A friend of the court case does not automatically reinstate your license
If your driver's license was suspended because of a child support debt, a friend of the court case alone will not restore it. You have to take a separate step after the case concludes. Michigan's Secretary of State maintains the suspension independently, and the court does not automatically notify them when your support obligation changes or when you have paid what you owe.
The reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended in the first place and what happened in your friend of the court case. If you resolved your child support debt, you will need to request reinstatement from the Secretary of State. If your case is still active or you still owe money, your license will remain suspended even if other parts of your case have changed.
Key Takeaways
- The friend of the court case outcome does not trigger automatic license reinstatement; you must request it separately from the Michigan Secretary of State.
- Your license stays suspended until the Secretary of State receives notice that your child support debt is resolved or that your case has been dismissed.
- You will need documentation from the friend of the court office showing your current support status before you can request reinstatement.
- The reinstatement request can be made by mail, online, or in person at a Secretary of State office, and there is usually a reinstatement fee.
How the suspension and reinstatement system works
Michigan suspends driver's licenses through an automated system that tracks child support cases. When a support obligation falls behind by a certain amount, the friend of the court office reports this to the Secretary of State, and the suspension happens without a court hearing. This system is separate from the court case itself.
When your case changes—whether you paid the debt, the obligation was modified, or the case was dismissed—the friend of the court office has to send updated information to the Secretary of State. However, this does not happen automatically on the day your case concludes. You need to confirm that the update has been sent and then request reinstatement yourself.
What you need before requesting reinstatement
Before you contact the Secretary of State, you need written proof from the friend of the court office showing your current child support status. This document should state whether you have paid the debt in full, whether your case has been dismissed, or what your current obligation is. Call your local friend of the court office and ask for a letter or printout showing that you are no longer in arrears or that your case is closed.
Keep in mind that "no longer in arrears" means you have paid all past-due support plus any interest or fees the court added. If you have a payment plan in place but still owe money, your license will not be reinstated. The Secretary of State needs to see that the debt is fully resolved or that the case no longer exists.
How to request reinstatement from the Secretary of State
You can request reinstatement in three ways: online through the Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office. The online method is usually fastest. You will need your driver's license number, your Social Security number, and the documentation from the friend of the court office.
If you request by mail, send your letter along with a copy of the friend of the court document to the Michigan Secretary of State, Driver and Vehicle Services Division. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a brief explanation that your child support obligation has been resolved. Include a check or money order for the reinstatement fee, which varies depending on how long your license has been suspended.
In-person reinstatement at a Secretary of State office usually takes the same day. Bring your documentation, your driver's license, and payment for the fee. Some offices accept cash, check, or card; call ahead to confirm what your local office takes.
Timing: how long reinstatement takes
Online reinstatement can be processed within a few business days. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks, depending on how busy the Secretary of State office is. In-person requests are usually completed the same day you visit.
During this time, your license remains suspended. You cannot legally drive, and driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties in Michigan. If you need to drive before reinstatement is complete, you may be able to request a temporary driving permit from the Secretary of State, though this is not may provide and depends on your circumstances.
What to do if the friend of the court office has not sent the update
If you have resolved your child support debt but the Secretary of State still shows your license as suspended, the friend of the court office may not have sent the updated information yet. Contact your local friend of the court office and ask them to verify that they have reported your current status to the Secretary of State. Ask for the date they sent the report and request a copy of it.
If the office says they sent it but the Secretary of State has not received it, ask for the name and contact information of the person who handles Secretary of State reporting. You can then contact the Secretary of State directly and provide them with the friend of the court documentation yourself. This can speed up the process.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
Michigan charges a reinstatement fee when you restore a suspended license. The amount depends on how long your license has been suspended. The fee is not refundable, even if you later discover that the suspension was made in error. Payment is required before your license is reinstated.
The reinstatement fee covers the administrative cost of updating your record in the Secretary of State system. It does not cover any child support debt you owe—that is a separate obligation to the friend of the court. You must pay both the reinstatement fee and any outstanding child support before your license will be restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Secretary of State officially reinstates it. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Michigan and can result in fines, jail time, and additional license suspension. Do not drive during this period.
What if I still owe child support but my friend of the court case ended?
Your license will stay suspended. The suspension is tied to the child support debt, not to whether the case is active. You must resolve the debt—either by paying it in full or by reaching a new agreement with the friend of the court—before you can request reinstatement.
Do I need a lawyer to request reinstatement?
No. Reinstatement is an administrative process that you can handle yourself. You do not need a lawyer, though you can hire one if you want help. The Secretary of State office can answer questions about what documents you need and how to submit your request.
What if the friend of the court office says I still owe money, but I think I have paid it all?
Ask the friend of the court office for an itemized statement showing what you owe, what you have paid, and any interest or fees added. If you disagree with the amount, you can request a hearing before a judge. Bring proof of your payments—bank statements, cancelled checks, or receipts from the friend of the court office.
Can my license be reinstated if my case is still open but I am current on payments?
Yes. If you are current on your child support payments and not in arrears, you can request reinstatement even if your case is still active. You will need documentation from the friend of the court office showing that you are current. The suspension is based on arrears, not on whether the case is open.