Dearborn Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Dearborn dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, in Wayne County. Dearborn is a major Detroit suburb and home to Ford Motor Company headquarters, and all dissolution cases for Dearborn residents go through the Wayne County court system in Detroit.
Dearborn Overview
Dearborn Dissolution: Which Court Handles It
Dearborn residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division, located in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Dearborn does not have its own circuit court. All Wayne County dissolution filings go to this central Detroit location, regardless of which city the parties live in. The Family Division phone is (313) 224-5510. The drive from Dearborn to the courthouse is typically 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
The 19th District Court serves Dearborn locally at 16077 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126. District courts handle certain civil matters and misdemeanors but do not take dissolution of marriage cases. All dissolution work for Dearborn residents goes to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Detroit. The Wayne County Clerk at (313) 224-6262 handles certified copy requests and maintains the permanent case files for all Wayne County dissolution matters, including those originating from Dearborn.
| 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 higher than most Michigan counties. The fee applies to all Dearborn dissolution filings since Wayne County handles them. If cost is a barrier, ask the clerk about fee waiver procedures based on financial hardship. The court has a standard process for waivers and staff can explain what to submit.
Searching Dearborn Dissolution Records Online
The Third Judicial Circuit Court has an online case search called OPA (Odyssey Public Access) at 3rdcc.org/OPA. OPA covers civil records including dissolution of marriage cases going back to 1942. You can search by name or case number. The system shows party names, filing dates, and docket entries. All Dearborn dissolution cases are filed in Wayne County through the Third Circuit, so OPA is the right place to start an online search for Dearborn-related records. The system is free to use and does not require creating an account.
The statewide MiCOURT case search also covers Wayne County and allows searches across multiple Michigan courts at once. For Dearborn cases specifically, OPA gives more detailed results since it pulls directly from Third Circuit records. For documents beyond the basic docket information, contact the Records Division at (313) 224-5530 or email wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. Older records that predate the online systems are only accessible through a written request or in-person visit to the courthouse.
Note: Records involving minor children may have restricted access. The Records Division at Room LL-61 can clarify what is available for a specific case before you visit in person or submit a written request.
Filing for Dissolution in Dearborn
Dearborn dissolution filings follow the no-fault standard under MCL 552.6. You do not have to prove that your spouse did something wrong. The court needs to find that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. One spouse can file alone, and the other will be served with the complaint. Before filing at the Third Circuit, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Wayne County for at least 10 days, as required by MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods apply after filing. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without children can be resolved in 60 days. Cases with minor children require 180 days from the filing date. During this time, the court may issue temporary orders for custody, support, and use of the marital home. The Friend of the Court in Wayne County handles custody and support recommendations when children are part of the case. Property division follows MCL 552.19 and spousal support is addressed under MCL 552.23.
Dearborn has one of the largest Arab-American communities in the United States, and the Third Judicial Circuit Court can provide interpreter services in appropriate cases. Contact the Family Division at (313) 224-5510 to ask about language support before your hearing date. This service is available at no extra cost in qualifying cases and can make a significant difference in how well a party understands proceedings.
Getting Copies of Dearborn Dissolution Records
Dissolution records in Wayne County are public under MCR 8.119. To get copies, contact the Records Division at the Third Judicial Circuit Court by phone at (313) 224-5530 or email at wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. You can also visit in person at 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Room LL-61. Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year the case was filed. Plain copies are $2 per page. Certified copies require an additional fee and are needed for legal purposes like name changes or remarriage documentation.
The Wayne County Clerk at (313) 224-6262 handles certified copy requests for dissolution judgments and other official court documents specifically. For state-level certified records, MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Avenue in Lansing processes requests from across Michigan. Reach them at (517) 335-8666 or at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords. MDHHS charges $34 by mail and $58.50 online. Either source can provide proof of dissolution for name change or remarriage purposes.
MDHHS Vital Records for Dearborn Residents
MDHHS vital records are a separate resource from the case files held at the Third Circuit. These are summary-level documents that confirm a dissolution occurred, showing names, date, and county. They do not include custody orders, property division terms, or support amounts. For many purposes, including insurance updates, a vital record is sufficient without needing the full court file.
Send mail orders to MDHHS at 333 S. Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48909 with a fee of $34. Online orders are available at the MDHHS website for $58.50. Each additional copy is $16 when ordered at the same time. The phone is (517) 335-8666. Allow a few weeks for mail processing.
Legal Help for Dearborn Dissolution Cases
Several resources are available to Dearborn residents dealing with dissolution. Michigan Legal Help has free guides for every stage of the process and forms for both contested and uncontested cases in Michigan. The site is particularly useful for people filing on their own without an attorney and covers Wayne County procedures specifically.
Local legal aid organizations serve Dearborn and the wider Wayne County area. Some groups have staff who speak Arabic or other languages, which can be a real help for Dearborn's diverse community. For referrals, check the Michigan Courts website or call the Family Division. The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of every statute that applies to your case, from filing requirements to final judgment standards. Reading the key sections of MCL 552 can help you understand what the court considers at each step of your Dearborn dissolution case.
Wayne County Dissolution Records
Dearborn is in Wayne County, and all dissolution of marriage cases go through the Third Judicial Circuit Court. For full information on the Wayne County court system, filing fees, and dissolution resources, visit the county records page.
Nearby Cities
Detroit, Canton Township, Livonia, and Westland are other Wayne County cities with dissolution pages. All use the same Third Judicial Circuit Court for family cases.