Michigan Divorce Documents: Every Form You Need to File

Wave 1 — Opening the Case

These are filed together on day one with the circuit court clerk in the county where you or your spouse has lived for the last 10 days, after at least 180 days of Michigan residency.

• Summons (MC 01) — issued by the clerk with your case number
• Complaint for Divorce — states residency, the breakdown of the marriage, and what you are asking for
• Record of Divorce or Annulment (DCH-0838) — the vital records form
• Verified Statement (FOC 10/52) — required whenever support or children are involved
• Fee waiver request (MC 20) — only if you cannot afford the filing fee

Wave 2 — Service and Response

Your spouse must be formally served, or must sign an acknowledgment. You cannot serve the papers yourself.

• Proof of Service (MC 302) — filed after service is completed
• Answer (MC 03) — filed by your spouse if they contest anything
• Default Request (MC 07) — if your spouse never responds within 21 or 28 days

Wave 3 — Finishing the Case

In an uncontested case these documents are submitted for the judge's signature after the waiting period ends.

• Judgment of Divorce — the controlling document that divides property and debt
• Uniform Child Support Order (FOC 39) — required in any case with children
• Uniform Spousal Support Order (FOC 100) — if spousal support is awarded
• Order Regarding Income Withholding — routes support payments through the state
• Qualified Domestic Relations Order — only if a retirement account is being divided

Additional Documents With Minor Children

Cases involving children require a Friend of the Court packet and a parenting plan. Michigan also requires the parties to provide the children's Social Security numbers and health insurance information to the Friend of the Court, and many counties require attendance at a parenting education class before the judgment is entered.

Michigan Waiting Periods

Michigan imposes a mandatory waiting period regardless of how cooperative the parties are: 60 days from filing for a divorce without minor children, and 6 months when minor children are involved. Courts can shorten the 6-month period in limited circumstances but rarely go below 60 days.

Filing Fees

The statutory filing fee is $175 without minor children and $255 with minor children, identical in every Michigan county. Service of process, certified copies of the judgment, and any parenting class fees are separate.