Lenawee County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Lenawee County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the 39th Circuit Court in Adrian, the county seat of this southern Michigan county. Lenawee has a long record-keeping history going back to the 1820s, and the circuit court maintains case files from that period to the present. Whether you need to search for a current case or locate an older record, this page explains how to access Lenawee County dissolution records online or in person, what those files contain, how to get certified copies, and where to find legal help if you need it.
Lenawee County Overview
39th Circuit Court in Lenawee County
The 39th Circuit Court at 425 N. Main Street in Adrian handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Lenawee County. The court's main phone number is (517) 264-4608. The county clerk's office is at the same address and can be reached at (517) 264-4590. Both offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Lenawee County's court records date back to the 1820s, making it one of the older court systems in the Lower Peninsula.
The Family Division of the circuit court processes dissolution cases. Cases with minor children are coded DM and cases without are coded DO. The Friend of the Court serves the 39th Circuit and handles child support calculation, custody investigations, and parenting time enforcement after a case is closed. If your case involves children, the FOC will be involved in your case from early on through any post-judgment enforcement actions.
Staff at the Adrian courthouse can search by party name or case number. For older records from the 1800s or early 1900s, calling ahead will help confirm availability and the format in which those records exist.
| Court | 39th Judicial Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 425 N. Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221 |
| Phone | (517) 264-4608 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk | Lenawee County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 425 N. Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221 |
| Phone | (517) 264-4590 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Lenawee County Divorce Records
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search maintained by Michigan Courts is the primary online tool for looking up Lenawee County dissolution of marriage cases. Searches by party name or case number are free. Results show case status, party names, and filing dates. Full documents are not available through MiCOURT, but you get the case number you need to request specific files from the Adrian courthouse.
In-person access is available at 425 N. Main Street in Adrian. Bring both parties' full names or the case number. Staff will locate the file and let you review it. You can request certified or regular copies at the counter. For mail requests, send party names, approximate filing year, and a money order for estimated fees to the Lenawee County Clerk at 425 N. Main Street, Adrian, MI 49221.
Note: For Lenawee County dissolution records from the 1800s and early 1900s, call the clerk at (517) 264-4590 to confirm availability and format before requesting copies by mail.
Lenawee County Dissolution Filing Requirements
Michigan's residency rules under MCL 552.9 require one spouse to have lived in the state for 180 days and in Lenawee County for at least 10 days before filing. The 39th Circuit Court will reject a petition that does not meet both requirements. Lenawee County borders Ohio, so filers who have recently moved from out of state should confirm their residency dates carefully.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Under MCL 552.6, the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of being preserved. No proof of wrongdoing by either party is needed. This is the standard used in every dissolution case filed at the 39th Circuit Court in Adrian.
Waiting periods apply to all cases. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children face a 60-day minimum wait from filing before the court can enter a final judgment. Cases involving minor children face a 180-day wait. A judge can reduce the 180-day period in cases of demonstrated extreme hardship. Filing fees run approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for cases with minor children. Fee waivers are available for those who meet income criteria.
Contents of a Lenawee County Dissolution File
A dissolution of marriage case file at the 39th Circuit Court in Adrian includes the original complaint or joint petition, any temporary orders entered while the case was active, financial disclosures, parenting plan documents if children are part of the case, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment addresses all terms of the dissolution, including property division under MCL 552.19, spousal support if any was ordered under MCL 552.23, and custody, parenting time, and support terms when minor children are involved.
Access to these records is governed by MCR 8.119. Restricted information includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and identifying details about minor children. Everything else in the file is open to public inspection. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies or view the file. Any person can ask the Lenawee County Clerk's office for dissolution records.
MDHHS Vital Records for Lenawee County Divorces
Certified divorce certificates for Lenawee County cases can be ordered through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at the MDHHS Vital Records office, 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. Call (517) 335-8666. A certified certificate by mail costs $34; ordering online costs $58.50. Additional copies are $16 each. MDHHS certificates confirm a dissolution occurred and contain basic identifying information. They do not include case specifics like property terms or custody orders. For the full file, contact the 39th Circuit Court clerk in Adrian.
The MDHHS Vital Records site provides current fee schedules and ordering options for certified divorce certificates that cover Lenawee County and every other county in Michigan.
Legal Help for Lenawee County Cases
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and forms for people who want to manage their own dissolution case. The site covers both DM and DO case types and walks through every step from filing through the final hearing. The guides apply to any Michigan county, including Lenawee, and are written for people without legal training. This site is a good starting point whether you plan to hire an attorney or handle the case yourself.
You can read the full text of Michigan dissolution statutes at the Michigan Legislature website, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, and 552.23. The Michigan Courts site also provides court forms and procedural guides applicable to the 39th Circuit.
Michigan Legal Help offers plain-language instructions and downloadable forms for dissolution of marriage cases filed at the 39th Circuit Court in Lenawee County.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution cases are filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. Lenawee County is in southern Michigan along the Ohio border. Check adjacent counties if you are uncertain which court holds a particular record.