Washtenaw County, Michigan Divorce Records
Washtenaw County divorce records generally describe the official court and vital records that are generated when a marriage is legally ended in the county. These records are typically generated when the case is heard and include documents such as divorce decrees, divorce certificates, judgments, custody orders, filings, and any other related documents maintained by the court system through its clerks. In Washtenaw County, divorces are handled by the Family Division of the county Trial Court (Circuit Court). Interested parties may obtain these records from the county clerk of courts or the Michigan Vital Records Office, which maintains certified copies of the records.
Divorce records are often required for legal and personal reasons after a separation. They may be necessary for personal reasons like updating identification documents, changing names, or remarrying. They may also be required for legal matters such as enforcing alimony orders, settling child support, or custody disputes. Divorce records can also be used as proof that a marriage was legally dissolved during immigration proceedings and insurance claims.
Washtenaw County Divorce Stats: According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Marriage and Divorce Statistics, in 2023, Michigan recorded 49,987 marriages and 20,491 divorces. In the same year, Washtenaw County recorded 1,782 marriages and 559 divorces, indicating marriage and divorce rates of 9.7 and 3.1 per 1,000 population, respectively.
Are Divorce Records Public in Washtenaw County?
Divorce records in Washtenaw County, Michigan, are generally considered public court records under the law. The Washtenaw County Trial Court handles divorce cases, and under Michigan Court Rules Chapter 8.119, the courts operate under the presumption that the public has access to court records. This means the general public can access several aspects of divorce records, especially basic case details such as the couple’s names, the case number, the filing date, and the final judgment date.
However, not all documents generated by a divorce case are freely accessible. Certain information or portions of a divorce record may be sealed or restricted. For example, if a divorce record contains sensitive or personal information, such as financial information, medical records, information about minor children, or custody evaluations, it can be restricted from public disclosure. A judge may decide to seal parts of a divorce file if privacy concerns outweigh the public's right to view the information.
While the general public can access case files, case numbers, and other basic details from court records, official certified copies of a divorce certificate or decree can typically only be accessed by the spouses involved or certain authorized persons.
How to Find Divorce Records in Washtenaw County
Finding Washtenaw County divorce records typically requires gathering information about the divorce, identifying the correct records custodians, and submitting a request for the records. The following steps may be used to search for divorce records in Washtenaw.
Step 1: Collect basic information about the record.
Before beginning the search, gather as much information about the case. Having accurate details will help streamline the search and reduce the chance of errors. Useful information includes the couple’s full names, the case number, the divorce date, the couple’s dates of birth, and the county where the divorce was filed. As divorces are usually handled at a local trial court, confirming that it was filed in Washtenaw is important before making a request.
Step 2: Choose what type of Divorce Record
Not all types of divorce records or information are open to the public. Record seekers who require basic case information for informational purposes can obtain it with fewer restrictions. Certified copies or divorce decrees with sensitive information can only be requested by authorized persons, including the couple, their legal representatives, or someone with a court order.
Step 3: Submit a request to official record custodians
After the first two steps, make your Record Requests through any of the following methods.
- Online Requests: Record seekers can look up divorce records using the Washtenaw County Trial Court Case Record Search.
- In-person Requests: Requests can also be submitted in person to the Clerk of the Court's main office. Visitors may submit their request to staff or use the public computer terminals at the office for a self-search. In-person requests should be made at the trial court located at:
Washtenaw County Trial Court
Records Office
101 E Huron St
Room 1106
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1446 - Mail Request: requests by mail involve filling out a Trial Records Request Form and mailing it together with payment for copies (check or money order) and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mailed request should be sent to:
Washtenaw County Trial Court
Attn: Records Department
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107 - Telephone Requests: Requests by phone are available by calling the office at (734) 222-3024. Requests are required to provide information to assist with the request, such as the case number, the names of parties, the filing date, and whether certification is required. Payment for the request is made over the phone via credit card.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Washtenaw County Trial Court Case Record Search | Party names, case number, case status, filing date, and case type | Free to just view case results, printing copies incurs a fee | Search results appear immediately |
| In Person | Washtenaw County Trial Court Records Office/Clerk of Courts | Party names, case number, documents required, filing date, number of copies required | Normal copies cost $2 per page. Certified copies cost $10 plus $1 per page Exemplified copies cost $10 plus $1 per page | Small requests (up to 30 pages) are completed immediately Large requests over 30 pages are completed within 10 days |
| By Mail | Washtenaw County Trial Court Records Office | Party names, case number, document required, filing date, number of copies required | Same as above | 10 days |
| By Phone | Washtenaw County Trial Court Records Office | Case number, party names, document request, date listed on the case Register of Actions, and whether certification is needed | Same as above | 10 days |
For any inquiries about record requests, contact the records department by calling or emailing the office at (734) 222-3024 or records@washtenaw.org.
Overview of the Washtenaw County Court System
Divorce cases in Washtenaw County are handled by the Family Division of the Washtenaw County Trial Court operating as part of Michigan’s 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. This division has original jurisdiction over adoptions, divorces, juvenile cases, name changes, probate matters, and personal protection orders.
