Wayne County Clerk (MI): Records, Office Hours & Service Guide

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Wayne County, Michigan Clerk Guide

Wayne County Clerk (MI): Records, Office Hours & Service Guide

The Wayne County Clerk is the official county office many residents use for birth records, death records, marriage licenses, marriage certificates, assumed names, co-partnership filings, notary public filings, military discharge records, elections, and certain Third Judicial Circuit Court record services.

Wayne County can be confusing because court records, vital records, land records, Detroit records, and state services do not all use the same counter. This guide explains which office to use, how to search records, where to go, what to bring, and when to use the Third Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, Michigan Secretary of State, or Michigan State Police instead.

Official Wayne County Clerk Court Record Copies Open Clerk Google Map

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Confirm appointments, hours, fees, identification rules, record access, and closures on the official Wayne County website before visiting or ordering records.

Quick Facts: Wayne County Clerk Office

Official office Wayne County Clerk, Michigan.
County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett.
Main office 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 201, Detroit, MI 48226.
Main phone 313-967-6938.
Email clerkhelp@waynecountymi.gov.
Main hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Vital records office 400 Monroe Street, Suite 605 or 610, Detroit, MI 48226.
Court records room Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit.
Fast answer: use the Wayne County Clerk for county clerk records, vital records, marriage licenses, assumed names, notary filings, elections, and many circuit-court record copy services. Use the Third Judicial Circuit Court for case search and court calendars. Use the Register of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, and land records.

Wayne County Clerk Google Map, Address, Office Hours, and Contact Details

The main Wayne County Clerk contact page lists the Clerk’s office at 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 201, Detroit, MI 48226. For many vital-record services, Wayne County uses the One-Stop Shop Vital Statistics Records Office at 400 Monroe Street in downtown Detroit.

Do not assume one counter handles every record. Court copy requests, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, court finance, criminal finance, and land records can have different rooms, phone numbers, and appointment rules.

Main Wayne County Clerk Office

Address: 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 201, Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-967-6938

Email: clerkhelp@waynecountymi.gov

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Use this location for: general clerk help, civil/family clerk services, court-related Clerk services, candidate filing fees, marriage licenses and records routing, and general direction to the correct county clerk division.

Open Main Clerk Office in Google Maps

Records Division

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

Use for many circuit-court record copy and in-person file review services.

Vital Records: City of Detroit Birth/Death

400 Monroe Street, Suite 605
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-967-6938

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; closed for lunch 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Vital Records: Outside Detroit Birth/Death

400 Monroe Street, Suite 610
Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-967-6938

Use for Wayne County birth and death records outside the City of Detroit when Wayne County Clerk is the correct office.

Criminal Records Room

Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
1441 St. Antoine
Detroit, MI 48226

Records room phone: 313-224-2502

Use for City of Detroit criminal records and criminal records after 1983 as directed by Wayne County.

Official contactWayne County Clerk Official Page

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the Clerk’s current phone number, email, office address, and public hours.
  2. Choose the service tile that matches your task, such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, assumed names, notary public, CPL, records, or elections.
  3. Check whether the service is appointment-only, by mail, online, or available in person.
  4. Use the official appointment link if the page requires an appointment before visiting.
  5. Write down the exact room or suite number because Wayne County services are spread across more than one downtown Detroit location.

What the Wayne County Clerk Does

The Wayne County Clerk serves as clerk for the Third Judicial Circuit Court and as a keeper of county records. The office keeps transcripts of births and deaths, issues marriage licenses, records and indexes assumed names and co-partnership certificates, processes notary public appointments, and records military discharge documents.

The Clerk also has election responsibilities for federal, state, and county elections conducted in Wayne County. That makes this office important for residents, businesses, attorneys, self-represented litigants, candidates, families, and anyone trying to obtain official Wayne County records.

Birth and death records Certified copies, mail requests, in-person appointment service, and routing for Detroit versus outside-Detroit records.
Marriage licenses and certificates Marriage license applications, certified marriage-license copies, marriage records, and related name-change document needs.
Assumed names and co-partnerships Local business-name filings for businesses operating in Wayne County under an assumed name.
Notary public filings County-level surety bond filing, oath, county seal/certification, and limited notarial acknowledgments by appointment.
Circuit court records Civil and domestic court records, divorce record copies, older file requests, and records room access.
Elections Election results, candidate information, and election-administration resources for Wayne County.

Official overviewWayne County Clerk Services

After opening this link:

  1. Review the “How May We Help You Today?” service list.
  2. Open the service that matches your task instead of using the general contact path first.
  3. For vital records, check whether the record is from the City of Detroit or another Wayne County city or township.
  4. For court records, use the Records page or Third Circuit Court case-search page.
  5. For land records, leave the Clerk page and use the Register of Deeds instead.

