Wayne County Court Records

Wayne County court records are official documents and other related items or information that are generated from case filings or legal proceedings that take place within the county. The content of court records may differ depending on the legal matter, including civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. However, court records in Wayne County typically contain the following:

• Docket details
• Court orders and judgments
• Copies of filed papers and transcripts
• Hearing dates
• Case status

While court records provide transparency in the county's judicial process, they are also used for background checks for employment or tenancy purposes. Moreover, court records provide information on finalized/ongoing cases and the litigation history of businesses or individuals.

Are Court Records Public in Wayne County?

Wayne County court records are publicly available in compliance with Michigan State’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Public access to court records is mandatory for everyone except otherwise stated by law. While individuals can request most court records, certain custodians are prevented from disclosing certain information/files in court records. Likewise, the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act restrict incarcerated felons from accessing public records. The court records from some proceedings, such as juvenile cases or certain family law matters, may be fully confidential or partly accessible to the public.

Similarly, individuals involved in court cases may petition Wayne County courts to expunge or seal the records related to their proceedings. As a result, such records become inaccessible to the general public, and record seekers may require court orders to inspect them.

Wayne County Court Records Search

Interested individuals can perform Wayne County court records searches using the options provided by the court’s Records Division. Typically, record seekers may access court records online or in person. Michigan Courts maintains a case search tool to inquire about statewide case information online, including Wayne County. Alternatively, individuals who prefer to make in-person inquiries can visit the relevant courthouse, where records custodians may provide access to court documents for inspection or copying. However, some records may not be available to record seekers if they are confidential or sealed.

Wayne County Court Records Search by Name

It is possible to search for Wayne County court records by name. Inquirers can use the Michigan Courts case search portal to get case information by entering the names of individuals or organizations involved in such cases. Within the appropriate search field, users can input either the first and last names of an individual or the name of an organization. Alternatively, they can enter the names' initial letter(s) and review the suggested search results. Interested persons can also search for Circuit Court records by name at the Wayne County Clerk Records Division. Obtaining physical copies of court records can cost up to $2 per page.

Wayne County Courts

Wayne County has several trial courts, including Circuit, District, Probate, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court has the most authority over all cases filed in the county and exercises appellate jurisdiction over matters adjudicated by the lower trial courts or administrative agencies. The District Court handles the highest number of cases and holds original jurisdiction over civil damages up to $25,000, misdemeanors, small claims, and landlord/tenant matters.

The Probate and Municipal Courts in Wayne County are trial courts of limited jurisdiction. While the Probate Court handles probate matters, the Municipal Courts hear civil matters up to $3,000, traffic violations, and misdemeanors.

The following are the locations of Wayne County Courts:

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-6262

Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
1441 St. Antoine
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-6262

Lincoln Hall of Justice
1025 E Forest Avenue
Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: (313) 224-6262

16th District Court (Livonia)
32765 5 Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: (734) 466-2500

17th District Court (Redford)
15111 Beech Daly Road
Redford, MI 48239
Phone: (313) 387-2790

18th District Court (Westland)
36675 Ford Road
Westland, MI 48185
Phone: (734) 595-8720
Fax: (734) 595-0160

19th District Court (Dearborn)
16077 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: (313) 943-2060

20th District Court (Dearborn Heights)
25637 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn Heights, MI 48125
Phone: (313) 277-7480

21st District Court (Garden City)
6000 North Middlebelt Road
Garden City, MI 48135
Phone: (734) 793-1680

22nd District Court (Inkster)
26279 Michigan Avenue
Inkster, MI 48141
Phone: (313) 277-8200
Fax: (313) 277-8221

23rd District Court (Taylor)
23365 Goddard Road
Taylor, MI 48180
Phone: (734) 287-6550
Fax: (734) 374-1303

24th District Court (Allen Park)
6515 Roosevelt Road
Allen Park, MI 48101
Phone: (313) 928-0535
Fax: (313) 928-1860

25th District Court (Lincoln Park)
1475 Cleophus
Lincoln Park, MI 48146
Phone: (313) 382-8603
Fax: (313) 382-9373

27th District Court (Wyandotte)
2015 Biddle Avenue
Wyandotte, MI 48192
Phone: (734) 324-4475
Fax: (734) 324-4472

28th District Court (Southgate)
14720 Reaume Parkway
Southgate, MI 48195
Phone: (734) 258-3068
Fax: (734) 246-1405

