Find Kent County Court Records

Kent County court records are managed by one of the largest court systems in Michigan. The 17th Circuit Court, five district courts, and the Probate Court all operate in Kent County, with most headquartered in Grand Rapids. You can search Kent County court records online through MiCOURT or the county's own court records portal. This page explains where each court is, how to search, and what fees apply when requesting copies of court records in Kent County.

Kent County Court System

Kent County has one of the most active court systems in Michigan. The 17th Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Ave NW in Grand Rapids handles felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, family law, and appeals from district courts. The county clerk for courts is Lisa Posthumus Lyons; her office can be reached at (616) 632-7640. The circuit court main line is (616) 632-5480. The Probate Court, also at 180 Ottawa Ave NW, handles estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health cases at (616) 632-5440.

Kent County has five separate district courts spread across the county. The 61st District Court is in downtown Grand Rapids at 180 Ottawa Ave NW, (616) 632-5700. The 63rd District Court is at 1950 E Beltline NE, (616) 632-7770, and handles records going back to 1995 - for older records call that number directly. The 62-A District Court serves Wyoming from 2650 DeHoop Ave SW, (616) 530-7385. The 62-B District Court serves Kentwood from 4740 Walma Ave SE, (616) 698-9310. The 59th District Court has two locations: Grandville at 3161 Wilson Ave SW, (616) 538-9660, and Walker at 4343 Remembrance Rd NW, (616) 453-5765.

The Kent County government website provides access to 17th Circuit Court information, clerk services, and resources for searching Kent County court records.

Search Kent County Court Records Online

Kent County has two main online search options. The first is MiCOURT Case Search, Michigan's free statewide portal. It lets you search by name or case number across all Kent County courts. The second is the county's own court records search at www.kentcountymi.gov/1036/Search-Court-Records. Both tools show case status, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries. The county search may have some records that haven't yet synced to MiCOURT.

Kent County's dedicated court records search portal allows direct lookup of circuit court cases, dockets, and filings without leaving the county website.

Under MCR 8.119, courts must keep and make available records in formats that allow public review. MCL 15.232 reinforces public access rights under FOIA. Most Kent County court records are public. Juvenile cases, some mental health matters, and sealed civil cases have limited access. For records filed before the circuit court's electronic system, call (616) 632-7770 to request older files.

If you are looking for PPO (personal protection order) records or need to file a PPO, the dedicated PPO Office at (616) 632-5220 handles these matters separately from the main clerk's office. The Friend of the Court office at (616) 632-6888 handles child support and parenting time enforcement records for Kent County family cases.

The AccessKent courts page links to all Kent County court divisions and provides public access to court records, forms, and filing information.

Kent County Court Records Contents

Court records in Kent County cover every type of legal matter heard in the county's courts. Circuit Court files include felony charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing records, civil case complaints, and family court orders. A divorce file, for example, holds the petition, financial disclosures, separation agreement, custody orders, and final judgment of divorce. All of these are part of the official Kent County court records and are accessible to the public unless sealed.

District Court records document misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims under $25,000, traffic infractions, and small claims disputes. If you need a record of a traffic ticket, a civil judgment, or a misdemeanor conviction, the relevant district court for that city or township is the right place to start. Michigan Constitution Article 1, Section 23 protects the public's right to access court proceedings as a foundational principle. Records under MCR 1.109 are maintained electronically for most new filings in Kent County.

Probate Court records show estate filings, will contests, guardianship appointments, and conservatorship proceedings. If you are trying to track down a deceased person's estate records, the Probate Court clerk at (616) 632-5440 is the right call. Fee waivers under MCL 600.880b are available for those who qualify.

Fees for Kent County Court Records

Standard copy fees in Kent County follow the Michigan court schedule. Plain copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page. Viewing records at the courthouse is generally free. You pay only when you ask for paper or certified copies. These fees apply to all courts in the county under MCL 600.880b.

For the most current fee details, check the state schedule at courts.michigan.gov. If cost is a concern, ask the clerk about fee waiver options. People with low income may qualify to have fees reduced or waived entirely.

The Kent County official website is a central hub for court records, clerk contacts, fee information, and links to all county departments.

Legal Help in Kent County

Kent County residents have access to several legal aid and self-help resources. Michigan Legal Help has free guides on how to file, search, and respond to court cases. The site is written in plain English and covers most common legal issues that come up in Kent County courts. Legal aid organizations in Grand Rapids provide free help to qualifying individuals for civil and family matters.

For court forms, visit courts.michigan.gov/forms. To file electronically, use MiFILE. If your matter involves a personal protection order, call the PPO Office at (616) 632-5220. For child support and custody enforcement, the Friend of the Court at (616) 632-6888 is the correct contact. The State Bar of Michigan referral service can also connect you with an attorney who practices in Kent County.

Cities in Kent County

Kent County includes several large cities. Grand Rapids and Wyoming both qualify for dedicated pages with more specific court records information.

Other cities in Kent County include Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and East Grand Rapids. All of these communities are served by Kent County courts based in Grand Rapids.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kent County. Each has its own courts and records. If you need to search cases that may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, use the statewide MiCOURT system to check across counties.