Wayne County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Wayne County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Third Judicial Circuit Court, the busiest circuit court in Michigan. The court sits in Detroit at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. You can search cases online through the Odyssey Public Access system, visit the Records Division in person, or send a mail request. Wayne County records go back to 1796. This guide covers every step for finding, accessing, and obtaining dissolution of marriage records from the Third Circuit, including fees, procedures, online tools, and legal resources.
Wayne County Overview
Third Judicial Circuit Court in Wayne County
The Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Wayne County. It is the largest circuit court in the state, processing more family law cases than any other. The main courthouse is the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. The Family Division takes calls at (313) 224-5510. The Court Services Division at the Third Circuit accepts and processes all civil cases over $25,000 as well as all family and divorce cases and personal protection orders filed in Wayne County.
The Records Division is in the basement level at Room LL-61, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. You can reach them at (313) 224-5530, fax (313) 967-3712, or by email at wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com. Staff there handle requests for case files, certified copies, and document searches. For files from 2010 forward, staff can pull documents for viewing in the records room during your visit. Older files must be ordered from the Archives and are typically available the next business day after 2:00 PM.
The Wayne County Clerk is also at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Phone is (313) 224-6262. The County Clerk's office handles some court records requests and maintains its own records database for Wayne County dissolution cases. Both the Records Division and the Clerk's office are resources depending on what you need and when the case was filed.
| Court | Third Judicial Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Phone | (313) 224-5510 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Records Division | Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 |
|---|---|
| Records Phone | (313) 224-5530 |
| Records Email | wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com |
| County Clerk | (313) 224-6262 |
Online Search: Odyssey Public Access for Wayne County Divorce Cases
The Third Judicial Circuit Court operates the Odyssey Public Access system at 3rdcc.org/OPA. This system covers civil court records including dissolution of marriage cases going back to 1942. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results display docket entries, case status, and party information. The OPA does not let you download full documents, but it confirms whether a case exists and provides the case number you need to request copies from the Records Division. It is available at no cost.
Wayne County Clerk records information is available at waynecounty.com, including procedures for accessing dissolution of marriage case files and requesting certified copies.
The Wayne County Clerk's website covers how to request copies of divorce judgments, property settlements, and other documents from the Third Judicial Circuit Court's records room.
You can also use the statewide MiCOURT Case Search tool from Michigan Courts as a supplemental search. MiCOURT covers all Michigan circuit courts, so it is useful when you are not certain which county holds a record or when you want to cross-check results from the OPA.
Note: The Odyssey Public Access system covers Wayne County dissolution records from 1942 to the present, while MiCOURT may have more limited historical coverage.
How to Get Copies of Wayne County Dissolution Records
In-person requests at the Records Division in Room LL-61 are the most direct way to get copies. Bring the names of both parties or the case number. Staff can pull files from 2010 forward during your visit. Older files from the Archives need to be ordered ahead and will be ready the following business day after 2:00 PM. Copy fees are $2 per page. Certified copies carry an additional fee on top of the per-page charge. Confirm current fees when you call (313) 224-5530 before your visit.
Mail requests should be sent to the Records Division, Room LL-61, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. You can also email wcrecordroom@waynecounty.com to ask about the process before mailing. Include both party names, the filing year, the case number if known, and a check or money order for the estimated fee. For mail requests involving older archived files, allow extra time.
The Third Judicial Circuit Court, which handles all Wayne County dissolution of marriage cases, maintains its official website at 3rdcc.org with court information and resources.
The Third Judicial Circuit Court's website provides access to the Odyssey Public Access system, court division information, and contact details for the Family Division and Records Division.
Wayne County Dissolution Filing Fees and Requirements
Wayne County has some of the highest filing fees in Michigan for dissolution of marriage cases. The base filing fee is $421. If a counterclaim is filed, there is an additional $150 fee. These fees are higher than the statewide norms of approximately $175 for cases without children and $255 for those with minor children. Check with the Records Division or the Clerk's office for the current fee schedule, as fees can be updated.