Wayne County Court Records, Case Search, Divorce Records, and Copies

Court records are one of the most common reasons people search for the Wayne County Clerk. The Clerk’s Records Division receives, files, and maintains Circuit Court cases in paper, microfilm, and digital form, and Wayne County also uses Third Judicial Circuit Odyssey Public Access for many online public case searches.

Online case search is useful for finding case information, but it is not the same as an official certified record. The Third Judicial Circuit says online Odyssey information is unofficial, limited to publicly accessible case-search results, registers of action, and civil judgments, and party-filed documents are not currently available online.

Civil and divorce records Wayne County states civil court records, including divorce records, are available from 1942 to present.
Older files Files from 2010 to present are available for viewing in the records room; older files may need to be ordered from archives.
Criminal records County guidance separates older non-Detroit criminal records from Detroit or post-1983 criminal records handled through Frank Murphy Hall of Justice records room.
Name changes Name change documents after 1996 are with the Wayne County Clerk Records Division; older name change documents may be with Probate Court.

Official court searchThird Judicial Circuit Case Search

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Odyssey Public Access terms before accepting access.
  2. Understand that online search results are not official certified court records.
  3. Use the public case search to look for a case number, party name, register of actions, or civil judgment information.
  4. Do not use Odyssey as a background-check tool.
  5. For official copies, certified records, or locally stored paper files, use the Wayne County Clerk Records Division.
  6. If you see an error in Odyssey, follow the instruction to notify the Wayne County Clerk’s Office.

Official recordsWayne County Clerk Records Division

After opening this link:

  1. Start by reading the “Available Records” section so you know whether the Clerk has the record type and date range.
  2. Use the online search link if you only need to locate a case or view docket information.
  3. For in-person copies, go to Room LL-61 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
  4. For mail requests, prepare the mail-in form, required documents, and a money order because mail payments are limited.
  5. For email requests, use the listed Pay Location Code and email your request, documentation, and receipt PDF to the records room email.
  6. Remember that certified or authenticated documents must be mailed because the raised seal cannot be emailed.
Record-use warning: online court data can be incomplete, unofficial, or restricted. Always verify against the official record before relying on a docket entry for legal, financial, screening, or court-deadline decisions.

Birth Certificates and Death Certificates in Wayne County

The Wayne County Clerk’s Birth and Death Records Division handles many certified birth and death records, but the correct counter depends on whether the event occurred in the City of Detroit or elsewhere in Wayne County. This distinction is important because the Suite 605 and Suite 610 instructions are different.

Birth certificates are not public records. Wayne County says they may generally be requested only by the person named on the record, a parent named on the record, or a legal guardian or representative. Death certificates are public records and can be obtained by anyone, but you still need the full name, date of death, and city of death to request one.

City of Detroit birth/death Use 400 Monroe Street, Suite 605, Detroit, MI 48226.
Outside Detroit birth/death Use Wayne County Birth and Death Records Division, 400 Monroe Street, Suite 610, Detroit.
Identification Valid identification is required for birth-record requests; mail requests should include a photocopy of ID.
Corrections Michigan birth or death certificate corrections are handled through the State of Michigan, not directly as a simple county counter edit.

Official birth recordsWayne County Birth Certificates

After opening this link:

  1. Determine whether the birth occurred in the City of Detroit or elsewhere in Wayne County.
  2. Choose online, in-person appointment, or mail request.
  3. Prepare the full name at birth, date of birth, city of birth, signature, phone number, return address, and valid identification.
  4. If mailing, include a copy of your driver’s license or state ID, or the alternate ID documents Wayne County accepts.
  5. Check the current certified-copy fee and whether you qualify for the senior-citizen fee for your own birth certificate.

Official death recordsWayne County Death Certificates

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm whether the death occurred in Detroit or elsewhere in Wayne County.
  2. Gather the full name of the deceased, date of death, and city of death.
  3. Choose online, in-person appointment, or mail request if available for your situation.
  4. For mail requests, include the written request and required payment method exactly as the Clerk instructs.
  5. If the death occurred outside Michigan, contact the vital records office for that state instead of Wayne County.

Wayne County Marriage Licenses, Marriage Certificates, and Name-Change Copies

A Michigan marriage license is obtained from the County Clerk in the county where the applicant resides. Wayne County states that a Wayne County resident must be present when applying. If both applicants are non-residents of Michigan, they apply in the county where the marriage will be performed.

Wayne County’s marriage license page is detailed because it covers identification, birth-certificate requirements, Social Security number information, foreign-born documentation, fees, completed license return instructions, and how to purchase a certified copy after the marriage.

