Ann Arbor Dissolution Of Marriage
Ann Arbor dissolution of marriage cases are filed at the 22nd Circuit Court, Family Division, located in downtown Ann Arbor at the Washtenaw County Trial Court building. Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and is among the most populous cities in Michigan, with a wide range of dissolution cases filed each year at this court.
Ann Arbor Overview
Ann Arbor Dissolution Cases: The Court and Clerk
Ann Arbor residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the 22nd Circuit Court, Family Division. The court is in the Washtenaw County Trial Court building at 101 E. Huron Street in downtown Ann Arbor. The Family Division handles all dissolution cases for Washtenaw County, including both straightforward uncontested matters and more involved cases with complex property or custody disputes. Most hearings and all filings happen at this downtown location, which is walkable from many parts of Ann Arbor.
The Washtenaw County Clerk handles official case records and certified copy requests. The Clerk's office is at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor. They maintain the permanent file for each dissolution case and process written copy requests. A Records Unit within the circuit court at Room 1106 can be reached at (734) 222-3024 for specific document requests. The Washtenaw County Trial Court also has a Legal Resource Center on site that assists people who do not have a lawyer navigating family court.
| Court | 22nd Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Court Address | 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
| Court Phone | (734) 222-3001 |
| County Clerk | 200 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
| Clerk Phone | (734) 222-6720 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Ann Arbor is convenient for filing since the courthouse is right in the city, unlike in many Michigan counties where residents must travel to a separate county seat. If you need help locating a specific case file or understanding which office handles a particular record type, call the Clerk at (734) 222-6720 first before making the trip.
Searching Ann Arbor Dissolution Records Online
The Washtenaw County Trial Court provides online access to case records for Ann Arbor dissolution filings. The court's system allows lookups by party name or case number and returns basic case information including filing dates and docket entries. The statewide MiCOURT case search also covers the 22nd Circuit Court and is useful if you want to search multiple Michigan courts at once. Both tools are free.
For full case documents or certified copies, contact the Washtenaw County Clerk at (734) 222-6720 or visit in person at 200 N. Main Street. Online tools show what is on the docket but do not always provide access to actual filed documents. The Legal Resource Center at the courthouse can help you navigate the online systems and understand what is available for a specific case. They can also point you to the right clerk window for document requests.
MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords is another option for certified dissolution records. MDHHS charges $34 by mail or $58.50 online. Their records confirm basic dissolution details and are sufficient for many legal purposes without needing the full case file from the county clerk.
Note: Family court records involving minor children may have restricted documents not visible online. Direct records requests to the clerk are needed for those items.
Ann Arbor Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Process
Michigan uses a no-fault standard for dissolution of marriage under MCL 552.6. Ann Arbor residents filing at the 22nd Circuit Court do not have to prove wrongdoing by either spouse. The only required showing is that the marital relationship has broken down with no reasonable chance of being saved. One spouse can file alone without the other's agreement. The filing spouse is the plaintiff, and the other spouse becomes the defendant once properly served.
Before filing in Washtenaw County, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirement under MCL 552.9: 180 days in Michigan and at least 10 days in Washtenaw County. Once filed, the case cannot be finalized before the waiting period ends. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children can be resolved in 60 days. Cases with children require 180 days from filing. The longer wait gives both sides and the court time to address custody, parenting time, and child support properly.
Property division follows MCL 552.19, which calls for an equitable split based on each spouse's contributions and circumstances. Spousal support falls under MCL 552.23. The Friend of the Court in Washtenaw County handles custody and support recommendations in cases with children and adds additional steps to the process. If both spouses agree on everything, an uncontested Ann Arbor dissolution can move through the 22nd Circuit fairly quickly once the waiting period passes. Filing fees are $175 for DO cases (no children) and $255 for DM cases (with children).
Self-Help Resources at the Ann Arbor Courthouse
The Washtenaw County Trial Court has a Legal Resource Center that offers in-person assistance to people handling their own dissolution cases. Staff at the center can point you to the right forms, explain what needs to be filed, and help you understand what to expect at hearings. They cannot give legal advice or make decisions for your case, but they can steer you to the right resources and help you avoid common filing mistakes.
Michigan Legal Help is the main statewide online resource for self-help filers. It covers the full dissolution process and includes forms for every stage of the case. The site is free and updated regularly to reflect current Michigan law. Many Ann Arbor residents start there before visiting the courthouse to understand what to expect. The Michigan Courts website also links to court forms and general guidance. For the actual statutes, the Michigan Legislature website has every section of the Michigan Compiled Laws in full text, including the MCL 552 sections that govern dissolution.
Getting Copies of Ann Arbor Dissolution Records
Dissolution records in Washtenaw County are public under MCR 8.119. You can request copies from the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N. Main Street or by calling (734) 222-6720. Include the names of both parties and the year of filing. A case number makes the search faster. Plain copies and certified copies have separate fees. The clerk can tell you the current amounts when you call. Certified copies are often needed for name changes on a driver's license, passport, or Social Security records after dissolution.
The Washtenaw County courts page has contact information for each division and can help you confirm which office handles a specific record type before you make the drive downtown.
The Washtenaw County courts page at washtenaw.org provides contact details for the 22nd Circuit Court Family Division and resources for Ann Arbor residents navigating the dissolution process from start to finish.
MDHHS Vital Records for Ann Arbor Residents
MDHHS Vital Records maintains a statewide index of divorce and dissolution records that is separate from the case files held at the 22nd Circuit Court. These vital records confirm that a dissolution happened, showing names, date, and county, but do not include detailed financial terms or custody orders. They are useful when proof of dissolution is needed without the full court file.
Orders can be placed by mail to MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48909 for $34, or online at michigan.gov/mdhhs for $58.50. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $16. The phone is (517) 335-8666. Allow several weeks for mail processing.
Washtenaw County Dissolution Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County, and all dissolution of marriage cases here go through the 22nd Circuit Court. For full court details, fee schedules, and resources across Washtenaw County, visit the county dissolution records page.
Nearby Cities
Detroit and Dearborn are qualifying cities near Ann Arbor with dissolution of marriage information pages.