Michigan law under MCL 552.9 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Michigan for 180 days before filing. There is also a 10-day county residency requirement. For Wayne County, that means at least one spouse must have lived in Wayne County for 10 days before the filing date. The court will reject a filing that does not meet both requirements.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. MCL 552.6 only requires that there has been a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable likelihood of saving it. No fault or wrongdoing needs to be proven. This applies to every case filed at the Third Circuit, from straightforward uncontested cases to complex multi-asset disputes.
Waiting periods in Wayne County follow state law. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days after filing. Cases with minor children wait 180 days. Fee waivers are available for qualifying filers based on income. The clerk can provide the fee waiver application when you come in to file.
What Wayne County Dissolution Case Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file at the Third Judicial Circuit typically includes the original complaint or joint petition, proof of service on the other party, any temporary orders for support or custody during the case, financial disclosure documents, and the final judgment of dissolution. The judgment covers all terms agreed to or decided by the court. Property division follows MCL 552.19. Spousal support, if ordered, is governed by MCL 552.23. Cases involving children include parenting time, a child support order, and FOC recommendations.
The complaint that starts the case must meet the pleading requirements under MCR 3.206. The final judgment must satisfy the requirements set by MCR 3.211. Public access to Wayne County circuit court records is governed by MCR 8.119. Under that rule, most of the case file is open to the public. Restricted information includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and identifying details for minor children. You do not need to be a party to request copies of public portions of the file.
Note: DM cases involve minor children and have FOC involvement; DO cases do not involve children and move through the court without FOC participation.
Odyssey Public Access and Wayne County Dissolution Dockets
The Odyssey Public Access system at 3rdcc.org/OPA provides online search access to Wayne County dissolution of marriage and other civil court records going back to 1942.
Through the OPA system, you can search Wayne County dissolution of marriage cases by party name, date, or case number to find docket entries and case status information.
The OPA is particularly useful for older cases. Wayne County records back to 1942 are indexed in the system, giving you a search range that covers many decades of family court activity. For cases prior to 1942, in-person requests at the Archives may be necessary. The Third Circuit processes hundreds of dissolution cases annually, so the OPA index is extensive and updated regularly.
MDHHS Vital Records and Wayne County Divorce Certificates
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issues certified divorce certificates for all Michigan counties through MDHHS Vital Records at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933. Call (517) 335-8666. A certified certificate by mail costs $34. Online ordering costs $58.50. Each extra copy is $16. These certificates confirm that a dissolution happened and include basic identifying details for both parties. They do not include property division terms, child custody provisions, or case documents. For those, request copies directly from the Third Circuit Records Division in Detroit.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal shows ordering options, fees, and processing times for certified divorce certificates from Wayne County and all other Michigan counties.
Legal Help for Wayne County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help is the main free resource for people handling their own dissolution case in Wayne County. The site provides forms, step-by-step instructions, and guides that apply directly to the Third Judicial Circuit. It covers both DM and DO case types and walks you through every stage, from the initial filing through the final hearing. Wayne County's volume of cases means the process can feel impersonal; having detailed written guidance makes a real difference for self-represented parties.
Wayne County has a large legal aid community. The State Bar of Michigan can help you find a referral. For lower-income filers, legal aid organizations in the Detroit metro area may provide free or reduced-cost representation. Ask the clerk about available resources when you come in to file.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of all statutes governing dissolution cases, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.19, and 552.23. Reading the statutes directly can clarify what the law requires on issues like residency, grounds, waiting periods, and property division.
Cities in Wayne County
Wayne County is the most populous county in Michigan and includes several large cities, each with a dedicated dissolution of marriage records page. All cities in Wayne County file dissolution cases through the Third Judicial Circuit Court at 2 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse resides. If you are not certain which county holds a record, check the counties bordering Wayne County.