving fault. The only legal ground is that the marriage has broken down and cannot be restored. Lenawee County divorces are filed at the 39th Circuit Court in Adrian.
Residency requirements apply under MCL 552.9. At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Lenawee County for at least 10 days before filing. The 10-day county residency requirement is shorter than you might expect, but it still must be met at the time the complaint is filed.
Waiting periods are mandatory. Cases without minor children require 60 days after filing. Cases with minor children require 180 days. The court may waive the longer period in cases involving extraordinary circumstances. Once the waiting period is met and all issues are resolved, the judge signs the final decree and it becomes a court order. That order is what you request certified copies of from the 39th Circuit Court Clerk.
Under MCL 552.18, property acquired during the marriage is generally presumed marital property subject to equitable division. The court uses a range of factors when dividing property and debt, including length of marriage, contributions of both parties, and each party's financial situation.
What Lenawee County Divorce Decree Records Contain
A Lenawee County divorce decree is the final signed court order ending a marriage. It is a court document, not a vital record. The MDHHS issues divorce certificates separately, and those are different documents used for different purposes.
A Lenawee County divorce decree typically contains names of both parties, the date the case was filed and the date the judge signed the final order, the case number, and all the terms of the divorce. Those terms cover property division, debt allocation, whether spousal support was ordered, and in cases involving children, legal and physical custody, parenting time arrangements, and child support amounts. Some decrees also include provisions about pensions, health insurance, and tax dependency claims.
Lenawee County divorce records go back to 1853, making them valuable for genealogy. Records from that era may have limited detail, but the clerk's office and the genealogy workspace in the office can help you search older filings. Contact the office before visiting if you need records from the 19th century to confirm availability and access procedures.
Legal Help for Divorce in Lenawee County
The 39th Circuit Court Clerk's office sells divorce kits for $50. These include the forms you need to file an uncontested divorce in Lenawee County. Clerks can explain the forms but cannot provide legal advice.
Michigan Legal Help is free and available to all Michigan residents online. It provides step-by-step guidance, form preparation tools, and plain-language explanations of the divorce process. It is a good resource whether or not you also purchase the courthouse divorce kit.
Legal aid organizations serve Lenawee County and the surrounding southeastern Michigan area. These organizations may be able to help qualifying low-income residents with divorce filings. Contact the 39th Circuit Court or check Michigan Legal Help's referral listings for current legal aid contact information for the Adrian area.
Cities in Lenawee County
Lenawee County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. The county seat is the city of Adrian.
Nearby Counties
Counties near Lenawee with divorce decree record pages include: