Ann Arbor Family Court Records

Family court records for Ann Arbor residents are maintained at the Washtenaw County Circuit Court Family Division, located at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor. This court handles all divorce, custody, paternity, child support, and related family law matters for people who live in Ann Arbor and throughout Washtenaw County. The 15th Judicial District Court, also in Ann Arbor, handles different types of cases and is not the correct office for family law records.

Where Ann Arbor Family Court Records Are Filed

All family court cases for Ann Arbor residents go to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court Family Division. The address is 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The Family Division phone number is (734) 222-3990. This court handles divorce filings, custody petitions, parenting time disputes, child support orders, paternity actions, and adoption matters for all of Washtenaw County including Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor is the Washtenaw County seat. That means the circuit court is actually located within the city, which is convenient for Ann Arbor residents. You do not need to travel to another city to reach the county courthouse. The Washtenaw County courthouse complex on Huron Street houses both the circuit court and related county services.

For a detailed overview of Washtenaw County family court procedures, fee schedules, and clerk contact information, visit the Washtenaw County Family Court Records page.

The 15th District Court and What It Handles

Ann Arbor also has the 15th Judicial District Court at the Justice Center, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 794-6750. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, civil claims under $25,000, and landlord-tenant disputes for the City of Ann Arbor. It does not handle family law cases.

Both courts sit on or near Huron Street in downtown Ann Arbor, which can be confusing. The circuit court at 101 E. Huron handles family matters. The district court at 301 E. Huron handles criminal, traffic, and minor civil matters. If you arrive at the wrong office, staff there will point you in the right direction. Always confirm which court you need before making the trip.

The 15th District Court does maintain its own case search portal. The image below shows the 15th District Court homepage on the City of Ann Arbor website.

The 15th District Court in Ann Arbor handles criminal, traffic, and civil matters but not family law cases. Family court records are held at the Washtenaw County Circuit Court at 101 E. Huron Street.

Searching Ann Arbor Family Court Records Online

The primary online tool for Michigan family court records is MiCOURT Case Search. This is the statewide portal run by the Michigan Supreme Court. It covers the Washtenaw County Circuit Court and lets you search by party name or case number. Results include docket entries, hearing dates, party information, and case status for public records.

The 15th District Court also offers its own case search at a2gov.org. That search covers only district court records, not family cases at the circuit court. The image below shows the 15th District Court case search page.

The 15th District Court case search is useful for district court records in Ann Arbor, but family court matters require searching through MiCOURT for Washtenaw County Circuit Court records.

When using MiCOURT to find family records, enter the full legal name of at least one party in the case. Having the approximate year of filing helps narrow results. A case number, if you have it from a prior order or letter, takes you directly to the right case. Restricted records such as adoptions, juvenile matters, and sealed cases will not appear in public searches.

Washtenaw County Court Records Resources

Washtenaw County has additional resources for people seeking court records. The image below shows the Washtenaw Records portal, which provides access to court records and related county information.

The Washtenaw Records site provides guidance on accessing court records in Washtenaw County, including family division cases filed in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Courts FOC Bureau at courts.michigan.gov/administration/scao/services/focb provides statewide guidance on Friend of the Court services. If your family case involves support enforcement or parenting time disputes, the FOC bureau in Ann Arbor is the right contact.

Copy Fees and In-Person Access

At the Washtenaw County Circuit Court, plain copies of court records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies require a $10.00 base certification fee plus $1.00 per page. Viewing a case file in person at the clerk's counter is free. You pay only if you want copies to take home.

To access records in person, go to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court at 101 E. Huron Street. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk the names of both parties or the case number. The clerk retrieves the file and allows you to review it. If you need copies, the clerk makes them and charges the applicable fee. Cash, check, and credit card are typically accepted at the clerk's counter. Call (734) 222-3990 ahead of your visit to confirm payment methods and current fees.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request to the circuit court clerk at 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Include the full names of both parties as they appear on court documents, the year of filing, the case number if available, and a clear description of what documents you need. State whether you need certified copies. Enclose a check or money order. The clerk will contact you if the fee amount needs adjustment before sending the copies.

Standard SCAO forms for Michigan family law cases are free at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms. These include divorce forms, custody motions, parenting time forms, and child support worksheets. All are required for family case filings at Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

Restricted Records and Privacy Under Michigan Law

Not all Ann Arbor family court records are public. Michigan law restricts access to certain categories. Adoption records are confidential under MCL 710.67 and are accessible only to parties directly named in the case or people who obtain a court order. Juvenile case records are closed under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection order filings have limits under MCR 3.705.

Judges can also seal specific documents within any family case. If you search a case and find fewer documents than you expect, some may be under seal rather than missing from the file. Ask the circuit court clerk whether a specific document is sealed if you cannot locate it.

Michigan circuit court records are governed by MCR 8.119, which defines what is public and what is restricted. This court rule controls access, not the Freedom of Information Act. FOIA applies to government agencies but does not apply to court records held by the circuit court. For the text of MCL 600.2546, which addresses certain aspects of Michigan court record access, see law.justia.com. The state legislature site at legislature.mi.gov also has full Michigan statute text.

Ann Arbor has legal aid resources available through the University of Michigan Law School's clinical programs and through local legal aid organizations. Low-income residents may qualify for free help with divorce, custody, and support matters. The Michigan Legal Help website at michiganlegalhelp.org provides self-help guides and form instructions for people representing themselves in family court.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have family court records information.