Small claims court in Wayne County, Michigan
In Wayne County, small claims cases up to $7,000 are heard by more than one court: 20 district courts serve Wayne County, each covering certain cities/townships (this row. You must file with the one that serves the right area. Below is one of them, the 36th District Court (Small Claims Division), with a link to the official list.
Where to file in Wayne County
One of several courts in Wayne County: 20 district courts serve Wayne County, each covering certain cities/townships (this row. Find the right one: Official court directory.
36th District Court (Small Claims Division)
Address: 421 Madison St., Detroit, MI 48226 · Map
Phone: 313-965-2200
20 district courts serve Wayne County, each covering certain cities/townships (this row: City of Detroit). File in the district court for the place where the defendant lives, works or does business, or where the problem happened. Others: 16th District Court (City of Livonia), 32765 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48154, 734-466-2500; 17th District Court (Township of Redford), 15111 Beech-Daly Rd., Redford, MI 48239, 313-387-2790; 18th District Court (City of Westland), 36675 Ford Rd., Westland, MI 48185, 734-595-8720; 19th District Court (City of Dearborn), 16077 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126, 313-943-2060; 20th District Court (City of Dearborn Heights), 25637 Michigan Ave., Dearborn Heights, MI 48125, 313-277-7480; 21st District Court (City of Garden City), 6000 N. Middlebelt Rd., Garden City, MI 48135, 734-793-1680; 22nd District Court (City of Inkster), 26279 Michigan Ave., Inkster, MI 48141, 313-277-8200; 23rd District Court (City of Taylor), 23365 Goddard, Taylor, MI 48180, 734-374-1334; 24th District Court (Cities of Allen Park and Melvindale), 6515 Roosevelt Rd., Allen Park, MI 48101, 313-928-0535; 25th District Court (Cities of Ecorse, Lincoln Park, and River Rouge), 1475 Cleophus, Lincoln Park, MI 48146, 313-382-8603; 27th District Court (Cities of Wyandotte and Riverview), 2015 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte, MI 48192, 734-324-4475; 28th District Court (City of Southgate), 14720 Reaume Parkway, Southgate, MI 48195, 734-258-3068; 29th District Court (City of Wayne), 34808 Sims Ave., Wayne, MI 48184, 734-722-5220; 30th District Court (City of Highland Park), 12050 Woodward Ave., Highland Park, MI 48203, 313-252-0300; 31st District Court (City of Hamtramck), 3401 Evaline Ave., Hamtramck, MI 48212, 313-800-5248; 32A District Court (City of Harper Woods), 19617 Harper Ave., Harper Woods, MI 48225, 313-343-2590; 33rd District Court (Cities of Trenton, Gibralter, Woodhaven, Rockwood, and Flat Rock, and Townships of Brownstown, and Grosse Ile), 19000 Van Horn, Woodhaven, MI 48183, 734-671-0201; 34th District Court (Cities of Romulus and Belleville, and the Townships of Sumpter, Van Buren and Huron), 11129 Wayne Rd., Romulus, MI 48174, 734-941-4462; 35th District Court (Cities of Northville and Plymouth and the Townships of Northville, Plymouth and Canton), 660 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170, 734-459-4740. Additional location(s) of this court: 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226, 313-224-2506.
Court addresses, phones and hours change. Call the clerk before you go, and ask whether small claims are filed at this location.
Is this the right county?
File at the district court where the problem happened or where the defendant lives, works or does business. You must sign the claim under oath in front of the clerk or a notary, so don't sign it in advance. Bring 4 copies and photo ID.
If the person or business you are suing is in another county, use that county's court instead. See all Michigan counties.
How to file in Wayne County
Ask for payment in writing
Michigan doesn't require a demand letter, but the court suggests trying to settle first, and a written demand is good evidence. Make a free demand letter.
Fill in the claim (DC 84)
Affidavit and Claim, Small Claims Get the form.
File it with the right court and pay the fee
$30 for claims up to $600, $50 up to $1,750, and $70 above that. Service costs extra: about $15 by certified mail, or up to $26 plus mileage for personal delivery. If you win, your costs can be added to the judgment. Fee waiver: Fee Waiver Request (form MC 20).
Have the papers served
The court clerk arranges service, and you pay for it: certified mail with restricted delivery, or personal delivery by a process server or court officer.
Go to the hearing
The clerk sets the date when you file, often about 6 weeks out. Bring receipts, photos, messages, the contract and your demand letter, with copies.
Want every detail? The full Michigan filing guide covers each stage with a checklist.
Open the filing guideCommon questions
Where is small claims court in Wayne County?
Wayne County has more than one small claims court (20 district courts serve Wayne County, each covering certain cities/townships (this row). File with the one that serves the area where the defendant lives or where the problem happened, as the venue rules say. One of them is the 36th District Court (Small Claims Division), 421 Madison St., Detroit, MI 48226. Phone: 313-965-2200. Official list of all of them: Official court directory, https://www.courts.michigan.gov/
How much can I sue for in Wayne County small claims court?
Up to $7,000. The limit is $7,000 for people and businesses. If you're owed more, you give up the extra for good, and you can't split one claim into several cases. Claims from $7,000 to $25,000 go to the district court's general civil division. Small claims can only award money.
How much does it cost to file in Wayne County?
$30 for claims up to $600, $50 up to $1,750, and $70 above that. Service costs extra: about $15 by certified mail, or up to $26 plus mileage for personal delivery. If you win, your costs can be added to the judgment. Fee waiver: Fee Waiver Request (form MC 20).