Wayne County Divorce Records
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Wayne County divorce records are official documents generated from the dissolution of marriages by the Circuit Court. The Family Division of this court handles family matters such as divorce proceedings. These records provide details about divorce cases such as the filing date, parties' names, judgment decree, court filings, and more.
Requesters may use these records to prove marriage dissolution, name changes, remarriage, and immigration applications. They are also useful for insurance or retirement claims, as well as genealogical research. Members of the public may learn how to find divorce records in Wayne County through the county clerk's office. These records are maintained by the Wayne County Clerk's Office, which accepts requests in person and by mail. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported about 4,671 finalized divorces in the county in 2022.
Are Divorce Records Public in Wayne County?
According to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Wayne County divorce records are generally considered public records. This Act guides public access to the document archives of government agencies such as the courts and county recorders. These records may be obtained through the Wayne County Clerk's office or the Family Division of the Wayne County Circuit Court.
Members of the public may access most parts of divorce records, such as the filing date, court details, judge's name, names of parties, and more. However, there are restrictions in place to protect the privacy of records registrants or for general safety. These records include victim or minor details, details of domestic violence or abuse, medical or psychological reports, tax records, and more. These records may be obtained in person, by mail, or looked up online through court or county websites.
How to Find Divorce Records in Wayne County
Wayne County divorce records are maintained and handled by the Wayne County Circuit Court. This court has a Family Division where family law cases are handled. County residents may approach this office with a valid records request for divorce records. Each request method will require some details about the divorce case, such as the case number or filing date. Requesters may use the county's Records website to look up divorce records in Wayne County. The state also provides an Odyssey Public Access portal for Wayne County court divorce searches through statewide court records. Divorce. Here are the steps to using each request method:
In-person Access
- Go to the Wayne County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court
- Obtain and fill out the records request form in the prescribed format with all relevant information
- Attach supporting documents, such as payment of filing fees
- Submit the request and wait for the records to be produced
Mail-in Access
- Fill out the request form in the required format
- Attach all relevant documents and seal the mail
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply
- Go to your preferred postal service and submit the request
- Wait for a response from the records custodian
Online Access
- For online viewing, go to the county's Records or the state's Odyssey Public Access website
- Click on the Online Search link to access the Odyssey Public Access portal.
- Read the terms and instructions and click on Accept to access the case search portal.
- Enter the required details about the case to run a divorce records search.
Follow these steps to order divorce records online:
- Go to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website
- Click on Vital Records to access birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.
- Scroll to the bottom and click on Order a Record Online
- Follow the instructions on the page to order your desired records.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-person Access | Wayne County Clerk's Office | Case number, names of parties to the case | $2 to $5 per page for informational copies $10 to $20 per page for certified copies | Same-day access |
| Mail-in Access | Wayne County Clerk's Office | Names of parties to the case, case number, year of divorce | In-person copy fees may apply Mailing fees according to the postal service | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Online Access | Odyssey Public Access website (Wayne County Third Judicial Circuit Court Case Search) | Case number or names of the parties | Free search | Instant lookup access |
| Online Access | Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records | Names of the parties, divorce date, and divorce decree | Varies based on the nature of the request | Varies based on the volume of requests |
Overview of the Wayne County Court System
Wayne County divorce cases are filed at the Third Judicial Circuit Court Family Division. This court division handles family law cases, such as legal separation, parenting time, support claims, paternity, divorce, and child custody. It is located at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice building. Wayne County family court divorce filings at this court cost $421.00, with additional costs of $150 for specific requests, such as a counterclaim. Wayne County Circuit Court records, such as the Judgment of Divorce, are filed and maintained at the Wayne County Clerk's Office located in the same building.
