Free Wayne County Divorce Records: Search Resource

Look up Wayne County divorce records for free using available public court records.

Circuit courts in Michigan issue certificates of divorce and hold historical records, making them a useful source of information for those researching their family histories. The key is knowing how to use online search tools and the best methods of requesting these documents via the courts.

This streamlined resource concisely explains how to find out if a decree of divorce was issued, how authorized individuals can obtain a certified copy of their divorce certificate, and more helpful tips about the lookup process in Wayne County, Michigan.

How To Find Free Wayne County Divorce Records Without Hassle

Anyone can request information about divorces that took place in Wayne County by searching court records online using the Odyssey Public Access System provided by the county clerk.¹

The system doesn’t require users to create an account before beginning their search. Just accept the terms and conditions, and then enter the name of one of the parties into the search tool. Alternatively, enter the case number if it’s known.

Odyssey only includes court documents from 1942 to the present. It doesn’t include documents filed by individuals, and while users can search for free, there is a fee to request copies.

• Only records from 1942 to the present are available.
• The online system only includes court documents and not documents filed by individuals.
• While users can search for free, there is a fee to request copies.

Alternatively, requests from Wayne County Clerk Records Division can be made in writing to:³

Wayne County Clerk Records Division
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Rm. LL-61, 2 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-5530
Fax: 313-967-3712
Email: [email protected]

The fee is currently set at $2 per page for non-certified copies. Certified copies cost $10 for the seal and $1 per page, in addition to the standard $2 per page copy fee. Certified copies must be mailed because of the raised seal, but the non-certified copies can be emailed, faxed, or mailed.

Divorce records from 2010 to the present are available for in-person viewing in the Wayne County clerk’s office records room. If a file is ordered before 4:30 p.m., it will be available after 2 p.m. the following business day. Files will be held for five calendar days and then sent back to the archives.

Browse Divorce & Dissolution Records via Cities Within Wayne County

The Family Division of the Circuit Court is responsible for issuing divorce decrees in the state of Michigan.⁴ The Third Judicial Circuit Court covers Wayne County.⁵ Details of the case search tool and the address of the records department are provided above.

District Courts in Michigan do not process divorce cases, so they are not custodians of dissolution of marriage records.

Some historic divorce records may be available at city or town libraries. However, most records have now been digitized and are available via VitalChek.

This nationwide service is accessible online, as well as via the telephone and mail, making it a convenient option for most individuals. Information about how to use VitalChek is provided in the section below on accessing records for the entire state.

How To Access Divorce Records for the Entire State Through the Michigan Vital Records Department

The State of Michigan Vital Records Department holds birth, death, marriage and divorce records for the whole of Michigan, with dissolution of marriage records dating back to 1897.⁶

Interested parties can visit the department in person, although capacity is limited and visits are by appointment only. Users can schedule an appointment online, with slots available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.⁷ Certified copies can also be ordered by mail by filling out an application and sending it to:⁸

Vital Records Requests
P.O. Box 30721 
Lansing, MI 48909

Finally, searchers can request documents using the Vital Records Department drop box. Simply deposit the completed application, along with the proper fee and any required documentation, at the drop box located in the main lobby of the offices at:

Vital Records Department
333 South Grand Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933

The drop box is accessible between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Another option for looking up divorce records is the MiCourt Case Search Tool.⁹ This tool provides access to court records from a variety of district and circuit courts. There is no fee to use the search tool to look up records, and it’s open to the public.

To use the MiCourt Case Search tool:

• Go to the Case Search website
• Click Select Another Court in the box near the top of the screen
• Search for the name of the court you are interested in
• Click on the court to select it
• Enter the details of the person whose records you’re looking for
• At a minimum, a surname is required
• First names, middle names and birth years can narrow down the search
• Click Search

The search results will appear in a table underneath the search form. Click on any ‘Case ID’ to see more information. There’s a button to print the case information shown in the top right corner of the results tab.

Users who want certified documents will need to go directly to the court in question to request copies, and there will be a fee for this service.

Note that not all circuit courts provide information to the MiCourt database at this time. For example, the Third Judicial Circuit Court, which serves Wayne County, is not included in this database. However, many other circuit courts are included, making this tool useful for those who are not sure which county the divorce took place in.

Only one court database can be searched at a time, but there’s no limit to the number of searches a user can perform. A user could perform the same search several times, targeting different courts before deciding whether it’s worth paying the search fee to one of the central databases.

Searchers can also request records online via VitalChek. This is a nationwide divorce index offering access to both recent and historic records.

Those who prefer not to use an online service can request records from VitalChek by calling 866-443-9897. It’s also possible to order records by mail. Simply download, complete and print the records request form and post it to VitalChek along with a check or money order covering the cost of the search.¹¹

There is a fee for using VitalChek:

• $34 for the search (or $42 for exemplified records)
• $14 processing fee
• $12 rush fee (optional)

Can Anyone View Divorce Records in Wayne County?

Due to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Act 442 of 1976, anyone can access public divorce records in Wayne County.¹² However, only an authorized individual can request certified copies of divorce papers.

It should be noted that the divorce records the public has a right to view are often limited in the information they contain and usually don’t include the right to view the official divorce decree itself.

Searching an index of divorces or public divorce records can provide those interested in tracing their family histories with a wealth of information, including:

• The full name of each member of the couple
• The age of each individual
• The exact date of the marriage
• The place where the couple was married
• Who requested the divorce
• Why did they request the divorce
• Whether the request was contested
• Whether the request was granted
• How many children the couple had

This information can be invaluable for steering future searches or tracking down long-lost family members.

Note that Michigan abolished common-law marriages in 1957. Anyone who was in a relationship recognized as a common-law marriage prior to that year would still be able to apply for a common-law divorce.

However, for more recent relationships, an unmarried couple living together who goes on to split up would not be recognized as divorcing and would not have any of the rights or protections associated with marriage. Such a couple would also not have their breakup appear on any public divorce records.

Third-party providers may be able to assist those who are searching for recent or archived records out of curiosity. This information may show divorces or separations that the county doesn’t provide or ones that occurred elsewhere. However, unless the third-party providers are endorsed by the state, county or city, they can’t be used for official purposes.

Using the resources listed above, it’s possible to access Wayne County divorce records without having to spend money or provide proof of ID. However, certified records are available only to authorized individuals.