Canton Township Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Canton Township dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, in Wayne County. Canton is one of the largest townships in Wayne County and a fast-growing suburban community. All dissolution cases for Canton Township residents go to the circuit court in Detroit.
Canton Township Overview
Where Canton Township Dissolution Cases Are Filed
Canton Township residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division. The courthouse is in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Canton Township is in western Wayne County, and the drive to the Detroit courthouse can take 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. All Wayne County dissolution filings, no matter where in the county the parties live, go to this single central courthouse location. There is no local Canton Township circuit court for family matters.
The 35th District Court serves Canton Township locally at 660 Plymouth Road, Plymouth, MI 48170. District courts do not handle dissolution of marriage cases. All family division matters including dissolution, custody, and support are handled at the circuit court level. Contact the Family Division at (313) 224-5510 with questions about where to file or what forms you need before making the drive to Detroit.
| Court | Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Family Division Phone | (313) 224-5510 |
| Wayne County Clerk | (313) 224-6262 |
| Records Division | Room LL-61, (313) 224-5530 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Wayne County charges a base filing fee of $421 for dissolution cases. This is the highest base rate in Michigan and applies to all Canton Township dissolution filings. If cost is a concern, ask the clerk about financial hardship waivers. The court has a standard process for those, and staff can explain what documentation to submit with your request.
Searching Canton Township Dissolution Records Online
The Third Judicial Circuit Court provides online case access through the OPA (Odyssey Public Access) system at 3rdcc.org/OPA. OPA covers civil and family court records going back to 1942. You can search by party name or case number and see basic case details including filing date, docket entries, and party names. All Canton Township dissolution cases filed in Wayne County appear in this system. It is free and does not require an account.
The statewide MiCOURT case search also covers Wayne County and allows searches across multiple Michigan courts. For Canton Township cases specifically, OPA gives more detailed results since it pulls directly from Third Circuit records. If you need documents beyond the basic docket, contact the Records Division at (313) 224-5530 or email wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. Records that predate online systems are only available through a written request or an in-person visit to the courthouse.
Note: Certain family court documents involving minor children may be restricted from public access. The Records Division can clarify what is available for a specific case before you travel downtown to the courthouse.
How to File for Dissolution in Canton Township
Canton Township dissolution filings follow the no-fault standard under MCL 552.6. You do not need to prove fault. The court only needs to find that the marriage has broken down without hope of repair. One spouse can file alone. When filing solo, that spouse serves the other with the complaint and summons through the sheriff or a process server. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can file a joint petition together, which tends to move faster.
The residency requirement under MCL 552.9 applies: one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Wayne County for at least 10 days before filing. After filing, a waiting period applies before the case can be closed. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children can be finalized in 60 days. Cases with children require 180 days. Canton Township families with children should expect the Friend of the Court in Wayne County to be involved. The FOC makes recommendations on custody, parenting time, and child support that become part of the official case record.
Property gets divided under MCL 552.19. Canton Township is a growing suburb with many homeowners, so real property issues often come up in dissolution cases. The court looks at each spouse's contributions and circumstances when splitting assets. Spousal support is addressed under MCL 552.23. Courts consider each spouse's income, the length of the marriage, and each party's needs. Both property and support decisions become part of the final judgment and are part of the permanent public record once entered.
Accessing Canton Township Dissolution Records
Dissolution records in Wayne County are public under MCR 8.119. You can request copies from the Records Division at 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Room LL-61. Contact them at (313) 224-5530 or by email at wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. Include the full names of both parties and the year the case was filed. Plain copies are $2 per page. Certified copies require an additional fee. The Wayne County Clerk at (313) 224-6262 handles certified judgment requests specifically and can tell you current certified copy fees when you call.
For state vital record purposes, MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Avenue in Lansing processes requests from across Michigan. Reach them at (517) 335-8666. Their website at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords allows online orders at $58.50. Mail orders are $34. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $16 each. Either the county clerk or MDHHS can provide the documentation needed for name changes, remarriage, or other legal purposes.
MDHHS Vital Records for Canton Township Residents
MDHHS vital records are a separate source from the case files at the Third Circuit. These records confirm that a dissolution occurred and show names, date, and county. They are useful for common legal purposes without requiring the full case file. Canton Township residents who no longer live near Wayne County may find MDHHS records easier to obtain than traveling to Detroit for court copies.
Send mail orders to MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48909 with a fee of $34. Online orders are $58.50. The phone is (517) 335-8666. Allow several weeks for mail processing.
Legal Help for Canton Township Dissolution Cases
Several resources can help Canton Township residents navigate dissolution. Michigan Legal Help is the primary free online resource with guides, forms, and step-by-step instructions for all stages of a Michigan dissolution case. It is especially helpful for people thinking about filing on their own without an attorney and covers Wayne County procedures specifically.
Wayne County legal aid organizations serve Canton Township residents. If you qualify based on income, a legal aid attorney can review your case at no cost. For referrals, check the Michigan Courts website, which links to legal aid providers by region and has court forms for self-represented litigants. For the full text of the statutes that govern your case, the Michigan Legislature website is the authoritative source. Reading the key sections of MCL 552 helps you understand what the court considers at each stage of a Canton Township dissolution proceeding.
Wayne County Dissolution Records
Canton Township is in Wayne County, and all dissolution of marriage cases go through the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Detroit. For full information on the Wayne County court system, fees, and dissolution resources, see the county records page.
Nearby Cities
Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, and Westland are other Wayne County communities with dissolution pages. All use the same Third Judicial Circuit Court for family cases.