Wayne County Family Court Records
Wayne County family court records are filed and maintained at the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Michigan's largest circuit court. The Family Division handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption cases for all residents of Wayne County, including Detroit and its surrounding cities. You can search basic case information through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search portal at no cost. The Third Circuit also offers an Odyssey Public Access portal for more detailed case lookups. This page explains where to search, what each system shows, and how to get copies of Wayne County family court records in person, by mail, or online.
Wayne County Court Overview
Where Wayne County Family Court Records Are Filed
All family court filings in Wayne County go through the Third Judicial Circuit Court at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. This is Michigan's largest circuit court by caseload. The Family Division handles divorce, paternity, custody, and support cases for Detroit and every city in Wayne County. The main circuit court number is (313) 224-5510. The Records Division can be reached at (313) 967-6938. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Wayne County also has several district courts that handle city-level matters. The 36th District Court in Detroit handles misdemeanors, traffic, and civil cases under $25,000. It does not handle divorce or custody. Family matters always go to the Third Judicial Circuit Court, not to any district court. If you are unsure where a case was filed, call the circuit court clerk at (313) 224-5510 first.
The county's official website at waynecountymi.gov has contact listings for all county departments. The Third Judicial Circuit has its own site at 3rdcc.org with information on filings, forms, and court programs. Both are useful starting points before visiting in person.
Note: Mail requests to Wayne County Circuit Court must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order payable to the Wayne County Clerk.
Searching Wayne County Family Court Records Online
Two online tools are available for Wayne County. The free statewide MiCOURT Case Search lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. It shows case numbers, filing dates, party names, and docket entries. It does not display document images. The Third Judicial Circuit also provides an Odyssey Public Access portal with more detailed case information. Check the 3rdcc.org website for the current Odyssey portal link, as the address can change.
Note: MiCOURT excludes sealed cases, adoption records, and personal protection orders from search results under state law.
Third Judicial Circuit Court Online Resources
The Third Judicial Circuit Court operates its own website at 3rdcc.org, which provides court forms, filing instructions, and information on the Odyssey Public Access portal used to look up Wayne County family court records.
The Third Judicial Circuit site is the best place to start when navigating Wayne County family court records. It covers all divisions of the court including the Family Division, which handles divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases across the county.
Copy Fees for Wayne County Family Court Records
Wayne County copy fees vary depending on the type of copy you need. Regular photocopies run $0.10 per page for informational copies. Certified copies carry a $3.00 per document fee plus applicable copy charges. Some records carry higher fees under the county's fee schedule, ranging from $2 to $5 per page for informational copies and $10 to $20 per page for certified copies depending on the document type. View records in person at no charge under MCL 600.2546. The fee applies only when you request physical or digital copies made for you.
If you need certified copies of a divorce judgment or custody order for use outside Michigan, you must get them in person or by mail with the official court seal. Call (313) 967-6938 before mailing a request so you can get a fee estimate. Include the case number, full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and the specific documents you need.
Types of Family Court Records in Wayne County
The Third Judicial Circuit Family Division keeps a wide range of domestic records. Divorce files include the complaint, proof of service, the judgment of divorce, and all orders entered during the case. Contested divorces can run to hundreds of pages of motions, financial disclosures, and hearing transcripts. Custody files hold parenting time orders and all modifications filed over the life of the case. Paternity records establish the legal father and include the order of filiation and child support orders.
Child support matters run through the Wayne County Friend of the Court office. The FOC keeps separate records on payment histories, enforcement actions, and parenting time disputes. Contact the Wayne County FOC through the main circuit court at (313) 224-5510 or visit the Friend of the Court Bureau for statewide policy guidance. The FOC can initiate wage garnishment and other enforcement when support orders are not paid.
Adoption records in Wayne County are sealed under MCL 710.67. Juvenile records are restricted under MCL 712A.28. Personal protection order details are not publicly available under MCR 3.705. These limits apply statewide.
In-Person and Mail Requests for Wayne County Records
The most direct way to get Wayne County family court records is to visit the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Bring a valid photo ID. Clerks can pull case files and make copies while you wait if the records are readily available. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you view records at no charge before deciding what to copy. For archived or older files, call (313) 967-6938 ahead of time.
Mail requests are accepted. Include the case number if known, full names of both parties, the approximate filing year, and the documents you need. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment by check or money order payable to the Wayne County Clerk. Mail turnaround depends on file size and office workload. For urgent needs, in-person visits are faster. Court forms approved by the SCAO are available at courts.michigan.gov/scao-forms.
Note: Wayne County is one of the highest-volume courts in Michigan, so calling ahead before visiting for archived files can save significant wait time.
Laws That Govern Wayne County Family Court Records
Family court records in Wayne County follow the same legal rules as all Michigan courts. MCR 8.119 establishes that court records are public unless a statute, court rule, or court order restricts access. MCL 600.2546 sets the framework for copy fees. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act does not apply to court records because the judiciary is exempt under MCL 15.232(d)(v). If the court denies a records request, you must file a motion directly with the court, not a FOIA appeal.
The Michigan Legislature's website at legislature.mi.gov has the full text of all Michigan Compiled Laws related to family court records. SCAO approved forms are required for most family court filings in Wayne County. These cover divorce, custody, paternity, support modification, and protection orders.
Nearby Counties
Family court records for residents near Wayne County may also be filed in one of the neighboring counties below.