Resident rule Wayne County residents apply through the Wayne County Clerk; a Wayne County resident must be present when applying.
Non-resident rule If both parties are non-Michigan residents, apply in the county where the marriage will be performed.
Required documents Valid ID plus certified birth certificate or acceptable substitute documentation may be required.
License use Wayne County states the license is valid only in the State of Michigan.

Official marriage licenseWayne County Marriage Licenses

After opening this link:

  1. Read the resident and non-resident rules first so you apply in the correct county.
  2. Prepare valid driver’s license or state identification to show residency.
  3. Bring certified birth certificates or other acceptable documents listed by Wayne County.
  4. Confirm the current marriage license fee and payment methods before your appointment.
  5. After the ceremony, make sure the completed second and third copies are returned to the Wayne County Clerk.
  6. Wait the posted time before purchasing certified copies if the completed license is mailed back to the Clerk.
Certified copy tip: a certified marriage-license copy is often needed for a legal name change with Social Security, Michigan Secretary of State, banks, employers, and insurance providers. Do not use an unofficial printout when an agency specifically asks for a certified copy.

Assumed Names, Co-Partnerships, Notary Public, CPL, and Military Discharge Records

The Wayne County Clerk records assumed names and co-partnership certificates for certain businesses operating in the county. Before filing locally, Wayne County advises checking the State of Michigan Business Entity Database to make sure the name is not already being used by a corporation, limited liability company, incorporation, or nonprofit organization filed at the state level.

The Clerk also handles the county-level part of Michigan notary public applications. A notary applicant generally completes the application, files a $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk where required, takes the oath, pays the county filing fee, and then submits the completed application to the Michigan Office of the Great Seal.

Assumed name / DBA Use for local business-name filing when doing business in Wayne County under an assumed name.
State business check Search Michigan’s business entity database before assuming a county DBA is available.
Notary bond and oath File the required bond, take the oath, and obtain county seal/certification from the Clerk when applicable.
CPL questions Wayne County lists CPL contact help at 313-224-5565 and cpl@waynecountymi.gov.

Official DBAWayne County Assumed Names

After opening this link:

  1. Read whether your filing is an assumed name or co-partnership certificate.
  2. Search the State of Michigan Business Entity Database before filing locally.
  3. Download the correct Wayne County form if the page provides one.
  4. Follow the mail-only or appointment instructions shown on the official page.
  5. Keep a copy of the filed certificate and renewal date for your business records.

Official notaryWayne County Notary Public

After opening this link:

  1. Complete the Michigan Notary Public Commission application before visiting.
  2. Obtain the required $10,000 surety bond unless you qualify for an exemption.
  3. Bring all printed documents to the Wayne County Clerk’s office.
  4. Take the oath and sign the application exactly as you will notarize documents.
  5. Pay the county filing fee and submit the application to the Michigan Office of the Great Seal within the required time.
  6. Check the Clerk’s appointment and acknowledgment limits before going in person.

State CPL renewalMichigan State Police CPL Renewal Information

After opening this link:

  1. Use the state page for current CPL renewal rules and eligibility timing.
  2. Check whether your renewal notice contains the PIN needed for online renewal.
  3. If you need a replacement PIN, contact the county clerk that issued the CPL or the Wayne County CPL contact listed by the Clerk.
  4. Follow Michigan State Police instructions for online, mail, or county-clerk renewal paths.
  5. Do not rely on third-party instructions when firearm licensing deadlines or eligibility rules are involved.

Common Wayne County Clerk Fees and Copy Cost Notes

Fees can change, and some online vendors add processing charges. Use the amounts below as a planning guide, then verify the final total on the official service page before ordering, mailing payment, or booking an appointment.

$24 First certified birth certificate copy or first certified death certificate copy.
$7 Each additional certified copy of the same birth, death, or marriage record purchased at the same time.
$2 / $3 Senior fee for a qualifying person age 65+ purchasing their own birth certificate: $2 first copy, $3 each additional copy.
$30 Marriage license fee when one or both applicants is a Wayne County resident.
$40 Marriage license fee when both parties are out-of-state residents and applying for a Michigan ceremony.
$11.50 Marriage license search for an uncertified copy, whether the record is found or not.
$2/page Uncertified court-record copy example listed by the Clerk Records Division.
$10 Seal/certification-related charge commonly listed for certified or authenticated court documents.

Official record feesWayne County Clerk Records Copy Instructions

After opening this link:

  1. Scroll to the copy-ordering method that applies: in person, mail, email, or online vendor.
  2. Check whether the record can be emailed, faxed, mailed, or must be mailed because it needs a raised seal.
  3. Verify the copy price, certification price, vendor fee, payment method, and delivery option.
  4. For mail requests, do not send personal checks if the Clerk requires money orders, certified checks, or cashier’s checks.
  5. Keep payment receipts and request confirmations until your record arrives.