29th District Court (Wayne)
34808 Sims Avenue
Wayne, MI 48184
Phone: (734) 722-5220
Fax: (734) 722-7003

30th District Court (Highland Park)
12050 Woodward Avenue
Highland Park, MI 48203
Phone: ((313) 252-0300
Fax: (313) 865-1115

31st District Court (Hamtramck)
3401 Evaline Avenue
Hamtramck, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 800-5248
Fax: (313) 782-4990

32A District Court (Harper Woods)
19617 Harper Avenue
Harper Woods, MI 48225
Phone: (313) 343-2590
Fax: (313) 343-2594

33rd District Court (Woodhaven)
19000 Van Horn
Woodhaven, MI 48183
Phone: (734) 671-0201
Fax: (734) 671-0307

34th District Court (Romulus)
11131 Wayne Road
Romulus, MI 48174
Phone: (734) 941-4462

35th District Court (Plymouth)
660 Plymouth Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: ( 734) 459-4740
Fax: (734) 454-9303

36th District Court (Detroit)
421 Madison Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 965-4158
Fax: (313) 965-3951

Grosse Pointe Farms Municipal Court
90 Kerby Road
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 885-2104
Fax: (313) 882-8340

Grosse Pointe Municipal Court
17147 Maumee Avenue
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
Phone: (313) 343-5262
Fax: (313) 885-0820

Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Court
15115 East Jefferson Avenue
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
Phone: (313) 822-3535
Fax: (313) 822-0016

Grosse Pointe Shores Municipal Court
Shores Municipal Building
795 Lake Shore Road
Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 881-5503
Fax: (313) 640-1661

Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court
20025 Mack Plaza Drive
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 343-2455
Fax: (313) 886-6284

Wayne County Superior Court Case Search

Although Wayne County has no Superior Court, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil cases with monetary damages over $25,000 and felony criminal cases. The court also handles family law cases and juvenile matters. The Odyssey Public Access (OPA) portal for the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan provides public access to Circuit Court records. Users can search criminal and non-criminal case information on the portal by the case number, defendant name, attorney information, citation number, or filing date. Alternatively, individuals can order record copies from the County Clerk’s Office in person or by mail at:

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

Record seekers can also submit email requests for copies of Wayne County Circuit Court records.

Wayne County District Court Records

Wayne County District Courts serve different locations within the county. These courts adjudicate civil cases where the claims exceed $25,000, traffic cases, criminal misdemeanor cases, preliminary hearings for felonies, and small claims matters. Individuals seeking access to court records managed by any Wayne County District Court can either visit the courthouse in person or contact the court by phone. For instance, the records for Wayne County’s 36th District Court serving Detroit City are available at:

421 Madison Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 965-4158

Wayne County Criminal Records

In addition to the county courts, the local law enforcement agency in Wayne County is responsible for preserving criminal records. The Sheriff’s Office maintains Wayne County arrest records, charges, warrants, accidents, inmate information, and other criminal records it generates. For instance, The inmate search tool allows the public to access basic information about individuals incarcerated at the Wayne County Jail. However, accessing other Wayne County criminal records requires contacting the Sheriff's Office directly or using the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Interested persons can visit or contact the Office at:

Wayne County Sheriff's Office
4747 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 833-0864

Wayne County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Members of the public can look up felony criminal court case information on the Wayne County Circuit Court's Odyssey Public Access (OPA) portal. Users can search for felony cases by name, case number, or other criteria on the portal. The portal provides criminal case information, including charges, court proceedings, documents, and judgments. On the other hand, criminal court records involving misdemeanor cases are available at the District Courts or Municipal Courts where the cases were heard. Records seekers can visit the Clerks’ Offices of such courts to look up the criminal records in their custody.

Get Wayne County Civil Court Records

Civil Court records in Wayne County contain information and documents on non-criminal matters, including civil lawsuits, small claims, evictions, family law matters, personal injury claims, contract disputes, and equity matters. The judgments in civil cases usually involve monetary compensation, injunctions, or other types of damages awarded to aggrieved parties.

