Washtenaw County Divorce Decree Search
Washtenaw County divorce decree records are filed with the 22nd Circuit Court (Washtenaw County Trial Court) and maintained by the County Clerk at 200 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor. The county has a population of over 360,000 and divorce records going back to 1835. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10.00 per copy. A separate Records Unit at 101 E. Huron Street, Room 1106, handles circuit court record requests. Genealogy volunteers are available on Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM to assist with historical record searches.
Washtenaw County Overview
Where to Get Divorce Decree Records
Washtenaw County has two main locations for divorce decree records. The County Clerk's office at 200 N. Main Street handles general record requests and vital records. The Records Unit at 101 E. Huron Street, Room 1106, focuses specifically on circuit court record requests. For most divorce decree copy requests, the Records Unit is the right contact.
| County Clerk Office | 200 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 8645, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645 |
| Phone (Clerk) | (734) 222-6720 |
| Fax (Clerk) | (734) 222-6710 |
| clerk@washtenaw.org | |
| Records Unit Address | 101 E. Huron Street, Room 1106, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
| Phone (Records Unit) | (734) 222-3024 |
| District Court (Ann Arbor) | (734) 794-6750 |
| District Court (Pittsfield) | (734) 822-5755 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| County Clerk Website | washtenaw.org |
When you request a divorce decree, provide the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and a case number if you have it. Search fees are $10.00 plus $1.00 per page for copies. Certified copies of divorce decrees cost $10.00 per copy. The same office handles naturalization records going back to 1835, which can be useful for genealogy research. The Washtenaw County Genealogical Society has volunteers at the courthouse on Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The Washtenaw County website shows the full structure of county departments including the Clerk, Trial Court, and Records Unit.
The Washtenaw County site provides links to the Clerk's office, the Trial Court (22nd Circuit), and the Records Unit for requesting divorce decree copies in Ann Arbor.
The County Clerk's page also covers vital records including birth and death records from 1867 and marriage records from 1867.
The Clerk's office page confirms the location at 200 N. Main Street, the Records Unit at 101 E. Huron, and current contact information for divorce decree requests.
Searching Washtenaw Cases Online
Michigan's MiCOURT Case Search covers 22nd Circuit Court cases. Search by party name or case number to confirm a case exists and see basic filing details. MiCOURT is free and available at any time.
For the actual decree document, contact the Records Unit at (734) 222-3024 or visit Room 1106 at 101 E. Huron Street. The Law Library is also at 101 E. Huron, Room 207, and can help with legal research. Court records going back to 1835 include divorce, naturalization, and civil court documents.
Michigan Divorce Law in Washtenaw County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, you do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing. The only required legal basis is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of recovery. This is the standard at the 22nd Circuit Court in Ann Arbor.
Residency requirements under MCL 552.9 require at least one spouse to have lived in Michigan for 180 days. That same spouse must also have lived in Washtenaw County for at least 10 days before the complaint is filed. Both requirements must be satisfied before the clerk will accept the case.
Mandatory waiting periods follow filing. Divorces without minor children require a 60-day wait before the court can finalize the case. Divorces with minor children require 180 days. These periods cannot be shortened without court action. The 22nd Circuit Court (Washtenaw County Trial Court) handles all divorce and family law matters for the county. The court serves a large and active legal community in Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan. The Law Library at Room 207, 101 E. Huron, is open to the public and can assist with legal research related to divorce cases.
Divorce Decree vs. Divorce Certificate in Washtenaw County
These are different documents with different purposes.
The divorce decree is the full court order from the 22nd Circuit Court judge. It is the legal document that ends the marriage and sets out all terms. Property division, debt allocation, custody arrangements, support amounts - all of it is in the decree. Get it from the Records Unit at Room 1106, 101 E. Huron Street. Cost is $10.00 per certified copy.
The divorce certificate is a shorter vital record maintained by Michigan MDHHS Vital Records. It lists the parties, date, and county. For basic uses like applying for a new marriage license or changing a name with Social Security, the certificate usually works. Online ordering is available through VitalChek.
What a Washtenaw County Divorce Decree Contains
The final decree from the 22nd Circuit Court is a thorough legal document. It names both spouses, states when the marriage legally ends, and covers every term of the settlement or court judgment. This includes how real estate, bank and investment accounts, vehicles, and debts are divided.
When children are involved, the decree sets out legal and physical custody, the parenting time schedule, child support amounts, and health insurance responsibilities. If spousal support is ordered, the terms, duration, and conditions are spelled out. Retirement accounts may be addressed through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, which is often attached to the decree. The signed decree is filed with the Clerk and becomes a public record. Divorce records in Washtenaw County go back to 1835, making it one of the longer record sets in the state.
Getting Legal Help in Washtenaw County
Michigan Legal Help has free guides and forms for Michigan divorce cases, including those involving complex property or custody issues. The Ann Arbor area also has access to the University of Michigan Law School clinics for some types of family law assistance.
The State Bar of Michigan's referral service can connect you with family law attorneys in the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County area. Many offer free consultations. The Law Library at 101 E. Huron, Room 207, is open to the public and can assist with research. The Clerk's office and Records Unit can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.
Cities in Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor is the county seat and largest city in Washtenaw County. Residents of Ann Arbor can access divorce decree records through the same county courthouse system.
Other communities in Washtenaw County, including Ypsilanti, Saline, and Chelsea, do not meet the population threshold for dedicated records pages on this site. Residents of those cities access records through the County Clerk at 200 N. Main Street or the Records Unit at 101 E. Huron Street, both in Ann Arbor.
Nearby Counties
Washtenaw County is in southeast Michigan, surrounded by several counties with their own circuit courts.