Wayne County Clerk, Third Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, or State Office?

Many Wayne County record searches fail because the user starts at the wrong office. The Wayne County Clerk is important, but it is not the land-record office, not the Michigan Secretary of State, and not the only court-record access point.

Use the Wayne County Clerk for

  • Birth certificates and death certificates where Wayne County is the correct local vital-record office.
  • Marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and related marriage-record questions.
  • Assumed names, co-partnership certificates, notary public filings, and military discharge records.
  • Circuit Court record copies, divorce record copies, archived court files, and records room services.
  • County election results, candidate resources, and election administration information.

Use another office for

  • Third Judicial Circuit Court: case search, case calendars, court departments, Odyssey Public Access, court rules, and hearing information.
  • Register of Deeds: deeds, mortgages, liens, land records, recorded property documents, and certified land-record copies.
  • Michigan Secretary of State: notary commission processing, driver’s license, state ID, vehicle registration, and many business/search services.
  • Michigan State Police: CPL renewal portal and statewide CPL renewal instructions.
  • Probate Court: probate, guardianship, estate, and certain older name-change records.

Official land recordsWayne County Register of Deeds

After opening this link:

  1. Use this office for deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, recorded property documents, and certified land-record copies.
  2. Check whether appointments are required before visiting the Register of Deeds office.
  3. Use the land-record search link for documents recorded after the online system’s listed start date.
  4. Do not use the County Clerk’s court-record page for deed or mortgage searches.
  5. For certified copies, check whether certification is available online, in person, or by mail.

Official land searchWayne County Register of Deeds Search and Copy Requests

After opening this link:

  1. Decide whether to search online, use the office kiosk, or request a search by mail.
  2. Use free public search for grantor/grantee index information only if document viewing is not needed.
  3. Use a paid on-demand account if you need address, legal description, parcel/tax ID, liber/page, document viewing, or printed copies.
  4. Remember that certified copies are not available from the land-record website and must be obtained through the office or mail process.

Privacy, Accuracy, and Legal Use Notice

Public records and court records are not the same as unlimited-use records. Birth records can be restricted, court records can be sealed or confidential, and online case-search results can be incomplete or unofficial.

This page is an independent informational guide and is not the official Wayne County Clerk website. It is not legal advice, does not certify any record, and does not replace direct confirmation from Wayne County, the Third Judicial Circuit Court, the Register of Deeds, or the State of Michigan.

Important: this website is not a consumer reporting agency. Do not use this guide or linked record searches for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance eligibility, or any Fair Credit Reporting Act purpose.

Wayne County Clerk FAQs

1. Where is the Wayne County Clerk office located?

The main Wayne County Clerk office is located at 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 201, Detroit, MI 48226. Some vital-record services are handled at 400 Monroe Street, and court-record services may use the Records Division in Room LL-61 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

2. What is the phone number for the Wayne County Clerk?

The main Wayne County Clerk phone number is 313-967-6938. For CPL questions, Wayne County lists 313-224-5565 and cpl@waynecountymi.gov. For Frank Murphy criminal records room questions, Wayne County directs users to 313-224-2502.

3. What are the Wayne County Clerk office hours?

The main Wayne County Clerk page lists Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Vital Records has separate posted hours and is closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

4. How do I search Wayne County court records online?

Use the Third Judicial Circuit Court case search page and Odyssey Public Access. Read the terms carefully because online Odyssey results are unofficial, limited, and not a substitute for certified court records from the Wayne County Clerk Records Division.

5. Where do I request Wayne County divorce records?

Wayne County lists civil court records, including divorce records, through the Clerk Records Division. Search online first when possible, then request copies in person, by mail, by email, or through the online vendor option listed by Wayne County.

6. Can anyone request a Wayne County birth certificate?

No. Wayne County states that birth certificates are not public records and may generally be requested only by the person named on the record, a parent named on the record, or a legal guardian or representative with valid identification.

7. Are Wayne County death certificates public records?

Yes. Wayne County states that death certificates are public records and can be obtained by anyone. The request should include the full name of the deceased, date of death, and city of death.

8. How do I get a Wayne County marriage license?

Start with the Wayne County Marriage Licenses page. Wayne County residents apply through the Wayne County Clerk, and the resident must be present when applying. Bring required identification, birth documentation, and the correct payment method.

9. Does the Wayne County Clerk handle deeds and mortgages?

No. Deeds, mortgages, liens, land records, and recorded property documents are handled by the Wayne County Register of Deeds. The County Clerk handles vital records, marriage services, assumed names, notary filings, elections, and many court-record copy services.

10. Is this the official Wayne County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent guide. For official records, appointments, fees, forms, office hours, and service updates, use the official Wayne County Clerk, Third Judicial Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, and State of Michigan links provided in this article.

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