Civil court records maintained by the Wayne Circuit Court are available for inspection on the Odyssey Public Access (OPA) portal. Users can search non-criminal records by case number, filing date, names, and other criteria. Likewise, individuals seeking civil court records for cases with claims exceeding $25,000 can obtain them from the Circuit Clerk's Office for $2 per page. Civil court records for non-criminal proceedings under $25,000 can be obtained from the District Courts. The District Courts’ Clerks serve as the custodians of such court records and may provide them upon in-person or mail requests.

Wayne County Family Court Records

Wayne County has no dedicated Family Court, but the Civil/Family Division of the Circuit Court handles family law cases, such as divorce, parental rights, child custody, and support issues. The Circuit Court requires the parties involved in such cases to file all motions with the Office of the Wayne County Clerk. Hence, the County Clerk is the custodian for all Wayne County Family Court records. Depending on the case, record seekers may require court orders to access certain Family Court records, particularly those involving minors or containing sealed documents.

Public Family Court records in Wayne County are available on the Circuit Court’s Odyssey Public Access (OPA) portal. Individuals can choose the non-criminal case option on the portal and search for Family Court records by case number, filing date, and other search options.

Alternatively, individuals seeking Family Court records in Wayne County can obtain them from the County Clerk's Office in person or submit a records request via postal mail to:

Wayne County Clerk's Office
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center - Suite 201
Detroit, MI 48226

Wayne County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Wayne County dissolution of marriage records are available at the Civil/Family Division of the County Clerk’s Office. These records contain information and files relating to divorce proceedings, the parties involved, and other relevant details. Anyone can access these records by contacting the County Clerk’s Office.

Wayne County Marriage and Divorce Records

Wayne County marriage records and divorce decrees are available at the County Clerk's Office. Marriage records contain details about the parties involved in marital unions, while divorce records include documents and files created during divorce proceedings. Likewise, the Clerk is responsible for issuing Wayne County marriage certificates.

To obtain a Wayne County divorce record, complete a Divorce Decree Application Form and mail it to the Clerk’s Office. The office charges $2 per page for uncertified copies and $10 for certified copies. The completed form and payment should be mailed to:

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Room LL-61
Detroit, MI 48226

Interested individuals may also obtain Wayne County marriage records by visiting the Clerk’s Office. The Michigan Vital Records Department also provides certified copies of the county’s vital records like marriage and divorce records.

Wayne Birth and Death Records

The Birth and Death Records Division of the County Clerk's Office maintains and disseminates birth and death records in Wayne County. Unlike death records, Wayne County birth records are confidential and accessible solely to the individuals on the records, parents named on the birth certificate, or legal guardians.

Records seekers should also note that the Clerk’s Office only issues adoption birth records for children adopted in the county between 1960 and 1968.

Interested individuals must contact the County Clerk’s Office and schedule an appointment to obtain birth and death records in person. Alternatively, they can order by mail at:

Wayne County Clerk's Office
Wayne County Birth and Death Records Division
400 Monroe Street
Suite 610
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 967-6938

Wayne County birth certificate costs $24 for the first certified copy and $7 for each additional copy. However, individuals aged 65 and above who request their own birth or death records will pay $2 for the first certified copy and $3 for subsequent copies.

Wayne County Probate Court Records

Probate Court records in Wayne County include information on estates, wills, guardianships, trusts, and conservatorships. The Wayne County Probate Court maintains the records generated from such proceedings. Wayne County Probate Court records are available on the court’s eAccess Portal, and users may search them by the case number or names of the individual/company involved. However, case information on probate proceedings before 1976 is not available on the portal.

Alternatively, record seekers can contact the court to inquire about obtaining such records or visit the court at:

1305 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Two Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5706

Wayne County Property Records

The Office of the Register of Deeds maintains Wayne County's property records. Interested persons may schedule appointments to inspect or obtain copies of property records at the office located at:

International Center Building
400 Monroe Street, 7th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 224-5860

Wayne County property records after 1986 are also accessible on the Records Public Access portal maintained by the Register of Deeds. Users can search for records on the portal by name or date at no cost. However, full legal searches for property records require users to create accounts and pay $6 for 15 minutes or $24 for an hour of access. Additionally, users can get copies of the records for $2 per page.

Wayne County Court Records Online

Interested individuals can access Wayne County court records online on third-party sites like Michigancourtrecords.us. These sites aggregate and provide access to criminal, civil, probate, family law, and other Wayne County public records. However, online resources may require users to purchase subscriptions for access, and the accuracy of the records that they maintain is not guaranteed.