Third Judicial Circuit Court,
Family Division,
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center,
2, Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226,
(313) 224-5510 - Phone
Wayne County Clerk's Office,
Records Division,
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center - Basement Level (LL-61),
2, Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226,
(313) 967-6938 - Phone
Online Access to Wayne County Divorce Records
Wayne County divorce records are accessible online through the Circuit Court's records and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records websites. The Circuit Court maintains an Odyssey Public Access portal for free online divorce lookup in Wayne County. Requesters may also get more information on how to find Wayne County divorce records online through the county's Records website.
It contains an Online Search Link and more details and contact information for accessing public records. The Vital Records office of the MDHHS also maintains a Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records website where the public may order divorce records. This website generally provides access to divorce certificates, while the court and county websites offer access to divorce filings and court hearing records.
What's Typically Included in a Wayne County Divorce Record
Wayne County divorce records contain basic details about the case and the parties to the case, including the parties' names, the case number, grounds for divorce, filing date, court details, the judge's name, and the date and place the marriage took place.
While these are publicly accessible details, there are sealed records that are protected for the privacy and safety of the record registrant. These restricted details include information about victims or minors in domestic abuse cases, juvenile records, adoption details, mediation or arbitration notes, child custody evaluation information, and more.
| Wayne County Divorce Record Information | Available to the Public |
|---|---|
| Names of the parties | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Filing date | Yes |
| Court docket entries | Yes |
| Child support orders | Yes |
| Type of divorce | Yes |
| Final divorce judgment | Yes |
| Court name and address | Yes |
| Grounds for divorce | Yes |
| Date of divorce finalization and filing | Yes |
| Spousal support | Yes |
| Property division | Yes |
| Tax return details | Sealed |
| Sensitive medical evaluations | Sealed |
| Domestic abuse or violence allegations | Sealed |
| Child custody evaluation report | Sealed |
| Adoption information | Sealed |
| Victim or minor information | Sealed |
| Financial Affidavits | Sealed |
| Juvenile records | Sealed |
How to Get Certified Copies of Wayne County Divorce Records
Wayne County divorce records may be obtained as certified or information copies. Informational copies are informal records that do not carry any legal weight. They have no certification or authorization and cannot be legally used. Certified copies of divorce records are official documents that carry the court seal and are signed by the Wayne County Clerk. The seal and signature make the document authoritative and helpful for official uses such as name changes and remarriage. Certified divorce decrees in Wayne County may be accessed and obtained from the Wayne County Clerk's Office. This office accepts requests by mail, in person, and online.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who may Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Legal name change, benefits, passport applications, social security changes, custody enforcement, remarriage | The parties, their attorneys or law firm, or anyone granted access by a court order | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Research, genealogy, and personal reference | The general public | No |
Interested individuals may mail their requests to the Wayne County Clerk's Office. The requests must contain some details of the divorce, such as the parties' names. Pay the filing fees and cost of obtaining certified copies, which is $10 for the first copy and $5 for additional copies of the same record. In-person requests will be processed instantly, while mail requests may take up to 3 weeks.
Why People Request Wayne County Divorce Records
Wayne County divorce records are publicly accessible through the County Clerk's Office. Residents have many reasons to request divorce records in Wayne County, such as:
- Legal proof of dissolved marriage
- For remarriage eligibility
- Child custody or support matters
- For personal identification updates, such as name changes
- For spousal support verification
- Background checks
- For immigration or visa processes
- For clarification of asset division
- For retirement or insurance benefit claims
Wayne County Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Clerk's Office - Vital Records Division | Divorce decrees, divorce judgments, certified copies | In-person access, Mail-in, and online access | $25 for an initial certified copy and $10 for subsequent copies Photo ID is required Mail-in requests must contain a check or money order payable to the County Clerk's Office |
| Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records Office | Statewide certified copies of divorce decrees from 1897 to date | Mail Online | $34 for the first copy and $16 for additional copies Expedited service and shipping are available. Valid photo ID is also required |
| Wayne County Clerk Online Court Records | Divorce case information, case files | Online searches by party, index, document, attorney/firm search, and more | Free online access |