FOC How To File

Available filing methods for motions, cases and pleadings are below.

Electronic (Preferred)
Domestic Case Filings System
Available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (not available evenings, weekends, or court holidays).

Website: www.3rdcc.org/agency-resources

Eligible case types

DC – Custody (excluding Collaborative Law)
DM – Divorce with minor children
DO – Divorce without minor children
DP – Paternity
DS – Family Support
DZ – Miscellaneous family domestic
NC – Name Change (use “alias name” for the requested new name)

Not eligible for electronic filing (must file in person or by mail)

Collaborative Law cases
Emancipation cases
Infectious Disease (ID)
UIFSA initiation, registration, or modification
Waiver of Parental Consent (see Below)
Personal Protection Orders

Important notes

PDF format only; black-and-white documents
Motions and exhibits must be combined into a single PDF
Internet Explorer is not supported
The system does not perform service; parties are responsible for proper service
Technical assistance: helpdesk@3rdcc.org

In-Person

Wayne County Clerk – Room 201

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

Two Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

Hours: Mondays and Thursdays only

8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m. (must be in line by 3:30 p.m.)

All documents must be complete at the time of filing.

Mail

Mail filings to:

Wayne County Clerk

Room 201, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

Two Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI 48226

If filing a motion by mail, parties must monitor the case through Odyssey Public Access to confirm filing and then request a hearing date as required.

Filing Fees and Fee Waivers

Filing Fees

Electronic filings: Fees must be paid in advance at www.allpaid.com using code 6223. Include the receipt with your filing.
In-person filings: Credit card, cash, money order, or attorney check (with P-number).
Mail filings: Money order or attorney check only.

Fee Waivers

Fee waivers must be submitted and approved before filing:

In person: Chief Judge’s Courtroom, 701 CAYMC, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 2:00–4:30 p.m.
Electronically through the Domestic Case Filings System. If denied, fees must be paid or a review requested within 14 days

Emergency Filings

Emergency pleadings must be clearly marked “Emergency” on the first page.
After filing with the Clerk and resolving fees or waivers:
In-person filings must also be emailed to the assigned Judge’s courtroom email.
The Court will contact parties if deficiencies exist and will issue orders following judicial review.

Motion Hearing Dates/ePraecipe

Review the Domestic Relations Docket Directive to determine if your motion needs to be heard by a Judge or Referee.
Judge Motions:

Once the Motion is filed fill out a Family Domestic Praecipe online.
Once your ePraecipe has been processed, you will receive a completed copy back with your hearing date on it.

Friend of the Court Referee Motions:

Once the Motion is filed with the Clerk or you have received an email from the Domestic Case Filing System stating your Motion has been accepted, you can either:

Fill out the Friend of the Court Praecipe online to receive your hearing date.

Once you have completed the ePraecipe and your ePraecipe has been processed, you will receive a completed copy back with your hearing date on it.
NOTE: For FOC Praecipe, be sure to select the FOC Praecipe checkbox in Step 3 to ensure your motion is properly scheduled.

OR you may give the Clerk in 201 CAYMC a time stamped “Motion Praecipe” form, your original financial information form, and a copy of your Motion for them to send to the Friend of the Court. If you submit a copy of your motion in person to the Clerk’s office for FOC scheduling, you will receive your hearing date in the mail.

Motion to Set Aside DP (FDFOC 4038) and Motion to Set Aside DS (FDFOC 4021)

These Motions must be emailed to the Courtroom of the Presiding Judge JudgeFarhat-Court@3rdcc.org after they have been filed with the Clerk's Office.
The Presiding Judge's Courtroom will schedule the motion for hearing and you will receive notice of your hearing date.

Stipulated, Proposed, 7-Day and Ex-Parte Orders

All Stipulated, Proposed, 7-Day and Ex-Parte Orders shall be submitted to the Assigned Judge's general e-mail address, which can be found at 3rdcc.org/zoom, for review.

Waiver of Parental Consent

If you have a case for a waiver of parental consent, please send an email to Presiding Judge Helal A. Farhat at JudgeFarhat-Court@3rdcc.org with the initials of the Petitioner and the Petitioner’s date of birth. Someone from the Court will contact you back within 24 hours of receipt of the email.