Washtenaw County Dissolution Of Marriage
Washtenaw County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the 22nd Circuit Court Family Division in Ann Arbor. You can search cases online through MiCOURT Case Search, visit the courthouse in person, or send a mail request to the Records Unit. This guide covers how to find and obtain dissolution of marriage records in Washtenaw County, what the files contain, what fees apply, how residency requirements work, and where to get help if you need it.
Washtenaw County Overview
22nd Circuit Court Family Division in Washtenaw County
The 22nd Circuit Court Family Division handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Washtenaw County. The court is at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor. You can reach the Family Division by calling (734) 222-3001. The court processes both DM cases, which involve minor children, and DO cases, which do not. Case records go back to the 1820s, making Washtenaw one of the older circuit courts in the state for family law filings.
The Records Unit for dissolution of marriage case files sits in Room 1106 of the circuit court building. Call (734) 222-3024 to reach Records Unit staff. They can look up cases by party name or case number and tell you what is in the file before you make a trip or send a mail request. For most public records requests, the Records Unit is your primary contact rather than the clerk's office.
The County Clerk and Register of Deeds is at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor. Phone is (734) 222-6720. That office handles a range of county services but is not the direct contact for circuit court dissolution case files. Direct document requests to the Records Unit at Room 1106.
| Court | 22nd Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
| Phone | (734) 222-3001 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records Unit | Circuit Court, Room 1106 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | (734) 222-3024 |
| County Clerk | 200 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 |
| Clerk Phone | (734) 222-6720 |
Washtenaw County court information including the 22nd Circuit Court Family Division is available through the official county courts page at washtenaw.org.
The Washtenaw County courts page provides contact details for the Family Division, clerk's office, and resources for dissolution of marriage cases in this Ann Arbor area county.
How to Search Washtenaw County Divorce Records
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search tool, maintained by Michigan Courts, is the fastest way to look up a case online. Search by party name or case number. The system shows you filing dates, party names, case status, and recent docket activity at no cost. It does not display the actual documents, but it gives you the case number you need to request specific files from the court. Washtenaw County Trial Court records are also searchable through the county's own online portal, which can be a useful secondary check.
In-person access at the courthouse in Ann Arbor is the most thorough option if you need to review full case documents. Bring the names of both parties or the case number. Staff in Room 1106 can pull the file for you to review. You can request plain copies or certified copies while you are there. Certified copies of the judgment of dissolution are the most common request from both parties and third parties such as lenders or government agencies.
Mail requests should go to the Records Unit, 22nd Circuit Court, Room 1106, 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, and the case number if known. Enclose a check or money order for copy fees. The court will mail back the copies once processed. Call (734) 222-3024 before sending to confirm current fee amounts and expected turnaround.
Note: Washtenaw County Trial Court also maintains an online records portal that can supplement MiCOURT for local case searches.
Washtenaw County Dissolution Filing Requirements
Michigan law requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for 180 days before filing. You also need to have lived in Washtenaw County for at least 10 days before the filing date. Both requirements are set out in MCL 552.9. If neither spouse meets the county residency requirement, the case cannot be filed in Washtenaw County even if both people live in Michigan.
Michigan is a no-fault state for divorce. Under MCL 552.6, the only grounds you need to allege is that there has been a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood of preserving it. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing by either party. This applies to every case the 22nd Circuit Court processes, regardless of the circumstances.
Waiting periods apply in all Washtenaw County cases. Cases without minor children have a 60-day minimum wait from the filing date under MCL 552.9f. Cases with minor children require 180 days. Judges may shorten the wait in cases showing extreme hardship, but that requires a motion and court approval. Filing fees run approximately $175 for cases without children and around $255 for cases that involve minor children. Fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income filers.
What Washtenaw County Dissolution Case Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Washtenaw County typically includes the complaint or joint petition for dissolution, proof of service, any temporary orders issued during the pendency of the case, financial disclosure documents, and the final judgment of dissolution. The judgment spells out all terms of the case. Property division is governed by MCL 552.19. If the court awards spousal support, it does so under MCL 552.23. Cases involving children also include a parenting time schedule, a child support order, and any FOC recommendations.
Public access to these records is set by MCR 8.119. Certain details are sealed or restricted by default, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information that would identify minor children. The remainder of the file is a public record. Any member of the public may view the file or request copies. You do not need to have been a party to the case to ask for records.
Complaints and motions must meet the requirements of MCR 3.206, which governs how dissolution proceedings are initiated in Michigan circuit courts. Judgments must meet the requirements of MCR 3.211, covering what findings the court must make before entering a final dissolution order.
MDHHS Vital Records and Washtenaw County Divorce Certificates
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains certified divorce certificates for all Michigan counties through the MDHHS Vital Records office. Their address is 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. You can call them at (517) 335-8666. A certified certificate ordered by mail costs $34. Online ordering through their portal costs $58.50. Each additional copy is $16. These certificates confirm the dissolution took place and show basic identifying information, but they do not include property terms, custody arrangements, or the full case details. For complete documents, contact the Records Unit at the 22nd Circuit Court in Ann Arbor.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal shows ordering options for certified divorce certificates from Washtenaw County and all other Michigan counties, including current fees and processing times.
Friend of the Court in Washtenaw County
Every Michigan county has a Friend of the Court office, and Washtenaw County is no different. The FOC operates within the circuit court and plays a role in all dissolution of marriage cases that involve minor children. The FOC makes recommendations on custody, parenting time, and child support. After the case closes, it handles enforcement of support orders and can help with modifications when circumstances change.
If you filed a DM case in Washtenaw County, the FOC file is maintained separately from the main dissolution case file. The FOC can be contacted through the 22nd Circuit Court. Parties who want to review FOC recommendations or documents from their own case should contact the FOC directly. Some FOC records have access restrictions that differ from general court records rules.
Note: The FOC only has a role in DM cases involving children; DO cases filed without minor children do not involve the Friend of the Court.
Legal Help for Washtenaw County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help is a free resource for people who want to handle their own dissolution case. The site provides step-by-step guides, forms, and instructions that apply to cases in Washtenaw County and the 22nd Circuit. It covers both DM and DO case types. Many people with straightforward, uncontested cases can complete the process on their own using the tools the site provides.
For cases involving disputed property, business interests, or contested custody, an attorney familiar with the 22nd Circuit can be a significant help. Washtenaw County has a law school community connected to the University of Michigan, which sometimes means access to law school clinics or reduced-cost legal services. Check with the State Bar of Michigan for a referral.
The full text of the statutes that govern dissolution cases in Michigan is available at the Michigan Legislature website. You can read MCL 552.6, MCL 552.9, MCL 552.19, and other relevant sections directly, without needing a legal background to understand the basic provisions.
Michigan Legal Help provides free forms and plain-language guidance for dissolution of marriage cases filed in Washtenaw County at the 22nd Circuit Court in Ann Arbor.
Cities in Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor is the county seat and the largest city in Washtenaw County. It is the only city in this county with a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. Dissolution cases filed by Ann Arbor residents go through the 22nd Circuit Court at 101 E. Huron Street. All other cities and townships in Washtenaw County also file through the same court and Records Unit.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases are filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are not sure which county holds a record, check the counties near Washtenaw.