Washtenaw County Family Division manages the day-to-day handling of these cases, while the Friend of the Court assists with enforcement and recommendations involving custody, parenting time, and support issues. Washtenaw County divorce filings and records are processed by the trial court and the county clerk of courts.
Washtenaw County Trial Court
101 E. Huron Street,
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: (734) 222-3270
Family Division: (734) 222-3791
Washtenaw County Clerk/Register's Office
200 N. Main Street,
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 222-6700
Online Access to Washtenaw County Divorce Records
Interested parties may find Washtenaw County divorce records online through the Online Trial Court Cases and Calendar website. When users open the page, they select the 22nd Circuit Court as the location for Washtenaw County and select Family and Probate Records. The Search tools offer the choice to search by case number, party names, attorney name, or filing date. Users may also include data to streamline the search further, such as case status, divorces with or without children, and cross-reference numbers. The website provides access to free online Washtenaw County divorce records. Viewing the divorce records is free, but downloading and printing copies will incur a copy fee.
Washtenaw County divorce records may also be available on third-party record websites; these websites collate divorce records from many sources across jurisdictions, and users may access them online, usually for a fee. However, it should be noted that these websites are not official custodians, hence the records may not always be accurate or up to date.
What’s Typically Included in a Washtenaw Divorce Record
Washtenaw County Divorce Records contain a wide range of information depending on the type of record requested. Some records are very basic, consisting of only public information, while others are more detailed, containing court records and final judgements issued by the Washtenaw County Trial Court that heard the case.
In many public divorce record searches, users will find general case information such as the couple’s names, the case number, filing dates, and the day the divorce was finalized. Looking up court docket entries may also provide dates for hearings or motions, and the overall status of these cases. These records are commonly found through searches at the Washtenaw County Clerk's office or through online databases, such as the Washtenaw Trial Court Case Record Search and Michigan's MiCourt Online database.
More comprehensive divorce records, particularly certified divorce decrees, contain a lot of detailed information, including property division terms, child custody rulings, alimony orders, name change approvals, and the complete final court judgment.
However, not all information filed in a divorce case is open to public access. Michigan permits courts to exempt or restrict sensitive records to protect personal privacy, especially in cases involving minor children, financial details, domestic violence, child abuse, and medical issues. Certain reports filed by the Friend of the Courts, such as custody evaluations and financial disclosure, may only be accessible by authorized persons such as the couple and their legal representatives.
| Information | Available to the Public in Washtenaw County? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Initial and final filing dates | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Court docket information | Usually yes |
| Hearing dates | Usually yes |
| Divorce certificate | Only with a formal request and fees |
| Certified divorce decree | Only with a formal request and fees |
| Property division details | limited |
| Child custody arrangements | Restricted to authorized persons |
| Child support details | Restricted to authorized persons |
| Alimony order | limited |
| Domestic violence/abuse cases | No |
| Information concerning minors | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Washtenaw Divorce Records
Divorce records are typically available in two forms, certified copies and informational copies. Certified copies of Washtenaw County divorce records can be used for legal/official purposes such as social security updates, passport applications, immigration filing, and court proceedings. They have the court's certification and seals verifying that it is an accurate and official court record. Informational copies, on the other hand, are only used for information, have no seals, and cannot be used for legal or official purposes.
In Washtenaw County, certified divorce records are obtained by contacting the Washtenaw County Trial Court Records Department or the Washtenaw County Clerk / Register of Deeds. Interested parties will be required to pay a certification fee plus the usually per page copy fees.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, name change, immigration filings, and legal proceedings | Anyone who submits a formal request | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy research and general information | Anyone | No |
Certified Washtenaw County divorce records can be obtained by contacting the Records Department (Room 1106) of the Washtenaw County Trial Court. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by phone. Record seekers may fill out the Trial Court Records Request Form. The completed form can be submitted in person or mailed with payment as a check and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the record department. Requests can also be made by phone, and the caller must specify that they are asking for certified copies of official divorce records. Formal record requests can be made using the following contact information.
Washtenaw County Trial Court
101 E Huron Street, P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
Main Phone: (734) 222-3270
Records department Phone: (734) 222-3024
Certified Copies cost $10 for certification plus a $1 per page copy. Processing time varies depending on the way it was requested. In-person requests are completed while you wait if they are small requests under 30 pages, larger requests over 30 pages, and mailed, or phone requests are processed within 10 days
Washtenaw Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washtenaw County Trial Court (Family Division) | Full case files, Divorce Decrees, and judgments | Public online Portal. Mail, in-person, and telephone requests from the Records Department | Normal: $2 per page Certified: $10 plus $1 per page Exemplified: $10 plus $1 per page |
| Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (Vital Records) | Divorce Certificates (1867– the present) | Online, by phone, office dropbox, in-person Requests | The $34 search fee includes one certified copy. Each additional copy costs $16. ID required during record request from the vital records office. |
| County Clerk-Register | Informational or certified records | In-person or mailed request | Normal: $2 per page Certified: $10 plus $1 per page Exemplified: $10 plus $1 per page |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records collected from official sources statewide | Paid online search or subscription fees | Costs may differ, and records may not be accurate or up to date |