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Divorce Residency Requirements in Michigan

In Michigan, one spouse must have lived in the state for 180 days and in the filing county for 10 days before filing, and the ground is a breakdown of the marriage relationship.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Michigan at a glance

State residency
180 days
County residency
10 days in the filing county
The 10 day county rule is waived in limited cases where a minor child is at risk of being taken out of the US by a defendant born in or a citizen of another country.
No-fault ground
Breakdown of the marriage relationship
The breakdown must be to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Michigan

How long must you live in Michigan before filing for divorce?

State residency in Michigan: 180 days.

Is there a county residency requirement for divorce in Michigan?

County residency in Michigan: 10 days in the filing county. The 10 day county rule is waived in limited cases where a minor child is at risk of being taken out of the US by a defendant born in or a citizen of another country.

What is the no-fault ground for divorce in Michigan?

No-fault ground in Michigan: Breakdown of the marriage relationship. The breakdown must be to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed.

Where do the Michigan divorce residency requirements come from?

The rules above come from MCL 552.9 and MCL 552.6. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Residency is about where a spouse actually lives and intends to stay, not just a mailing address. Courts may look at a driver's license, voter registration, a lease or deed, tax filings and employment records. Keeping copies of these documents can help if residency is questioned.

Meeting the residency requirement is separate from any waiting period after filing. Some states also require a period of separation before a no-fault divorce, or a cooling-off period before the final decree. Checking all of these timelines together gives a more realistic picture of when a divorce can be finalized.

Military members and their spouses often have special residency rules based on where they are stationed. If the spouses live in different states, more than one court may be able to hear the divorce, and the choice can affect issues like property division and support. A local family law attorney can confirm where to file.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.